08-26-10 JEKYLL & ST. SIMONS ISLANDS FISHING REPORT
By Captain Vernon Reynolds
Summer means Sharks and Tarpon for Golden Isles fisherman. Sharks and Tarpon mean a 10 minute boat ride to the fishing grounds to have a chance to catch a 100 plus pound fish. Most anglers travel hours for the opportunity. Our area is reputed to be the largest Shark breeding grounds on the east coast. I believe this is true due to the abundant amount of baitfish in our waters and the protected waters provided by the many ocean san bars. These are the same factors that draw Tarpon to our area. If you want to catch a big fish you can easily do it in the Golden Isles during the summer.
Other inshore action includes good numbers of Sea Trout and Redfish but the fish have been small. One angler, Sid Painter, said he caught 100 Trout and keep six. Everyone is reporting the same thing. Redfish are running small also. Puppy Drum, a slang name for Reds under the legal size limit, are running at least 10 to one to keeper Reds. This happens every year about this time. The good news is there are more under sized fish this year than usual. This means more keeper Trout and Reds this fall, which is the traditional best season for them. The whiting bite has been some what spotty but many good days have been had. Tripletail are hitting inshore around pilings and buoy markers. Bluefish and Jacks round out the inshore bite.
Offshore fishing has slowed with some King Mackerel being taken. The flip side is some nice fish, 30 to 50 plus pounds, are being found. Barracuda are plentiful on the offshore reefs. They are hitting cuda tubes trolled or cast and retrieved. They are also hitting hooked King and Spanish Mackerel, not a good thing. A few Black Sea Bass, Grouper and Cobia are also being taken.
Most local anglers are looking forward to fall fishing, with temperatures in the 70's and 80's. Until then we will have to withstand the heat.
TAKE A KID FISHING.
To book a charter fishing trip or Dolphin tour call Captain Vernon Reynolds or Captain Eric Moody at (912) 265-0392 or go to www.coastalcharterfishing.com.
