Plenty of small shrimp in river

*Plenty of small shrimp in river
JIM SUTTON*

THE ST. JOHNS RIVER AND AREA LAKES: The wide-open bite on Newnans Lake continues, but now the bluegill and catfish have joined the speckled perch in the big run. Limits are coming out of the lake. Conventional wisdom says the strange run of speckled perch has to be due to the extra-high water in Newnans now. Its cooled things off and given the fish lots more territory in which to feed.

There is whats supposed to be a big bite of redfish in Doctors Inlet and Doctors Lake.

The croaker bite a little south of there around Green Cove Springs is fully on right now. These fish are lucky to break a pound, but theyre very good eating, and 20 or 30 of them go a long way toward a big fish fry.

Rodman Reservoir is supposed to be hot now, but I couldnt find anyone to confirm it.

The shrimp are fully running the river, but they remain small. We just had a full moon, and thats normally the key for the shrimp to shed their shells and grow quickly. Bass guide Adam Delaney said hes been taking 100 shrimp or more in a toss of the cast net, working the drop-offs. He has sage advice: The higher the sun, the deeper you target the shrimp. Hes been hitting them in 16 to 24 feet if water.

Speaking of the moon, with all the fuss about the upcoming solar eclipse, were neglecting the total lunar eclipse Aug. 21. Weve not had one of those since 1979. The best path to see the full eclipse runs from Georgia northwest through Oregon â€â€ so we should have a pretty fair seat from here.

**THE INTRACOASTAL WATER-WAY:** Its generally been pretty tough fishing with lots of dirty water, even on incoming tides. But most of the guides are getting what they need in terms of redfish and flounder. A few real big flounder are coming from underneath the State Road 312 Bridge. Thats also a spot to float live shrimp with the tide next to pilings for speckled sea trout. Black drum and sheepshead set up housekeeping there as well.

Otherwise, it is lady-fish, jacks and early bird bluefish. Mangrove snapper are thick, but youll cull plenty in order to get a limit of legal, 10-inch fish. But, come to think of it, thats not a bad way to waste time.

**THE ATLANTIC:** Trolling the deep water has been nonexistent, but bottom fishing in 120 to 140 feet has been good, especially for summer fishing. The charter boats are picking up a cobia, a couple mutton snapper and a few mangrove snapper. One iced a scamp grouper. Then there are limits of redeyes, pink porgies and triggerfish. We still hear very little about black sea bass.

If you have some numbers for wrecks out in deeper water, the African Pompano are waiting and willing. Now thats a fish that knows how to fight. And its a great eating fish as well.

There have been reports of multiple sailfish hookups off Fernandina, so theyre heading this way.

Surf fishing remains completely forgettable. The whiting you do catch are so small, its not even worth the effort to scale and eat them whole.

Speaking of whiting, The FWC and the IGFA have just added whiting to the list of species, which can hold world records. Now, theyre calling it a kingfish, which is different from what we call whiting â€â€ though youll usually be catching some of both and you have to look hard to tell the difference. The kingfish has dark stripes running laterally off his back. Sometimes its evident, sometimes not.

So if any of you have your eyes on the prize of a world record, thats a slot with plenty of vacancies. I did notice that a 6-pound, 3-ounce vermillion snapper was added as the Florida state record this month.

The local reefs and wrecks have changed little. They are full of small kingfish, bonito, barracuda and a particularly pesky tiger shark thats figured out hooked fish are easier to catch that those swimming free. Several of the charter guys have had run-ins with him. Captain Guy Spear said he must have enough metal in his mouth for a full set of braces â€â€ and miles of 20-pound mono in his belly.

**CALENDAR:** The Ancient City Game Fish Association will meet on Tuesday at the St Augustine Shrine Club. The clubhouse is located at 250 Brainard St. Social begins at 6 p.m. followed by light food and the general meeting.

*CONTRIBUTED PHOTO:
Russell Oldenburge Jr. coaxed this beautiful flounder out of the ICW. You dont see many like that without gig marks â€â€ or spear holes â€â€ in her.*

Theres always good food, awards, raffles and something for everyone. Fishing topic shifts to bottom fish and updates on rules and regulations. A local captain in to tell us the when, where, and how you will need to know to have a great bottom day. Michael Doyle will debut a new invention he is working on. For more information call John Jordan, 501-1772, or check out acgfa.com

The Flagler Sportfishing Club will host a new members clinic Sunday from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Hammock Community Center in Palm Coast (the road is opposite Captains BBQ at Bings Landing).

There will be coffee, donuts, a cast netting demonstration and several other clinics and demonstrations throughout the morning. Raffles include a Manley fishing rod, a cast net and fillet knife. The club kayak tournament is Aug. 19. For more info, log on to fcsportfishing.com.