A unique website dedicated to fishing information from Florida's Northern Big Bend. This includes the area from the Econfina River west to the Apalachicola River
Hey guys- new member here. Wanted to introduce myself and ask a couple questions. My family and I have been coming to AP for the last 10 years or so for family vacations. We love it, and love to fish- always have a blast. Over the years we've caught a huge variety out of the surf- Im always amazed at the fishery there. We're headed down in May and I was wondering about a couple things: Is there any recreational clamming around? I've heard there are commercial leases in Alligator harbor- are these marked and are there any areas to clam? We're staying at Mud Cove by the spit /point thing on the east side- any clams out on there? How about oysters? I've got a bunch of kids that love to be in the water- we hunt and fish a lot and I thought learning to harvest shellfish would be fun. Prob showing a lot of ignorance here , but just wondering. Also, how about snorkeling? Any good structure or something fun to see in Alligator Harbor, or close around? Other good snorkel sites? Last question- anyone ever bait for shrimp? I've caught some in the castnet, and seen guys bait them with balls of clay and fish meal in other states, but anyone do that around here?
Love the website- I've literally gone through every page of it before registering. (Nerd alert). Appreciate all the info and experience that yall have shared on here! Keeps us landlocked folks hoping and dreaming. Thanks!
Enjoy your stay in our stretch of paradise. The clam zones in Alligator Harbor are commercially-leased. No recreational clamming that I know of. There are some spots where folks collect oysters, like Skipper Bay. Check with myfwc.com for the regs.
Except for the head, a good section of Alligator Harbor is very muddy and murky. Not a good spot to snorkel, unless you want some close encounters with bull and blacktip sharks. A better area would be the backside of St. George Island behind the state park. Clear water, lots of turtle grass and plenty of bait and game fish, starfish, etc. Another good day trip would be St. Joe Bay. Keys-like conditions there, but too early for scalloping during your May visit. Good surf fishing in the Gulf off Alligator Point, as well as SGI.
One of the most entertaining things to do on Alligator Point with the kids is to check the charts for a very low tide and walk the point. Walk the shoreline out as far as possible and look for what is crawling or tunneling on the surface. it can be a few wild quahog clams (not many), burrowing angelwings, lots of live snails, and so forth. Leave the big live snails on the sand after you all have admired them, and try not to keep anything live, unless it is a clam you are going to eat. Its a blast with kids. You may also find some wild scallops, which you can keep during open season. Check the regs, and check for license requirements.
Closest place to get live wild clams (which are sunray venus, not quahogs) is around Black's Island in St. Joe Bay. You would need to boat to the island and snorkel them up. Look for the double holes in the shallow sand from the clam siphons. I used to collect them there back in the day.
Thanks Eddie! That's a great reminder. We took the boat out to the west end a few years ago and hung out for the day. It was awesome. Appreciate the clam tips, too!
Foxpen wrote:Thanks Silverking! Where is Skipper bay located at?
Sand road access just east of Panacea off Hwy 98. Thought someone reported access by vehicle directly to the bay is now blocked, but still accessible via a short walk or a feeder creek. Road can be rough/soft though, so 4WD is recommended. Check out Google maps.
, but just wondering. Also, how about snorkeling? Any good structure or something fun to see in Alligator Harbor, or close around? Other good snorkel sites? Last question- anyone ever bait for shrimp? I've caught some in the castnet, and seen guys bait them with balls of clay and fish meal in other states, but anyone do that around here?