We’re excited to have Captain Steve on our Outdoors360 team, and write our upcoming forecasts for the First Coast of Florida. Captain Steven Crowder is the owner and Professional Fishing Guide at Madness Charters.
Captain Steven Crowder tells us that the big breeder bull reds are spawning in the inlet. These fish are sitting in 40 plus feet of water in the channels. Blue crabs, cut mullet, and live baits are doing well with the blue crab being the most effective. Artificial anglers can drift a 6-inch Berkley Gulp mullet on a 1-ounce jighead or try a Mann’s Stretch 30 dragged into the current. Slot reds are being found around the Mayport inlet with the bites coming on pilchards under a popping cork.
Flounder are being found in decent size around jetties in 1 to 4 feet of water. You can fan cast around docks and structure with a live pilchard or small mullet. If artificial is your game give a Berkley Gulp on a jig head a try worked slowly along the bottom.
The trout bite is good. A live pilchard under a popping cork is going to produce some good numbers. A fun way to target them for artificial anglers is to use a walk the dog type of surface lure in the early morning or last hour of daylight. These fish are being found in 1 to 4 feet of water.
Yellowmouth trout are moving in and the best bet for catching these fish is to use a small live mullet on a Carolina rig.
Very soon the Virginia croakers will begin moving in and these fish are a popular species her in Northeast Florida. Look for these fish in about 20 feet of water. Your best offering is freshly dead shrimp on a double dropper rig.
This report is brought to you by First Federal Bank of Florida. Stop by and see our brand branch in Jacksonville, or call us at 904-321-2337.
