Feathers and Fins

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Captain Larry Kennedy

Bird Watching and Fishing Info

Captain Larry has been in the outdoor industry for over 40 years as a guide, outfitter and naturalist. He has fished and toured Georgia's barrier islands since childhood. He has shared his knowledge of the area and its wildlife with all willing to listen, including the state's bird island and hammock committees. After 75 years on this spinning sphere he believes that our feathered fiends if left alone and not disturbed will do just fine and that our wild finned amigos are too valuable a commodity to the sportsman to be caught only once. www.stsimonsoutfitters.com

Spring is here and the feathered migration has started. It won't be long for the Red Knots arrival from Tierra del Fuego and Patagonia. They are on their way to Delaware Bay for the spawn of the Horseshoe Crab. The protein gained from the eggs will give them enough energy to reach their Artic breeding grounds. Thousands of miles sometimes above 15,000 feet but what is more amazing is that mother and dad return to their winter South American home before the fledglings have fully developed flight feathers and junior is able to navigate without parents assistance to join them at a later date.

The water is warming and our local Channel Bass (Reds) and Speckled Trout are becoming more active. The Reds leave the deeper water on the rising tide and head to the shallow mud flats to feast and rest. Mostly rest as some of us frustrated anglers have found out the hard way. The trout also invade the shallows on incoming to feed on the critters seeking shelter in the oyster beds. Happily it won't be long for the migration from the south to arrive and seek haven on the east coast's western most port.

Use don't abuse.
Best, Capt Larry

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Feathers and Fins

Captain Larry Kennedy

Gator and Egret together. The Gators protect the nests from being raided by Raccoons which not only go for the eggs but also the newborn.

The Egrets and Wood Storks are pairing off and building their nests. Most of this takes place over water hopefully inhabited by Alligators. The Gators protect the nests from being raided by Raccoons. They not only go for the eggs but also the newborn. Several years ago The Wood Stork population in Florida was endangered and it was thought to be from DDT contamination. It was found however to be incorrect and rather was due to the downward trend of the Gator population. A moratorium on hunting them brought back their numbers and also thankfully the stork population.

A great spot to witness their habitat is at the Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge north of Eulonia on Route 17 for five miles and turn east on Harris Neck Road for about seven miles to the Refuge.
The picture of the Gator shows an Egret standing by. I have witnessed this phenomena many times and believe there is a communication between the two that says, “I ain't hungry…Oh thank you”.

The other photo is of hundreds our feathered friends building, courting and resting. Both were taken on Woody Pond at Harris Neck. There is a vehicle loop at the Refuge but I like to bike it. Bring water as none is provided. Maps can be obtained at the Visitor Center.

The Trout and Redfish are plentiful in the rivers and creeks. As water temperatures warm to the 70’s the Trout will start their spawn and move to the beaches. It won't be long before Tripletail follow suit and join them. Also known as Eddy Fish they float off the beaches on either their dark or light side when not spawning. This procedure creates a lure of a safe haven for minnows and crabs resulting in dinner for Mr. Triple Tail. A great time to sight fish. Just look for something that looks like a wayward floating Frisbee going to sea.

If you have any questions pertaining to our Finned and Feathered Friends I can be reached on my cell, 912 230 fish.

Till the next time, the very best.

Capt Larry

Hundreds of Red Knots and Dunlins are flying in formation over the waters on their migration north to the Artic. Hopefully you will witness their unison turns of color change from dark to light as they alter coarse. It is said to have been recorded on film that front to back banks are in the same split second not in a wave.

The Roseate Spoonbills are arriving. A few years ago they were infrequent visitors and over the years their numbers have increased. They wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the ample food supply. Closely related we have seen them wade with Ibises foraging for aquatic prey.

A Spoonbill moves it's bill from side to side in an arc while an Ibis probes in the mud for food. When together we have seen the Ibis imitating it's cousin sweeping in an arc even thought nature has not provided it with a proper utensil.

Baby Egret's will be hatching soon. The accompanying picture from last year shows three week old Homer. The other shows two older cousins born at the same nesting site.

With waters continuing to warm and the arrival of high tides surrounding the new moon Redfish have become active in the marsh grass. The fiddler crabs are out of their burrows and the reds feast on them. You can witness their tails waving above water as they dig in the mud for them. With tides over seven and a half feet water covers the short cord grass area, which because of the hard bottom lends itself to wading.

The Tripletail are spawning off of the beaches. Jekyll Island waters were covered with an armada of vessels a week ago. This kind of pressure on the hundreds of spawning fish can't but hurt the resource.

For me half the fun of fishing is finding your own special spot. I take to the waters to get away from the crowds. Over a lifetime on these waters I have witnessed the overkill of species, which has resulted in the recent stocking of hatchery reds and stripers to bring up their numbers. Hatchery raised critters do harm to the wild population. They claim the spawn is from wild fish but neglect to consider that natures “battle of the fittest” is not allowed to take place in the hatchery.

We belong to all of the aforementioned neighbors. They don't belong to us.

Till the next time the very best, Capt Larry