April 16, 2026
By Capt. Roger Bump
Capt. Roger Bump covers inshore and offshore fishing in Northeast Florida from Fernandina Beach to Flagler Beach, including Jacksonville and Saint Augustine.
April 16-20, 2026 Northeast Florida weekend fishing forecast
Catching redfish during low tide near the spartina grass is an ideal time to dial in action. (Photo: Roger Bump)
Offshore
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Blue water anglers better not take this weekend for granted. Mahi have shown up in good numbers just inside the ledge. Rigged ballyhoo slow trolled near weedlines or floating debris is the ticket.
Just take note starting next week another brutal Northeaster will impact our area and will definitely move migrating fish such as mahi , Cobia , and triple tail. Speaking of cobia there are some fish shadowing rays along our Southern coastline. Running the beaches and looking for rays are standard sight fishing cobia technique. Scott Jones of Fishbites reports most of the fish are just under slot taking their new swimming mullet lure which can be rigged line thru or jig head. Best bottom fishing starting in 140 ft giving up trigger and vermilion and a few amberjack.
It's a rare day when an angler can land a snook in Northeast Florida. (Photo: Roger Bump) Inshore
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Water temps are moving into the 70’s and water clarity is excellent. The key right now is finding areas holding lots of bait. In the past week finger mullet have moved into many of our tributaries and creek systems in numbers that resemble a Fall mullet run. There is also a small amount of shrimp that are adding to the forage in those same areas. Redfish continue to provide excellent sight fishing opportunities on shallow flats. Top water lures , swimming grubs that resemble mullet are top producers.
Live bait option are those finger mullet which you can catch using a cast net or my favorite live shrimp which is more likely to attract bonus species black drum and sheephead. Speckled continue to be slow with a solitary big fish caught here and there or lots of under slot fish.
Thank you for checking in and be safe out there on the water
Captain Roger Perry Bump
www.jacksonvillefishingtrips.com
(904) 866-8055 Previous reports April 9-12, 2026 Northeast Florida weekend fishing forecast
Offshore
This weekend winds will be up and ocean will be rough. Water temps at Jax beach holding at 69 degrees. If it wasn’t for the wind and seas sight fishing for cobia would be a go. Hopefully next week winds should calm down enough for morning runs of the coast looking for cobia railing rays. Mahi would be another Spring time pelagic to target if it wasn’t for the weather. Rigged ballyhoo slow trolled near floating debris just inside the ledge. Beach fishing should still see plenty of whiting and a window of pompano if the wind calms enough next week.
Inshore
Even inshore had to take a couple days off for most fishermen because of the strong winds. This weekend will have a small window of good weather Saturday with a falling tide in the morning. Look for trout and redfish in areas holding clear water in 2 to 4ft of water using either topwaters or soft plastics with a slow fall rate. Live shrimp best bet for live bait anglers. Present shrimp under a float or drag on the bottom with a jig head for best results. When we get weather that is so bad it keeps even the hardcore anglers inside a reinvent the wheel point of view has to be taken when your finally able to get back on the water. Start with what you found before the shut down then if that doesn’t pan out try different ways and areas to find fish.
Until next weekend thank you for checking in.
Captain Roger Perry Bump Jr
(904) 866-8055
Previous reports April 2-6, 2026 Northeast Florida weekend fishing forecast
Offshore
Strong winds have been constant the last couple of weekends but not this one coming up. Saturday and especially Sunday winds will finally calm down just in time for Mahi season.
Blue water anglers will change their rigs from high speed trolling wahoo to rigged Bally hoo slow trolled near any floating debris. Not many people have gotten out the last couple weeks so it’s reinvent the wheel. Whiting were hot and heavy just outside breakers and main channel inlets. So far the anglers I talked to are trying to find them again as they change their depth feeding zones from 30 ft to 8ft. When you do find them they are trophy quality. Some small reports on pompano but I would assume after this full moon during the week this weekend has to break out for that species.
Inshore
It's a great week to catch redfish in Northeast Florida in April. (Photo: Capt. Roger Bump) Redfish have been the GO TOO species for fishing fun even in the windy weather. Sight fishing or casting to targets ( docks , rocks , or oysters ) they have provided unparalleled action. The best lures have been either a gulp shrimp or a fish bites fluke. Best natural bait is a live shrimp under a cork which is almost unfair. Trout have been hit or miss with suspending hardbaits that get down to at least 3 ft your best lures option . Live Shrimp under a float again deadly on speckled trout. Do not forget speckled trout regs have changed effective now in our forecast area from all trout over 19 inches release only and you can only keep three trout from 15 to under 19 inches per person. If you go out make sure you have plenty of bug spray.
