Website Specials

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE:
Active Duty Military personnel take $50 off the regular rate. Contact Capt. Piper*


ANGLER'S MULTI-TRIP PACKAGE:
Pay now for (3) 1/2 day fishing trips at a reduced rate of $300 per trip. Book the trips as you need them. You'll also be entered into the drawing for the custom made journal offer 3 times! Contact Capt. Piper*

SPECIAL OCCASION FISHING TRIP:
ADD $25 to the standard rate and I will include a gift package for your special angler. Whether it be Father's Day, Mother's Day, a Birthday or Graduation, your angler will surely remember the fishing trip that you arranged and they'll take away something that they can keep. Gift package will include an Anglers Mark cap, pocket knife, Knot tying card and misc. tackle. Contact Capt. Piper*

*NO TWO SPECIALS CAN BE COMBINED*

WIN a custom made leather fishing journal:
Whether you've taken advantage of one of the above specials or booked at the standard rate, Book a Trip and be entered into a drawing for a leather fishing journal custom made by Capt. Lawrence Piper. Book (and pay!)a fishing trip in 2012 and I'll enter your name into a drawing to be held December 1st for the journal Contact Capt. Piper

Captain's Promise

I know some folks are a little bit anxious when they line up a Charter Captain. They're considering spending some hard earned discretionary income to spend a few hours with someone they've never met and hope that they're not wasting their money.

Well, I promise that I will make every effort to give you professional service, to be ready to fish at the appointed time with rods, reels, bait and tackle ready to go and I'll make sure that my boat is clean, in good working order and that all safety equipment will be on board.

I won't ogle your wife, girlfriend or daughter or make inappropriate remarks, but I will treat them with respect and help as much as I possibly can to insure their enjoyment.


I'm humble enough to know that there are better anglers in this world than me and that I can learn, too. Not every one of my casts are on target and not every fish I land is perfectly done, so I won't expect yours to be and I won't degrade your abilities, but work with you to help make the trip a success.



I'll work as hard as I can to provide a no-hassle experience and be open to any needs that you may have. The plan is to get you and your party out on the water, enjoy the scenery, have a good time, and do our best to catch some fish! Contact Capt. Piper

Fly Fishing

The majority of my Fly Fishing trips are for tailing Redfish and will involve some wading. My boat is a 22'Bay boat and is not set up for poling. However, it's very safe, comfortable and dry and will get us to the flooded grass where we can ease over the side and wade.

Normally I'll cut the engine well before a flooded grass flat and use the trolling motor to ease us up to the grass line, nudging the bow of the boat into the grass and lower an anchor. If there are tales, we will ease over the side of the boat and quitely wade within casting distance.

This is a fun and exciting way to fish for Redfish. Not only are you getting to use a fly rod, you can actually see the fish and know that there's an opportunity! It's not uncommon to get "buck fever", but there's always a chance for a hookup and battle in the marsh grass!


The most common times for these Redfish are during the Spring (April, May, June) and Fall (Sept, Oct, Nov) flood tides. Plan to wear an old pair of shoes or wading shoes. If the water is not high enough in the grass the fish won't be there so contact me if you're planning a trip during these months and we'll see if the tide's are right!
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Recipe's

Roasted Corn Guacomole Dip
Roasted Seatrout with Brushetta
Shrimp au gratin
Bourbon Bacon Scallops
Seatrout Sub
Shrimp and New Potato Stew
Scallops with Fennel and Bacon
Grilled Trout with Shrimp Sauce
Redfish with Olive Sauce
Oyster Casserole
Black Drum Soup
Stuffed Fish
Stuffed Redfish Prosciutto

A Typical Trip

My fishing trips for novice or experienced anglers don't differ too much. After a brief safety orientation we'll head to the backwater, usually no more than a 10-15 minute run, sometimes even less. Normally I will pull up short of where we're going to fish and show you how we bait the hook or jig, and if you're a novice or a little rusty, give you a demonstration of casting then hand the rod over to you for some practice casts while I drop the trolling motor and ease up to the oyster beds or marsh grass. Sometimes, whether you're a novice or experienced, it takes a few casts to get the feel of a strange rod. I remember once fishing with a guide down in the Keys; I was on the bow of the boat while the guide poled through the shallows and when he spotted a fish he told me to cast. I "bombed", missing by a mile! My excuse, which I think is a valid one, was that I had never ever cast his rod and didn't have a feel for the balance, weight, etc. So don't worry! You'll get warmed up. I've noticed that all of my guests casting get better as they get used to the gear and the day progresses.

The anglers will be positioned with one up near the bow with me, one in the rear and one in the middle if there is a third. I put a small bucket of live shrimp in the back and one in the front so we don't have to continuously go to the bait well. If it's a lower tide, I'll ease the boat along the shoreline, trying to move as slow as possible while the anglers cast their jig and shrimp combo up to the oyster beds, let it go to the bottom, then retrieve it real slow. If you can't feel the bottom you're reeling to fast! You'll feel the bottom grabbing the bait, hang a little, pull it loose, then BOOMPH! Fish on! I'll keep the boat in position -"keep that rod tip up" - and as the fish gets near the boat I'll grab the net to scoop him up. I may ask for some help from the others with the net or to keep the trolling motor pointed in the right direction while we de-hook the fish, get it measured, and take pictures. It's up to you whether we keep a legal fish or release it to be caught another day.

