How to Fish St. Joe Area???

[Sharkman]

I live in Tallahassee but will be trying out the St. Joe area tomorrow and Sunday fishing from the State Park. Does anyone have any tips for targeting cobia, kingfish, or tarpon out of that area? I have caught trout, bluefish, spanish, and millions of ladyfish there before but how do I get the bigger fish? Any help would be appreciated. I currently have no leads for this weekend.

[MudDucker]

Few cobes off the beach from what I hear. Kingfish off of the car bodies out from Mexico Beach, haven't heard a report lately. Tarpon out of Indian Pass.

[Sharkman]

Thanks for the info MudDucker, but things were kind of backwards this weekend.

I tried Indian Pass and saw nothing (not even a bite). It was like a fishing ghosttown. I had heard it was a great tarpon spot, also.

Then I went to St. Joe and there were tarpon all over the bay. I had no idea how many tarpon hang out in the bay. Wow!

I missed the cobia and kingfish though. I did not see any. I did have a couple tripletail spit up a fly. That was neat for me since I had never seen a tripletail (other than TV/ magazines).

[MudDucker]

Thanks for the info MudDucker, but things were kind of backwards this weekend.

I tried Indian Pass and saw nothing (not even a bite). It was like a fishing ghosttown. I had heard it was a great tarpon spot, also.

Then I went to St. Joe and there were tarpon all over the bay. I had no idea how many tarpon hang out in the bay. Wow!

I missed the cobia and kingfish though. I did not see any. I did have a couple tripletail spit up a fly. That was neat for me since I had never seen a tripletail (other than TV/ magazines).

I just passed on the reports I got from locals. Sounds like you had a good time anyway.

[Sharkman]

When I got there, I spoke to the locals and you were right on, man. Thanks!

I just think it was an odd weekend and I have a Big Tarpon jinx on me. I can't tell you how many times I have had big tarpon all around my boat and I have never had a big one on for more 30 seconds. I have caught a few small ones.

The other thing was that I was using all artificials (including flies). I only did live bait for one drift and it was a 13" ladyfish. I think the luck would have been much better with live pogies, pinfish, or crabs.

Once again, thanks for the info.

[MudDucker]

When I got there, I spoke to the locals and you were right on, man. Thanks!

I just think it was an odd weekend and I have a Big Tarpon jinx on me. I can't tell you how many times I have had big tarpon all around my boat and I have never had a big one on for more 30 seconds. I have caught a few small ones.

The other thing was that I was using all artificials (including flies). I only did live bait for one drift and it was a 13" ladyfish. I think the luck would have been much better with live pogies, pinfish, or crabs.

Once again, thanks for the info.

No problem. Almost all of the local guides fish their parties on live bait unless requested otherwise. I usually fish with artificials. I haven't figured the bay out. There is a fellow here who goes by Bay Gator that is a local and has the key.

I've had big tarpon spool me and I've brought a few to the boat. Never on a fly. I am thinking about attending the Orvis 2 day school to get back into the fly thing. I haven't picked up a flyrod since the early 80's when I used to fish the streams of north Georgia.