Whiting could bite, but pompano needs some time

Phillip Anderson, 11, hoists a redfish he caught fishing with his stepfather Roy Haspel.

Strong winds this week made conditions tough for local anglers. Our water temperatures are rising and — providing the winds calm — good fishing is on the way.

If the surf calms down and the water clears up, the whiting bite should continue this weekend. Any of the beach accesses that are holding a slough should be holding whiting, especially on the incoming tide. Dead shrimp is still the go-to bait. Many anglers are coming by, wanting to know if we have heard of any pompano being caught. Not yet as temps need to come up and the water needs better clarity.

The black drum bite at the jetties has been fair with intermittent days of decent catches. I expect the bite to turn on next week. The last two hours of the outgoing tide and the whole incoming tide will be the tide to fish. Bring along your whiting rods while waiting for the drum bite. Blue crab, clams and large shrimp are your best baits for the black drum.

Sheepshead are still being caught along the rocks and around the low tide. Chris Beasley reported a good catch of sheepshead Tuesday.

The reds and trout also can be caught on either the north or south jetty. Live shrimp or mud minnows will do the trick for the live bait angler. Jigs rigged with tails will do the trick for the lure enthusiast.

Offshore fishing has been excellent on the days the weather has permitted the run. Red snapper are still there in great numbers and sizes. Grouper and sea bass are being caught if you can get past those hungry red snapper. The flounder bite should be improving at the reefs any day, so be prepared for them to turn on soon. Always remember to release those undersized fish with care and as soon as possible. Protect your resources!

The Gulf Stream will be on fire very soon. Zigzag trolling ballyhoo on the 180- to 220-foot ledge will bring you wahoo, dolphin, sailfish and tuna now through June.

Trout and redfishing in the backwater has been a bit tough, although with some improved weather conditions, things should turn on any day.

Fort Clinch has been producing whiting, blues and puppy drum. The pier is still closed but anglers fishing the many other spots at this location are not going home disappointed. The Amelia By the Sea pier has been producing whiting, blues, trout and puppy drum with an occasional flounder this week.

Anglers fishing the George Crady Bridge State Fishing Pier have been having a tough time due to the high winds and strong currents flowing. Even so, they have reported some decent catches of whiting along with an occasional redfish, if you could get past the snapper blues and the many yellowtails. The point on Amelia Island State Park also has been producing intermittent catches; one day we get reports of awesome catches and the next zilch. That is why we call it fishing.

Don’t forget to come by and sign up for the trout fishing seminar on March 26.

Until next time… Capt. Jim.