Depending on the time of year, we may throw some top water plugs, early in the morning or late in the afternoon. There's nothing better than to be fishing in the low light and twitching that plug through a calm water to see the explosive "BOOM" as a Trout or Redfish blasts your plug.

With higher tides we'll probably use a float rig tied to our line with about a 3' fluorocarbon leader under the float and a live shrimp hooked under the horn with our hook. These float rigs have some brass beads under the float that when twitched, make a clacking noise to attract fish. Again, we'll troll the marsh grass tossing these float rigs up near the grass, with oyster beds hidden under the water. Keep the slack out of those lines and an eye on the float because you never know when it's going to disappear and... FISH ON! Keep that rod tip up! If he's big and runs, let 'em run. The drag will slow him down. We're fishing with light tackle with 12lb leader material so let the drag and rod tip wear him out. Reel down, lift the rod tip, reel down, lift the rod tip and work that fish in to the boat. Whoop, there he's running again! Work 'em in, "somebody grab the net!" Contact Capt. Piper

Corporate Fishing

Have you got staff who need to get away and unwind? Want to do some "team" building? Tired of the same old stuff - happy hours, round of golf, meetings, then get back on the plane and head home feeling like, "that's it?" Why not let me setup a mini coroporate fishing tournament?

I'll arrange the Captains and boats, you and I'll work together to pair up 2-3 person teams then we'll go fishing! Captain's and team members will work together with casting, catching and landing the fish then head back to the "Tournament Headquarters" for the weigh-in, pictures, trophy presentation...and bragging rights for the whole year!

Want to have a post tournament meal? I can arrange a caterer
to be on site to provide a hearty meal of seafood, steaks, or hamburgers. Your staff will have the chance to unwind, get to know each other, and they'll return home with some great memories and will look forward to next year's event.
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Sightseeing

My Sightseeing "Tours" are great for families or couples who would like to get out on the water and see Amelia Island from another perspective. They normally run about 2 hours and put you up close and personal with the ecosystem's of North Florida. We'll cruise the downtown waterfront, pass Old Town Fernandina and the Pogy plant then slip back through the marsh's of Tiger Island to see the oyster beds, marsh grass, and fiddler crabs. Depending on the time of year there is a chance we'll see porpoises, manatee, Rosette Spoonbill, Osprey's and a variety of Shore birds. We may cruise the Cumberland Island shoreline searching for wild horses and then cross to see historic Fort Clinch.

Why choose a "custom tour" over the crowded tour boats? Well, you've got the waterway to yourself and you can go when you want to. If we see something that interests you or if you want to stop and snap pictures, I'll pull the boat over and let you enjoy your time. I've had a number of trips where the manatee were eating along the shoreline so we stopped the engine and drifted, allowing the gentle creaturs to swim by undisturbed and only a few feet away!

Want to check out the oyster beds and the sea life that live in and around them? I'll ease the bow up to them so you can see for yourself. Seeing Amelia Island from the water is a great way to take in this beautiful ecosystem and it's a wonderful learning experience for young and old alike. Get away from it all and...let's go boating!
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Testimonials

Great day! I think we'll make it an annual event. I really appreciate how great you were with the kids even with the tough conditions.
See you soon, Jamie Maloney

Capt. Piper,
Thanks for a great trip! I am sure its memories we will carry for a lifetime. Hope to be out with you again soon. Take care, and thanks again.
Mike Hickox

Dick XYZXYZ and I really enjoyed the fishing Friday. Equally as important was your effort to make our trip work out well. We appreciate it. Dick is quite seriously ill. I’m not sure how long he has. He won’t talk about it. To see him so happy makes it all worth it. Subject to his health, I’d like to bring him back again if it stays relatively warm until Christmas. I can sort of get away on short notice in late Nov and early Dec. I want to take every possible trip with him that I can. If he can, we’re going to Ontario next summer and show those Canadians how to fish.
Thanks again
John Nuckolls

Mr. Piper,
Our whole family do appreciate the great fishing trip. Both kids were so excited and had lots of fun that day. We all learned and had fun. We're all looking forward to having another great trip with you soon.
Thank you.
Aiman Banawan

Hi Lawrence,
Thanks for a great day on the water! It's one of the best guided trips I've ever had. I enjoyed getting to know you,and I will be sure to recommend you to others I know that may visit the island. I will be in touch the next time we are down. I hope your business continues to grow and thrive.
Blessings,
Trevor Rubel
P.S. Fixed some of the flounder last night and it was superb!

