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    September 29, 2022 at 8:20 pm

    

    Capt. Kirk Waltz PRO

    • Enterprise Fishing Charters
    • (904) 626-1128

    

    

    

    As the ink dries on this report it is with great relief that Fall is just starting to peek around the corner. I know it’s a well appreciated break that comes with our change of seasons and is well received by most. The month of September was a fairly wet one with some minor NE winds that really had the jetties and beach fishing fired up. Look for early October to be a great month.

    Tarpon will and should continue to migrate south from our neighbors to the North following the massive mullet schools and pogie pods. The pogies can and do occasionally linger late into the fall and are deadly bull red baits when they are alive. Sharks, jacks, and bull reds should join them feeding as they move south down the coast. If we can garner some fair to mild days the water temperature should remain somewhat stable and provide the right climate for these guys to feed. If we get some really strong cold air too soon it will blow this theory apart.

    Throw a cast net and grab a few around the rocks, creek feeds adjacent to the inlet, or the beach. Pitch these lively baits back into the pods with just a hook, heavy 80lb leader and a stiff Shimano Saragosa 7 ft spinning rod outfit with some 50lb PowerPro braid and hang on. This action will be intense, visual, and fast, should the good conditions prevail. If they don’t strike the single hook combo try putting one a on a float or a dropper rig with a 1 oz egg sinker that will allow it sink to the bottom. Remember, even if it does get cooler, bull reds will continue to feed aggressively as they spawn. If you don’t see surface action, drop some baits down. You might be pleasantly rewarded.

    The big rocks will begin to hold decent numbers of big slot redfish and better. Catch some live finger mullet or pogies and work the rocks with a 1/4oz to3/8oz jig on the lower tides for some hot action on reds, trout, and bluefish. Remember the sharks have been vicious so unless you want the sharks to eat everything you hook, move, leave or if you want, catch a few sharks. A quarter piece of blue crab can be real effective for many species, too! If this doesn’t prove effective push away from the rocks and fish the bottom working the edges of the deep river channel for black drum and bull reds. Another hot spot I might mention is the outside edges of both the north and south jetties in the sand. Bull reds will spawn and feed in this area during low tides especially on cloudy days or late afternoons when the sun begins to sink.

    The ICW both north and south of the St. John’s River will begin to hold decent numbers of trout, reds, flounder, bluefish, and black drum. Mud minnows, cut blue crab, shrimp, and mullet can be effective both on jigs and fish finder rigs. I prefer the low outgoing tides in order to maximize my efforts. The big river up to the Hess Docks past the Dames Point Bridge will hold good numbers of Bull Reds this month. Cut blue crab can be the “go to” bait, but cut mullet, ladyfish, or even frozen Boston mackerel can work. Fish the last few hours of the falling tide to the first of the incoming for best results.

    Remember, you can’t catch them from the couch so spend some time on the water and decompress!

    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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