We have been enjoying some excellent fishing for Trout and Redfish around St. Simons Island, but this weekend it seems that the weather is going to get the better of us. It hasn't stopped the fish from biting but it is making it quite uncomfortable to be on the water.
The water is muddy but if you can find a small patch of clean water you should be able to get on some fish. St. Simons Island is experiencing some extremely high tides right now and the one good thing about that is the opportunity to catch tailing Redfish in the flooded marsh grass. This is a fun combination of hunting and fishing as you stalk the fish down and carefully place a bait in its face.
These are also some great tides for marsh hen hunting. Marsh hens are small brown birds that live in the thich marsh grass. As far as table fare... well... they taste like mud, but they are fun to shoot and there are always some locals that are willing to take them off of your hands.
When the weather clears, the fishing at St. Simons Island will be in it's prime for Fall inshore fishing. The tides should return to normal and the water should cool right down to the perfect range to allow for some great days of fishing.
If you need information about fishing at St. Simons Island whether it is shore fishing, fishing from a boat, or charter fishing, give me a call and I'll be happy to help you out.
Tight lines!
Capt. TJ Cheek
http://www.stsimonsfishing.com/
912-617-5577
St. Simons Island's Fishing resource site. Up to date fishing reports and techniques for St. Simons Island shore fishing and charter fishing. Provided by Capt. TJ Cheek
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Fall Fishing Report for St. Simons Island
This fishing report for St. Simons Island and Jekyll Island is an easy one. The inshore fishing is just plain awesome. The Trout and Redfish are stacked up and hungry.
Bull Redfish are here and biting on cut mullet, pogies, and crabs. There have been some 20 fish days recently and if you've ever caught a Bull Redfish, you know that is a back breaking day!
The Trout and Redfish have been really chewing. Live shrimp, Gulp baits, DOAs, and a laundry list of hardbaits have been very effective. The Trout have been nailing the baits so hard that they almost take the rod out of your hands before you can react.
I've had my best luck on the higher tides, last of incoming and first of outgoing.
St. Simons Island Fishing Forecast:
The inshore fishing is only goint to get better and more reliable. As the water temperature settles into the mid to upper sixties, the fish will get into a pretty predictable pattern and you will likely find the fish is the same honey hole trip after trip. The Bull Redfish will be leaving soon, so get after them while you can.
Tight lines!
Capt. TJ Cheek
http://www.stsimonsfishing.com/
912-230-7429
Bull Redfish are here and biting on cut mullet, pogies, and crabs. There have been some 20 fish days recently and if you've ever caught a Bull Redfish, you know that is a back breaking day!
I've had my best luck on the higher tides, last of incoming and first of outgoing.
St. Simons Island Fishing Forecast:
The inshore fishing is only goint to get better and more reliable. As the water temperature settles into the mid to upper sixties, the fish will get into a pretty predictable pattern and you will likely find the fish is the same honey hole trip after trip. The Bull Redfish will be leaving soon, so get after them while you can.
Tight lines!
Capt. TJ Cheek
http://www.stsimonsfishing.com/
912-230-7429
Hot Temps and a Hot Bite!
Hot Summer temps usually mean an ice cold bite, but lately we have seen an exception. The Trout, Redfish, and Flounder have been pretty easy to find and willing to eat.
We finally have some local bait at the marinas, so the high priced Florida bait is gone until next year. It seems that our local bait is either extremely big or extremely small though.
We have mostly targeted Trout with some great success. We have had days where we caught close to 40 keeper Trout and some days with a 16 inch average.
One day that stands out is June 29th. We had 10 year old Talon Mann on board and he boated a 24 1/2 inch Trout! That is a great trophy for a 10 year old.
The Shark fishing at St. Simons Island has been stellar. Fishing behind the shrimp boats with cut Bonito or Ladyfish seems to be the key. We typically fish with live Pogies but this seems to be the year of the cut bait. We have had some Black Tips and Spinners in the 100 to 120 lb. range on most trips.
