Jacksonville Fishing report7-9 Capt Jim Hammond-101.bmp

I can’t wait for what we are in store for this summer. I am ready for those Hot, steamy days, when the ocean teams with bait and striking fish busting the migrating schools.



When the ocean in Northeast Florida comes alive in the summer months you can expect the goose bumps on your arms in full salute of the excitement of line screaming from the reel as pelagic fish move through eating everything they can catch. This is one of the most exciting times of the year for trolling.
Good Fishin
Capt Jim Hammond
Capt Jim's Fun Fishing Inc.
17184 Dorado Cir
Jacksonville, Fl 32226
904 757 7550
www.fishingwithjim.com
jim@fishingwithjim.com



The Northeast Florida waters are feeding grounds for many species, like King Mackerel, Spanish Mackerel, Bonita, Cobia, Sailfish, Barracuda, Tuna, Mahi and more. All of these fish are on their way north and due to the great job of the Jacksonville Offshore Club in building artificial reefs off of our coast these fish have many places to find bait that is attracted to the placements. The Offshore club has been creating these placements since the late fifties and I think, to date they have placed around seventy five different types of structures on the ocean floor. There are things like concrete rubble, ships, barges, reef balls and an assortment of other things that attract fish, from small bait fish to snapper and almost all pelagic species.



Here is a list with GPS numbers of some of the more popular reefs off of the Jacksonville coast:

MR 8 miles out 3026790 8113200

AH 12 miles out 3028330 8106060

BB 12 miles out 3025892 8110426

NM 9 miles out 3023540 8110180

PM 8 miles out 3019860 8111020

PG 8 miles out 3020690 8111690

JW 12 miles out 3016681 8113655

PV 18 miles out 3012190 8109600

CH 12 miles out 3018690 8104110

BR 28 miles out 3029720 8057650

AH 18 miles out 3032850 8103230

All of these placements are marked from the Mayport Jetties and most have many items scattered in their general area.

King mackerel, barracuda, bonito and cobia can be caught from all of these areas. Species like sailfish are most prevalent in the close in areas, like PM, PG, MR and NM. Mahi, Tuna and Wahoo are most likely to be found on the reefs farther out, like the BR, TW and the stream.



Being in the right place is not always going to put fish on the hook. Like all fishing it is important to have the correct baits and present them in a manner that will not only get the attention of the fish but result in them eating your bait.



Live bait is usually the best bet. Once you have found one of these reeks, turn on your fish finder and look at it as you drive around the edges of it. If you see what looks like clouds on your machine, this is usually bait schools. Take your Sabiki rig and send it down to the bait. You should be able to hook several of these baits on each drop. Once you have several of them in the live well, you will be ready to troll for some of what you came for. I like to use the Sea Striker pre made live bait rig. These rigs consist, of a wire leader with two to three treble hooks tied to it. Hook the bait fish in the nose with the first hook and send it out. I like to troll at least four of these rigs. Some of you might only be able to troll two or three or some might be able to troll more. You want your trolling speed to be less than the fishes swimming speed.



To determine the correct speed, send one bait out close to the boat and if it is swimming and not being drug, you have the correct speed. If the bait is being drug and kind of skipping on the surface, you are going too fast. Slow your speed until it can swim. You might have to buy a couple of sea anchors to slow your speed or you can use a five gallon bucket tied to a rope. Tie these off to your forward cleat, one on each side of the boat. This will help you slow down if you can’t get your boat slow enough when throttled back to an idle. Be sure you drag is set correctly.



I like my drag set at about three to four pounds when using fifteen to twenty pound test line on the reel for this type of fishing. Keep in mind you are going to be using a small hook, size from #6 to #4 and they don’t get a very deep penetration on the hook set. But if you use a great big hook, it will over power the bait and won’t look right to the fish you are trying to catch.



If you are in the right place at the right time and have good looking baits, you just might end up with some of the most exciting action that you have had in a long time. If you are unsure about just how to do this, you might think about chartering one of the local Captains to show you the ropes. This money will defiantly be some of the best money you have spent. These guides know the little tricks that they have learned from years of experience.