Fishing Report for St. Simons, Jekyll and Sea Island on the GA Coast.
**Inshore and Offshore**
Just a note and a good memory from the warmer months, Tarpon fishing was really outstanding this Summer. We saw more fish this year in our area than the past several years. The last time I remember Tarpon being here in these numbers was back in 2002. There were many fish boated this year over 100 pounds and the fish have been seen blowing Menhaden out of the water regularly as they feast on the traveling pods. I have personally seen several pods of Menhaden with literally hundreds of Tarpon feasting on them this past summer and fall. Oddly enough, it was hard to get a bite from a Tarpon in a school of a million bait fish, although we pull one off now and then. We call it "Playing the Lottery". Your baitfish in a school of a million identical baitfish. What are the odds of a Tarpon taking your bait? Now, we do catch a few like this. Best bet in that situation is to fish just outside the bait schools and on "patterned" areas that are known to hold Tarpon, even when there is no bait or very little bait. Can't wait until next season!!
Anyhow, about right now...
Inshore, Trout fishing has been on and the larger Redfish are up the rivers on the mud flats to stay warm on lower tides. HUGE Bull Reds are starting to show again on the offshore reefs, right on schedule. This year in general may be a bull Red season to remember.
As the water temperature cools, we all know what will happen, and the news is all good. Even with these warmer temperatures, many anglers are staying on top of the trout and have been able to catch a few fish each time they fish. Pretty soon, even the weekend anglers who don't fish all the time will be able to catch some quality fish. Seems to me the bite really gets good when the water temp gets back into the high 50's and that time is rapidly approaching. Live Shrimp on a popping float or adjustable long float work best this time of year and as the water cools even more, we will switch exclusively to artificial baits.
Offshore:
Offshore has been INCREDIBLE. A Red Snapper bite like never seen before.
The best offshore fishing will normally continue from October through March for a broad variety of bottom fish as well as Pelagic's moving back to the south and east as they feast on schools of Cigar minnows, Sardines and other bait holding on structure near the offshore reefs. TIME TO DO IT!!
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Capt. Richie Lott
912-617-1177
www.richielottoutdoors.com
