- These were big reds, all of them larger than the twenty-three inch upper slot limit. Our tackle was light and the oysters were sharp, a combination that caused numerous cutoffs on some very nice fish. Had we brought heavier spinning or casting gear, we could have horsed the reds way from the oysters, allowing us to get the larger ones to the boat.
- These fish were visible in the very clean, clear water, and would be easy targets for a fly-rod and a nice clouser minnow.
- Location 4 (30°46'43.25"N, 81°28'40.00"W)
- On the south end of this strip of marsh island is a small cut that actually creates a new island out of the tip. Tidal currents had cut through the marsh, and we were able to work this cut with our jigs.
- On around the tip, a large mud bar extends to the southwest. The east edge of the mud bar where it dropped to deeper water provided some additional action on our jigs and grubs.
- Location 5 (30°46'44.29"N, 81°29'02.83"W)
- This spot is directly southwest of location 3 and is the north end of Drum Point Island. Here we worked the edge of the grass line and oyster bars that border the east side of the island. Once again, the trout were cooperative.
- Location 6 (30°46'59.00"N, 81°28'22.96"W)
- While we did not fish at this location ourselves, we stopped and watched two boats that were black drum fishing. While we were there, one boat hung and lost a very large drum after a ten minutes battle.
- Big black drum make their way into the inlets at this time of year looking for a mate. They will be found in the deeper water inside the inlets, and their drumming noises can often actually be heard through the bottom of the boat.
- The bait these anglers were using was a half or whole blue crab, fished right on the bottom. Their tackle consisted of medium heavy bottom rods and Penn reels. Some of these spring drum can reach ninety pounds, so heavy gear is the order of the day.
- Location 7 (30°47'35.90"N, 81°28'35.40"W)
- Farther north in the sound, we eased along the west side of Cumberland Island. We moved around the east side of Stafford Island and came to Oldhouse Creek. The tide was low and beginning to move in as we entered the creek with our trolling motor.
- There are several slough entrances to the marsh in this creek, and on one bend in the creek, we stopped and began watching the water. We were looking for baitfish, a sure sign that redfish would follow.
- Using Thunder Chicken weighted float rigs with two-foot long leaders, we cast far into the bend with a live shrimp. The weighted floats allowed us to cast far enough to keep our boat from spooking the fish in the relatively shallow water.
- Redfish would grab our shrimp and make off with the float. The water wasn’t deep enough for the fish to take the float under. You knew a fish was on because the float began moving sideways to the current.
- There was bait in Oldhouse creek on this occasion. There might not be bait there on another day. There are literally dozens of creeks just like this between the St Marys and Satilla Rivers. While we found bait and fish today, the fish won’t be there if the bait is gone tomorrow. The trick is to locate the creek or creeks that are active with baitfish. These are the creeks that will hold fish.
- Location 8 (30°45'24.78"N, 81°27'13.59"W)
- This location is the beach all along Cumberland Island. April is the month for big redfish to be prowling the beach. Look for big pogie pods as the bait begins to arrive in April. The big bull reds can be caught on the bottom under the pods of baitfish.
- Cobia also begin to show in April along the beach. Be ready to toss an artificial black eel or live bait to a surface cruising fish.
Tides are the Key
The seatrout we caught generally liked to feed from just before high tide to about half way down to low tide. They liked the cuts around the oyster and mud bars that dropped off into deeper water. While we caught fish at the marked locations, there are numerous bars and cuts that we did not fish that will also hold fish.- We caught the redfish feeding on a dead low tide. They hung around and could be caught until the oyster bars were almost covered by the incoming tide.
- In the creeks we caught redfish moving in with the tide looking for bait. Although we didn’t fish for them on an outgoing tide, we could have caught those same fish as they moved off the flats and into the creek.
- You can see that part of our fishing success is not simply marking a location. Rather, it is being in that location at the right tidal stage to find feeding fish. Had we fished for trout at location 3 at low tide, we would probably have been skunked.
- And, speaking of tides, you need to know that tidal changes from high to low in this area are significant. We measured at least a four-foot difference in depth from high to low tide. This is important to remember. It is very easy to get caught on one of the numerous bars or flats as the tide heads out. It drops faster than you believe and it will leave you high and dry for several hours!
- This applies to the jetties as well. Swift tidal currents can have your boat breeched on the rocks if you do not pay attention to dropping water.
Bottom Line
Camden County anglers have quite a secret on their hands. The saltwater fishing here is like it was twenty years or more ago in other more populated areas. Those that fish the area know it. Fishing guides that serve the area also know it.It is an outstanding, uncrowded, pressure-free fishing area. The only interruption to our fishing on this trip was the big, nuclear missile submarine we watched as it was escorted into the Kings Bay Navy Base - quite an impressive sight!
