Amelia Island

[ocuyler]

I spent a few days on Amelia Island (FL) recently and just love the area. Although there's not much going on there, the access to the AICW, the ocean via deep multiple deep water protected inlets and limitless inside fishing make this an ideal place to hang out with a SeaCraft without the hustle - bustle of South Florida. Sort of Old Florida meets Bubba Gump.

I just love Fernandina Beach, an amazing historic town with terrific shops and restaurants of all types. There is no lack of golf courses. JAX is not far if you need big city and freeways.

Do any CSC members hail from that area? I'd love to hear some of the things locals do on and of the water.

[JWB]

I lived in St Augustine for several years down the coast. That was a WONDERFUL place to live. Fishing was good too. 30-40 lb Kings a mile off the beach slow trolling with pogies. Huge tarpon (chumming) in same areas. My largest was 110 lbs. If you wanted wahoo, dolfin, tuna and other varieties, you would have to haul off shore a ways. Ferandina is pretty mush the same but the haul off shore is a little longer.

[Tarpun]

Amelia Island is a great area however it's suffering from the growth boom like most of FL. That being said it's still a"small town". I get up that way frequently on business and do like the area. Lot's of good inshore fishing for seatrout, flounder, tarpon, redfish. Off the beach and Inlet Smoker kingfish, BIG tarpon, cobia. 15-20mi. to the snapper/grouper grounds. Long ride to the bluewater 40plus miles. I have a good friend who lived and guided out of that area. If you ever any fishing info email me and I'll put you in touch with him. He still fishes there frequently so he knows whats going on. Tarpun