4-15-10 JEKYLL & ST. SIMONS ISLANDS FISHING REPORT
By Captain Vernon Reynolds
Fishing is improving in the waters surrounding Jekyll, St. Simons and Cumberland Islands. Whiting fishing is the best bet. A few Bull Reds are being taken. Sea Trout and Redfish are moving into area sounds as the water warms. Sheepshead are taking up residence on near shore reefs.
Whiting are smallish, the world record being only about four pounds. Most range from a half pound to two and a half pounds. But what they lack in size they make up in pure numbers. Often more than 100 can be caught in just a few hours fishing. On top of that Whiting are one of the best eating fish in our, or any other, area.
On any Saturday or Sunday for the next 10 to 12 weeks there will be over 75 boats bobbing up and down in the waters off the King & Prince Hotel on St. Simons Island. All of these boats will be Whiting fishing. And all of the boats will be catching Whiting.
Whiting are bottom feeders, and can be easily fooled with a small piece of shrimp or squid. Terminal tackle is the traditional fish finding rig. An 18 inch length of 20 pound test mono leader is attached to the main line via a small swivel. A 2/0 wire gold hook is attached to the other end of the leader. An egg sinker just heavy enough to stay on the bottom is placed on the main line above the swivel. I like a one and a half to a two ounce sinker depending on the current. Fifteen pound test mono spooled onto a Pflueger 7040 Medalist spinning reel works well. Attach the reel to a Shakespeare six and a half foot medium action, Ugly Stick Lite Spinning rod and you have a whiting outfit.
Fishing method is simple, cast the bait out and let it sink to the bottom. Take up the slack line and wait for the bite. If there is no bite in a few minutes slowly drag the bait to you by lifting the rod tip. Drop the rod tip and pick up the slack. Wait 30 seconds and repeat until the bait is near the boat. This method covers a lot of water and usually produces a fish before the bait is back to the boat.
The minimum legal size for Whiting is 10 inches, (there is no creel limit) there is not much meat on a 10 inch fish so I suggest only keeping those 12 inches or better. Twelve inch and better fish produce fair fillets. There is nothing better than a pile of golden brown, fried Whiting fillets stacked high and a big bowl of stiff cheese grits. Add a few dozen hush-puppies, a little cold slaw and a glass of sweet ice tea; what more can I say?
Coastal Expeditions Charter Fishing And Dolphin Tours is owned and operated by Captains Vernon Reynolds and Eric Moody. Contact us at (912) 265-0392 for further information or to book a charter. Whiting fishing is just right for the kids.
TAKE A KID FISHING!!!!