This is Captain Roger Perry Bump
Thank for checking in
www.jacksonvillefishingtrips.com
(904) 866-8055
Previous reports March 26-29, 2026 Northeast Florida weekend fishing forecast
This a great time to land spawning bass, especially when the full moon arrives April 1. (Photo: Capt. Roger Bump) Offshore This weekend will have winds up to 25 mph onshore both days. Needless to say the ocean will be shut down. On the few days anglers were able to get out wahoo we’re holding just inside the ledge near weedlines. Sea bass have schooled up on wrecks starting 20 miles out. Sheephead continue to have good numbers on nearshore wrecks inside 5 miles. Whiting are taking fresh dead shrimp just outside breakers and inlet channel edges. Most whiting are averaging 1 1/2 pounds with some going up to 3 pounds. Water temps are averaging in the mid sixties throughout the forecast area.
Inshore It’s going to be windy even on inshore fishing standards. Main river areas will be extremely choppy. The best areas possible to fish would be small wind protected creeks. Live shrimp under a float drifted to docks , rocks , or fallen trees will get the attention of redfish , black drum , and speckled trout. Lure anglers will do best sticking to subsurface hardbaits , fluke style baits rigged weedless or jig and plastics.
Thanks always for checking in!
Captain Roger Perry Bump Jr
(904) 866-8055
Previous reports March 19-22, 2026 Northeast Florida weekend fishing forecast
Offshore This weekend will be a 10 for whatever fishing your looking to get into. Water temps have dropped slightly into the low sixties which will surely warm up through the weekend. Ocean conditions will be mild and blue water anglers should take advantage especially for wahoo.
High speed trolling just inside the ledge along weed lines you may come across. If you run into an area with a lot of action try slowing trolling technique down to using a large live bonito if possible. Nearshore wrecks inside 5 miles still holding some decent sheephead. Live fiddlers best bait for sheephead and should be in good supply at local bait shops. Whiting have proven to be the overlooked best opportunity to catch as of late. Some anglers I talked to say it’s the best run they have seen in years. Targeting whiting can be simply approached by fishing off the beach but targeting the larger whiting has been better in the major inlet channels or fished just outside the breakers using a boat. Fresh dead shrimp best bait for whiting. Bonus reports have some pompano moving in the same areas whiting are holding.
This time of your, anglers can count on those first few showings of tarpon coming into the estuaries. (Photo by Roger Bump) Inshore Sheepshead are picking up on inshore docks, bridge pilings and jetty areas. Possible sight fishing sheephead in shallow flat's on oyster beds. Fiddler crabs are the best baits but don’t overlook a quartered blue crab especially for larger sheephead. Giant black drum have moved into are deep river channels to spawn. Best bait for those are quartered or half blue crabs on the bottom. Smaller sized black drum or commonly called puppy drum can be caught in drop offs in just about any creek system. I like anywhere between 2 to 6 ft of water using fresh dead shrimp or quartered blue crab. The bonus to targeting black drum in the creeks is your going to catch more than a few redfish. Speaking of redfish it will be just about a perfect weather set up for sight fishing redfish this weekend. I like a soft plastic fluke rigged weedless and no weight. You should carry a mix of colors white , black chartreuse , rootbeer , pumpkin , clear midnight crystal just to name a few in my box. If you’re just beating a grass line at high tide try a spinner bait which will catch redfish and bonus flounder. Best bet for speckled trout would fishing early and late in the day using a suspending hard baits or possible top water plugs. The subsurface lures are going to catch more fish in my opinion but it’s nice to get a topwater bite. Best all around way to get bites and catch quality fish would be drifting live shrimp under a cork in 3 to 5ft of water.
I hope this reports bids you well and thank you for your readership. Go Catch em!
