Fly Calendar

Flies for Northeast Florida

Below is our new guide to fishing in our area. This guide has been put together by Capt. Randy Lanier our store manager. Randy is a retired fishing guide who has fished this area since he was a kid. If it's happening here, Randy knows about it! The year is broken into two month segments and generally these insights about the fish are the same year after year. Of course the weather is always a factor in any fishing forecast. You'll notice the fly selection below the report.....click on the fly if you want to purchase it. We will be updating the flies that are working and our forecasts as we get reports from our guides and customers.

JANUARY – FEBRUARY:
The winter flyfishing can be very productive if you pick your days to fish. The water temperature averages 60 to 62º. Three or four days after fronts come through, the wind shifts to the south and you get a slight rise in the water temp. This can really get the redfish in a feeding mood. The reds are schooled up because of the water temp, so if you find a school at low tide in 3 or 4 feet of water you can catch 5 to 10 on a fly. The water is clear, so the black or chartreuse clouser with heavy weight or sink tip line will work best. The spotted sea trout fishing is good all winter with the best fishing between 9:00 am to 3:00 pm on calm days. Fish both sides of the high tide. You want moving water 2 to 6 feet deep near drop offs. Also, cast to points and any areas where creeks converge or you have rips in the water. Bait fish imitation and chartreuse clousers in different weights work best.

MARCH – APRIL:
The water temp warms fast in March and April as the fishing picks up. When the water temp reaches 72º the spanish mackerel, bluefish, jacks & ladyfish show up in force. These are all fun fish on a fly rod. These fish will be concentrated in the inlets, ICW and deeper creeks. Throw bait fish imitations. March can be windy so practice your tight loops and throw smaller flies in the wind. The redfish will show up in the surf in late March and April and will stay around until the finger mullet leave in October or November. Wade knee-deep and sight fish for the reds at Nassau Sound, Matanzas Inlet and Fort George Inlet. Clear intermediate sinking line and bait fish or mullet imitations work best.

MAY - JUNE:
The summer pattern of calm morning (west wind) and afternoon sea breezes make the inshore fishing back up the tidal flats very productive from sunrise to 1:00 pm. Fish a shallow water boat or kayak back up in the creeks off the ICS and you’ll find reds with their backs out of the water, crashing shrimp, crabs or mud minnows. Cast flies that look like the bait in the creeks for quick hook-ups. Trout fishing will remain good but early morning high tides before 10:00 am will produce the best trout fishing. Flounder will take a fly and are caught at creek mouths on the out-going tide.

July - August:
The fishing pattern remains the same for redfish, trout and flounder. The tarpon and 30 lb jacks show up on the poggie pods just off the beach from Amelia Island to Matanzas Inlet. Twelve weight rods with clear intermediate lines and large bait fish patterns will produce hook-ups. You’ll see the tarpon and jacks crashing the bait pods. Fish the leading edge of the poggie pods for best results. The spanish mackerel, ladyfish and bluefish are still in the areas around the inlets or ICW. Fish 6 to 8 weight rods with clear sink tips or clear intermediate sinking fly lines.

JULY-AUG. Flies:
Fuzzy Fiber Baitfish and Mark's Sardina on a 3/0 hook for Tarpon
Gus's Crab and the CBS Crab on #2 or #4 hook work well for Redfish

SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER: September is the peak month for flyfishing for tailing reds on top of the sparting grass on flood tides. You can fish by boat or walk out on the marsh in certain areas. The marsh will flood for 1 to 2 hours when there is a 5.4 high tide or higher. Northeasters and low pressure areas here will cause the tide to get even higher and flood longer. Spoon flies and crab patterns with a weed guard work best. Along with the higher tides we have lower than normal tides. This concentrates the reds back up in the creeks. Fish both sides of low tides.

SEPT-OCT Flies:
This is the time of the year for Spoon Flies! Spoon Flies by D.L. Goddard, FlyH2O, and others work best in black or gold. Go with a #4 hook and a weed guard is a must for fishing in the grasses.

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER: This period produces some of the best fishing for reds, trout and flounder of the entire year. The weather is usually stable and the water is extremely clear for this area. Also a lot of the bait has left the marsh system and the fish will readily take a fly. There is less rain during these months and the water temp usually doesn’t get below 68º thus keeping the fish very active. Crab and shrimp patterns work best with not too much sparkle.

NOV-DEC Flies:
Soft Foam Pencil Popper on a #4 hook
Everglades Gurgler on a 2/0 hook
Gus's Crab
Clousers in any color

Our guiding expertise covers St. Mary’s Georgia, Nassau sound, Amelia Island, Fernindina, Ft. George Inlet, St. John's River, Little Talbot Island, Ponte Vedra Beach, World Golf Village area, Guana River, St. Augustine, Matanzas River, Pellicer Creek, Palm Coast, Halifax River, Ponce Inlet, Daytona Beach, Oak Hill, New Smyrna, Mosquito Lagoon, Indian River, Banana River, Cape Canaveral National Seashore and Titusville.

We have year round action for Redfish, Speckled Trout, huge Jack Crevalle, Ladyfish (some of the biggest we’ve ever seen). Spanish mackerel, Kingfish, Black Drum and lots of Tarpon off and on throughout the summer and some of the best Flounder fishing anywhere. Yes, some Snook too.

Our professional guide booking services will match you up with the right captain for the right fish with the right tackle and the right attitude.

We’re experts in fly fishing with decades of experience teaching fly casting at all levels, fly tying and general fly fishing knowledge.

Our guides are the best, with most of them fishing in tournaments throughout the state. They have all the skills to help you have a memorable day on the water. We even have a guide that specializes in fly fishing out of kayaks. Our kayak fishing is second to none with many incredible fishing areas being very accessible and productive.

While your in our area please stop by the shops to meet Vaughn and Jean Cochran or get some advice from Capt Jeff Segallos (a retired keys guide) or from Capt. Randy Lanier who knows all there is to know about the Jacksonville area.

Both stores are full service Fly Shops with great fishing art by Capt. Vaughn Cochran, flies hand tied by nationally known tiers like D. L. Goddard, Robert Craig and Lenny Moffo. Fly rods by Thomas & Thomas, Temple Fork Outfitters Rods with Lefty Kreh, Reels by Nautilus, Old Florida, Okuma, Aleutechnos, Islander and all the maps, tool, technical fishing clothes and wading gear you’ll ever need.

While you’re here on the site, take a look at our travel and hosted trips section where you can sign up for one of our upcomng hosted fishing trips to exciting foreign fishing destinations or you can book a trip to go on your own.