FORECAST: MAY-JUNE 2012
INSHORE FISHING:
The St. Johns River from the inlet to the Arlington
area of the south-side. Hunting Redfish, Speckled
Trout, Flounder, Black Drum. All
“very light tackle”
fishing, either bottom fishing with Mullet or
Pogey’s, or Float-rig fishing with live
shrimp. Other
seasonal species we just can’t avoid are Jack Crevalle,
Ladyfish, and some Bluefish.
“They like to
eat good food too…”
My specialty is Float-rig
fishing. My customers love it and so do I. You are
in charge of your destiny. You are drifting a slip
float rig with the current/tide, over structure. The
float is set at a depth via a stopper knot on the
line. Low profile Shimano Citica bait casting reels
are used because it’s the best reel for the job, and
has a high speed retrieve, to quickly pick up any
slack line when your float disappears under water.
Which means FISH ON!
Bait is live shrimp. Soft
action rods are used for not pulling the hook on the
soft mouthed Speckled Trout, which along with
others, is the
“targeted species”. Small hooks, light leaders,
and bottom structure, are fished. Just like my
winter charters.
Can make this
challenging, for all.
We also utilize light spinning
tackle and popping corks and live shrimp, when
fishing structure in shallow water. Making a bit of
noise to attract fish to the live shrimp.
Any bottom fishing this time of
year means we need fresh live Mullet or Pogey’s,
that I’ll catch in my castnet, while we’re out. This
targets, larger Redfish.
And the occasional large Jack Cravalle. Time
must be spent catching these baits
“fresh” for it all to come together. And again,
TIDES
means everything. Unlike fishing a lake, or pond.
Your day can be based on what the tide’s doing, that
day.
SUMMER REEF FISHING/CHUM TRIP:
First thing, we need a good amount of chum.
So that means getting some live pogey’s. Not only
for the baitwell, but for the
“chum
chopper”. Which is what I’ll use to make an
enticing slick behind the boat once we reach our
reef location. Usually
from 6-12 miles offshore. We can also “jig-up” some
live Cigar Minnows, Herring, and Sardines, when
offshore. Either setting up a drift, or anchoring.
We’ll watch for participants in the chum line, and
set out baits. King Mackerel, Spanish Mackerel,
Cobia, Shark, Barracuda, Bonita, can be the targeted
species.
These trips start early and
finish before any summer squals come our way. And
are usually booked starting in June, and can be done
“per the
weather” throughout the summer months.
