Democrat Fishing Report 12/31

[Flats Rascal]

Fishing report

DEMOCRAT STAFF REPORT


Where the fish are biting in the Big Bend.

Apalachee and Oyster Bays

With the recent cold snap, trout and redfish have moved up into the rivers and creeks leading into the bays. Many of the reds have been oversized or close to the slot limit. Jigs bounced slowly off the bottom are generating the most strikes. Reports of large striped bass in the St.Marks River are also coming in. When the seas allow, grouper are biting well, although fish have moved into deeper water because of falling temperatures. Limits of largemouth bass are being taken in the St.Marks Refuge on gold spoons.

-Scott Paterna, Jerry's Bait and Tackle

Econfina River

The freshwater run-off has left the river stained, although a few trout and reds are still around. Many are undersized but the action has been steady. Due to the recent negative low tides and cold water, live shrimp have not been available. Grubs and cut squid are being substituted.

-Eric McConnell, Econfina River Resort

Ochlockonee Bay

With winter patterns established, try near the spring at Yellow Bluff or the state park for trout and redfish. Grouper should still be relatively shallow; a good place to start looking would be the boat molds section of Wakulla Reef.

-Stan Brown, Mashes Sands BP

Lanark Village/Carrabelle

Trout have been the big inshore story over the last week, with the deeper holes off the FSU Marine Lab and Poston Bayou the prime hot spots. With the shortage of live shrimp, grubs or frozen shrimp are good substitutes. Bass jerk baits, like the five-inch Charley Worms in multi-colored patterns, are also scoring plenty of fish. Cash Creek and Whiskey George off Hwy65 are good places to try for trout when the wind is howling. Surprisingly, there are still some pinfish in the bay. When they can get out, grouper diggers have been successful in 30- to 55-foot depths. Trolled deep-diving plugs and frozen cut bait are working equally well.

-Mike Hopkins, Village Mart

Apalachicola Bay

Despite falling water temperatures, trout haven't moved into the rivers yet. The best place to try are the bay's dry bars. Shrimp, when they're available, or red/white MirrOlures are producing. Use fiddler crabs for the sheepshead gathered in large numbers around the bridge pilings, and peeled dead shrimp is a good choice for whiting in the surf. If you can get baits past snapper, gag grouper are actively feeding offshore when the winds subside. Cut alewives or squid in 50-foot depths have proven to be a good combination.

-Rex Pennycuff, Fisherman's Choice

St. Joe Bay

Redfish and trout are ganged up in the Intracoastal Waterway and the St.Joe Marina basin. Many are undersized, but keepers are mixed in. Live shrimp has been the bait of choice.

-Donna Sander, Presnell's Bayside Marina and RV Resort

Lake Seminole

Perch are biting well for those who venture out and brave the winds; many are quality size. Bass are also starting to turn on with the cooler weather. The surface water temperature is 54 degrees. The northerly winter conditions are pushing more ducks on to the lake. Most are ring necks, with other species mixed in.

-Jack Wingate, Wingate's Lodge

Lake Talquin

Perch moved into deeper water with the recent cold weather; the best tactic now is trolling with Hal-Flies, with no discernible color preference. The catfish bite has been good recently. Channel cats up to 10 pounds have been landed off the docks, along with an 11-pound "shoe-head" cat. All were taken on live minnows. Trolled diving plugs are accounting for a few largemouth bass.

-Josh Ingram, Ingram's Marina



SOLUNAR


A.M. cycles P.M. cycles
Day Minor Major Minor Major
Today 9:00 2:50 9:25 3:10
Saturday 9:45 3:35 10:10 3:55
Sunday 10:30 4:20 10:55 4:40
Monday 11:15 5:05 11:40 5:30
Tuesday 11:55 5:45 - 6:10
Wednesday 12:20 6:25 12:35 6:50
Thursday 1:05 7:15 1:25 7:40
Saturday's tides, 8C