Democrat Fishing Report 3/19

[Flats Rascal]

Apalachee Bay

There's a surge of activity on Apalachee Bay as anglers begin taking advantage of superb spring fishing. Numerous limits of sea trout have been caught on the East Flats, and both redfish and trout are still hitting in the creeks. There were even a few Spanish mackerel mixed in with the trout on the flats, signaling the initial arrival of migrating species. Bluefish, pompano, kingfish, and cobia won't be far behind. A lot of trout were caught on topwater plugs and Bass Assassins.


Lanark Village/Carrabelle

Redfish have been reacting positively to the warming water and are being caught all along the shoreline and around the docks in Lanark Village, and around the Marine Lab. A few sea trout have also been caught along the shoreline west of the Island View Motel. Topwater plugs such as Chug Bugs and Top Dogs have produced the larger trout. Offshore fishing has been sporadic with some parties landing more than a dozen grouper and others reporting only three or four. Oddly, frozen bait seems to be out-fishing pinfish.


Apalachicola Bay

Trout fishing around the Cat Point and St. Vincent dry bars has been excellent the last three or four days. The best tackle choices has been Mirr-O-Lures in the 20 MR series, which suspend in the water column. Chartreuse and white with a red head are the proven color choices with a switch to black or purple in the evening hours. Surf fishing for whiting is really good right now, and beach anglers are also running into an occasional large Spanish mackerel and pompano. A few large redfish have been caught in Bob Sikes Cut but sheepshead continue to dominate the fishing around the jetties.


St. Joe Bay

Problems persist around the mouth of St. Joe Bay with fish and porpoise kills from a yet unknown cause. Horseshoe crabs, sea gulls and other species have also been affected. Some spotted sea trout are being caught in the head of the bay on gold glitter grubs and topwater plugs. Whiting continue to be caught along the beaches.

[Flats Rascal]

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