Captain Chris Cockerham
Rick’s Bait & Tackle / Fishing Connection
904.372.4689
www.ricksbait.com / www.gonefishinshow.com/

Captain Chris Cockerham
The Fishing Connection

Boy, there sure are tons of people preparing for deer season.  I'm sure you've all seen the tree stands being hauled north.  That gets me excited because I know the cooler weather is coming or at least we hope, right?  Not sure about you but I'm ready for some relief from this heat regardless!

So what's the word on the water?  Well, thankfully the hurricane didn't hurt our bite.  If nothing else, it put things into motion.  When and if you do get out, redfish have been biting on the incoming tide.  The use of cut baits such as mullet and crab are producing very well.  Try to find cleaner water and focus on a structure where they are most likely to hold.  Right now, you can find reds throughout the Northeast Florida region.  The biggest concentration has been stacked up at the Jetties.  Mullet are thick and schools of redfish are right underneath them as they run along the rocks.

Next, the flounder are still on one day and off the next.  They are being caught from Brunswick all the way down to St. Augustine with the absolute best results on overcast days.  Finger mullet and live mud minnows are still the preferred bait but if you like throwing plastics, pick up some 3 and 4-inch gulp shrimp and try it on a weighted hook or a jig head.  Again, many times gulp will out fish live bait.  Focus on docks but do not overlook the small feeder creek run-outs.  Jacksonville continues to have a decent bite and that will only improve from now through October.

Moving on to sheepshead, let me tell you, they are working the inshore rocks and oyster beds right now.  Pitch them fiddler crabs or clams on a jig head or fish finder rig.  The incoming tide has been best when the water cleans, so keep that in mind.  I look for the sheepshead bite to only get better in the next few months.

Pictured are Joe and Trip Cooner from our recent fishing trip to the rocks.  The plan was to target flounder and reds but it's a good thing Joe brought fiddlers.  They were on fire and we were able to boat several fish over four pounds.

If you are just out to bend a rod.  Bull reds are making their yearly runs along the St. John's River.  Red's, tarpon and sharks are also everywhere if you just want to hear the drag scream.  You can find them at either of our Jetty's in huge numbers.  You can also bet that they won’t be far from schooling mullet.  Stay on the mullet and you'll be all over the fish!

With that said, I hope you all have a great week.  Till next time, I'll look forward to seeing you on the water, be safe…