Captain Dave Sipler
904.642.9546
captdaves.com
FAST BIG ACTION
Well as it turns out, it's been a tough road in the St. Johns river since the passing of T.S. Arthur. I'm taking so many cooped up kids lately. And it's hard for them to get any decent action in the Mayport area and jetties with a shrimp on the bottom in a mere two hours.
Not like it was. I blame 2 years of incessant dredging!
So, if you're looking for fast action, and since it's past June 1. It's time to "run & gun" the shrimp boats and head to a near shore reef area afterwards.
As of June 1, the shrimpers can come closer to shore. And that's a good thing.
A 10/0 Mustard hook, crimped to 200 pound mono leader 4-5 foot long, and a crimped swivel on the other end, a heavy rod, and a reel that can hold a decent amount of 50 pound line, and you're in. You can also attach a float or a balloon, which will keep your bait near the surface. Add in a fighting belt or a slit tennis ball (old school) added to the rod butt, and it works fine for stand up battles.
Any bait will do. And it doesn't have to be live. Pogies, Mullet, Croakers, Ladyfish, Bluefish, Skates, Stingrays, Boston Mackerel, Herring, Sardines, in chunk form will get bit.
I usually don't waste time chasing down Pogies on the beach. Some local bait shops carry 5 lb. boxes of big frozen Pogies.
Don't use them all up. Because that can be the bait for when you hit the reefs too, so you can throw back all those Red Snappers!
Capt Dave's Sport Fishing
www.captdaves.com - since 1996