Amelia Island

fishingnick · 06-11-12, 06:49 PM

I am heading to Amelia Island this weekend with the family and I would really like to try my luck finding something I can cast to with a fly rod. Any suggestions on places where I could access some wading would be greatly appreciated. I will probably only be able to get a few hours at a time to get out when the girls sleep in, want to ly on the beach, go back for a nap, or want to go shopping...on second thought I may have a chance to do a lot of fishing.

johnnyx86 · 06-14-12, 12:56 AM

Buddy of mine just got back from there he didnt get to do too much fishing for family duties or whatever, but he did mention that he had some luck right off the beach for a few days when the water was calm early in the am just blind casting more or less. He did manage to hook up with a 60lb ray on the pier with a spinner pulled it in and the thing was so tired she had 4 babies on the pier pretty cool experience. Can never go wrong trekking through the backcountry creeks and flats and doing some sightfishing on a calm day. Best of luck and enjoy it.

Riser · 06-14-12, 03:31 PM

You can fish directly in the surf if the swells are not too bad. Mornings are good this time of year since the wind is usually slack at that time of day but builds as the day goes along.

Ladyfish, small pompano, small drum, seatrout and small redfish run up and down the beach feeding at times. Also bluefish follow migrating mullet (may be too late for that) and baitfish so if you see a school toss a streamer near the school and you might get a hit. Spanish will occasionally be mixed in with the ladyfish or bluefish or may be solo but sometimes get close enough to shore to cast at.

Once and a while you will see a tarpon chasing pogies just pass the surf but often are too far out for a fly rod cast. Sharks and kings occasionally cruise the shoreline but are usually too big or too far out.

Watch out for stingrays if you are wading in the surf.

Freshwater fishing can be had in the lagoons of Amelia Island Plantation but you have to be a guest of the resort to fish those.

The Amelia Angler has local info. They have a shop in old downtown Fernandina and a website w/ fishing and contact info.

Locations:

The north end where the jetties meet the sand. The corner can hold some schools of trout at times and there are also some sheepshead to be caught near the rocks. Don't climb out on the rocks unless you want scrapes and cuts. Slippery as heck and dangerous when the tide comes back in.

Fort Clinch Sate Park - walk the beach and toss at structure - small jetties and groins of rock along the river channel.

The pipeline - about 1/2 mile south of old main public beach area. Outlet pipe from the paper mills provides structure and holds fish. Public parking along A1A.

The pier - wade out and fish at the structure but watch out for big surf as there can be some nasty rip currents along there.

South tip of island - can fish beach near bridge piers or walk out to edge of sound where beach meets deep water. A small creek flows out of the marsh near there and sometimes fish hold at the opening when tide is flowing.

North tip of Little talbot Island - cross bridge going south and explore the trails on the east side of the road. Lead to the beach along Nassau Sound and also near creek mouths. Can be tricky as there is mud and wood and oyster shells along there.

Good Luck.

fishingnick · 06-18-12, 10:29 PM

We just got back tonight. I didn't even wet a line, but we had a great time. The wife is already planning a return trip so I will definitely have a great idea of where to look. The wind and waves were strong so I didn't even bother.

Troutamatic · 06-21-12, 07:23 AM

OK so let me give you some of my best spots (I live in Jacksonville).

1. Ft. Clinch state park. When you get to the paved parking lot to the fort you will notice a dirt road on the back side that leads into the woods. Take this and you will end up at a dirt/shell parking lot. There will be a trail that leads to the water. Once at the water you will see a series of jetties. Fish around the rocks or if you are able crawl out to the end of the jetties (about a hundred feet). You can also go to the camp ground and at the end there will be a parking lot. Fish this area. If you don't want to pay for the state park entrance then go to the county boat launch (14th street boat launch) and just walk up the beach. It faces the inter coastal waterway.

2. If you are into surf fishing then go to American Beach. This is a high impact beach so it is easy to access the deeper water and run outs.

3. Very south end of Amelia Island. Use four wheel drive out to the point. At low tide you can access a jetty that runs parallel to the beach.

There are more...................but.............

