Democrat Fishing Report 10/13
Posted: October 13th, 2006, 8:52 am
Apalachee Bay
Even though the nearshore grouper pattern doesn't usually get under way until November, anglers venturing into slightly deeper waters off the flats are already catching barely-short grouper along with kingfish, cobia, sea bass, triggerfish and big redfish. It seems the big and small predators are moving into depths of only 10 to 12 feet to feed on bait schools. To find the action, run out the St. Marks River channel past the sand bar approximately a half mile and look for bait. Bounce a jig off the bottom and place another jig under a Cajun Thunder, or cast a spoon, topwater lure or live shrimp. The standard flats such as the Rock Garden to the east or the west flats just West of the St. Marks River are also holding fish, especially sea trout. Live shrimp under a Cajun Thunder will produce the most action. Redfish are being caught up the St. Marks between the San Marcos Fort and the St. Marks Lighthouse and in the creeks east of the lighthouse. Capt. Randy Peart will hold a nearshore grouper clinic at Jerry's Bait and Tackle on Oct. 20 at 6:30 p.m. Bring a note pad and learn all the tricks to boating grouper 10 miles from the St. Marks Lighthouse. Cost is $20 per person. Call 421-3248 or email TMseatrout@earthlink.net to reserve a spot.
- Scott Paterna, Jerry's Bait and Tackle
Lanark Village/Carrabelle/St. George Sound
Fishing has been dynamite in the bay the past few days for redfish, sea trout and Spanish mackerel. Among the best places has been both ends of Dog Island and Dog Island Reef. Live pinfish and live pilchards have been the best baits. Flounder have also been plentiful in the stump hole near the west end of the island. Use live pinfish, a pinfish tail, a dark-colored grub or drag a live shrimp on the bottom. Trout have also been plentiful in Ballast Cove on the inside of the island. Trout and redfish are also being caught inside Turkey Point Shoal and along the outside of Lanark Reef. Another good spot has been the spoil bank that sits 200 to 300 yards off the old Lorenzo's location. Redfish remain plentiful along the docks and are most active during falling tide. Offshore fishing has also picked up the past couple of days with anglers landing gag grouper in 35 to 60 feet of water.
- Mike Hopkins, Lanark Village Mart
Apalachicola Bay
It's been a really good week in Apalachicola Bay. Redfish and trout can be found at the dry bars and at the mouths of the East River and St. Marks River. Popular artificial colors for grubs include red-and-white and white-and-pink. Another option is any of the 20 MR series MirrOlures, especially the gold and orange version. There have also been some schools of black drum and redfish roaming in the bay. Quite a few whiting are being caught in the surf along with some bluefish, pompano and Spanish mackerel. Pier fishing is best during the changing tide, which is when anglers have been catching large croakers along with a few redfish and flounder. Bump a white jig on the bottom for flounder. Strong winds have interfered with the offshore fishing, but snapper should be moving closer to shore by now.
- Rex Pennycuff, Fisherman's Choice
St. Joe Bay
Offshore, jigging for grouper and black snapper has been going well with the Shimano Butterfly System or Williamson Jigs in depths of 140 to 150 feet. For live bait use ruby lips or pinfish. Inshore, Spanish mackerel in the 4- to 5-pound range are being caught along the buoy line, outside Crooked Island and just inside the St. Joe Peninsula. Small king mackerel are around the buoy line, and larger fish can be found outside the Car Body Reef and at the Air Force Tower. There's a good whiting bite going on in the surf especially at stump hole on Cape San Blas and along Crooked Island. Use a pompano rig with Mutu-Light circle hooks and a small piece of shrimp. Look for schools or redfish traveling around the bay in places like Lighthouse Channel, Town Beach and outside Eagle Harbor all the way to Pompano Point. Live alewives are the most effective bait. For artificials try topwater plugs first thing in the morning, and jerk baits and DOA shrimp in the afternoon. There's a good flounder bite going on in the Gulf County Canal from the bridge to the Intracoastal. Use live bull minnows on a Carolina Rig.
- Bill Mansey, Half Hitch Tackle
Lake Talquin
Crappie have really turned on in the mouths of all the creeks in response to the cool nights. A few are being caught on artificials, but the bait of choice has been golden minnows fished while drifting. Largemouth bass have also been more active as they begin feeding in anticipation of winter. Again, the creeks hold the better fishing. There's also been some bass schooling activity in the creeks. Plenty of bream are being caught around the docks and deep ledges.
