BigBendFishing.Net

Hello forum. I would like to see if any of you guys could help me with how to get started with fishing the big bend area. A good friend of mine bought a place in Lanark this summer. We spent some time on Dog Island Reef in July and October, caught a little of everything. Have read alot of articles on redfish in the winter...understand they are shallow in winter. Can you help me with rigging etc. just need to know how to start. Also, anything going on close in offshore...I have a 19ft skeeter...not sure if I can reach deep enough water for winter. How about Dog Island Reef this time of year, I really enjoyed that area in warmer weather. Any help would be apreciated, we are a couple of life-long bass fisherman trying to learn some saltwater tactics. We will be down to fish 1/18-1/22. Thanks!
Sam

Cant comment on those areas. I usually fish Keaton Beach area for Trout, etc. Use Saltwater Assasin grubs and other makes, top water, live bait. I only have a 17 so deeper water is not often. You can get alot of info on the Keaton area here. http://www.keatonbeach.org. Sorry if its not the area your after. And welcome to the zoo....

Thanks for the reply. Just need plain old info really. I assume most tactics work in similar water. Have been checking map and thinking of trying ochlockenee river area...not far to drive to put in from Lanark.

Most tactics would be the same, water pretty much the same except where you get into the areas that have lots of river inlets or tributaries. Then they go up into those areas in winter. But other places where they do not have such places they will stay in the shallows, maybe, or deeper holes on the flats.

Have you ever tried live shrimp on a jighead..have read alot about this lately?

Would suggest you come to one of the NFGFC meetings and perhaps join if you are interested. Our next meeting is this Thursday.

The redfish are around year round, just in different places. If you are talking bull reds, they do move in shallow in the fall and can be caught on most of the nearshore reefs. The keeper size variety move into the creeks and rivers along the coast.

Thank you Tom for the invite! The drive is too far to make the meeting, but the club looks very interesting. Might be able to make another meeting, Thanks again!

I just got in from fishin in 54 foot of water out from DI/AP in a 17.5 alumn. Bass boat The Skeeter will serve ya well if you pick yer days I went out from Mashes Sands "17 mile run", you can do the same with only about a 12-13 mile run If the weather is not good for Grouper, start at the mouth of the Carrabelle river and work your way in for Reds or Trout

Hey GaSam. I like to start at the mouth of the rivers and creeks and work it just the same as you would hunting staging Bass. The Reds move kinda the same way. Find deep water channel that comes up fast on a oyster bar. Work the outside deeper water first, then move up into shallow water. The live shrimp on jighead is a great starter. When you get to 3 foot or less, throw a ratlin redfin or similar stick bait. They only seem to produce for me in less than 3 foot of water. On the straight bars not close to the channel, fish the tides. I like to fish the high side of the oyster bar first, where the current is pushing against it.
Can't help you offshore.

Thanks for the welcome guys!

Thanks too for all the help. I just ready to get down there a give it a try. Looks like the weather is going to turn for the worse though. Hope the colder weather doenst slow them down too much, Thanks!