Don't let the heat keep you from enjoying fishing in GA, and especially fishing in St. Simons Island, GA!
Cheers from Coastal Georgia Charter Fishing!
Capt. TJ Cheek
http://www.stsimonsfishing.com/
We finally have some local bait at the marinas, so the high priced Florida bait is gone until next year. It seems that our local bait is either extremely big or extremely small though.
We have mostly targeted Trout with some great success. We have had days where we caught close to 40 keeper Trout and some days with a 16 inch average.
One day that stands out is June 29th. We had 10 year old Talon Mann on board and he boated a 24 1/2 inch Trout! That is a great trophy for a 10 year old.
The Shark fishing at St. Simons Island has been stellar. Fishing behind the shrimp boats with cut Bonito or Ladyfish seems to be the key. We typically fish with live Pogies but this seems to be the year of the cut bait. We have had some Black Tips and Spinners in the 100 to 120 lb. range on most trips.
Don't let the heat keep you from enjoying fishing in GA, and especially fishing in St. Simons Island, GA!
Cheers from Coastal Georgia Charter Fishing!
Capt. TJ Cheek
http://www.stsimonsfishing.com/
Back in Black! Sea Bass Fishing is back on!
Back in Black! Sea Bass Fishing is ON!
Finally, Finally, we can keep Sea Bass again. We have been battling through them trying to get to the other species but man, these Blackfish are THICK!
The Amberjack bite has been Stellar, the Cobia are still straggling around, we've had some monster Spadefish on light tackle, and all of that combined with a nice box of Sea Bass, and you have yourself a pretty fine day of fishing coastal Georgia.
While I'm at it I might as well mention that the inshore bite has been pretty reliable. There seems to be a "here or zero" thing going around, but the hero days make it worth your time to get out there.
The Shark bite has been pretty good too. We fish behind the shrimp boats and get some fat sharks in the 100 pound range. It's hard to beat catching a lot of big fish that fight hard in a 4 hour trip near land. You can see the St. Simons lighthouse and all of Jekyll Island from where we catch these fish.
The Tarpon have shown up and are getting to be steady enough to fish for. I'm not quite ready to go park on the breakers and spend a lot of time on it, but it is getting close.
In summary, the fishing at St. Simons Island and Jekyll Island is SOLID.
Tight lines!
Capt. TJ Cheek
http://www.stsimonsfishing.com/
The Amberjack bite has been Stellar, the Cobia are still straggling around, we've had some monster Spadefish on light tackle, and all of that combined with a nice box of Sea Bass, and you have yourself a pretty fine day of fishing coastal Georgia.
While I'm at it I might as well mention that the inshore bite has been pretty reliable. There seems to be a "here or zero" thing going around, but the hero days make it worth your time to get out there.
The Shark bite has been pretty good too. We fish behind the shrimp boats and get some fat sharks in the 100 pound range. It's hard to beat catching a lot of big fish that fight hard in a 4 hour trip near land. You can see the St. Simons lighthouse and all of Jekyll Island from where we catch these fish.
The Tarpon have shown up and are getting to be steady enough to fish for. I'm not quite ready to go park on the breakers and spend a lot of time on it, but it is getting close.
In summary, the fishing at St. Simons Island and Jekyll Island is SOLID.
Tight lines!
Capt. TJ Cheek
http://www.stsimonsfishing.com/
St. Simons Fishing Report
It's finally nice and warm and the fish are firing up!
On the reefs from 20 miles and beyond, Snapper, Grouper, Bee liners, and Amberjack are being caught regularly.
Cobia and Spanish Mackerel have shown up in force as close in as 5 miles. The Cobia have been wary of most baits but can't resist eels or live crabs. In some cases when we didn't have either, we stunned a Pogy or Cigar Minnow and teased the fish until he ate it.
