09-03-09 JEKYLL ISLAND FISHING REPORT
By Captain Reynolds Vernon Reynolds
Inshore fishing for Sea Trout, Flounder, Red Bass and Whiting has been good the past several weeks. Nice catches of Sea Trout, consisting of good numbers and good sized fish have been returning to area docks. Redfish are also being taken in area rivers and creeks. Many fish are short of the size limit but lots of keeper sized fish are also being caught. Flounder are moving to creek mouths and sand bars in preparation for the fall migration offshore. Good numbers of Whiting are also being taken on dead shrimp.
King Mackerel, Spanish Mackerel and Barracuda are active on offshore reefs. Spade fish are also being taken offshore. Bottom fishing is producing Grouper, Snapper and Trigger fish. Sharks and Tarpon are active just offshore.
Bull Red season is upon us. Reports of a few being taken in the Altamaha Sound this week are making their way around the water fronts and marinas. Bull reds are mature Red Drum. Reds do not become sexually mature until their forth or fifth year, when they reach a length of about 25 inches. This species spends its first five years in the rivers and creeks where they hatched. Upon reaching maturity Reds move from inshore rivers to open ocean waters. Bulls return to their home estuary for a few weeks twice a year. Fish will be found near ocean and nearshore sand bars adjacent to sounds and inlets. Tagging studies show Bull Reds will return to the same sandbars year after year. The spring migration usually begins in March and runs into April while the fall migration starts in September and runs through October.
Fishing method is simple, anchor the boat and cast out live or dead baits. Live Poggie and cut Whiting work well. Live or dead Mullet is good as is dead crabs. Fish baits on the bottom. A two to four ounce egg sinker is used to keep the bait down. The stronger the current the heavier the sinker. A stiff rod and heavy duty reel spooled with 40 pound test mono is required. A circle hook is used to ensure successful releases. Try it, you'll like it.
Coastal Expeditions offers charter fishing trips and Dolphin tours. Join Captains Eric Moody and Vernon Reynolds for a trip your family will never forget. Call (912) 265-0392 or go to www.coastalcharterfishing.com for further information or to make a reservation.