Captain Roger Perry Bump (904) 866-8055
Previous reports March 12-15, 2026 Offshore
What a complete fire up of fishing across the board. Warm weather has water temps in the 60’s and just about every species that anglers target this time of year have responded in heavy feed mode. Previously this week there were lots of wahoo caught just inside the ledge with one fish well over 100 pounds topping the week. Even though most anglers prefer the easy route of high speed trolling which does catch fish consistently slow trolling big natural baits gets the true monsters. Nearshore wrecks inside 5 miles are still producing the largest sheephead. Inlet jetties starting to see some of those 8 pounds and up moving in to spawn.
Beach action has turned on for whiting on moving tides. Some reports say a fish on every cast. Larger whiting holding inside inlets especially deep channels. Don Suber a longtime whiting pro says it the best run he has seen in years. Giant black drum are also in play in those major inlet channel edges. Fresh dead shrimp works best on both drum and whiting.
There are also reports of Spanish mackerel on the tips of jetty inlets along with pogy schools.
Inshore
Redfish and Black drum can be caught in creeks near hard bottom on moving tides. Live shrimp is my top choice for both species. Docks are also holding red and black drum and the key is fishing water depth from 2 to 5ft.
Speckled Trout biting best early and late in the day on jig and plastics and shallow suspend hardbaits. There are a few flounder around but not enough to target that species exclusively. Another species that is biting that I don’t report on often is large mouth black bass. In the winter and now early Spring way back in many creek systems start to freshen up water wise. This lets anglers chasing redfish and trout run into a bonus catch , large mouth bass. I like a fluke style bait in these areas rigged weightless and weedless for all three species. This time of year you got to get on it when it’s hot and right now it’s burning. I hope this report bids you well.
Captain Roger Perry Bump
(904) 866-8055
Previous reports March 5-8, 2026 Northeast Florida weekend fishing forecast
Offshore
Looks like a great weekend for fishing! Let’s start with a couple key factors. First, we will be coming off a full moon. Second, water temps are slowly warming. Wahoo anglers should take advantage of any late season windows to get out, and this weekend is a perfect example. Water temps are holding in the mid-fifties which will keep wahoo close to the warm side of the break making finding them a little easier. High speed trolling just inside the ledge and if you see weedlines troll along them as well. Best bottom starting in 140ft with trigger and vermilion most likely keepable targets. Nearshore wrecks inside 4 miles best for sheepshead as they start to move in to spawn.
This young snook in a Jacksonville waterway made it through the freezes in February. (Roger Bump photo) Inshore
We are in that transition period, and things should start moving along with continued warm weather. Sheepshead are starting their spawn slowly moving inshore. Aside from the usual targeting docks and bridge pilings using fiddler crabs, sheepshead can also be targeted on shallow creek oyster beds using quartered blue crab. This will also lead to catching redfish as a bonus. Looks like sheepshead will light up with every warm day. Black drum in the puppy drum size anything under 20 inches are another overlooked species that are taking fresh dead shrimp in creek areas from 2 to 5 ft of water. Live shrimp are the go-to bait at this time used in variety of ways. My favorite is on a popping cork free lined underneath. Lure anglers will have to use a variety of lures to keep on the bite through the day. Top water lures early mixed with a fluke bait rigged weight less. As the day goes on try jigs a plastics and subsurface jerk baits. These lures will get bites from redfish and trout. Spinner baits would be another category to try around grass lines or dock pilings since flounder have showed up recently.
Hope this report bids you well and thank you for checking in,
Your forecast, Captain Roger Perry Bump
www.jacksonvillefishingtrips.com
(904) 866-8055
Previous reports Feb. 26-March 1, 2026 Northeast Florida weekend fishing forecast Offshore This weekend there will be a major sheepshead tournament on Saturday. Most boat ramps will be packed so keep that in mind. If you are looking for sheephead best chance for a double digit fish will be on nearshore wrecks inside 5 miles. Fiddler crabs will be in good supply but acquiring them early is a great idea. Another possible area to get a monster sheephead that would be overlooked by most is targeting deep river hard bottom areas. Soaking quartered blue crab on the bottom is the bait of choice for this type of sheephead fishing. Be prepared to have a selection of weights from 2oz to 10oz depending on strength of currents. There will be no way around the wind through the weekend and into next week if you’re looking for a day to high speed troll the ledge for a late season wahoo.
