By Captain Vernon Reynolds

Bull Redfish have been King of the hill in Coastal Georgia waters the past couple of weeks. Bull Reds are even hitting trolled jigs, somewhat unusual. Bull Redfish spend most of there life in open ocean waters but for about six weeks in the spring and fall they return to the sound system in which they grew up in. They feed aggressively and are easy to locate due to the fact they return to the same structure every year. Mark the location where you catch a Bull and you may catch one there every year the rest of your life.

The typical fishing method is to bottom fish with live or dead bait. Redfish are scavengers and will eat dead or live bait equally well. Whiting, Poggie and Mullet produce well but any cut fish will do. Crab might be the best bait. You can get crabs free at most seafood shops that carry them. They must be sold alive for table fare, so the dead ones are thrown away. Simply hook the cut fish or crab onto the hook and toss it out with enough sinker weight to keep it on the bottom. Try to place the hook so the bait doesn’t twist in the current. A little twist is OK but a lot will have your line so twisted up you can not fish it. Place the rod in the rod holder and watch the tip of the pole. The tip will lightly bounce a few times before the fish makes a run. Wait until the rod is deeply bent before taking it from the holder and starting to reel. Circle hooks are employed when Bull Red fishing and there is no need to set the hook. The fight will last from five to 15 minutes depending on the weight class of the gear being used. Be sure to revive the fish once it is brought to boat side. Hold his mouth into the current, allowing water to rush over the gills. Once the fish is revived, release it unharmed.

Speckled Sea Trout have also been active the past several weeks. Many boats have been returning to dock with near limit to limits of Trout. These fish are some of the best tasting in our, or any other, area. Trout school this time of the year and feed actively in preparation for the winter migration upriver. Live shrimp is the best bait fished under a float rig. Trout must be over 13 inches in length to keep and there is a creel limit of 15 fish per person.

A few Flounder have been taken recently. Flounder are preparing to move offshore for the winter and can be found along ocean sand bars. Whiting are still active in area sounds. A few King Mackerel are still being found well offshore. These are fish that migrated to the mid-Atlantic states during the summer and are now moving to south Florida for the winter. These fish will move into the area for a day or two and then move on south.

Coastal Expeditions offers charter fishing trips and Dolphin/sightseeing tours. Join us for a fishing trip you will never forget or a Cumberland Island sightseeing tour. Contact Captain Reynolds at (912) 265-0392 or go to coastalcharterfishing.com to book a charter or for further information. Departing daily from Jekyll Harbor Marina.

Tags: capt eric moody, capt vernon reynolds, coastal expeditions, fishing report, jekyll island fishing, jekyll island vacation, things to do on jekyll island
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In picture left to right. Nick, Cameron, Chris and Captain Eric Moody. Caption: Nick turned 12 years old a couple of days ago and his father, Jason, gave him the choice of going to Fenway Park to watch the Red Sox-Angles play off game or go fishing. He chose fishing. Talk about pressure in the Captain. Captain Eric came through though with four more Reds like this one, lots of Sharks and a few Trout. Congratulations Nick.

By Captain Vernon Reynolds

Bull Reds, River Reds and Spotted Sea Trout have been leading the catch the past several days. Often all there can be found on one drop. All will hit live bait and artificials and all are fun to catch. October and November are the best months for Reds and Trout, both are feeding heavily in preparation for winter. Both offer fine table fare.

River Reds are fish less than five years of age and shorter than 24 inches. River reds inhabit the sound system into which they were born, moving to the outer sound in the summer and to upper sound system and rivers in the winter. River Reds are sexually immature. As Reds reach their fifth year they become sexually mature and move from the sound and river system to open ocean waters, at this time they become mature Reds. Mature Reds return to the outer sound system in which they grew up twice a year. The spring return takes place in April, May and June. The fall return takes place in October, November and December. River Reds will be found working oyster bars and mud flats. Mature Reds will be located on oyster bars and sand bars. Mature Reds live over 40 years and will return to the same sand and oyster bars their entire lives.

Spotted or Speckled Sea Trout live up to eight years and most spend their life in the same estuary system into which they were spawned. Trout move to the outer sound system and beaches in the spring and to the upper sound system in the winter. The fall migration up stream takes place in October, November and December. Trout group up in large schools and feed aggressively before winter water temperatures drop too low for most Trout food groups to survive.

The most effective and fun way to catch Trout and Reds is when they are working oyster bars. Float fishing is most productive and reduces hang ups on the oysters. Live shrimp is the bait of choice; live Mud Minnows and finger Mullet work just as well and often catch bigger Trout. This is true because as Trout mature and produce more eggs, more fish oil is needed to strengthen the eggs. Big female Trout consume fish almost exclusively. Artificials imitating shrimp or bait fish will take Trout and Reds also. Presenting the bait under a float entices the fish to take the bait. Sometimes jerking the rod, thus making the bait dart and dance, will cause a strike.

