Apalachee Bay
Redfish and flounder have moved into the lower St.Marks River. Look for both species around the edges of the oyster bars and along the marsh, especially between Four-Mile Creek and the lighthouse. Trout are still active all over the flats and happily taking plastic grubs and live shrimp. Offshore, in 20 to 30 feet of water, anglers are catching lots of black sea bass, grunts, triggerfish and small grouper. A little cold weather should bring larger grouper into these areas.
-Brett Shields, Shields Marina
Lanark Village
Because of high winds, fishing has been slow in the Lanark area. A lot of decayed fish killed by red tide has recently washed up on shore. Offshore, one commercial fisherman caught a big load of grouper in 150 feet of water. It's hoped that the approaching cold front will improve conditions.
-Mike Hopkins, Lanark Village Mart
Carrabelle
Weather and sea conditions were looking good by the middle of the week but few people were taking advantage. Schools of Spanish mackerel were reported in East Pass between Dog Island and St.George Island. The buoy line leading out to East Pass has been holding tripletail. Anglers have also been catching redfish around the dock pilings between the Carrabelle River and Lanark. The best action was on Top Dogs and live shrimp. Castnetters have also been finding plenty of mullet to fill their nets.
-Millard Collins, Carrabelle Marina
Apalachicola area
Fishing has been good in East Bay, which is above the bridge between East Point and Apalachicola. The white-shrimp run is under way and anglers are catching trout over the oyster bars between the bridge and the grass line. Try drifting a couple hundred yards above the bridge. When you find fish you can ease an anchor over the side and keep fishing. The St.Marks and East rivers, which flow into East Bay are holding trout, redfish, sheepshead and hybrid striped bass. Concentrate on the holes near the mouth of both rivers. Those unfamiliar with navigating in East Bay, which has some broad, shallow areas, can stop by Fisherman's Choice in East Point for advice and directions.
-Rex Pennycuff, Fisherman's Choice
St. Joe Bay
The red tide has lessened in St.Joe Bay and the fishing has improved. Anglers are catching a little bit of everything including Spanish mackerel, bluefish, pompano and sea trout. The best fishing has been in the potholes south and southeast of Blacks Island. Use live bait, top-water lures or a popping cork with a grub suspended below it. Set up a drift across the shallow grass and concentrate your casts on every sandy hole or depression that comes within range.
-Eckley Sander, Presnell's
Bayside Marina and RV Resort
Lake Talquin
Fishing has slowed on Lake Talquin the past couple of weeks, with dedicated crappie fishermen only turning up a few fish each day. Small bream can be found around the edges of the lake and around the docks, where they'll hit crickets. Even the catfish bite has been slow. The approaching cold front should put fish on the move and may allow anglers to target some of the deeper holes once the water temperature drops.
-Josh Ingram, Ingram's Marina
Lake Seminole
Speckled perch are moving into shallow water. Numerous good catches have been made in depths of 2 to 5 feet. Most of the specks being caught are still small but larger fish should move in soon. Some specks are still hanging in slightly deeper depths of 10 to 16 feet in small pods about the size of a small pickup. Jigs should be fished slightly above the fish to allow them to come up to it. A 1/32-ounce jig is a good choice for these conditions. Largemouth bass have moved into shallow grassy areas. One party did well using a Skeeter Bug and another angler boated 18 bass using a Zoom Speed Worm over light grass.
-Jack Wingate, Wingate's Lodge