You are very super and made it a very memorable trip. We would love to go again next summer. Again, thanks.
Tim Schiefflin

Dear Capt. Lawrence,
Amy and I just wanted to say how much we appreciate you taking us fishing and your willing to wait out the rain with us and still take us while it was raining.It was a trip that neither me or Amy can quit talking about and we hope to do it again sometime soon! Again, thank you so much!!!
Derek and Amy Bailey

Lawrence,
We really appreciate you taking us out fishing earlier this week. It was the best fishing trip we ever had and are so thankful for you creating such a special day for all of us.
The pictures and blogs are great!
Rachel Russell-McIntyre

Capt. Lawrence,
Buddy and Shannon had a great time with you, the highlight of their visit. Love the pictures, especially the manatee snout sticking up out of the water.
Thanks for showing them a great tour.
Bob Tidball
Addison On Amelia

Lawrence...
You sent the pictures at exactly the right time... They really loved them and also your wonderful blog!!! I will send you a CD of the pictures that I took and you can use any of them as you like... Thanks again for a wonderful morning and we really love your blog and the compliments you gave to Will meant alot to him and his Mom and Dad... He had a WONDERFUL time!!!! By the way.... I cleaned the fish, soaked them in water and lemon juice, marinated them in soy sauce, maple syrup and a little canolla oil: then we pan fried them and they were delicious!!! I did not know how Black Drum would taste and it was wonderful!!! We will stay in touch... Libby Wilkes

Thanks so much for the wonderful day fishing for the first time. I think I'm hooked. Also, thanks for being so very kind as to send me the photo. I'm glad you kept the naked girls out of the picture because my wife wouldn't understand what bait is.
John

I just wanted to say ‘Thank You’. What a great day with great company. Karen had a blast and did not want to let that Red go!
Lawrence, you put us on them and made it easy for us to haul them in. You are a great Captain and I look forward to going out with you again.
Carey Maxy

Thanks for catching the beautiful multi-spot redfish that enabled us to place in the money at the 8th Annual Times-Union Redfish Round-up on April 5. You picked out a great spot to fish and did a great job bringing it in on a light rig that proved to be a challenge on a very windy/rough day. Congratulations Captain Piper! It was fun.
Don Hughes

Captain Piper,
We had a wonderful time fishing with you yesterday. It was a very special trip as it was Crawford's first fishing trip. You are an exceptional guide!! Not only did you find us some fish to boat, but you were so patient and kind to Crawford. He talked about you the rest of the day and he kept the grubs you gave him in his pocket. Sorry about breaking the net and losing your bird book. The book was a great idea but unfortunately just didn't float. We will most certainly fish with you again in the future when we come down, and I am postive that Crawford will have 10,000 more questions to ask you. I'm sure you were very good in the telephone systems business back in the day, but guiding fishing trips is your calling.
Thank you again, and look foward to next time.
Parker Grow

Dear Captain Piper,
Janet and I had a great time on our fishing trip with you! We certainly caught more fish than we expected and ate the big catch of the day for dinner prepared by Olivia & Laura at Elizabeth Pointe Lodge. The red fish was delicious, Your professional guidance and easy-going approach helped the fish jump right on our line!!
The tour of the waters surrounding Amelia reflects your knowledge of where the best fishing spots are. Thanks for a memorable day, and our appreciation will be reflected in our gratuity included with the payment from Elizabeth Pointe Lodge.
Also, thanks for sending us the photos of our trip and we will spread the good news with our friends.
Hope to see you next year!
Paul & Janet Schmidt

Take a Kid Fishing

I really enjoy having kids fishing on The Anglers Mark and it's always great to see them catch a fish! I've found that a lot of the kids visiting the island are from out of the area and haven't seen our unique ecosystem so getting them out there and letting them experience nature is a pleasure.

The ideal number of kids is no more than 2-3 as they tend to get their lines tangled and can be wild with their casting. I coached Little League softball and YMCA basketball for a few years and filled in as umpire and referee in both leagues so I'm used to being around kids that are all pumped up with excitement!

Before all trips, adults or kids, I give a short safety orientation pointing out where the life vests, fire extinguisher, and first aid kit are. I explain to kids under 13 that they will be required to wear a life vest while the boat is under way, but when we stop their parents can decide if they allow them to take it off. You'll find that The Anglers Mark has high free board and is very safe and stable with lot's of room.

Rule #2 goes to the parents - "the kids are allowed to play with the bait!" I've found that a lot of the younger ones would rather be dipping the live shrimp or finger mullet out of the live well than actually fishing! Hey, it's OK with me! The plan is to let them take in as much new stuff as they can and to have fun. As they get older, some of the kids really get into the casting and catching. If you've got an "angler" then we'll do our best to catch a fish.



By the way, The Anglers Mark is a nice sized 22' Bay Boat, rather large for backwater fishing, but it does not have restroom facilities. I would encourage the kids to hit the bathroom before we leave the dock. Even with that, we're usually no more than 15 minutes from the nearest restroom. I keep a large cooler of bottled water on board and usually have some Crystal Lite packets to sweeten them up. Get those kids away from the television and let's go fishing!
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