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    July 26, 2022 at 8:59 pm

    

    Capt. Kirk Waltz PRO

    • Enterprise Fishing Charters
    • (904) 626-1128

    

    Summer is finally fully engaged and the fishing has been pretty good. Look for menhaden, on again and off again, to continue to be on the areas beaches in the jam just south of the St. John’s river jetties at Mayport. The bait situation this summer continues to be a mystery but, really improves your opportunity for a quality day. Try to look for single flips up shallow just outside of the swell zone from 6/8ft of water out to 20ft.The big flips indicate bigger baits and the smaller flips are typically smaller baits. Wait for the flip and then cast your net. This slow methodical approach takes some patience but usually produces good results. A good live well full of frisky baits can ensure you a great day on the water. Try not to overload your live well as it will only die and the remaining bait gets really lethargic. If pogies aren’t on the areas beaches north or south, then you better whip out the sabiki rigs and hit the rocks, markers, offshore reefs or wrecks to wrangle up a few wigglers to fish with. Try to have a good supply of No. 6 or 8 sabikis in red and green to ensure you can steal a few from those pesky cuda’s.

    With bait in the tank, ease into areas like the Redtops, Southeast Hole, Spoil area, the rip lines adjacent to the inlet and slow troll for kingfish, bonita, sharks, cuda’s, jack crevalle, cobia and tarpon. I like to troll in 46 to 52 feet of water with a 3 to 4 rod spread. If it is slow on the beach ease out into the party grounds and deploy the same method. The local wrecks, reefs, and hardbottom spots should hold all of the same species with an occasional sailfish thrown in. If it’s slow on the troll drop down those same baits for snapper, seabass, triggerfish, and a few grouper. If they don’t hit the whole ones cut them in half. Oh, and always bring some cuttlefish or squid to bottom bump with!

    Check the bait pods later in the day as tarpon will on many occasions ease back into the baits after all the boats leave. A stout Shimano Saragosa 6000 with 50lb PowerPro Braid is my first choice with a 6/0 circle hook. If you get lucky and find the tarpon chewing be sure to have another Saragosa 6000 rigged with a good sized float to suspend one in the bait pods too… set at a depth of about 3-4ft with the same hook. Take a live pogie and pitch into the bait school. I usually wait till I see a fish or two before lobbing one into the bait.If this fails run up behind the shrimp boats and pitch a bait behind the boat. Sharks, tarpon, and jacks will follow the boats for the bycatch. Throw in behind the nets and hang on.

    Look for the bull reds to make a big push into the river to spawn this month. The first big moon usually starts the migration and pogies, blue crabs and mullet are the best baits. Work the bottom of the low tide on the edges of the river in 35 to 42 feet of water. A stout rod using a 3 swivel rig similar to and offshore bottom rig works well. A 6oz to 10oz sinker usually gets it done. I prefer a whole live pogie or mullet if its available, or live blue crab for best results.

    The big rocks will hold slot to bull reds this month and a live pogie is usually my first choice. With a live pogie I like to pitch a ¼ to 3/8th oz. jig on the edge of the rocks on a high falling tide to a slow dead low tide for best results. Remember you can’t catch them on the couch! Get fishing!

    For more fishing tips listen to the Outdoorshow radio program on 1010am or 92.5fm every Saturday from 7am to 10am. He can be reached at 904.241.7560 or 904.626.1128 or go to enterprisefishingcharters.com.

    Whether it's inshore or offshore, light tackle or heavy tackle, it's time that you contact Enterprise Fishing Charters to book your trip of a lifetime. Call to book a trip, or visit Enterprise Fishing Charters on the web.

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