Page 1 of 1

Crescent Fishing suggestions??

Posted: February 10th, 2012, 9:14 pm
by IndyFloridian
Hi everyone! I really need some help. I've got a condo reserved for late April in Crescent. I spent a lot of time in St. Augustine/Crescent growing up but most fishing I did was in the Gulf. I'm chomping at the bit to fish when I go down. Ive considered a ride with Sea Love charters to go out and my guess is we would get into some grouper and snapper bottom fishing that time of year. Does anyone recommend this charter? Or another? The other days I plan on just driving around crescent and fishing. My plan is fishing the Matanzas inlet mainly but will go anywhere. Want to get some good redfish. My questions are, where should I go? What should I use? What kind of fish can I expect to catch? I assume that time of year I can catch a good amount of fish too. Is this right? Should I rent a boat and cruise up and down the ICW? I would appreciate as much info as possible! Any suggestions will help! It's been awhile since my salt water fishing days so I'm a little rusty. Thank you so much in advance!

Re: Crescent Fishing suggestions??

Posted: February 10th, 2012, 11:04 pm
by Jumptrout51
I have many many fishing holes there. Just pick one. The fish will be on fire in April.

Re: Crescent Fishing suggestions??

Posted: February 11th, 2012, 7:49 pm
by ReefDonkey
I have a close friend in Flagler Beach who I met while on vacation about 5 years ago, Jason Phillips, who is a charter captain in that area. I have fished with him many times over that span and he is as knowledgeable about the area as anyone I know. Daytona, Matanzas, St. Augustine, Crescent, inshore and offshore. He has 2 boats. One is offshore and one is inshore skinny water. I have a trip planned with him in early April myself. He is a very personable guy who will flat put you on the fish. If they are there, he will find them. 386-307-7309 and jasphil13@yahoo.com are the contacts I use for him. Don't think you will be disappointed. I have found that the fishing there is better nearshore and offshore than inshore, but that's just me, I guess. The inshore is better in the Lanark and Carrabelle area, I believe. I have fished both Flagler and Carrabelle many times over the past 5 years and if I'm going offshore, I go with Jason. Inshore, I prefer spending my money and time in the Big Bend. We usually go out of Matanzas or Daytona when I fish with him. If you are renting a boat, I would not suggest trying to go out of Matanzas as it is a treacherous place and you have to know where the channel is. It's like going out through the breakers-literally. If you look at the navigational charts for the area, it will say that the inlet is non-navigable, but he knows how to get through there. Before he became a charter captain when I first met him I let him drive my boat through there as I was not about to try it. It's a narrow place with tons of current and you better know what you are doing or you will be in trouble. I always went out of St. Augustine or Daytona when he wasn't with me. Hope you guys can hook up. He has become a trusted friend over the past few years, and I would recommend him highly. We have caught everything from redfish, trout, flounder, grouper, snapper, kings, cobia, mahi, spanish, shark, tarpon, to a sailfish 9 miles offshore on light tackle while fishing with Jason. When I'm there, I see a lot of guys fishing from the bridge at Matanzas and from the beach area there. Must be a pretty good place if you are shorebound. There are tons of places in that area that look like good places to fish if you don't take a boat. He did tell me recently that he had some very productive days inshore of late. We talk pretty frequently so I can get my fishing fix from up here in middle Georgia. Let me know if I can help you anymore. Coach

Re: Crescent Fishing suggestions??

Posted: February 12th, 2012, 9:30 am
by BeeeReady
Devil's Elbow fish camp rents boats on the ICW the I believe...Sea Love is a pretty good boat..I have been on it a few times...About an hour North you have A few big party boats in Jacksonville..Miss Mayport and the King Neptune..In the ICW the Bridges at 210 and sr 216 hold fish...even Snook in the Summer... Fishing from the bridge at matanzas ca be fun, but i would go with a rental boat and cruise the ICW...I would'nt try to navigate Matanzas..I would fish it, but the inside...Trying to get out of that inlet could get you into some BIG trouble...Just as the previous poster mentioned, it a dangerous place to even those who know it. The fish will be there in April, so you should have some good Reds and trout aound...Don't forget to go to Kilwin's on ST George Street and get your Fudge! I love that place! Good Luck to you..

Re: Crescent Fishing suggestions??

Posted: February 12th, 2012, 9:49 am
by IndyFloridian
Yeah if I rent a boat I'd go out of St. Augustine. If I fish matanzas it'll be from the shore which I have in the past. I've got a few ideas so this is all helping. I appreciate it all