Forecast looks good for the weekend

By News Staff on Thursday, June 25, 2020
  • Guille Van Cruysen with a nice red snapper caught off Mayport.
    Guille Van Cruysen with a nice red snapper caught off Mayport.

    The forecast looks good for the weekend and there are plenty of options to bend a rod right now inshore, nearshore and offshore.
    It’s Kingfish Tournament season and this weekend Morningstar is hosting weigh-ins for the yearly Kingbuster SKA event. Plan ahead if you want to fish from Mayport; unlike the Old School, all the boats will be leaving from the same inlet at the same time Saturday and Sunday. Unlike the Old School, there is no eastern boundary so you won’t see all the boats stacked up in state waters all day.
    Deepwater, the mahi are still around and we have had some luck on weed lines. The majority of the fish are being caught out at the ledge past 200 feet, but don’t be afraid to fish closer in when conditions are right. If the water color and temperature are right and you’re seeing flyers, then makes sense to put out some baits. There have also been blackfin around, so small feathers and a cedar plug are essential in any spread I run.
    For bottom fishing, this is peak time for mangrove snapper offshore and there are plenty of muttons being caught out of Vilano. The grouper fishing in deep water has been good with reports of big gags, some scamps and red grouper. It is time to start dialing in your red snapper spots and techniques – with a little prep, getting a limit during our four-day season should be a piece of cake.
    Inshore, the mangroves are getting to keeper size and, with a little luck, you can find more then enough to keep rods bent. The low tide redfish has been consistent; having a trained eye in the boat being key to success picking the right wakes in dirty water. Flounder fishing is getting hotter with the weather – plenty of nice-sized fish have moved inshore, and with all the finger mullet around, it’s easy to get bait to target them.
    All in all lots of options for the First Coast fisherman right now – get out and enjoy it!
    For any questions, to book a charter trip, or to send in a report and pictures of your catch to be featured in a future report, send an email to Chris@fishjax.org.