Jacksonville & Amelia Island 08-09-12

Northeast Captain Dave Sipler

.....it started out as an experiment. Right now the river has some large Mullet around. But damn if I could catch any in my castnet. And as I watch and entertain myself reading Louisiana Sportsman Magazine, and watch Louisiana Trout fishing shows.

I saw that the Louisiana CCA - "Coastal Conservation Association" STAR tournament, which is a tournament covers many species over the course of a few months. The current Speckled Trout leading fish, 8.3lbs. was caught on a live Croaker. So with large baits hard to come by for me in the St. Johns River here in Jax. I figured, Croakers sure are plentiful right now.

Plus, instead of chasing bait around with a castnet. Why not just fish for Croakers! I do it when I need baits for big Redbass. Many a monster Red has come from a frisky live Croaker. Making noise "croakin" in distress sitting on the bottom.

And like I always say....."Callin' them in for a free meal that they'll suck down like a fun sized Snickers bar on Halloween!"

Well, same goes for Gator Trout!

This short video I decided, needed a little more. So I added some favorite photos. And photos of today's R&D catch. I had around 20 Trout total. Lost two BIG Trout, had a run on one rod that ripped the bait off the hook. Had a bunch of "shorts" on a jighead and a Matrix Shad soft plastic, and of course had a 24, 26, and 28 inch Trout.

BUT, it all came at a price. With the full moon, and the afternoon due East winds blowing 15 knots against a falling tide. What a royal pain in the ass that was!

I was leaving the dock at 5:15am. And got back to the dock at 3:30pm. Many times when I ran into a slump, I almost packed it in. Then, the wind blew really hard and fishing was really tough. And I about gave up, again. I was hot, sweaty, had "casters shoulder" acting up and I was tired.

Intead of thinking about a cold PBR, my lazyboy and cold air conditioning, I stratigised instead. And continued the hunt.

And I'm glad I did.

Capt. Dave Sipler's Sport Fishing
Jacksonville, Florida
(8am-8pm EST)
www.captdaves.com
charter@captdaves.com