Generally, best times for Lures in N.E. Florida (Because I get asked by many Bass Fishermen)
It’s not really about exact times, as in morning, afternoon, or evenings. But rather local water temps. Which means, time of year. When targeting Redfish, Speckled Sea Trout, and Flounder. (the predator species in the saltmarsh) Artificials aka: Lures can be used, but not with a high success rate in the summer. The deep summer doldrums are generally the toughest time to “trick” those species. The saltmarsh is stuffed with all kinds of baitfish and crustaceans. From tiny glass minnows, finger Mullet, Fiddler Crabs, Blue Crabs, and Shrimp. The saltmarsh is a banquet for the Redfish, Trout, Ladyfish, Flounder, Black Drum, and Sheepshead, Sand Perch, Pinfish, Jack Crealle, Mangrove Snappers, Skates, and the most hated of all. Hardhead Catfish. Your Lure has a lot of competition. So you better have the experience and the knowledge of how to work those lures, where to place a cast, and be willing to grind hard, all day, in the summer.
So, what’s the best tactic?
To quote a Gulf Coast Angler I’m subscribed to on Youtube. Who has more Speckled Trout catches than anyone ever could in N.E. Florida, 12 months a year. He always says “save the soft plastic lures for the cooler water. Suck it up, and buy lots of expensive bait, if you want to put fish box in the summer.” Now that’s the Gulf Coast, basically 180 degrees different from the Atlantic Coast of Florida. Because he has access to some of the most prime Trout baits money can buy! And that’s a small 3″ live Croaker! Trout absolutely love a live Croaker. I have fished live Croakers, myself. One’s I had to catch myself, on hook and line. The biggest problem is, they are never 3 inches. A small Croaker in N.E. Florida is 6-10 inches. And we have to catch them first. And unlike the guy I watch on Youtube who buys them 80 at a time from a Shrimper, who keeps them alive at a marina, in big bait tanks. They aren’t cheap.
Here in Jacksonville, Florida. We don’t have that luxury. Like I said, the Gulf Coast is 180 degrees different than here. When a regular charter customer and I have used live Croakers in the river, in the summer for trophy sized Speckled Trout. The Croakers are usually too large, and it cost us all morning to catch them, to put just a dozen in the bait well.
But, they still worked! Yes, big Trout choked down Croaker 6-8 inches long, sometimes even larger. And we were rewarded with 7 and 8 pound trophy Speckled Sea Trout, and a bull Redfish 25-30 pounds, on the same tide.
So, I use live Mullet. Small 3-4″ ones I castnet. Still, not always easy to catch. So a fall back is live shrimp. Readily available at my local bait shop, and sometimes mud minnows (marsh minnow), if they are decent size. And none of these baits are cheap. Each morning at 5-6am, I’ll be making a stop to get our days supply.
Generally, late October till late May, is always better for casting hard or soft lures.
Milestones
My personal best Speckled Sea Trout was 10 pounds. “Which is the holy grail of all Speckled Trout fishing in the south”. April 9, 2009. On that same spot, I also caught a 3 and 5 pounder. All while float-rig fishing live shrimp, on a rising tide one mile from the Mayport Jetties. (inlet)
Announcements
You’ll want to book your private 2 person inshore/river/saltmarsh charter with some wiggle room when it comes to days, as of Oct. 1st. At that time, the weather comes out of the summer pattern as “fronts” come through closer each week. So a bit of planning on your end makes for a better fishing experience.
Provide information about inshore fishing Jacksonville Florida from a veteran 30 year fishing guide. Specializing in 2 person light tackle charters, 12 months a year, 7 days a week. Utilizing the correct tackle for each style of fishing. Be it bottom fishing the St. Johns river to casting light jigs in shallow estuaries. My aim has always been to educate customers, local or from afar. Via reports blogs, Youtube videos, and community posts.
Your Guide: Capt. Dave
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