06-11-12, 06:49 PM	#1
fishingnick Native Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 53	Amelia Island I am heading to Amelia Island this weekend with the family and I would really like to try my luck finding something I can cast to with a fly rod. Any suggestions on places where I could access some wading would be greatly appreciated. I will probably only be able to get a few hours at a time to get out when the girls sleep in, want to ly on the beach, go back for a nap, or want to go shopping...on second thought I may have a chance to do a lot of fishing.

06-14-12, 12:56 AM	#2
johnnyx86 Stocker Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: on the river Posts: 6	Buddy of mine just got back from there he didnt get to do too much fishing for family duties or whatever, but he did mention that he had some luck right off the beach for a few days when the water was calm early in the am just blind casting more or less. He did manage to hook up with a 60lb ray on the pier with a spinner pulled it in and the thing was so tired she had 4 babies on the pier pretty cool experience. Can never go wrong trekking through the backcountry creeks and flats and doing some sightfishing on a calm day. Best of luck and enjoy it. __________________ "Fishing is the chance to wash one's soul with pure air. It brings meekness and inspiration, reduces our egoism, soothes our troubles and shames our wickedness. It is discipline in the equality of men--for all men are equal before fish." - Herber Hoover

06-14-12, 03:31 PM	#3
Riser Native Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Tucker - navel of the universe. Posts: 199	You can fish directly in the surf if the swells are not too bad. Mornings are good this time of year since the wind is usually slack at that time of day but builds as the day goes along. Ladyfish, small pompano, small drum, seatrout and small redfish run up and down the beach feeding at times. Also bluefish follow migrating mullet (may be too late for that) and baitfish so if you see a school toss a streamer near the school and you might get a hit. Spanish will occasionally be mixed in with the ladyfish or bluefish or may be solo but sometimes get close enough to shore to cast at. Once and a while you will see a tarpon chasing pogies just pass the surf but often are too far out for a fly rod cast. Sharks and kings occasionally cruise the shoreline but are usually too big or too far out. Watch out for stingrays if you are wading in the surf. Freshwater fishing can be had in the lagoons of Amelia Island Plantation but you have to be a guest of the resort to fish those. The Amelia Angler has local info. They have a shop in old downtown Fernandina and a website w/ fishing and contact info. Locations: The north end where the jetties meet the sand. The corner can hold some schools of trout at times and there are also some sheepshead to be caught near the rocks. Don't climb out on the rocks unless you want scrapes and cuts. Slippery as heck and dangerous when the tide comes back in. Fort Clinch Sate Park - walk the beach and toss at structure - small jetties and groins of rock along the river channel. The pipeline - about 1/2 mile south of old main public beach area. Outlet pipe from the paper mills provides structure and holds fish. Public parking along A1A. The pier - wade out and fish at the structure but watch out for big surf as there can be some nasty rip currents along there. South tip of island - can fish beach near bridge piers or walk out to edge of sound where beach meets deep water. A small creek flows out of the marsh near there and sometimes fish hold at the opening when tide is flowing. North tip of Little talbot Island - cross bridge going south and explore the trails on the east side of the road. Lead to the beach along Nassau Sound and also near creek mouths. Can be tricky as there is mud and wood and oyster shells along there. Good Luck. __________________ "We has met the enemy and he is us" POGO.

06-18-12, 10:29 PM	#4
fishingnick Native Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 53	Thanks for the info We just got back tonight. I didn't even wet a line, but we had a great time. The wife is already planning a return trip so I will definitely have a great idea of where to look. The wind and waves were strong so I didn't even bother.

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06-21-12, 07:23 AM	#5
Troutamatic Native Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 36	OK so let me give you some of my best spots (I live in Jacksonville). 1. Ft. Clinch state park. When you get to the paved parking lot to the fort you will notice a dirt road on the back side that leads into the woods. Take this and you will end up at a dirt/shell parking lot. There will be a trail that leads to the water. Once at the water you will see a series of jetties. Fish around the rocks or if you are able crawl out to the end of the jetties (about a hundred feet). You can also go to the camp ground and at the end there will be a parking lot. Fish this area. If you don't want to pay for the state park entrance then go to the county boat launch (14th street boat launch) and just walk up the beach. It faces the inter coastal waterway. 2. If you are into surf fishing then go to American Beach. This is a high impact beach so it is easy to access the deeper water and run outs. 3. Very south end of Amelia Island. Use four wheel drive out to the point. At low tide you can access a jetty that runs parallel to the beach. There are more...................but.............