Reds and trout

[FSUPhi1584]

Hi everyone. I'm new to this board and inshore fishing, and I'm fairly new to the big bend area (came up here for college). I was wondering if any of you could let me know of any spots that have good fishing from shore for reds/trouts. So far I've only been to bald point which has only produced a couple small reds in several trips. If you could please let me know the best tides/temps/seasons to fish certain spots and what lures/rigs you use. I practice catch and release so the fish will still be there for you to catch. In return for your wisdom/experience I'd be more than happy to give you fishing info for offshore fishing in S Florida, in case you ever head down there. Any info would be greatly appreciated. If you don't want your secrets out in the open you may email me at ndb04d@fsu.edu or just message me.

[lordsfisher]

Welcome to the board and to Tallahassee. When you have time to fish, post on here a couple days in advance and maybe one of us can take you along.

This thread may help:
http://www.bigbendfishing.net/phpBB3/vi ... re#p176673

[BrogensDuck]

Fishing around here often depends on what you are fishing from. Do you have a boat? (if so, what size, etc?) Kayak? (if so, go directly to fcka.net) Walking in?

[wevans]

Bald point is a good place and should be heating up any time now A Top dog worked at a steady pace works good for the Reds, let it hesitate for a few seconds for Trout. Alot of folks use Gulp under a cajun thunder or just on a jighead, also a Redfish Assasin works well when you get to the little fishing pier, turn left and walk down to the creek and try fish the mouth

[FSUPhi1584]

Thanks a bunch guys! Brogensduck, I'm fishing on foot. Thanks for the link lordsfisher. Wevans, love the sig. What color Top Dog works best? What size Captain Mike Spoon should I get? I've heard that St. Marks is good during the winter months and bald point is good during fall and spring. Is that true? What tides should I fish these spots at? Someone told me the end of the falling tide was good. Are there any good summer spots? Sorry for all the questions.

[lordsfisher]

FSU, No problem on asking. Learning from each other is the benefit of this site. I'll let others comment on top dog colors because I'm sure all of them work. On the Capt. mike's spoons, I'd throw a single hook 1/4 oz in OW (pink).
http://us.st12.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/ ... 45_3777852

Thinking about your situation, I think I'd go with something more economical. The best all-round bait in my opinion would be a 1/8 oz jig head and new penny colored Gulp shrimp or white gulp shrimp. If you get one hung up you don't feel like you need to go in after it! I'd use 8 lb test line to make long casts. The other economical way to go is to get some really small (size 8 to 12) gold hooks and some squid. Use tiny pieces of squid and a small lead weight to catch pinfish which are everywhere. Then use that for bait. You can hook the pinfish with something like a 1/0 to 4/0 hook and fish it under a float, with a weight on the bottom or with no weight. Not much will pass that up.

I'm not sure about those two places with the seasons. I have a feeling both would be good at anytime of the year. As far as tides, I like moving water (i.e., not slack high or low tide). But just go when you can.

[JSFrazier]

im in agreement as far as tides, though i would prefer moving water go whenever you can. you cant catch em on the couch if your always waiting for the perfect conditions!

[wevans]

Most folks like a low tide at Bald Point because they can wade out to the oyster bars and fish from them. But don't get caught out there to long or you'll be swimming back to shore and there is always a chance that a Shark will try and take your stringer if you have it attached to you and are deep enuff water I prefer the blue back/white or silver belly Top Dog, that's just me as stated above, moving water is the main concern, the more movement, the better and longer the bite

[2true]

When the Spanish Mackeral Show up it is ON!

[FSUPhi1584]

What size wire leader do you guys use for spanish? Where do you fish for em? I'm guessing off the beaches, but which ones? Also I was wondering what lb test and what type of leader do you guys use for sharks? Any more good spots for reds? Thanks again for all the answers.

[lordsfisher]

I have caught thousands of Spanish on 40 lb. mono without a cut-off. I've never been cut off by a shark with 40 lb. either. Sure Jaws could cut it off, but I'd rather get the hits than scare some off with heavier test or wire. In fact, I'd probably start with no leader until I lost a jig. That's just me.

I don't know that spot so I can't help you there. When I didn't have a boat, I'd always go to Panama City and fish off the jetties for spanish this time of year. It's a 2 hour drive, but I'd stay over the weekend and it's pretty much a sure thing for Spanish at sunrise and sunset over the next three weeks.

Here's some other articles and threads that might be helpful.

http://www.bigbendfishing.net/phpBB3/vi ... ish#p81579
http://www.bigbendfishing.net/docs/arti ... ishing.htm
http://www.bigbendfishing.net/phpBB3/vi ... =1&t=21197

If you go, let us know how you do. Good luck!