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
Posted in Diversions, On the Water | No Comments »

All of Georgia’ Golden Isles have a lot to offer. Jekyll Island is a huge state-owned property with history, beauty and a slower, elegant-but-not-necessarily-expensive lifestyle. There’s something for just about everyone here - and fall lodging specials too. Just about five hours from Atlanta - but a world away. (see map.) Among the activities you don’t want to miss —

7. Croquet. Yes, that game you played in the backyard. There will be a tournament October 23 - 25 with nationally-known players and a clinic in the mornings to help you with your game. Bring your whites.

6.  Georgia’s Colonial Coast Birding and Nature Festival, October 8- 12. This includes a number of outings with experts to off-the-path places like Ossabaw, Blackbeard, Cumberland and Wassaw Islands as well as a canoe trip in the Okefenokee. There’s a dolphin kayak trip, raptor-watch and other nature walks. A great way to get traffic and city bosses out of your system.

5. Folklore, Rumor & Myth Ghost Tours. The Jekyll Island Museum is holding a special ghost tour Fridays in October for ages 10 and up. Call 912-635-4036 to make your reservations. This is a very old island, and it was developed by wealthy people - so the quality of ghosts you’re going to run into is, shall we say, a cut above the average ghost? See the Jekyll Island Museum Ghost Tour.

4. Golf. For many people, Jekyll Island is synonymous with great golf. This year the weather has been good for the courses, so the four courses are in great shape. And they have a special for the rest of September allowing you to golf all day for $38.

3. Fishing. There are good deep sea fishing guides, among them Capt. Mark Noble. (Check out the others on the CVB’s website.) Or just chill on the beach with a pole.

2.  The Georgia Sea Turtle Center. Yes turtles. Before you skip this, let me say that I went there last year on an assignment. My feelings about turtles weren’t really warm and fuzzy. I was glad they’re around and want them to stay, but I didn’t want to cuddle them. Just passing through the gift shop on the way in, though — I was struck with Cupid’s arrow. Those big, wet eyes and they are so vulnerable to humans on the planet. Go on into the hospital and look at these babies…big and little. Read some of their stories. You will come out of there a turtle hugger. You can adopt a turtle or just follow their stories on the blog. This is not a zoo. The turtles are here to be rehabilitated. On September 20, they plan to release three of the most popular -  Pumpkin, Nightwatch and Skidaway.

1.  The Wild Georgia Shrimp & Grits Festival. I just happened on this last year and I’m not going to miss it again. Amazingly, we have a shrimp industry in this state but except for a few stores, the shrimp you buy come from Thailand or somewhere else. You’ve got to taste these delicacies. This will turn you into a shrimp snob.  Lines are long but well worth it.  (Photos courtesy Jekyll Island Authority.)

Tags: georgia beach vacations, georgia coast, jekyll island activities, Jekyll Island Events, jekyll island hotels, Jekyll Island vacations, things to do on jekyll island
Posted in Diversions, Festivalgoer, In the News | No Comments »

Celebrate Earth Day on Jekyll Island with the first annual Jekyll Island Mother Nature Festival on April 18, 2009. The festival, a celebration of nature and eco-friendly fun, boasts numerous activities for families to enjoy the outdoors and explore Jekyll Island while being green-conscious.
“This event is all about exploring nature while discovering ways to be more eco-friendly,” said Beth Burnsed, Event Marketing Coordinator for the Jekyll Island Authority.  “Jekyll Island offers many opportunities for families to learn about environment while respecting it.”
The hub of the activities is the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. Beginning at 10 a.m., the Center will host an eco-friendly exhibitor area, eco-craft zone, and a special Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Regift Auction. In the exhibitor area, environmental organizations, artists, and shops will exhibit their eco-conscious and nature-related wares. Simultaneously, in the children’s eco-craft zone, kids can practice being environmentally friendly by making recycled-art projects. Finally, in the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Regift Auction, visitors can take part in a silent auction with a twist. The items in the auction are “re-gifts” — they have never been used, but were never needed by the donor. Now they can be your treasure. Proceeds from the auction go to the continuing operation of the Georgia Sea Turtle Center.  All activities, exhibitors, and entertainment continue until 4 p.m. The exhibitor area is free. The craft zone and auction are free with paid admission to the Center.
Other activities taking place the same day include a Family Fishing Day at Rixen Pond, behind Tidelands Nature Center. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will be on-site to give fishing tips, loan free children’s fishing rods, provide bait, and help children identify the fish they catch. Rixen Pond is rich in red fish, speckled trout, and Atlantic croaker.
For added adventure, families can choose from a variety guided excursions to get an up-close look at the natural habitats that make Jekyll Island unique. Tours include Dolphin Tours, Eco-Tours, Off-Shore Fishing, Kayaking, Bird Walks, Nature Walks and Horseback Riding. Many of these tours are offered year-round; however, in honor of Earth Day, all are offering special themed tours both April 18 and 19.
For more information on Jekyll Island’s Mother Nature Festival, a complete festival agenda and list of guided excursions visit www.jekyllisland.com/mothernaturefestival.

Tags: days inn and suites, earth day, georgia beaches, Jekyll Island Events, jekyll island mother nature festival, jekyll island vacation, things to do on jekyll island
Posted in Beachscape, March 2009 | No Comments »