The Tripletail are on the beach and there are some BIG ONES out there. More and more people are fishing for them, and the fish are getting more spooky. The key is to stay as far away from the fish as you can once you have sighted it. Only get as close as you have to to make an accurate cast.
The Trout are finally back on the menu, at least for now. We have had some great days inshore with our average Trout measuring around 17 inches. The Reds are strong right now and the Flounder are getting in the mix as well.
It's a great time to fish St. Simons, Jekyll Island, Sea Island, and Cumberland Island.
Tight lines!
Capt. TJ Cheek
Costa Del Mar Pro Guide
St. Simons Charter Fishing
On the reefs from 20 miles and beyond, Snapper, Grouper, Bee liners, and Amberjack are being caught regularly.
Cobia and Spanish Mackerel have shown up in force as close in as 5 miles. The Cobia have been wary of most baits but can't resist eels or live crabs. In some cases when we didn't have either, we stunned a Pogy or Cigar Minnow and teased the fish until he ate it.
The Tripletail are on the beach and there are some BIG ONES out there. More and more people are fishing for them, and the fish are getting more spooky. The key is to stay as far away from the fish as you can once you have sighted it. Only get as close as you have to to make an accurate cast.
The Trout are finally back on the menu, at least for now. We have had some great days inshore with our average Trout measuring around 17 inches. The Reds are strong right now and the Flounder are getting in the mix as well.
It's a great time to fish St. Simons, Jekyll Island, Sea Island, and Cumberland Island.
Tight lines!
Capt. TJ Cheek
Costa Del Mar Pro Guide
St. Simons Charter Fishing
St. Simons Island Fishing Report
April Fishing Report for Brunswick, Jekyll and St. Simons Island, Georgia.
Calm seas and good weather have not been cooperating as much as we would like here on the Georgia coast, but there has been enough of it for one thing… A Taste of what Spring is like on our bountiful coast.
This taste has all of us wanting a full meal of spring fishing. Whether your taste is inshore or offshore, there is plenty of fishing biting on both ends.
In the rivers and backwater areas, Redfish have been fairly abundant with a few Reds in the sounds and off the beach pushing 40 pounds. The smaller "keeper" size redfish have been hard to come just like every season, but a patient fisherman might just catch the redfish of your dreams if a HUGE ONE is what you have in mind.
Speckled Trout fishing in the backwater and river areas has not been as spectacular. A few hero days are followed by zero days. In between, there have been some average trout fishing days, but the Reds seem to be a better inshore target at the moment but it will improve as the water temperature rises with the spring season.
Whiting fishing just off the beaches is absolutely incredible and some of the great eating little goodies are of good size as well. No matter what anyone says about whiting fishing, when they're here in these numbers and sizes there are sometimes no better options for a great eating fish. Why would you want anything better? And hey, you'll catch some small bonnet head sharks and other species on that ultra-light spinning tackle while you're catching a cooler full of those great eating Whiting!
Offshore fishing has everyone on the eastern seaboard on edge. Black Sea Bass has been closed by the Federal Government this year. It could possibly re-open with an imposed season in place as early as June of this year, but no one really knows.
With that in mind, we switched our game around. The new offshore reef target is now HUGE Sheepshead that come on to spawn on certain reefs just offshore of the GA Coast. Not every reef has this special inhabitance, but many of them do.
When I tell you big sheepshead, I mean big ones. We have boated many fish in the 8-10 pound range this season and it's just now in prime swing.
There isn't a much better eating, hard pulling reef fish out there within ten miles of the dock! There just isn't… We plan to capitalize on these brawny, reef bandits while they're here and in full force on the nearshore reefs here on the Georgia Coast.
Till next time, good luck fishing and tight lines to all!
PS – Want to know the three biggest lies your competitors tell you the day before a fishing Tournament? Here they are!
