ITS ALWAYS "CALM" IN THE SALT MARSH CREEKS. FLOAT-RIGGIN'...aka: SLIP FLOAT AND A LIVE FRISKY SHRIMP. RELAX & FISH!

DAY 2 WITH THE "TRAVELLER" LEFT MAYPORT AT 1pm DIDN'T WANT TO DEAL WITH 6 HRS OF A RISING TIDE AND NO BITES LIKE YESTERDAY. INSTEAD..."WE NEVER CAUGHT THE FIRST REDFISH?" NOT FROM A LACK OF TRYING, THATS FOR SURE. BUT, AS THE TIDE TURNED WE CAUGHT PLENTY OF TROUT, WITH 4 GOOD KEEPERS, AND LOTS OF FLOUNDER. AND 2 KEEPERS. THE SO-CALLED 5-10 KNOT WINDS UP IN THE CREEK WAS THE "JOKE ON US". IT WAS SUPER WINDY. BUT BEGGARS CAN'T BE CHOOSERS. WE AT LEAST ONLY HAD TO WASTE, AND WE DID GETTING WAKE IN THE RIVER, 2 HRS OF THE HIGH TIDE, AND CAUGHT BASICALLY ZERO, STILL LOOKING FOR THOSE SCHOOLS OF YELLOWMOUTH TROUT ON PLACES WE CAUGHT THEM "EVERY YEAR THIS TIME, EXCEPT...THIS YEAR!!!" ANOTHER JOKE ON US. WE HAD A GOOD TIME UP IN THE SALTMARSH, AS THE DAY GOT LATER IT TURNED REALLY NICE. THE "NO REDFISH" THING WAS CONFUSING. BAIT EVERYWHERE AT DEAD LOW. BUT MY OLE SAYING STILL RINGS TRUE FOR BAZARO WORLD FLORIDA, "BAIT BAIT EVERYWHERE AND NO FISH TO EAT THEM". ON THE WAY OUT OF THE CREEK, WE SLOWLY DRIFTED SOME GIANT OYSTER MOUNDS LOOKING TO SEE IF REDFISH WERE AROUND. MAYBE THERE WAS. BUT THE TRAVELLER SAID, "I'M DONE", SO WE HEADED BACK TO MAYPORT BOAT RAMP TO MAKE THE DONUTS. TRAVELLER BOB DOESN'T DO THE INCESSANT HEAT THING OF SUMMER. HE'S NOT LIKE THE AVERAGE TOURIST. HE'S A TRUE ANGLER, ONE OF THE FEW I'VE HAD AS REPEAT CUSTOMERS. HEAT AND SWEATING HE KNOWS ISN'T THE FINEST FISHING IN JAX. SO THE NEXT TIME HE'S COMING WILL BE LATE OCTOBER OR EARLY NOVEMBER. THE "TRAVELLER" ONLY TRAVELS WHEN THE TEMP IS RIGHT. NEXT TIME HE VOWS WON'T BE ON RISING TIDE DAYS. THATS FOR SURE.

REDFISH, BE IT ON SHRIMP, MULLET, OR SOFT PLASTICS ARE THE MAIN SPECIES IN THE SALTMARSH. SPECIAL KIDS TRIPS (not offered here) ON EASTER SUNDAY. DEAD SHRIMP ON THE BOTTOM PRODUCED 2 BLACK DRUM, A SPECKLED TROUT, AND SEVERAL PINFISH FOR 2 LITTLE TOTS WITH DAD.

THE TROUT WERE STACKED UP. NOTHING BUT A SOFT PLASTIC ''MATRIX SHAD'' ON A JIGHEAD, IS ALL IT TOOK....(WATER TEMP UNDER 68) HAD THEM FIRED UP. LOVE THE IDEA OF CATCHING THEM (AND REDFISH) WITH PLASTIC....NO WASTING TIME, AND MORE CASTING!

Capt. Dave's Fishing Charters , January 2026 January started off very cold. With still some of the BEST inshore fishing of the year. Jan. 1 & 2 even though it was cold, had all the right species chewin'...Trout, Redfish, Sheepshead & Black Drum were bending our rods all day long. RIGHT NOW!'' THE WATER TEMPS ARE WHAT MAKES IT ALL HAPPEN. Call me now and get the best tidal days booked. ALWAYS have a back-up day, in case of high winds. In July thru September, I daydream about how good it can be during the deep winter months in Jacksonville. Probably the direct opposite, from where you fish. I've been preaching for 29 years, ''book your day, when the fish are biting!'' SEARCH, Capt. Dave's Sport Fishing on Youtube to see video shorts of fall/winter **hidden content**

FOR 28 YEARS I'VE BEEN PREACHING, AND ON MY **hidden content** (Capt. Dave's Sport fishing) THAT N-O-W, IS THE BEST TIME OF YEAR. WINTER IS GREAT IN JAKSONVILLE FOR LIGHT TAKLE FISHING INSHORE, THE SALT MARSH AND RIVER. DON'T SHOW UP IN THE HEAT OF SUMMER AND THINK ITS GOING TO BE AS GOOD AS IT IS NOW. (as of this report. DECEMBER 20TH 2025) I'VE BEEN AT THIS FOR 28 YEARS. AND HAVE HEAR IT ALL FROM PEOPLE. THEY THINK BECAUSE THEY ARE ON VACATION IN JULY, THAT THE FISH CARE! IT'S HOT AS HELL, AND SO IS THE WATER! FROM TEXAS TO FLORIDA, FISHING GUIDES WILL TELL YOU. RIGHT NOW IS THE TIME...''we all preach it''. BRING A JACKET WITH A HOOD, AND SNEAKERS, SOME DRINKS AND A SNACK IN A PLASTIC BAG...NO COOLERS, NO BACKPACKS. THATS ALL YOU NEED!! AND LETS GO. I CAN TELL YA MY REGULAR CUSTOMERS DON'T SHOW UP IN THE SUMMER, THEY'VE LEARNED OVER THE MANY YEARS, WHEN TO BOOK THEIR DAYS.