178 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH 



CHAPTER VI. 



MAYPORT, MOUTH OF SAINT JOHNS RIVER. 



This place is about twenty miles east of Jacksonville, on the 

 Florida East Coast Line. 



The best season here is from April 1st to November 1st. The 

 fishes are, Mullet, Channel Bass, Spotted Sea Trout, Drum, Sheeps- 

 head, Cavalle, Bluefish (small and medium size), Blackfish (Sea Bass, 

 not the Tautog), Whiting, Croaker, Yellow Tail (the Mademoiselle 

 Yellow Tail), Pigfish, Sailor's Choice, Spots, Flounders, Sharks, 

 Rays, Catfish and Shad ; the last named, during the winter, caught 

 with nets and seines. 



From November 1st to April 1st, Sheepshead, Blackfish, Whiting, 

 Drum, Sailor's Choice, Flounders, Pigfish, and the foul fishes, such 

 as Sharks, Rays and Catfish, are caught, but in far less numbers than 

 between April 1st and November 1st. After June 1st, and during 

 the summer months, the Tarpon frequents the river for a short dis- 

 tance above the bar, and Pompano are caught during the same time 

 with cast nets and seines, mostly in the surf outside. 



The best fishing is at the jetties, standing on the rocks, or a few 

 feet from them in a rowboat, or small sailboat ; this especially for 

 Sheepshead and Blackfish, but while after them you are apt to catch 

 any of the others. In fishing, especially for Channel Bass and Whit- 

 ing, you want to fish in the swash channels and on or near the sandy 

 bars or bottoms. In September and October, however, the Channel 

 Bass are plenty and will take the bait almost anywhere inside the bar, 

 and especially surf fishing, that is, standing on the beach, or wading 

 out a short distance, casting your bait out as far as you can into the 

 surf. This is one of the most successful methods of Channel Bass 

 fishing on the coast from Mayport south to Gilbert's Bar. On most 

 beaches you will need a pair of hip rubber boots, or a regular 

 mackintosh wading suit. Some sportsmen prefer to wade without 

 them. This method of fishing can be done with hand line, or rod 

 and reel, as each sportsman may prefer. In August, September and 

 October, Mayport is one of the very best localities on the East Coast 