1. It's Supposed to be Calm Tomorrow
2. This boat won't wet you…..
3. Good Luck
All Lies! …… Just a little Tournament Humor for those of you who know about Tournament Fishing.
Cheers!
Capt. TJ Cheek
Costa Del Mar Pro Guide
St. Simons Fishing Charters
Calm seas and good weather have not been cooperating as much as we would like here on the Georgia coast, but there has been enough of it for one thing… A Taste of what Spring is like on our bountiful coast.
This taste has all of us wanting a full meal of spring fishing. Whether your taste is inshore or offshore, there is plenty of fishing biting on both ends.
In the rivers and backwater areas, Redfish have been fairly abundant with a few Reds in the sounds and off the beach pushing 40 pounds. The smaller "keeper" size redfish have been hard to come just like every season, but a patient fisherman might just catch the redfish of your dreams if a HUGE ONE is what you have in mind.
Speckled Trout fishing in the backwater and river areas has not been as spectacular. A few hero days are followed by zero days. In between, there have been some average trout fishing days, but the Reds seem to be a better inshore target at the moment but it will improve as the water temperature rises with the spring season.
Whiting fishing just off the beaches is absolutely incredible and some of the great eating little goodies are of good size as well. No matter what anyone says about whiting fishing, when they're here in these numbers and sizes there are sometimes no better options for a great eating fish. Why would you want anything better? And hey, you'll catch some small bonnet head sharks and other species on that ultra-light spinning tackle while you're catching a cooler full of those great eating Whiting!
Offshore fishing has everyone on the eastern seaboard on edge. Black Sea Bass has been closed by the Federal Government this year. It could possibly re-open with an imposed season in place as early as June of this year, but no one really knows.
With that in mind, we switched our game around. The new offshore reef target is now HUGE Sheepshead that come on to spawn on certain reefs just offshore of the GA Coast. Not every reef has this special inhabitance, but many of them do.
When I tell you big sheepshead, I mean big ones. We have boated many fish in the 8-10 pound range this season and it's just now in prime swing.
There isn't a much better eating, hard pulling reef fish out there within ten miles of the dock! There just isn't… We plan to capitalize on these brawny, reef bandits while they're here and in full force on the nearshore reefs here on the Georgia Coast.
Till next time, good luck fishing and tight lines to all!
PS – Want to know the three biggest lies your competitors tell you the day before a fishing Tournament? Here they are!
1. It's Supposed to be Calm Tomorrow
2. This boat won't wet you…..
3. Good Luck
All Lies! …… Just a little Tournament Humor for those of you who know about Tournament Fishing.
Cheers!
Capt. TJ Cheek
Costa Del Mar Pro Guide
St. Simons Fishing Charters
St. Simons Redfish - Where - How - Why
This winter season on the Georgia Coast has been one to remember for me. Not only did I get in more fishing trips than I ever have in the winter, fishing was pretty good and I found plenty of new fishing holes.
Fighting with freshwater
We fought rain water run-off from the Satilla River and the Altamaha River nearly all winter long. Anytime there are heavy rains north of us or directly upon us, it all runs one place. Downhill and straight to the Coast! These fresh water rivers dump directly into our eco-system and they're still over the banks in some places. Most people seriously don't realize what an impact and value these fresh water rivers have on our fishery. It's a double edge sword, so to speak. Our fishing and shrimping is good because of this type of estuary system, but when the rains come, it sure is hard to find Trout if the water gets too fresh.
We had so much rain, the water 3 miles offshore of Jekyll Island was pure, brown swamp and rain water. It was clear, but it was tannic brown. When you find this water far out into the Atlantic, fishing can be tough, especially for Trout.
The Redfish and where to find them
Reds don't seem to mind too much of anything, especially the fresh water influx. I believe that our inshore red fishing should be ranked second to Louisiana. We can't hang with that, but we definitely run a close second with all the others. One thing is certain. It's hard to find resident redfish in Georgia if you're just guessing. There are certain things they like in their feeding habitat.
