Democrat Fishing Report 9/29

[Flats Rascal]

Fishing report



Apalachee Bay/St. Marks

The next couple of months of fall fishing offers a great opportunity for a big day on the water. Baitfish, particularly mullet, are schooling in the bay. Predators, particularly redfish, are schooling in response, which is causing anglers to school up next to every oyster bar and creek mouth on either side of the St. Marks River. Large numbers of reds have been located just inside Big Cove, in Stony Bayou and the Rock Garden. Trout are still on the flats as proven by a limit stringer landed near the tripod channel marker that also included bluefish, jacks, sharks and ladyfish. Live shrimp fishing under a Cajun Thunder continues to be an effective combination. With cooler weather, trout will be moving onto the nearshore flats east and west of the St. Marks River. Anglers should set up a drift in 3 to 6 feet of water and when a trout bites, softly drop an anchor and continue fishing the same area.
- Scott Paterna, Jerry's Bait and Tackle



Ochlockonee Bay

Patterns similar to last week should still prevail in Ochlockonee Bay with redfish and trout moving into Hurricane Creek, Chairs Creek and around the oyster bars at the mouth of the bay.
- Stan Brown, Mashes Sands BP



Lanark Village/Carrabelle

Redfish seem to be everywhere in the Lanark/Carrabelle area. Trout fishing has slowed some, but bigger fish are still being caught around Dog Island on the Gulf side opposite Ballast Cove and in Umbrella Cove near the east end of the island. Closer to shore, trout can be found on the inside and outside of Lanark Reef near the east end and in the cove between the FSU Marine Lab and Turkey Point.
- Mike Hopkins, Lanark Village Mart



Apalachicola Bay and River

Redfish action has been very consistent in the estuary river system and around Bob Sikes Cut. Live shrimp and soft plastic have been effective. Trout remain scattered with some beginning to show above the bridge to Apalachicola while others continue to be caught over the grassflats and the dry bars at Cat Point and East Hole. The dry bars may offer the most consistent trout fishing for now. A lot of bluefish are still being caught in the surf. At East End, trout can be found on the inside of St. George Island along the deeper edges of the grass flats. Schools of mackerel and bluefish are still moving through the area. Offshore fishing is still somewhat inconsistent although anglers can probably return with a mixed bag of grouper, sea bass and triggerfish. Catching limits of gag grouper remains difficult.
- Rex Pennycuff, Fisherman's Choice



St. Joe Bay

Anglers are still catching a few trout and redfish around Town Beach and areas toward the Intracoastal Canal. Soft plastics seem to be best in colors such as new penny, electric chicken and space guppy. A few flounder have been landed at the Oil Docks and some larger “flattiesâ€