This year has been an interesting one.... Everything has been about a month late on the north Atlantic Ocean. As far down as the Keys in South Florida, the fish bite has come late by about an entire month on average for most species of fish.
My prime example is the Bull Redfish migration right here on the Georgia Coast. These huge, spawning predatory feeders show up on the coastal georgia beaches around St. Simons Island, Jekyll Island and Sea Island Georgia each fall and spring season.
During a normal fishing year, we normally begin to catch these bulls in September just of St. Simons Island as the norm. Not this season.... We started to catch bull redfish about a month later than normal. Bottom line is, we are catching redfish, but we all wonder what drives the fish to be late during certain years..
Scientists think it may be water salinity combined with bait availability and other ocean habitat surrounding those exact subjects. Although they have a tough time pointing the finger at which is the esact reasoning, it leans in that direction.
St. Simons Island, Jekyll Island, Sea Island are comprised of 3 out of 7 barrier Islands off Georgia's Coast. The inshore marshes are crucial for habitat such as; Shrimp, Crabs, minnows, redfish, trout, flounder and many, many other species of fish and shell fish. This very habitat is responsible for the excellent fishing here.
Back on point, the Bull Redifsh have showed up mainly off St. Simons Island and Sea Island Georgia in numbers. The fish showed in early October on the first 8 ft. tide level. We didn't see much in the way of Bull redfish until then. Normally, the high tides in September is the start of the season as these "spring" tides flush the redfish eggs up into the sounds and rivers for their protection. Due to this fact, it is belived that Bull Redfish lay their eggs on the flooding tide to ensure their spawning efforts are carried out to a "T". The high incoming tides push these eggs far into the marsh grass... Further than normal due to the full and new moons the reds use as their tools for this project.
As they lay their eggs, the fish become very hungry, very quickly after the process. This is when Bull redfish anglers are prepared and ready to catch fish. They know this is the time. But where are the Bull Redfish around St. Simons Island and how do you locate them?
It is actually a simpler process than most people think. However, due to the shallow areas these reds frequent, it can be dangerous during high winds and seas.
Each sound on our coast opens up into open ocean and a main deep water channel that occurs naturally. The sandbars that protect these channels are prime locations to catch huge Bull Redfish. The redfish may be on the edge of a drop into the deeper water, or you may find the fish directly in breakers atop the sandbar itself. Flying seagulls hovering over the bar are a good indicator the fish may be right below them. Simply move around that are givinh each spot at least 15 minutes or so until a redfish is caught.
Around St. Simons Island, fishing for the Bulls can be frustrating and overwhelming due to the vast amount of sandbars near deep water channels in the area. There are hundreds of these areas. All look identical from the boat and some will have reds on them, some may not. This is where simple home work and going out to fish as much as possible can come in handy. This way you can rule out where NOT to fish on what stage of the tide.. Smart anglers log everything that happens. They record the moon phase, barometric pressure, tide level, ocean temperature and exact location of the fishing area.
WARNING: Again, these areas can be a dangerous place to fish as the seas climb up to the shallow water sand bars from deep water, the waves grow larger. When they break, be somewhere else. Don;t get yourself caught up in a position that may get you in trouble. You can flip your boat, crush it, or you might even sink your boat if an 8 ft. wave breaks over the back or side. Be smart about anchoring position. Stay out of the direct break when the waves are too big. If the waves are breaking higher than 2 ft., your liklihood for something bad happening is increased ten fold. Anchor out of the break and fish back toward it the best you can when the seas are rough.
Most times you won't have the time to phone someone for help. A wave rolls in, breaks on your boat... You're done. If your boat swamps with ocean water, the next sets of waves rolling over the sandbar will all break on your helpless vessel over and over relentlessly and could cause harm to the people on board as well.
In all honesty, these fish bite well in a north east wind. This is by far the most dangerous of all the winds on the entire east coast. Huge, relentless seas batter the beaches and outer bars. Anglers should take extra precautions when fishing these areas in any east wind. The art of anchoring in the breakers comes with experience. One must watch the breakers, wind direction and current flow in the breakers. All these factors play a key role in where you will anchor the boat.
Always attach your dock fenders to the end of the anchor rope in case you have to untie and power out of a dangerous breaker situation. This has happened to me many times. I have had to ditch the anchor, crank the engines and throttle out of danger with the boat nearly swamped on many occasions.
Why fish in this mess? The great part about it all? It is worth every minute....! The rewards of "Georgia's Extreme Redfishing" are priceless. Bull Redfish up to 50 pounds are common in the waters near St. Simons Island and Sea Island Georgia. Once you cacth one, you're hooked for life.
Visit: http://www.richielottoutdoors.com for more information on fishing st. simons island Georgia. Or visit http://www.charterfish.com
For videos on fishing St. Simons Island Georgia: http://youtube.com/richielottoutdoors
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