St. Marys and Nassau Rivers

Striped bass leave their cool water sanctuaries in the fall and should congregate in both rivers near bridge pilings, jetties, channel markers, and sharp bends. Grass shrimp, small shad, heavy red and white or blue and white jigs, and deep-running crankbaits are popular baits for these fish. In freshwater, both Redfish and Striper fishing have been good. Fish are being caught in deeper holes using sinking crankbaits and dead shrimp. The biggest striped bass of the year is caught from January through March. Cold and rainy days and the falling tide are best. By the end of March, panfishing in the upper St. Mary’s River and the Mills – Boggy Creek area of the Nassau River begins to pick up. Fair numbers of redbreast sunfish and bluegill can be caught near fallen trees and feeder creek mouths using spinners, worms or crickets. Local anglers use traditional methods to catch fair numbers of catfish on this very scenic waterway.