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The Inlets will surprise you
When the first Nor'easters start to blow and the
summer temperatures start to cool, head to the inlets for some fast and furious
action. As the temperatures start to drop, the fish seem to know that it
is time to put on the feed bag in preparation of old man winter. The fish seem
to know that it is time to start feeding up for what could be their last
major feed before the large schools of bait head south, with them in
pursuit.
When the large bait schools start on their
southward migration, they all seem to stage in or near the inlets before
the journey. When this happens, the predator fish, the ones that you and I are
in constant pursuit, seem to be waiting on the bait fish to also have
their last big meal before leaving the area. This is the time that you can
target the inlets for what could be some unbelievable fishing. Most of the
predator fish will school up in tight balls, surrounding the bait
fish. If you are lucky enough to be at one of these inlets
during the right time you can have some of the fastest action fishing
that you have had in some time.
I will start with the tackle that I like
to have READY for these days of inlet fishing in the beginning of
fall.
Rods and
Reels:
I like to carry several types and weights of rods
and reels for the many opportunities that might arise.
Spinning gear consist of medium and heavy spinning
rods and reels. The medium gear is spooled with 20 pound test PowerPro and the
heavy with 50 pound test PowerPro. The rods and reels for medium weight tackle
will be Shakespeare GSP 1170 7' rods with the Intrepid SS 3835 spinning
reel. This outfit will be used to cast plugs, spoons and Gotcha's. For the heavy
spinning outfit, I will have Shakespeare's BWS 1102 7' with the Intrepid SS 3860
or 3850. This will be used to cast the big six or seven inch plugs or
free lining a big mullet.
I will also have several large rods and reels for
the bigger fish such as tarpon. These outfits will consist of Shakespeare Tiger
Rods BWC 2202 7' heavy action with TW 50 LA reels spooled with 150 (30 pound
diameter) or 200 (50 pound diameter) pound test PowerPro. The reason for
such heavy line is, some of these inlets have bridges and pilings that fish like
to run around and the abrasive resistance of PowerPro will allow you to still
get the fish in after the fish has run the line around the bridge a few
times.
Fly Rods:
I almost forgot, my fly rod. I have found a fly rod
and reel combination that will catch almost any inshore fish that you might want
on the fly rod. I have been using the Pflueger Supreme PSF 90-89 and 90-10 rods
and the Pflueger Supreme 1878 and 1890 reels and in my opinion, you cannot buy a
better outfit. I do something a little different than most of you fly
fisher persons when it comes to my backing. The very first fly reel that I had,
held about 75 yards of 20 pound test backing and I was told by the person that
sold me the reel that 75 yards would be plenty. The very first fish that I
hooked on the fly rod outfit, ran out all of my line and backing and kept on
going. Now I was a lot upset because the reel DID NOT hold enough backing,
did it J. B.. Now I use PowerPro for my fly line backing because: 30 lb test
PowerPro has the diameter of 8 pound test and 20 pound test backing has the
diameter of 20 pound test. Therefore, if you have a reel that will hold 75 yards
of 20 pound backing, it will hold 187 yards of 30 lb test PowerPro.
Twenty pound test backing has a diameter of more
that 2 1/2 times that of 30 lb test PowerPro. If your reel will hold 75 yards of
20 pound test backing it will hold 187 yards of 30 lb test PowerPro. Now I have
enough backing for just about anything out there.
Now that you have the rods and reels lets talk
about the bait/baits that I like to have on the boat when fishing the inlets
this time of the year. First lets think about the bait that almost everything
out there is after right now. Mullet and glass
minnows seems to be the food of choice for almost everything in the
inlets now. Lets get our Plano tackle boxes out and see what is in there that
looks like a mullet or maybe a big glass minnow. I have found several
things that look like mullet or glass minnows, MirrOlure TopDawgs, 5200's,
Provokers, Catch 2000's, 7M series, the 12 Fathom paddle tail
minnow and the Seastriker Clark Spoon and Gotcha, just to name a
few. If you have these, you are almost ready to partake in the action that
my clients and I have experienced this past week.
You will also need some Daichii D-16 and D-18 hooks
in sizes from 4/0 to 8/0 and some heavy mono leader from 50 to 100 pound
test and maybe a small piece of the thinnest wire leader that you can find.
For the fly fisher persons you will need some flies
that also, look similar to mullet and glass minnows. Here are a few flies that I
have had very good success with, if you are not familiar with the patterns, you
can go to www.orvis.com and see the patterns
that I am referring to:
     Wejebe Spanish
Fly Taborys Sea Rat
Purple Demon
Black Death
Glass Minnow
The Fishing:
A good portion of the fishing is going to be
done sight casting to fish that are exploding on the bait fish, so you will need
to have all of the lures already tied on and ready to cast. I will usually have
two fly rods ready, one with a floating fly and one with a fast sinking
line and fly. I will have different baits tied on my spinning outfits and
my big tarpon rods will have 100 pound test leader tied to the PowerPro
with a Daichii 8/0 D-18 hook ready for a live mullet. If the local bait shop
does not have live mullet and you are even half way proficient with a cast net
you should be able to catch all of the mullet that you want.
I ease into the inlet looking for diving birds or
fish crashing on the surface. Once you have found this, you have usually found
fish. Now all that you have to do is choose your weapon and cast in the middle
of the action. If you have the correct bait, you should hook up right away. If
you have made several cast into the frenzy and no fish, then throw something
else. You will eventually find the correct pattern and then you will be in for a
treat. Some of these fish do have sharp teeth so a small piece of heavy mono or
wire might be necessary. If you have to use a leader, especially wire, make it
as small as you can get away with. They will be able to see the wire and this
might make a difference in their willingness to strike your lure.
Use your bottom finder to help
with your search for fish. As you are easing along have your unit turned on.
This can be very helpful in showing you fish that are under the surface
or structure on the bottom that you did not know was there. While
easing along it wont hurt to have a live mullet or two way out behind the boat.
This is called trolling and is a very effective way to get fish to come to
the surface and pick up a stray fish or two.
For those of you bold enough to fish around the
bridge pilings and rocks there is a bounty of fish to be hooked, catching all of
them is very doubtful.
Try placing you Fortress anchor on the up current
side of the bridge and float or free line a mullet back to the pilings. BE READY
for the strike as when it happens you will only have a few seconds to get the
fish away from the pilings before he has wrapped your line around something.
This is where the PowerPro comes in handy.
This past week I had a Barry Woodward hook up on a
150 plus pound tarpon and the fish ran in and out of the pilings several times
before we were able to get the anchor up and work the fish into open water.
Monofilament line would have long been cut and the fish gone, this is why I use
PowerPro.
Keep in mind that if the fish are there on one tide
they will be there (in the inlet) on the other tide. They might not and probably
will not be in the exact same place but they won't be far, as long as the bait
is still there.
For information on charters with Capt. Jim Hammond
you can call me at 904 757 7550 or email me at funfish@mediaone.net.
Don't catch em all
Capt. Jim Hammond
This report is brought to you by
 and   This is the tarpon that Barry Woodward landed this
past week. The battle lasted for over one hour.
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