Boppers on the beaches….first sign of spring. Yes, spring break is here and the phenomenon plays out anew with great hordes of fishes and adolescents flocking to our sugar-white shores. Fun on the Forgotten coast for winter-weary anglers is now. Today marks an important event on the piscatorial calendar. Offshore at the Apalachicola sea buoy, surface water temperatures reversed direction and are climbing from 70 degrees. The ambient air temperature is 72 degrees. Warm water works wonders, turning on fish appetites and fishermen. Why not come on down and coast awhile.
The first species to assault our beaches and passes are the sporty little Spanish Macs. Six pound class spinning tackle or eight-weight fly rods are about evenly matched for these speedsters. Try very light 27# Sevenstrand toothy critter stainless wire leader material to handle razor-sharp chompers. A short length will do. Get your baits down below the schoolie fish where the big boys swim. You may even find a King that follow the Spanish of spring. Since mackerel fillets are a little oily/acidic, try a marinate of milk (basic) to neutralize the fishy flavor. Or, for you die-hard connoisseurs, try a baste of pure, uncut sour mash whiskey.
The first sightings of cobia on the beach have been reported. Our proverbial prepared opportunist angler knows that live eels are cobia candy. Go with live pinfish in lieu of eels and make the perfect cast just to the offshore side of sighted fish. Let your offering sink. Startled cobia seek safety into deeper water and may swim up on your bait. Every spring produces triple-digit cobes that require 30 pound class, super smooth spinners like Shimano Spheros 14000s and Seaguar 40# fluorocarbon leaders. If you miss the beach-run cobes, not to worry, they take up residence during summer on offshore wrecks. Celebrate your catch with good friends and cobia steaks on the barby. Put in your time, work hard, earn your fish and burn your great results into memories that live on.
Pompano pros are gearing up for the spring run of these gourmet delights. Someday they will have to pry my Pompano stick from my cold dead hands. Break out the sand flea rakes and stand at the ready. Only a few more weeks until the magical number arrives (68 degrees) and the Pompano show. Prime time will be the full moons of mid March and mid April. Are you ready to get hooked up?
Red snapper season is just around the corner on the reefs and wrecks of the Forgotten coast. From their briny lairs I can hear them call out, “we’re here waiting, come catch us if you can.â€
3-6-2003 Report Courtesy of Capt. Alex Crawford
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