Inshore Each warm day will slowly have most speices on the move. Large shallow flats will be the first to warm up and attract predators and bait. Small creek pattern will be holding fish but may have slower feeding times especially during non moving tides. Shallow running suspending hard baits will do best on higher quality reds and trout. Time to break out those spinner baits for flounder. Live bait anglers will find success using live shrimp in a variety of rigs mostly dragged near the bottom for all inshore species. Try to stay on n those moving tide zones.
Thank you for checking in your forecast,
Captain Roger Perry Bump (904) 866-8055
Previous reports Feb. 19-22, 2026 Northeast Florida weekend fishing forecast
Offshore
Another weekend where strong winds will take over the ocean. Water temps in the mid fifties and will stay there through next week as more cold fronts come through. Until the weather calms down no reason to chance the ocean at this time.
Inshore
Strong winds will dominate the weekend making fishing challenging. Fortunately we live in an area that has hundreds of small creeks to get out of the wind. Best bet this weekend is stay in those wind protected areas and focus on redfish , trout , black drum , and sheephead. Live bait anglers will do well soaking live shrimp in deeper pools of the small creek zones. Lure anglers stick with jigs or subsurface hardbaits that will get down to at least three feet. Slow presentation is priority.
It been a heck of a winter , keep your head up it can be less than desirable conditions forever.
Thanks for checking in,
Captain Roger Perry Bump Jr
(904) 866-8055
Previous reports Feb. 12-15, 2026 Northeast Florida weekend fishing forecast Offshore
Water temps hold into the mid fifties giving good contrast on temperature breaks along Gulf Stream. Saturday will be the day to get out this weekend as winds pick up Sunday. Wahoo anglers did fair this past week high speed trolling just inside the ledge. Most fish caught were in the mid fifty lb range. Weather reports have been fickle claiming one thing then having less desirable conditions actually occur. Triple check weather before you go. Best bottom fishing starts in deeper waters of 140ft. Keepable fish have been triple tail and vermilion. Nearshore wrecks inside 5 miles holding best opportunities for larger sheephead 8lbs and up. If you can get fiddler crabs.
Inshore
As mentioned water temps remain in the mid fifties. The primary pattern will be small creek systems , residential dock areas , marinas. If we get warm Sunny afternoons look for redfish and trout to Sun themselves on shallow mud flats. Presentation should be slow to dead sticking. There are other species on the radar as whiting start to push up main river channels (St. John’s , Nassau etc.).Fresh dead shrimp in the bottom best bait for whiting. Water clarity remains on the super clear side.
Until next weekend,
Captain Roger Perry Bump Jr
www.jacksonvillefishingtrips.com
(904) 866-8055
Previous reports Feb. 5-8, 2026 Offshore No reports this week! Ocean was angry and cold. Looking further Sunday through next week will have some of the best weather conditions so far this year. Wahoo anglers will definitely take advantage high speed trolling temperature breaks along the ledge. Best bottom fishing starting in 140 feet for trigger and vermilion. Nearshore wrecks inside 5 miles should be piled up with sheephead some in the double digit range. Fiddler crabs are scarce, the alternative is clams or oysters but make sure you have a receipt as it is illegal to take shellfish in Northeast Florida.
Inshore Water temps are in the mid fifties with crystal clear water clarity. Sight fishing redfish will be good on any tide. Live shrimp or Gulp! / Fishbites baits are great choices for novice sight fishing anglers. Lure anglers will want to go with natural color patterns and shimmy on the fall presentation. Best example is a sakamata fluke lure in the heavy version. There are knock offs to purchase just make sure the plastic has the wings to make it shake on the fall. Trout anglers will also want to look for that kind of shimmy on the fall presentation and there is no better with these conditions than a Paul Brown fat boy. Creeks with deep pools or residential dock areas that has some depth are best areas to fish. Every day next week should make conditions a little warmer and challenging to call for the following weekend but I will have you covered. Thank you for checking in!
Captain Roger Perry Bump Jr
www.jacksonvillefishingtrips.com
(904) 866-8055
Previous reports Jan. 29, 2026 Northeast Florida weekend fishing forecast Offshore This weekend will be hit with cold weather and strong winds that Florida hasn’t experienced in 16 years. Needless to say no one will be getting out this weekend. Looking into the future wahoo anglers should get a clear picture of temperature breaks running along the Gulf Stream. Studying these breaks on NOAA graphs can give anglers starting points to where to troll. Next week starting Tuesday the Seas should start to calm down. Anglers who can fish during the week are probably already eyeing the next group of good weather days.