All the places that look prime, most times, are not. Great looking spots can have all the scenarios like all the other best redfish holes in the area and not produce. Welcome to Red fishing! What I look for:
1. Is there somewhere the fish could run to get away from the Dolphins? In other words, is it shallow enough? (This mainly applies to resident fish, not the fall season movers as much). Those fish like it shallow in most situations, whether it is shell or mud.
2. Look for a gradual sloping Mudflat. One that is only a foot or two deep at flood tide. A steep, quick drop off is not the type of flat you want.
3. On this illusive mudflat, I like to see some scattered shell, even if it's just tiny clumps scattered here and there.
4. Where this mudflat meets the grass and beyond is important. The type of grass you want to see atop your mudflat is not thick spartina/marsh grass. If it's dense, they can't feed as well or move as freely on a flood tide. Sparse grass is what we look for atop the mudflat. Sprigs of grass the fish can swim between and feed on crabs, shrimp and the like. Many times, there will be scattered thick grass with "passages" into the marsh, so look beyond that first layer. Reds will do anything to get on top of a flat on the flood tide and eat crabs.
5. More often than not, there will be a feeder creek (or many) that dump onto the flat. There are exceptions to this depending on where you're fishing, but it's in the scenario most times.
6. Contrary in a funny way to number one above, Reds like to have access to deeper water if they need it. Believe me, they know how to get there in any situation. A redfish normally knows his home turf very well in case of a dolphin attack on the flat or other threats. In short, finding flats on the Intracoastal is ideal, even down in Jacksonville this rings true. With all this being said, you will find fish outside of the above parameters, but good luck trying to find them. Everyone has a favorite hole here and there, but finding Reds consistently in large schools takes practice, patience and you have to be thinking like a Redfish. Period.
**Note: I know this is arguable, but my 20 years fishing for Reds has revealed to me these key factors about them:
A Redfish has 3 Goals in life. The Red's main, number one goal is to keep away from Dolphins. Number two is food. LOT'S of it. Number three is they want to GET IN THE GRASS. No worries about dolphins and free to eat all they want.
If you have never witnessed a few Dolphins ganging up on a school of Reds, it's a sight you will never forget. The Dolphins plan the mission and carry it out to a "T". We have seen them run Reds up in the mud, chasing them down a flat on their sides and the most famous of all…. Crashing into a school of Redfish from multiple angles using numerous dolphins to carry out the plan. There is no escape when this happens. They get A LOT of Redfish this way.
About the Trout
As I mentioned, it was more like Freshwater fishing for Sea Trout! The only places I was able to find trout the past few weeks is in the back of long rivers and ocean front "beach creeks". Those two types of places were holding fish fairly well. Sometimes in numbers, sometimes not. When the fish would bite, we had a blast throwing plastic at them. Mostly root beer and motor oil colors were the best as usual. Those two colors have been fished before the electric chicken was ever thought of. I remember my Dad fishing those rootbeer screw tails in the 70's…. Great Plastic on a lead head.
Well, the good news for everyone on our coast is this; I just read the Satilla River was 2 ft. below flood stage, so the rivers will be cleaning up, the salt water will be normalizing in the rivers and we should resume normal saltwater fishing shortly!
Happy Fishing!
Captain TJ Cheek
Costa Del Mar Pro Guide
St. Simons Charter Fishing
Fighting with freshwater
We fought rain water run-off from the Satilla River and the Altamaha River nearly all winter long. Anytime there are heavy rains north of us or directly upon us, it all runs one place. Downhill and straight to the Coast! These fresh water rivers dump directly into our eco-system and they're still over the banks in some places. Most people seriously don't realize what an impact and value these fresh water rivers have on our fishery. It's a double edge sword, so to speak. Our fishing and shrimping is good because of this type of estuary system, but when the rains come, it sure is hard to find Trout if the water gets too fresh.