Nick also caught this nice Sea Trout.

Catching mature Reds on sand bars is a different matter. Heavier rods and reels are needed and live or cut bait is required. Live or cut Menhaden, Whiting or Mullet work best. Simply anchor the boat and toss out the bait with enough sinker weight to keep it on the bottom. Put the rods in a rod holder and pick up a spinning rod with a piece of shrimp on the hook. You will catch Whiting, small Sharks, Rays, Flounder and such on these while waiting on the big bad Bulls to come along. The wait is not long and when they get there you will put the spinning rods away. This is catch and release fishing, all the Bulls are over the 24 inch size limit, but its great fun. Join us for a fishing trip you will never forget. To book a trip or for further information call (912) 265-0392 or go to www.coastalcharterfishing.com. We also offer Dolphin and Cumberland Island cruises. Coastal Expeditions Charter Fishing and Dolphin Tours is owned and operated by Captains Vernon Reynolds and Eric Moody.

Tags: capt vernon reynolds, charter fishing jekyll island, coastal expeditions, jekyll island, jekyll island fishing
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JEKYLL ISLAND FISHING REPORT, October 1, 2009

October and November are the two best months for taking Speckled Sea Trout inshore. The Sea Trout is the most popular and sought after inshore species in our area.

Speckled Sea Trout are abundant in local rivers and creeks. They provide a fun fishing experience and are fine table fare. Trout spawn along area beaches through the summer months. Once Trout have spawned they move into sounds and inlets along the coast. Specks will spend the remainder of the summer in small, loose nit schools until fall. As water temperatures drop Trout begin to school in larger numbers. These schools hunt pray aggressively and feed heavily in preparation for the fall migration up stream. Good numbers of fish can be taken quickly during this time of the year.

Trout can be taken on live and artificial bait. The most popular fishing method is float fishing with live shrimp. Trout can be found near oyster bars in shallow water. Float fishing provides a way to fish oyster bars without getting hung up. The Cajen Thunder clacker type float works well around shell bars. Such corks make a clacking noise produced by two or more metal or plastic balls banging together when the float is jerked with the rod. This clacking sound resembles that of a surface feeding Trout striking pray. A D.O.A. artificial shrimp can also be effective fished under a clacking cork. Live Mud Minnows and Finger Mullet also make good Trout baits.

Trout will also strike jigs and surface lures. Curley tail jig bodies in three to five inch lengths attached to quarter ounce heads work well. A slow steady retrieve will work at times, other times the jig must be bounced of the bottom to be effective. Jigs can also be trolled. The jig should be skipped along the bottom. Surface baits with propellers will often entice strikes, other times a more refined lure is called for.

October and November, the summer heat has broken, the days are shorter and the Trout are biting. Take a day or two off your busy schedule and go fishing.

To book a charter or for more information call (912) 265-0392 or go to www.coastalcharterfishing.com.

Tags: charter fishing, georgia beaches, georgia fishing, jekyll island fishing, jekyll island hotels, jekyll island vacation
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Fishing in the Golden Isles has been somewhat hampered by hurricanes, northeasters and rain. Those days when anglers could get away from the dock Whiting, Trout, Tripletail and Redfish were found inshore. Sharks and Tarpon were cruising near shore. King Mackerel and Barracuda were working the offshore reefs.

September is a transition month. Sharks, Tarpon, Tripletail, King Mackerel and Barracuda are leaving area waters. Sea Trout, Bull and River Reds, Black Sea Bass, Grouper and Sheepshead are becoming more active.

Look for Trout and River Reds in inshore rivers and creeks. Trout will be schooling up in preparation for the fall migration upstream. Specks feel heavily before making the trip. Look for oyster bars and drop-offs near the bank to hold Trout. Younger Reds will be found in the same areas. As the water cools Reds will be found on mud bars, on low tide during the middle of the day. The dark mud holds the heat of the sun and warms the surrounding water.

Bull Reds will be found near sand bars adjacent to sounds, inlets and river mouths. Bull Reds, those fish that have become sexually mature at about four years of age, spend most of their lives in the open ocean. A quirk of the species is that they return to the same estuary into which they were spawned. They return in the spring and again in the fall. The annual return is so precise that the same fish will return to the same sand bar year after year. These fish range from 20 to over 100 pounds and are the breeder stock of the species. They are fun to catch but must be released unharmed.

Sheepshead, Sea Bass and Grouper will be found on near shore reefs. These species move into shallow water for the winter months. Look for them on structure in 40 to 60 feet of water.

Coastal Expeditions Charter Fishing and Dolphin Tours is operated by Captain Vernon Reynolds and Captain Eric Moody. For further information or to book a charter call (912) 265-0392 or go to www.coastalcharterfishing.com.