Tanner Young (right) reels in a wahoo along with a sailfish, dorado and blackfin tuna while fishing the Hasty on his uncle's boat out of Ponce Inlet in Thanksgiving 2024. For those stuck for the weekend only fishing adventure don’t let it get you down. Take a tour to different offshore lure tackle stores and study the latest lure options. Often store clerks won’t hide the truth about a certain lure flying off the shelf. Bottom fishing has stayed consistent for trigger and vermilion starting on wrecks 40 to 60 miles out. Nearshore wrecks inside 5 miles should be holding plenty of big sheephead and this is the best time of year to get a double digit sheep on those structured bottoms.
Angler Tanner Young of North Carolina fishing about his uncle's boat, the Hasty out of Ponce Inlet, caught sailfish, wahoo, blackfin tuna and dorado off Thanksgiving 2024. Inshore Water temps are holding at 56 degrees but will surely drop more after this weekend. Normally when we experience a major cold front dropping temperatures it shocks most species out of eating until temperatures stabilize. This weekend won’t be the best to get out but preparing for future better weather days a Yes!
Keiran O'Brien (left) and Jacob Nicholson of Jacksonville with a pair of 10-pound sheepshead caught on fiddler crabs in Feb. 2025. Lure anglers will definitely want to modify their selection to a mix of suspending hardbaits , soft plastics and jig heads to 1/4 ounce, baits like Paul Brown that wobble on the fall. I like adding a few rattle trap style lures and working them like a jig ( pull up then let drop to the bottom ). Under spins are another lure to mix in with the same jigging action pull up then let drop to the bottom pausing for a moment. When I am not fishing I hit all the tackle stores , researching the internet , looking for anything that might help me get bites. Bass anglers are a major source of lure knowledge that every inshore angler should tap into. Live bait anglers should do the same researching hooks, line, floats, and weights. The pattern remains the same for the coming weeks, residential canals, marinas, creeks. Hope this forecast bids you well until next weekend.
Captain Roger Perry Bump www.facebook.com/Captainrogerbump
Previous reports Jan. 23-26, 2026 Offshore This weekend the winds will be up over 20 mph as a cluster of major winter fronts dominate our weather into next week. It’s been quiet offshore to say the least. You can blame it on the weather as days per month to get out number less than the fingers on your hand. Water temperatures will be the coldest of the year before next weekend , mid 50’s. Studying offshore temperature breaks should be a priority for wahoo anglers. Nearshore wrecks inside 5 miles should light up with double digit sheephead. Whiting just outside breakers is another fishery to look forward too. This weekend stay in and be safe the ocean can’t be angry forever.
Inshore Creeks, marinas , and residential canals are top areas to target. Water temps just touching into the 50’s and future forecasts saying it’s not going to get warmer especially when the cold hits Monday mean the this pattern is here to stay. Jerkbaits that suspend and get down past 5 ft are prime for redfish and speckled trout. Too mix things up have a soft plastic curly tail or paddle tail rigged up. Live bait anglers should focus on live shrimp either on a jig head or float rig. Slow presentation is key. Sheephead will stack in those small protected water areas but often run small. Action can be constant which makes it worth while fishing and eventually you can scrape a keeper or two if you work at it.
Until next weekend be safe on the water from your forecast,
Captain Roger Perry Bump, Jr.
www.jacksonvillefishingtrips.com
(904) 866-8055 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Previous reports Jan. 15 Northeast Florida weekend fishing forecast
Offshore
Inshore
Capt. Roger Bump Email Roger Bump www.jacksonvillefishingtrips.com
PREVIOUS REPORTS Jan. 2 Report
High speed trolling just inside temperature breaks near the ledge. Best bottom fishing starting in 100 ft with sea bass and vermilion making up most of keepable catches.
Nearshore wrecks within 5 miles holding sheephead especially some almost reaching double digit range. If water temps drop further those offshore sheephead should fire up further.
Inshore
Dec. 19 Report Offshore Water temps have dropped to 59 degrees. This will help bunch up many species of fish including wahoo. Bluewater anglers will want to study temperature breaks coming over humps near ledge drop-offs. High-speed troll until you get bites then try live bait presentation using bonito or hard tails caught on the way out. Best bottom fishing starts in 120 feet with trigger and vermilion making up most keepable species available. Beach and surf anglers are seeing a surge in whiting catches. Larger size and numbers are available to those targeting whiting in forecast area beaches. Live shrimp is by far best bait for whiting as the term freshest the bestest.
