i need help...

[Mateau]

fished yesterday, all day. fished today for a few hours. caught one small trout yesterday on a yellow jig with morning glory paddle tail. caught a small flounder on a silver with blue back rattle trap today. yesterday i fished south of buckman on west side of river around mooshaven area. fished all the docks. today i fished north east side of buckman all along the docks. i have just about every lure known to man and fish them every different way. ive determined there are no fish in orange park, besides those two. i have a 20' ranger intercoastal boat and can fish about anywhere, but cant seem to catch fish. thank god for fast food because i would starve to death. i read the forums all day, watch all the shows, try all the lures and cant catch squat! what the duece?!? im going back out tomorrow because i love fishing, just dont like not catching anything. although i dont have any good stories, or nice pictures, i didnt get totally skunked, so i cant fully complain. i need serious help... does orange park have any other fish in the area? im convinced otherwise....

[Black Pearl]

I know of a few docks off Mandarin point that hold trout. I don't do a lot of river fishing (inside of the Dames Point Bridge) but I know for a fact that there are reds, trout, flounder and even some tarpon around Dr's inlet/lake. If you want, give me a call some time and ill let you know of some places I have done some good. 910-520-6701.

Tony.

[Jboat]

Keep trying. I have been here for a number of years and have not completely figured this place out.

[topwaterted]

Come see me at west marine at the town center and I'll guide u thru some things to help u get on some quality fish bro!!

[jawray]

Mateau, If "Black Pearl" and "Topwaterted" are willing to share "off forum", i would take advantage. Both are great lure fishermen. Heck, i may call them myself.

[Mateau]

yeah, im gonna be on the water today, deffinately gonna be calling. and i get some free time during work and can drive out to the town center.

[Who'sYaDaddy]

There has been a ton of boats working along the 95 bridge downtown, do not know what they are catching, but i am looking at 6 right now on the north/east side of the river. they have been fishing from the hospital to the 4th piling out. outgoing tide.

[swkowboy]

I think they are catching big croakers by the Fuller Warren bridge.

[Element]

i have just about every lure known to man and fish them every different way.

I have learned over the years that this is not necessarily a good thing, especially when you are trying out new territory. I would purposely limit my lures to 2-3 things that are proven effective...maybe even only 1. Take the one lure you have had the most consistent success with and use that the entire trip. Otherwise when I get frustrated from "lack of fish." I find myself constantly changing tactics instead of focusing on what I'm doing trying to work a spot.

Now if you are in a familiar spot that you know holds fish, then constantly switching until you find what works can pay off.

Not sure if you're strictly arti, but ideally you want to be using live bait i.e. shrimp as you're scoring percentages go way up.. at least until you find some preferred spots/docks.

No question that area of the river, including much further south, holds all of your favorite inshore species but they can be tough to find on any given day in such a massive body of water. It's also finicky based on season (water temps) and salinity levels (rainfall or lack of). The same docks you struck out on yesterday may be holding fish next week. That's why you see all of the trailered boats heading east instead of west on the road in the morning.

Know that you are not alone in trying to unravel the mystery. It is a beautiful area to fish.

[tarpon1716]

Mateau:
Several suggestions.....

Use Berkley GULP on your jigs.

OP can be good....but the rain killed it, best fishing for reds, trout, flounder starts downtown now, and out to river mouth, and both sides of the ICW.

Fish hardest during MOVING tide phases only...run to find it.

Don't give up...put in your time....be dedicated.

Join the Florida Lure Anglers club, meet monthly at Mudville Grille.

Read the TU; good timely info.