Fresh Fernandina Beach Fishing Reports

Fishing Report Week of 5 May 2025 The backwater bite has been really great these past few weeks. Catching plenty of Redfish, Speckled Trout, Black Drum. There were some mornings that we had a high tide first thing and the topwater bite has been awsome. The plug of choice was a 3 1/8 inch Skitterwalk. Live shrimp on a cork has worked well fishing over oysterbars and rocks. Also been using live shrimp on a ¼ ounce jighead around docks for Redfish and Black Drum. Catching plenty of Whiting in the 20 to 30 foot range using shrimp and Fishbites.

The early morning and late evening bite has been really great on the low tides. Top water and a swim bait produce quality fish around the oyster beds with active achools of redfish. Look for them to be in less than 2ft of water pushing on mullet and shrimp. Lets go fishing!

The morning started crisp and clear as we pushed off the dock at 08:00AM. Within the first hour, our focus on creek mouths and oyster beds paid off with a keeper redfish falling for fresh shrimp on the bottom. The real excitement began when we moved to a grass flat during the incoming tide, where a beautiful 24 inch redfish crushed our live shrimp on a jig head. Moving to the deeper holes around dock pilings, we landed our flounder - a fat 16-incher that doubled up with another 13 inch flounder. The slam was completed when a 16-inch trout ambushed our bait along a spartina grass edge. Between these trophy catches, we stayed busy with a steady parade of black drum, landing four keepers between 14-20 inches. By noon, the fish box was heavy with our limits, and everyone wore satisfied grins from an exceptional morning on the water.

Morning Session (Offshore - Red Snapper): The day began at dawn with a 20-mile run offshore into the Atlantic waters. Anchoring over prime reef structure in 70 feet of water, clients deployed cut bait and artificial lures. The Red Snapper bite was explosive, with multiple double-ups happening throighout the day. The highlight was a 14-pound Red Snapper that put up an incredible fight, testing both tackle and angler. Afternoon Session (Inshore): The afternoon shift focused on inshore waters. Working the mud flats and oyster beds produced several slot-sized Redfish and Black Drum that were caught using live shrimp near shorelines. trophy 35-pound Black Drum. Weather conditions were ideal with light West winds and clear skies. The combination of offshore and inshore fishing provided clients with diverse fishing experiences and multiple trophy catches in a single day.

Great day

Redfish were chewing!