Big Bend Paddling Trail in January

jft63 · Post by **jft63** » July 15th, 2007, 9:12 pm

Hi all, have looked at the posts here for a week or so and feel ready to fire off a query.
Planning to paddle the northern stretch of the Big Bend Paddling Trail in the middle of January '08. Paddle three days starting on the Aucilla and taking out at Spring Warrior. I'm a Kansas bass and cat fisherman but plan on bringing some gear down to try to catch trout, reds, and what every else might be biting.
Looking for general advice on what kind of tackle to bring and what areas to fish in the winter. From reading so far it sounds like the fish move into the creeks along the Bend in the colder months, but are still very catchable. Any advice would be appreciated. Know this is general, but maybe if a discussion breaks out I can ask more pointed questions.

Thanks in advance

John T.

Post by **birddog** » July 15th, 2007, 9:18 pm

Fish the shallow flats, shorelines and creeks for reds. Look for trout in the creeks of course, but don't neglect the shallow flats, especially in the afternoons if it's sunny. A real slow presentation will catch the trout. Use a spinnerbait for reds. And suspending hardbaits for trout. Your bass equipment will work nicely.

Take lots of pics and post a report.

jft63 · Post by **jft63** » July 16th, 2007, 1:13 pm

Thanks for the speedy response. Cool that spinnerbaits will work there too, any colors proven to produce or should I just bring a variety and think along water and sky conditions like I do here for bass? Also, have read about soft plastics like DOA shrimp, good to pick some up to fish slow over grass? Also, any need to bring any topwater along?

Line question, I was planning on using 12 lb co-poly. Heavy enough, too heavy? Do I need to use a leader? Have read that trout can be line shy.

Thanks again

John T

Post by **MudDucker** » July 16th, 2007, 1:48 pm

Not to be short, but what you need to use and where to fish during January really depends on the weather. If it has been cold enough, you will probably just need to fish holes in the creeks. Gulp grubs seem to be the easiest to use.

Be careful, the coast can get nasty in January, but that should be a pretty easy 3 day paddle.

jft63 · Post by **jft63** » July 16th, 2007, 1:59 pm

Thanks for the input MD, no worries about seeming short, understand that the answer to a lot of these kind of questions is "it depends"

I already feel a little less clueless so I'm good. Will plan to paddle and fish on a "try it and see" angle and continue reading posts here.

GL to one and all

John T

Post by **jsuber** » July 16th, 2007, 2:29 pm

I had really great luck in the Hickory Mounds flats wether it was 24 deg F or 50 deg F with Reds and Trout, so take some Gulp minnows or 1/8 Gold Spoons and a Skitterwalk or two and your bound to catch a little something, and what those guys above said too. Fishing is not as good there when its warm like NOW! However there are lots of flounder in the creeks right now. Dallus Creek is one of the campsite areas and there is some good fishing there and that island off Fenholloway is another of the campsites and lots of Reds and Trout there too.

Post by **MudDucker** » July 16th, 2007, 4:02 pm

jsuber wrote:I had really great luck in the Hickory Mounds flats wether it was 24 deg F or 50 deg F with Reds and Trout, so take some Gulp minnows or 1/8 Gold Spoons and a Skitterwalk or two and your bound to catch a little something, and what those guys above said too. Fishing is not as good there when its warm like NOW! However there are lots of flounder in the creeks right now. Dallus Creek is one of the campsite areas and there is some good fishing there and that island off Fenholloway is another of the campsites and lots of Reds and Trout there too.

The island off of Fenholloway is Rock Island. Look at a map. There is a creek called Smith/McCully (sp?) creek behind it.