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.

Tags: capt vernon reynolds, georgia coast fishing, jekyll island fishing
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Fishing for Shark, Mackerel, Tarpon, Sea Trout, Flounder, Redfish and Whiting is good in local waters. The question is what effect the coming storms will have on our area and water conditions.

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Sharks are being taken in area sounds and behind shrimp boats working two to five miles offshore. Sharks up to 200 pounds are being caught behind the shrimp boats. These boats produce a natural chum line as stunned baitfish and shrimp fall away from the net as it is pulled along. Add this to the 10 to one by catch that is dumped back into the ocean every three hours or so and a giant buffet is created for the toothy fined ones. Anglers pull up to the stern of a shrimp and begin a drift. Don’t get too close or you will be in the net with the shrimp. Chunk out a live or cut bait about 10 feet under a float and the wait won’t be long. Remember to release Sharks unharmed. If the hook is very deep it is best to cut the leader and let the fish have the hook. It will dissolve away in just a few days.

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Tarpon remain active in local waters. They can be found working area sand bars. Look for “rolling” fish. These fish surface to grab a gulp of air and go right back down. Anchor the boat in a position that allows the bait to drift back to the fish. Tarpon are scavengers and will eat live or dead bait. I like to fish a couple of each. Tarpon have a boney mouth and it is a good habit to sharpen hooks often. When you get a fish on set the hook several times. Do not be concerned about hurting the fish, set the hook hard. Tarpon have no table fare worth so take a scale and release the fish unharmed.

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Take a kid fishing. Captains Vernon Reynolds and Eric Moody operate Coastal Expeditions Charter Fishing & Dolphin Tours. For more information call (912) 265-0392 or go to www.coastalcharterfishing.com

Tags: capt vernon reynolds, coastal expeditions, dolphin tours, fishing report, georgia coast fishing, jekyll island, jekyll island fishing, shark fishing, tarpon
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Georgia’s coastal jewel offers a variety of saltwater angling opportunities

The Georgia Coast has changed quite a bit since my first visit almost 40 years ago, but Jekyll Island is still a laid back, slow-paced escape from the modern world. Although the planned revitalization of the island has caused quite a bit of controversy, I think it’s safe to say that Jekyll will continue to be an affordable destination for anglers wanting to spend time on a coastal Georgia barrier island.

Whether you’re expert or novice, fishing with your buddies or with the family, Jekyll has something for you. A public boat ramp and a full-service marina offer teh boating angler accesss to miles of tidal creeks, hundreds of acres of marsh, a nearby artificial reef and the Atlantic Ocean. The list of saltwater species available to the boating anglers is a who’s who of saltwater game fish - redfish, speckled trout, sheepshead, flounder, tripletail, sharks, tarpon, king and Spanish mackeral, barracuda and cobia.

Read the full article from Georgia Outdoor News here.

Tags: georgia coast fishing, jekyll island beach vacation, jekyll island fishing
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