JETTIES: Sheepshead are what’s really happening in full force out at the rocks. These tasty fighters are so fun to catch and, man, are they great on the table. There’s not a better fish to eat than a tasty Sheepshead. They’re picky about what they eat and that’s what makes them so sweet. No dead fish for them, only crabs, clams, fiddlers, oysters, and shrimp. All the good stuff. So get out there while you can and catch a mess of these guys. You’ll absolutely love it. Black Drum to 30 pounds are being caught out at the rocks right now, also. I tell people we need to release the ones over 15 to 17 pounds and let those 25 to 30 pounders spawn for our next batch. Black Drum are also great to eat as they eat the same things as the Sheepshead.

Redfish to 45 pounds are still being caught along with a few slot-sized ones too. Ringtail Porgies are biting good and they’re really a looked-over fish. A member of the Porgie family, just like a Sheepshead, good eating and no size limit (I had better not say that too loud). Whiting in the sand at the jetties along with some nice Yellowmouth Trout. A couple Black Margates here and there while Sheepshead fishing. A lot of people don’t know what they look like but they look like a cross between a Sheepshead and a Drum. More teeth than a Drum but not as bad as a Sheepshead. Spotted Trout just outside the south jetty on the incoming tides. Try a live shrimp on a slip-float rig. CREEKS: Redfish are doing real good in the creeks. Especially when the wind isn’t blowing 25 knots like it has been.

I’m so glad November is over and let’s hope this wind is almost over too. Redfish being caught on top waters worked slowly along the grass during the higher tides and on the mud flats during the lower tides. They’re also being caught on live mud minnows and cut blue crab. Another way to target them is to drift a live shrimp with about 15" of mono leader, 25 to 30# test and a 2/0 Eagle Claw Kayle hook under a Cajun Thunder float. With this rig you’ll also catch small Black Drum, some keepers, Redfish, Spotted Trout, Sheepshead, and Flounder. Spotted Trout hitting my favorites, the Bomber Long As, and also hitting top waters and jerk baits. The flounder have shown up a little. Not a lot of them but a few nice ones. This has been a real slow year for Flounder. RIVERS: Bull Redfish and Black Drum on bottom fishing. A few nice Croakers but I’m not really targeting them this year because it’s been tough catching some big enough to keep. I hear they’re still catching the larger Croakers down at the Buckman Bridge and South.

Whiting are doing good on the sandier areas of the river and in Nassau Sound they’re tearing it up. Yellowmouth Trout are also hitting but the larger ones seem to be closer to downtown Jax. Spotted Trout up and down the river along rock banks and grass edges with structure under the surface during the higher tides. A few Flounder on the sloped banks but not like they should be. This year was just a loss on these guys. Hopefully next year will be on target. MILL COVE: Spotted Trout and Redfish are the best things going on in the Cove. A few Flounder but they’re hard to find. When you do, you can catch a few in the same areas. Black Drum from 10" to 18" in the Cove. Remember, they have to be at least 14" to be keepers. Yellowmouth at the entrance of the Cove at both ends. SURF: Whiting are the hottest biters right now. Nice Whiting up to 2 pounds are being caught. I guess since the net boats haven’t been hitting them this year they’re making it to the beach better. I used to see loads of net boats going out when I was fishing at the jetties in previous years but haven’t seen them in quite a while.

Black Drum and Sheepshead are even in the surf now from what I’m hearing. A few Pompano are mixed in with the Whiting but I don’t look for that to last long. Get out there before it gets too cold. The best time to fishing is... when you can! You can say what you want about the South but, you never hear of anyone retiring and moving up North... Captain Vic Tison P O Box 28208, Jax., Fl. 32226 904-699-2285 http://vic2fish.com Co-Host of Jacksonville’s WOKV’s ‘Just Fishing’ Radio Show, Saturdays 6:00am to 8:00am United States Coast Guard Licensed Captain International Game Fish Assoc. Certified Captain Regional Director for the Florida Guides Assoc. Member of the National Assoc. of Charterboat Operators Member of the American Professional Captain’s Association Sponsor of The Inshore Saltwater Anglers Club