Inshore Creek systems should be top priority fish holding areas especially ones with holes of at least 5 feet of water at low tide. Redfish and speckled trout will school up in these creek systems in tight formations which means if you catch one in a certain spot you’re most likely gonna catch another one. Live shrimp either floated over depth transitions or jighead combinations the best live bait presentations. For lure anglers, jig and plastics and suspending hard baits are your best options. Sheepshead continue to bite well on area bridge pilings using fiddler crabs. Slack tide is best.
Merry Christmas everyone!!
Capt. Roger Bump Email Roger Bump www.jacksonvillefishingtrips.com
Dec. 12-14 Report Offshore Saturday will be the best of the two for a bluewater trip. Wahoo have slowly intensified their feeding ways as water temps drop. High speed trolling large Mr Biggs and Poseidon skirted lures is a standard go-to for wahoo but sometimes a slower trolling approach gets those key bites in areas you’re finding activity.
The best bottom fishing starts in 120 feet, with trigger and vermilion making up most of keeper fish. Ocean anglers looking for a close-to-shore fishing trip should try whiting and pompano just outside breakers. A great technique is using flat sinkers which allow drifting along the beach to cover water. Fresh dead shrimp or clams are prime baits as both species are extremely good table fare.
Inshore Water temps slowly creep past 65 degrees. As this trend continues, look for creek areas to fire up. Speckled trout and redfish are the usual suspects but don’t overlook black drum and sheepshead. Live shrimp is prime natural bait to use this time of year. Bottom fished, jig fished, trolled or floated; all work great in any creek you may explore. Shallow areas are better for redfish with deeper water over 3 feet best for speckled trout. The top lure to use is a paddletail grub in red / white. Of course, other colors will be effective; for example, gold flake in clear or black, blue glitter, chartreuse. This is definitely the time to experiment. Hard baits always seem to trigger bites from larger fish. Stick with lures that can dive or sink in that 3-to-5-foot zone. Slow down your retrieve or at least pause the lure a little longer than normal. Fishing is only going to improve every day this month so take advantage. Until next week thank you for checking in.
Capt. Roger Bump Email Roger Bump www.jacksonvillefishingtrips.com
Dec. 5-7 Report Offshore and Beach Water temps are at 67 degrees with Saturday the best day to go fishing. Sunday will have rain most of the day. This weekend also falls on three days after the full moon which is always a heavy feed day for fish. Bluewater anglers should start trolling around the 50-mile mark towards the stream for wahoo.
High-speed trolling or slower speeds near weedlines are both effective to get wahoo bites. Best bottom fishing starting in 140 feet with vermilion and trigger the most likely keepable catches.
Nearshore just outside breakers boats drifting fresh dead shrimp with flat weights are catching big numbers and quality size whiting. A few pompano are in the mix for a bonus.
Inshore Sheephead continue to take fiddler crabs on any rock jetty, bridge piling or oyster-encrusted structure. Water depth can be anywhere between 2 and 12 feet. The key is running tide and moving around for bites.
Redfish are also biting well especially in shallow creek systems with oyster beds. Live shrimp in tandem with popping corks is the best live bait technique for reds. A variety of lures will catch reds at this time but the most consistent has been a paddle tail grub in any kind of green minnow color. A few flounder are taking live finger mullet near inlet dock areas. This is the time of year where your best chance for a double digit flounder can happen. Speckled trout are also biting well taking paddle tail grubs or subsurface lip divers. The key is fishing 4 to 7 feet of water near structure. Most trout have been under slot size but if you can move around different spots you can pickup a keeper here and there.
Thank you for checking in.
Capt. Roger Bump Email Roger Bump www.jacksonvillefishingtrips.com
Nov. 28-30 Report Offshore It’s a special Thanksgiving fishing forecast, four days. Thursday and Friday will have a cold front dropping temps into the low 40s. Saturday will have wind 20 mph and Sunday winds will die with a slight warm up. Blue water anglers this past week saw a stall in the wahoo bite most likely because of the warm temperatures. Things could fire up again with the cold front starting Thanksgiving morning.