Tags: capt vernon reynolds, coastal expeditions, fishing in the golden isles, fishing report, grouper, jekyll island fishing, reds, sea bass, st. simons fishing
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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.

…..

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.

……..

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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Jekyll Island Fishing CenterOriginally uploaded by theunquietlibrarian

Found this photo posted on Flickr.com by theunquietlibrarian. I thought it was a great shot of their unique sign.

Go to he Jekyll Fishing Center to get the best fishing supplies used for the coastal area. Baits consist of shrimp, squid, chicken necks, Bonita, finger mullets, pogies, sand fleas, and clams to catch anything from crabs to sharks. Gifts include Captain Larry’s t-shirts, art work, framed or matted fish, and metal artwork created by local artist Tyler Dominey. Book a dolphin tour, catch a chartered fishing trip, or even catch a party boat fit to meet everyone’s needs. 912.635.2205

Tags: flickr, georgia beaches, jekyll island accommodations, jekyll island activities, jekyll island fishing, jekyll island vacation
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The Department of Natural Resources Coastal Resources Division (CRD) and Jekyll Island Authority have announced that renovation of the Jekyll Island public boating access site is complete.  Improvements include a larger, resurfaced boat ramp, a larger boating service dock, and more parking area. This $400,000 renovation was one of four projects made possible by a $1.5 million CRD budget enhancement approved by the Georgia legislature in 2007.

The new ramp is 50-ft wide allowing three boaters to launch or load simultaneously.  It is 130 feet long and extends well below the low tide line making it possible for boaters to safely launch and recover their vessels at all stages of the tide. The service dock now provides 200 feet of perimeter providing space for several boats. Two acres of crushed-limestone-surface parking area was added to the site. The lot also includes handicapped parking and space of anglers fishing in the nearby lake, Ski Rixen Pond.

The boat ramp launches into Jekyll Creek, a popular area for fisherman seeking triple tail, redfish and trout. The ramp is also a favored launch site for kayakers looking to explore the vast salt marsh, creeks, and rivers adjacent to Jekyll Island.  These improvements and expansions will allow more fishermen and kayakers to enjoy Jekyll Island’s intrarcoastal waterways.

In addition to the boat ramp, Ski Rixen Pond is rich fishing location for anglers seeking redfish, speckled trout, and Atlantic croaker. For those visitors wishing to explore the area without fishing, Tidelands Nature Center is a wildlife educational facility and canoe/paddleboat rental location sponsored by the University of Georgia. Tidelands is located on the shore of Ski Rixen Pond and also offers guided kayak tours through the intracoastal waterways. These tours are individual lessons in kayaking and up-close encounters with the eco-systems that border Jekyll Island.

The above picture was taken at the December 15 ribbon cutting. Pictured are members of the Jekyll Island Authority Board; staff of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Coastal Resources Division; and Jekyll Island Authority Staff. Cutting the ribbon (left to right, holding scissors) are Shawn Jordan, DNR Boating Access Coordinator; Spud Woodward, DNR Asst. Director of Marine Fisheries; and Bob Krueger, Chairman of the Jekyll Island Authority Board.

Tags: jekyll island activities, jekyll island authority, jekyll island authority board, jekyll island boat ramp, jekyll island boating, jekyll island fishing, jekyll island revitalization
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Reprinted from Jacksonville.com, By Teresa Stepzinski

BRUNSWICK - The bigger, better Jekyll Island public boat ramp is now open to fishermen and boaters.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources has completed a $441,265 project to renovate and expand the boat ramp on Jekyll Creek near Ski Rixen Pond. It was one of four public boat ramps in Coastal Georgia to undergo renovations with state funds approved by the General Assembly. Another is at Bellville in McIntosh County.

Beginning July 7, workers replaced the old 20-foot-wide concrete ramp with a 50-foot-wide one and added 80 feet of floating dock to the 20-foot long service dock, said Shawn Jordan, project coordinator with the department’s Coastal Resources Division.

The adjacent parking lot was upgraded and expanded by two acres, Jordan said.

The renovations will benefit both resident and non-resident anglers and the local economy, said Doug Haymans, the division’s constituent services program supervisor.

“The boat ramp is now big enough to accommodate regional and national fishing tournaments. There is plenty of water and room to launch three 30-foot boats at once during low tide from the ramp,” Haymans said.

Boats that size are common in kingfish and other tournaments.

Recreational and sportfishing generates millions of dollars for Georgia’s economy each year. The state’s best triple tail fishing is found off Jekyll Island. It also is a popular launching site for fishermen seeking redfish and trout in nearby waters, Haymans said.

Before the state’s budget crunch, the General Assembly approved spending $1.3 million to improve four Coastal Georgia public boat ramps. The Jekyll project was the largest.

Tags: georgia beach, georgia beaches, jekyll island, jekyll island boat ramp, jekyll island boating, jekyll island fishing
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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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