- Sarah Johnson, Ingram's Marina
Even though the nearshore grouper pattern doesn't usually get under way until November, anglers venturing into slightly deeper waters off the flats are already catching barely-short grouper along with kingfish, cobia, sea bass, triggerfish and big redfish. It seems the big and small predators are moving into depths of only 10 to 12 feet to feed on bait schools. To find the action, run out the St. Marks River channel past the sand bar approximately a half mile and look for bait. Bounce a jig off the bottom and place another jig under a Cajun Thunder, or cast a spoon, topwater lure or live shrimp. The standard flats such as the Rock Garden to the east or the west flats just West of the St. Marks River are also holding fish, especially sea trout. Live shrimp under a Cajun Thunder will produce the most action. Redfish are being caught up the St. Marks between the San Marcos Fort and the St. Marks Lighthouse and in the creeks east of the lighthouse. Capt. Randy Peart will hold a nearshore grouper clinic at Jerry's Bait and Tackle on Oct. 20 at 6:30 p.m. Bring a note pad and learn all the tricks to boating grouper 10 miles from the St. Marks Lighthouse. Cost is $20 per person. Call 421-3248 or email TMseatrout@earthlink.net to reserve a spot.
- Scott Paterna, Jerry's Bait and Tackle
Lanark Village/Carrabelle/St. George Sound
Fishing has been dynamite in the bay the past few days for redfish, sea trout and Spanish mackerel. Among the best places has been both ends of Dog Island and Dog Island Reef. Live pinfish and live pilchards have been the best baits. Flounder have also been plentiful in the stump hole near the west end of the island. Use live pinfish, a pinfish tail, a dark-colored grub or drag a live shrimp on the bottom. Trout have also been plentiful in Ballast Cove on the inside of the island. Trout and redfish are also being caught inside Turkey Point Shoal and along the outside of Lanark Reef. Another good spot has been the spoil bank that sits 200 to 300 yards off the old Lorenzo's location. Redfish remain plentiful along the docks and are most active during falling tide. Offshore fishing has also picked up the past couple of days with anglers landing gag grouper in 35 to 60 feet of water.
- Mike Hopkins, Lanark Village Mart
Apalachicola Bay
It's been a really good week in Apalachicola Bay. Redfish and trout can be found at the dry bars and at the mouths of the East River and St. Marks River. Popular artificial colors for grubs include red-and-white and white-and-pink. Another option is any of the 20 MR series MirrOlures, especially the gold and orange version. There have also been some schools of black drum and redfish roaming in the bay. Quite a few whiting are being caught in the surf along with some bluefish, pompano and Spanish mackerel. Pier fishing is best during the changing tide, which is when anglers have been catching large croakers along with a few redfish and flounder. Bump a white jig on the bottom for flounder. Strong winds have interfered with the offshore fishing, but snapper should be moving closer to shore by now.
- Rex Pennycuff, Fisherman's Choice
St. Joe Bay
Offshore, jigging for grouper and black snapper has been going well with the Shimano Butterfly System or Williamson Jigs in depths of 140 to 150 feet. For live bait use ruby lips or pinfish. Inshore, Spanish mackerel in the 4- to 5-pound range are being caught along the buoy line, outside Crooked Island and just inside the St. Joe Peninsula. Small king mackerel are around the buoy line, and larger fish can be found outside the Car Body Reef and at the Air Force Tower. There's a good whiting bite going on in the surf especially at stump hole on Cape San Blas and along Crooked Island. Use a pompano rig with Mutu-Light circle hooks and a small piece of shrimp. Look for schools or redfish traveling around the bay in places like Lighthouse Channel, Town Beach and outside Eagle Harbor all the way to Pompano Point. Live alewives are the most effective bait. For artificials try topwater plugs first thing in the morning, and jerk baits and DOA shrimp in the afternoon. There's a good flounder bite going on in the Gulf County Canal from the bridge to the Intracoastal. Use live bull minnows on a Carolina Rig.
- Bill Mansey, Half Hitch Tackle
Lake Talquin
Crappie have really turned on in the mouths of all the creeks in response to the cool nights. A few are being caught on artificials, but the bait of choice has been golden minnows fished while drifting. Largemouth bass have also been more active as they begin feeding in anticipation of winter. Again, the creeks hold the better fishing. There's also been some bass schooling activity in the creeks. Plenty of bream are being caught around the docks and deep ledges.
- Sarah Johnson, Ingram's Marina