It’s Christmas time and the fishing is fine along the First Coast. Inshore is looking like the best bet again this week with more tough conditions offshore for the foreseeable forecast. There’s a little hope in the long term models for a window to get offshore after Christmas but we’re a ways out and things can change quickly for better or worse.
For everyone looking to get out on the water over the weekend it’s looking to cool off again after this nice stretch in the 70’s. Low tide is around sunrise in the inlets Saturday and Sunday. With cooler temperatures compared to the rest of the week the shallow water Redfishing could be hit or miss early mornings. The rain this week has the water a little cloudy so if the fish aren’t pushing and moving they will be more difficult to see until the light gets high. If you want to sight fish picking areas away from the inlets and fishing the incoming tide following the water back with more sunlight can be productive in these conditions.
I spoke with Capt. Caleb Blackburn about the shallow water fishing in Palm Valley and St. Augustine this week and he’s been on an awesome bite finding schooled up fish in the shallow water. Look for action around oyster bars and in the holes around the bends in the creeks. Mud minnows have been the hot bait and the fishing has been great on both the incoming and outgoing tides, depending on the type of bottom your fishing, the depth, and current 1/16-1/4oz jig heads on 20lb leader are all you need. In less than 2ft of water, 1/16th oz is all you need. More than that is when you usually have to start working up and the current will play a larger factor than depth in many spots.
I often get asked on live bait charters how I choose what size jig head or weight we are using and why I’m always switching sizes through the day. This applies both inshore and offshore, the lead sizes change exponentially but the concepts and techniques are the same. When live bait fishing locally we’re almost always either targeting fish on structure or bottom contours. These require slightly different techniques and presentations though the same terminal tackle of jig heads, knocker rigs, or Carolina rigs can be very effective for both scenarios.
When targeting heavy structure like jetties, bridges, rock piles, high relief wrecks or ledges then use enough weight to hold bottom and feel it, you don’t want the weight and your bait getting swept into places it will get stuck. To help alleviate tackle loss always orient the boat up current of whatever you’re fishing in these situations. You can be out over sand to safely anchor and using an open bail just bounce the bait back into the structure with the current, it’s far less likely to become hung up when you retrieve it.
While fishing hard bottom areas, contour changes, shell bars inshore, or live bottom offshore ideally you want the bait to bounce along the bottom with the current, moving naturally. If you can’t feel the bottom go a bit heavier, if the bait is stuck and not moving you can go lighter. Inshore position the boat parallel to the area you want to fish and cast up current, allow the flow to sweep the bait through the area of bottom and then recast. If the area is large enough you can also drift. Offshore drifting or fishing an open bail and just letting the bait bounce back along the bottom are both very effective on large live bottom areas where there isn’t a high relief ledge or wreck to tangle you in.
As always wishing y’all tight lines, fair winds, and following seas going into the weekend! If you’re looking to book a charter, submit a photo, or have a report to share reach out to me directly at chris@fishjax.org or visit www.fishjaxcharters.com.
Allen with a great Redfish caught on the low tide.
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