Braved the high winds and low tide Saturday to chase trout on the bay. It was extremely slow until 11:00 a.m. Finally the bite turned on and I was able to land 6 17"-18" trout and lose another 5 or 6. Then as quickly as it turned on, it turned back off. Caught all of them in 2-3' water south of Blacks Island using a silver Zara Spook and a black, gold, and orange Catch 2000. Interestingly, I noticed again that I started catching trout when and where the mullet were jumping and when the mullet stopped jumping the trout quit biting.
Even with the winds and the lack of water it was another beautiful morning on the bay.
St. Joe Bay 4/3/04
Moderators: bman, Chalk, Tom Keels
Was down there also on Sat. Got on the water about 10:45 and caught some Spanish right out in front of Presnell's. The wind picked up about 30 min. later and started to white cap, about 15 to 20 with some stronger gusts. Made a run to the south side of Black's Island with no luck using Root beer Grubs under a CT. Tried a Mann's jerk bait, chrome w/ yellow back and got cut by Spanish a couple of times. Had to run down the lure when it came to the top. Headed back down this Thursday for the weekend, any advice would be greatly appreciated.
TC, It was pretty choppy when I got out there early Sat. morning. Then it really settled down and I remember saying to myself, this isn't going to be too bad. Then the hurricane winds blew in and it got really rough. It was around 11 a.m. when the trout were biting. Forgot to look at the solunar tables but I'm pretty sure that was the minor feeding period.
Scott7138, They have been catching some awesome stringers of spanish the last few days, so that would be the best bet. I talked to a fellow that caught 3 limits Sat. out in front of the new Marina at St. Joe. The trout are beginning to turn on . Look for the mullet jumping south of Black's Island and fish topwater baits like crazy. I did see 2 redfish Sat. but they tell me they haven' t been doing much. Did hear 1 fellow caught 2 north of the state park on the cape. Good Luck and remember to let us know how you do.
Scott7138, They have been catching some awesome stringers of spanish the last few days, so that would be the best bet. I talked to a fellow that caught 3 limits Sat. out in front of the new Marina at St. Joe. The trout are beginning to turn on . Look for the mullet jumping south of Black's Island and fish topwater baits like crazy. I did see 2 redfish Sat. but they tell me they haven' t been doing much. Did hear 1 fellow caught 2 north of the state park on the cape. Good Luck and remember to let us know how you do.