Bottom fishing on the other hand has been consistently good. Starting in 120 ft trigger, vermilion and mutton snapper are your most likely keeper bottom fish. Beach anglers should see whiting and pompano as water temps drop. Fresh dead shrimp or live sand fleas best surf fish baits.
Inshore Sheepshead stay the course as their numbers continue to feed heavily at inlet jetty rocks. Fiddler crabs are key and maybe hard to locate with the sudden cold front. Check local bait shops and stock up fiddler crabs as soon as you can before shops run out. Redfish are a close second providing plenty of action in shallow creeks and mud flats. Low tides are best to sight fish redfish pushing in the calm shallows.
Topwaters, wake baits, soft plastics rigged weedless with minimal weight best lure choices. Live bait anglers should do even better using live shrimp under a popping cork.
Speckled trout is a bonus species to target using live shrimp with a float or paddle tail grubs. Black drum are also in play to those bottom fishing fresh dead shrimp in drop off edges. Overall other than Saturday most of this holiday weekend will have great weather for fishing.
Thanks for checking in.
Capt. Roger Bump Email Roger Bump www.jacksonvillefishingtrips.com
Nov. 21-24 Report Offshore Water temps remain around 68 degrees with mild weather conditions that should continue through this upcoming weekend. Bluewater anglers should find a few wahoo starting at 50 miles and up to the ledge. High-speed trolling to cover water but to mix things up try slower trolling lures or natural bait near weedlines. Best bottom fishing starting around 120 ft to get away from red snapper schools. Trigger, vermilion and sea bass most likely keeper fish. Deeper wrecks best chances for mutton snapper. Beach anglers are starting to see larger whiting and pompano. Moving incoming tides best with live sand fleas or fresh dead shrimp best baits. The beach fishing will only improve as water temps drop for future note.
Inshore Speckled trout continue to bite well east and west of the intercostal waterway. Paddle tail or curly tail grubs in red/white or green/chartreuse best for trout. Look for trout in 1 to 5 ft water depth on edges of drop offs. Redfish continue to bite strong in shallow mud flats or narrow oyster creeks. Same lures mentioned for trout will work great for reds and live shrimp under a float best natural bait option. Sight fishing redfish is about as good as it gets on the last of the falling tides. Just search any creek on low tide looking for a pushing redfish and 9 out of ten there is at least three fish moving around.
Sheephead continue to bite well at a jetty near you. Fiddler crabs are the number bait for sheep’s. Make sure your bait shop has them before you go. Weather is beautiful; don’t let it slip away.
Capt. Roger Bump Email Roger Bump www.jacksonvillefishingtrips.com
Nov. 14-16 Report Offshore This weekend is a "Go," for blue water anglers. Water temps have taken a big drop into the high 60s which should fire up the fastest swimming pelagic (wahoo) in the world. High-speed trolling just inside the ledge near weedlines on the surface or over humps on the bottom. Tried and trusted color patters in blue/ white or black/green skirts on Mr Biggs or Poseidon lures top choices to try. Natural bait rigged ballyhoo slow trolled near weedlines gives bonus chances on sailfish or blackfin tuna. Wrecks inside 20 miles may see Fall season schooling cobia. Run and gun as many wrecks as you can from 70 to 100 feet using jigging spoons to cover most water in finding fish.
Inshore and Surf Surf anglers will have premium conditions off the beach hunting pompano and whiting. Fresh clams, live sand fleas or fresh dead shrimp all good bait options for bites in the surf. Sudden drops in water temps and gorgeous weather should put the odds in your favor with bonus catches of redfish and black drum possible.
Inshore anglers will want to key on creek systems with a mix of shallow mud flats for redfish and deeper holes to 5 feet for speckled trout. Live shrimp on a jig head or float best bait for both species with a mix of topwater to jigs to try for lure anglers. Sheepshead continue to bite well especially at area inlet jetties. Fiddler crabs best bait here to target sheepshead but check ahead at bait stores for fiddler crab availability. It is possible to dig up your own fiddler crabs in areas where you see their holes dug into the mud if you’re in dire need. Overall the weather will be gorgeous and whatever you choose to target should bite through out the entire day. Thank you for checking in have a great weekend.
Capt. Roger Bump Email Roger Bump www.jacksonvillefishingtrips.com