We had so much rain, the water 3 miles offshore of Jekyll Island was pure, brown swamp and rain water. It was clear, but it was tannic brown. When you find this water far out into the Atlantic, fishing can be tough, especially for Trout.
The Redfish and where to find them
Reds don't seem to mind too much of anything, especially the fresh water influx. I believe that our inshore red fishing should be ranked second to Louisiana. We can't hang with that, but we definitely run a close second with all the others. One thing is certain. It's hard to find resident redfish in Georgia if you're just guessing. There are certain things they like in their feeding habitat.
All the places that look prime, most times, are not. Great looking spots can have all the scenarios like all the other best redfish holes in the area and not produce. Welcome to Red fishing! What I look for:
1. Is there somewhere the fish could run to get away from the Dolphins? In other words, is it shallow enough? (This mainly applies to resident fish, not the fall season movers as much). Those fish like it shallow in most situations, whether it is shell or mud.
2. Look for a gradual sloping Mudflat. One that is only a foot or two deep at flood tide. A steep, quick drop off is not the type of flat you want.
3. On this illusive mudflat, I like to see some scattered shell, even if it's just tiny clumps scattered here and there.
4. Where this mudflat meets the grass and beyond is important. The type of grass you want to see atop your mudflat is not thick spartina/marsh grass. If it's dense, they can't feed as well or move as freely on a flood tide. Sparse grass is what we look for atop the mudflat. Sprigs of grass the fish can swim between and feed on crabs, shrimp and the like. Many times, there will be scattered thick grass with "passages" into the marsh, so look beyond that first layer. Reds will do anything to get on top of a flat on the flood tide and eat crabs.
5. More often than not, there will be a feeder creek (or many) that dump onto the flat. There are exceptions to this depending on where you're fishing, but it's in the scenario most times.
6. Contrary in a funny way to number one above, Reds like to have access to deeper water if they need it. Believe me, they know how to get there in any situation. A redfish normally knows his home turf very well in case of a dolphin attack on the flat or other threats. In short, finding flats on the Intracoastal is ideal, even down in Jacksonville this rings true. With all this being said, you will find fish outside of the above parameters, but good luck trying to find them. Everyone has a favorite hole here and there, but finding Reds consistently in large schools takes practice, patience and you have to be thinking like a Redfish. Period.
**Note: I know this is arguable, but my 20 years fishing for Reds has revealed to me these key factors about them:
A Redfish has 3 Goals in life. The Red's main, number one goal is to keep away from Dolphins. Number two is food. LOT'S of it. Number three is they want to GET IN THE GRASS. No worries about dolphins and free to eat all they want.
If you have never witnessed a few Dolphins ganging up on a school of Reds, it's a sight you will never forget. The Dolphins plan the mission and carry it out to a "T". We have seen them run Reds up in the mud, chasing them down a flat on their sides and the most famous of all…. Crashing into a school of Redfish from multiple angles using numerous dolphins to carry out the plan. There is no escape when this happens. They get A LOT of Redfish this way.
About the Trout
As I mentioned, it was more like Freshwater fishing for Sea Trout! The only places I was able to find trout the past few weeks is in the back of long rivers and ocean front "beach creeks". Those two types of places were holding fish fairly well. Sometimes in numbers, sometimes not. When the fish would bite, we had a blast throwing plastic at them. Mostly root beer and motor oil colors were the best as usual. Those two colors have been fished before the electric chicken was ever thought of. I remember my Dad fishing those rootbeer screw tails in the 70's…. Great Plastic on a lead head.
Well, the good news for everyone on our coast is this; I just read the Satilla River was 2 ft. below flood stage, so the rivers will be cleaning up, the salt water will be normalizing in the rivers and we should resume normal saltwater fishing shortly!
Happy Fishing!
Captain TJ Cheek
Costa Del Mar Pro Guide
St. Simons Charter Fishing
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