Re: Shrimping and Fishing the St. Johns River
Hi shrimping. Welcome to iboats. I live right down the road (sort of) in Tallahassee. You can catch just about anything in the rivers around here. If you're near the mouth, in brackish water where there is still tidal influence, you can catch Redfish, Speckled Trout, Sheepshead, Flounder, Blue Crabs, Largemouth Bass, and more and all in the same water! In fact, the reds and many other saltwater species run several miles up river to over winter in the year round 72 degree spring fed waters. You'll also see blue crab traps all in the rivers, so be careful you don't foul your prop while cruising. You can also catch Pompino, Whiting, Redfish, Trout, Mackrel, Sharks and all kinds of other fun stuff just fishing off of the beach. There's a whole sub-culture down here of surf casting/beach fisherman. IF you want to go offshore there is Marlin, Sailfish, Dolphin (Mahi-Mahi), Grouper, Snapper, etc... I'm not much of a shrimper myself, but I know a lot of folks around here simply use a cast net in the turtle grass beds and get 'em that way. No real bait needed. They're just jumping around all over the place. Can't miss 'em. Although, it may be different in Jax. You'll also want to bring a mask and snorkel so you can go Scalloping. No real trick to getting those either. Just swim around in the turtle grass. Look for the rows of little blue eys and pic 'em up. I think the limit is one 5 gallon buckets worth per person per day. I'm sure someone a bit more local will chime in soon too. Good luck "Big shrimpin' "
Here's a great vid of some folks on the St. John's having fun in their tricked out Gheenoes, which are sort of an unsinkable, hot-rod canoe. Locally built in Titusville, FL. I'd love to have an LT 25 like in the vids one day
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8vOjs6nhu4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cTLSfUMQ2Y (this is near Tallahassee)
