This is the time of year to fish with live shrimp under and around the docks in the middle St Johns River in Florida. While mostly a freshwater area, the shrimp migrate inland to spawn. Saltwater species like sheepshead and redfish also migrate inland, and this is the time to catch them.
On a recent trip, we fished some docks that have always provided us with fish. My son and grandson were in their boat, and I was in mine. We alternated docks, sort of hop scotching along the river bank.
The tide was moving out, and barnacles were showing on all the older dock pilings. It is these pilings we fish. Newer pilings don’t have barnacles, and consequently will usually not hold fish. Sheepshead, in particular like to feed on the barnacles and the small crustaceans that make their home in and around these line cutting shells.
We use braided line when we fish under these docks. Monofilament cuts easily, and once a fish wraps you around a piling, it’s all over. The braided line holds up better and we can usually retrieve a wrapped fish.
Using a small split shot and small kahle hook, we pitch live shrimp under the docks and around the pilings. The subtle sheepshead bite is hard for some anglers to feel, and they end up with a clean hook. But with practice, the bite can be felt, and some nice ‘heads can be caught.
Redfish run the edges of the drops close to the docks, and a few keeper size fish are always available. The method is the same as that for sheepshead.
An occasional black bass or catfish will take the shrimp. This trip saw three bass and three small catfish that we released.
This fishing can be had all summer long in most any estuary river up and down the east coast. The water has to be moving – that is the tide must be coming in or going out. At the high or low slack tide, the bite simply stops. As soon as the water starts moving again, the fish pick right back up.
If you are catching shrimp to take home, try keeping some in your live well and hit a few docks before putting that boat on the trailer. You won’t be sorry!
