3-31-10 JEKYLL & St. SIMONS ISLANDS FISHING REPORT
By Captain Vernon Reynolds
Fishing is picking up in local waters. Catches of Whiting, Redfish and Sea Trout are being reported from Darien to Cumberland Island. Bull Reds, mature Redfish ranging from 20 to 80 pounds, are being taken in and around inlets and sounds.
Everything is a little late this year, the winter was long and server, spring has been windy and wet, and the water temperature is slow in rising. Not conducive to good fishing. All we need though is a few days of warm, calm weather and the fish will respond. Some years it seems like the warm up will never come, but it always dose.
Look for places out of the wind, where the sun shines long on shallow water over black mud. These are the places where the water will warm first. Add structure to this, oyster bars or maybe a bridge and fish will not be far. Fish them on both the incoming and outgoing tides during the middle of the day, when the Sun is high and hot.
Mud minnows are good live bait for Reds and Trout. Local shrimp are still a few weeks off. Mud minnows can be caught in a minnow trap baited with cat food, fish or crab parts, hot dogs and such, minnows are not picky. They can be keep alive in a five gallon bucket in the yard. Just change the water twice a day and drop in a piece of hot dog for them to eat.
Artificial baits include DOA lures, Saltwater Assassin jig head and body combinations and Gulp plastic lures. These lures can be fished via the cast and retrieve method or fished under a float. Both methods produce well.
Coastal Expeditions Charter Fishing & Dolphin Tours is operated by Captains Vernon Reynolds and Eric Moody. For further information or to book a tour call (912) 265-0392 or go to www.coastalcharterfishing.com
