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Episode 5 of the Golden Isles Fishing Podcast with Capt. TJ Cheek
Not a lot has changed overall since last week’s episode in terms of what is biting and the best techniques to catch fish right now around St. Simons Island and Jekyll Island.
What is much different this weekend is that the tides are MUCH better compared to last weekend. During the 9 foot tides we dealt with this past weekend my customers were able to fight through and get on a great bite. The Trout, Redfish, Sheepshead, Black Drum, and Flounder were all cooperative in spite of the tough conditions.
We did exactly what I recommended in last week’s podcast. We waited for the low tide.
Once the tide got down the water started to slow down and clean up. As soon as it did we started really getting into the fish using both adjustable popping corks and carolina rigs.
In this week’s episode you have a chance to win a fishing reel! Not an el cheapo Wal Mart special… an Avet MXL!
Just give it a listen for details.
As always, feel free to comment, leave a question, or sign up for the email list.
Tight lines!
Capt. TJ Cheek
St. Simons Island Fishing Guide
Comments 28
First podcast on my ipad
Great informative
Gotta get down there. Fish with you
Thanks
I am glad you started this podcast, I listen to every podcast you post. It sure is helpful and I appreciate you! Again thanks!
Author
Thanks for listening Eric!
First time I’ve joined and listened to your podcast. Enjoyed the info even though I’m just a beginner. I’m looking to buy a good reel but I’m learning to cast. Do you have a recommendation? I will probably just be fishing off the beach, peers, and rivers around the islands.
Author
Shimano Bait Runners are good reels and a decent price point. One in the 5000-ish size range should be big enough to handle big Reds and medium size sharks. If you are targeting smaller fish I would consider using a smaller model.
Great show TJ. I have enjoyed every episode. I hope to book a tarpon trip with you late summer.
I love the podcast! Pick me for the real game away.I mean real giveaway
TJ, One of my old Buddies sent me a text at the first of the week asking if I knew of anyone that would take about 6 Guys Offshore Fishing. The clincher is that they couldn’t afford to spend a Fortune. On that note I suggested that he seek the help of a Fortune Teller…..lol.
Anyway…. if you would like to talk or text him…… It’s “Bill Sanders” (912) 222-1467. Bill is from here but is living near & working at Warner Robbins AFB!
Thanks, Harry
Author
Thanks Harry. I try not to take more than 4 people at one time and I generally don’t book offshore trips. I do go offshore, but when the weather supports it. I appreciate the referral and would be happy to get him in touch with someone if he decides to book something.
Capt. TJ,
My question is, what months out of the year do you find keeper tripletail near channel markers and how far down (depth from cork to hook) do you normally drift the bait past the marker?
Author
You’ll find them inshore and around the channel markers earlier, but I really start making it a habit to look for them there in July.
Author
And as far as depth, I start just a couple of feet below the surface and go deeper a couple feet at a time until I have worked the entire marker or I’m just convinced there is nothing there.
Really good info , I get down to Shellman Bluff a few times a year and your podcasts will be invaluable as to what’s biting and at what depth. I find fishing for trout at 8-12 feet depths to be very difficult ,how much weight do you usually use ?
Author
Thanks Greg. That’s actually a great question as to how much weight to use and there are a couple of factors to consider. One is obviously depth – you could use the lightest weight known to man, and if there is no current, it will eventually get down there. That is where the second part comes in; current. If you want to fish 12 feet under you cork but the current is swift, chances are that you will need to use a heavier weight to not only get your bait down there, but also to keep it from getting swept upwards due to your cork getting swept with the current. I hope that makes sense.
You basically want to use a weight that is just heavy enough to get the job done, which means that you need a cork that is the right size to handle it. Bigger weight = bigger cork.
I am using a half ounce weight, but I am fishing a very slow current. If it was deeper or the current was faster, I would go heavier to get the bait down and keep it down.
love these pod cast please keep up the great work
Jackson a new reel would be very helpful in my effort to out fish your father!
Fred Kirchmann
Live in Fernandina and fish the inshore Brunswick area frequently. Really neat to get your reports about that area. 🙂
Love the weekly podcast. I have not missed one of your podcast yet. Please keep them coming along with your weekly tips on places to fish. Thanks again…Donald
Capt. TJ,
Thanks for these podcast. You do a great job of presenting your knowledge and experiences. I have never fished with you but look forward to someday.
Would like to hear about how to position your boat and how to cast for trout and flounder and how to fish pilings and bridges for Sheepshead. How to keep your boat off the pilings.
Any info on how to deal with our fast water is always appreciated.
Thanks for what you are doing.
AB
Hi TJ. I continue to listen and love your Podcasts. Not only are they extremely interesting and informative, but they are timely to the current conditions (weather, tides, fish activity, etc.). I don’t think coastal Georgia fisherman can get this type of reliable information any where else. Also, when I’m not in town it keeps me up-to-date on all the local trends, so that I am prepared upon my return.
My question: This spring I want to purchase a new set-up dedicated to Bull Reds and the occasional tarpon, sharks, and cobia. I am comfortable with either spinning or baitcasters. Keeping it under $500, what would be the perfect combination of rod, reel, and line type and weight?
Question #2: Ultimately, I know it is dependent on the actual depth of the water, but what length fluorocarbon leader do you typically tie on under a popping cork when you are just scouting for active fish?
Thank you for entering my name in your reel give-a-way. How cool is that!!
Author
Great to hear from you Ben! Glad you survived Mardi Gras.
Ben I am really liking my Penn Battle 6000. You can buy the combo for less than $150, so you can buy 4 of them without breaking the bank… and I like to fish four lines at a time, so that works out well.
If you want to put all of your money into one rig, you could go with a Shimano Sustain on a Tallus rod… or a Saragosa reel on a Terez rod and I will envy you.
As far as leader length under popping corks, I usually go with about 2 feet… maybe a little longer. If find that if you work the cork and you aren’t fishing deeper than 5 or 6 feet, you can do fine with that. Much deeper and I rather fish with an adjustable cork as the action on the surface makes less of a difference.
Let me know what you end up going with and take care my friend.
TJ
The Podcast is great! Good to have a knowledgeable person giving fishing info in southeast ga. Keep it up man! My question is, in your opinion is there any way or certain bait to keep the sea bass from grabbing the bait before the sheepshead can get it? Been using fiddlers at F and A reef, but the sea bass are so thick its hard to catch the sheepies! I know from your other reports that you use live shrimp. Seems like the sea bass like those too. Any ideas? Thanks for your time man. Keep the rods bent!!
Author
Not really, unfortunately. You just have to hang in there or do your best to find a spot that isn’t covered with Sea Bass. I’ve heard of chumming the Sea Bass off of the wreck, but I’ve never done it with any notable success.
Finally a dependable weekly Report for the golden isles ! Keep up the good work and tight lines.
TJ, I’m new to fishing in this area and really appreciate the effort and information you put into this podcast. Thanks and keep up the good work!
This is my first time seeing your fishing report. I have fished at St. Simons a few years ago.We are planning to come down sometime this spring. I will keep watch on your reports. I am interested in fishing the bay and creeks for trout and redfish. When will be the best time to plan on coming? Are there any other fish to target in the bay during this time? Thanks for your help and report.
Author
Hey Andy, I really like fishing in May. The water is warmer, the air is warmer, and there is less traffic on the island as it is between spring break and summer break.
Hey TJ! I really like the podcasts! Lots of helpful and greatly appreciated information!!!!