 Capt. Dave Sipler's Sport Fishing - Jacksonville, St. Johns River/Inlet & near-coastal waters to Amelia Island Florida. Updated: 12/27/06
No Lack Of Fishing
January report
There's certainly no lack of fishing opportunities as N.E. Florida goes into the it's first winter month, January. Just a lack of fisherman sometimes. I'm certainly not some fair weather angler, because I know that on certain days it can be an all out bonanza!
I remember a trip I did a few years ago with three guys on a cold morning. It was a 1/2 day'er (which I don't really even do), and by the time we were out for 3 hours we had to of caught 100 pounds of Black Drum, Redfish, and Sheepshead. They tried their best to get out of going, the night before. Making up one heck of a bad excuse. Because the weather report changed after they reserved the trip to; very cold but sunny. And they didn't like that. I said, "Okay we can not go, but ya'll will loose your deposit." And then all of a sudden their story changed. And the boys were so happy they went, because we all had a ball!
Unfortunately, that's the way it goes sometimes. When I'm talking to you on the phone it's 68 and warm, and then two days later it's a high of 40 in the morning as we depart. Not all Fisherman were Boy/Girl Scouts, I understand that. SO PLEASE, COME PREPARED!
I know I have a saying for when it's like that, as I'm putting on a heavier jacket in front of my clients, that failed to bring one, "there's no HMO's or sick days to take in the fishing business, and I can't afford to get sick."
So let's talk FISHIN'
As of December, the big Trout move east. Actually, back in early November when we had a blast of cool temps followed by a weekend of Gale Force winds, was when I found all the monster Trout exciting the salt marsh in huge numbers.
RICK WIDNER'S Nov. 9th, second fish of the morning.
But, as of December the creeks were void of really big Trout, and out in the main river is where I'm finding the big ones. Then, as December progressed I find large numbers of fish closer to the inlet and out in the Ocean. And this is the way it'll be till spring time.
During January, everything is at the inlet. Except for us if it's so nasty that we can't fish there. One year I had a charter that was rescheduled all the way from a summer time Tarpon trip, till we finally went in January. Schedules of the the two guys could never meet-up all summer and fall, then comes a day in January that was bitterly cold, and that's when we ended up going. And again, in just a few hours they slayed the big Reds, one after another. Just dropping live shrimp straight down on the bottom, at the inlet. Catching 12 before their hands got numb. And again, we had a lot of fun out there. Joking about who would give up first.
Beautiful January day of bone chilling weather & rod bending!
But, not all January winter days are so cold. Typically we get some seriously nice weather the first few weeks of the month. (although I hope we didn't spend our nickel already this year , by having the week before Christmas between the 70's & 80's.)
Look forward to lot's of Speckled Trout, Yellowmouth Trout, Redfish, Black Drum and Sheepshead this time of year. All good eating fish, with no long boat rides required to catch them. If the tide's right we're on the fish and the spot right away.
Dress properly, always count on it being colder, not warmer, and leave the "malted brewed type beverages" at home, instead bring a thermos of tea, coffee or a hot soup. Do not forget a hat, and dress with layers, just so if it gets warm you can adjust. And I hope you enjoy catching them as much as I enjoy showing you how.
The biggest "MISCONCEPTION" is that the winter months are not the time to go inshore fishing, maybe not in Minnesota, but here we fish 12 months a year. And I've had some of the most outstanding days of the entire year during January.
Check my NEWS page on my web site for updates on new things going on, and to really get the "meat and potatoes" of what's going on, visit my Daily Reports Forum at: http://captdaves.8.forumer.com/ here is where you can track each days catches, conditions, photos and editorials.
Till next tide,
Capt. Dave Sipler's Sport Fishing
www.captdaves.com
904-642-9546- (8am-8pm EST)
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