Democrat Fishing Report 6/4
Posted: June 4th, 2004, 8:24 am
Apalachee Bay
Trout fishing continues strong on the flats with jigs and shrimp still producing the most fish. With water temperatures climbing, a lot of the action has moved into depths of about 6 feet. Cobia continue to turn up around offshore structures and have surprised a few grouper fishermen working the bottom. Grouper fishermen have generally been forced to fish in deeper water- 50 to 60 feet -because of a proliferation of brown algae in waters closer to shore. The algae make it almost impossible to troll and difficult to bottom-fish. No reports yet on scallop abundance in the bay, but with a relatively dry winter and spring there may be a chance for a good year.
Ochlockonee Bay
All of the fishing has been good the last few weeks in the Ochlockonee Bay area. Redfish and sea trout are being caught around the oyster bars at the mouth of the bay, and Spanish mackerel and trout have been plentiful on the Clam Bar, which is the area between the two boat channels. Spanish mackerel have also been plentiful in the nearshore waters within two or three miles of shore, especially in areas like the Ochlockonee Reef and Dog Island Reef. Offshore the better grouper fishing has been in 60 feet of water on out. Kingfish are scattered but there are still some around, and "K" tower is currently home to some big amberjack.
Apalachicola Bay
Strong west and southwest winds have hampered the fishing in the bay the past few days. Sea trout and redfish, however, are being caught on the inside of St. George Island in some of the more sheltered areas. If the winds cooperate, the shorline along US Hwy 98 between Eastpoint and Carrabelle and the Cat Point Dry Bar should provide for some good opportunities. The same goes for the St. Vincent Dry Bar, where high tide is the best time to go. There are still a few redfish being caught in Bob Sikes Cut. Pompano were plentiful on the beach side of East End before the winds started last week, and there are still some Spanish mackerel hanging around. Whiting and sea trout can be caught in the surf when the weather is calm. The Fifth Annual Parent and Youth Fishing tournament is being held out of Fisherman's Choice in Eastpoint on Saturday. Youth anglers must be in line by 4pm to weigh-in their catches. For more information call (850) 670-8808.
St. Joe Bay
Live bait has become the ticket for catching fish in St. Joe Bay. Numerous trout between 2-4 pounds have been caught using menhaden and pinfish. Baits can be fished about 2 feet beneath a float or popping cork or on the bottom with a slip-lead rig and about a 15-inch leader. The fish are hanging real close to deep channels so they can slip off into deeper water when it gets too hot. The best approach is to find a grassbed that runs off into deeper water. Anchor in the deep water and cast back to the edge of the grass. Two or three large schools of redfish are roaming back-and-forth along the bay side of the peninsula around Pompano Point. If you find a school you can catch and release big reds all day. Mixed schools of ladyfish and bluefish are scattered around the bay and a few big flounder are still being caught in the Intracoastal Canal.
Also an interesting article "Tides should make for good fishing at Saltwater Classic".
Trout fishing continues strong on the flats with jigs and shrimp still producing the most fish. With water temperatures climbing, a lot of the action has moved into depths of about 6 feet. Cobia continue to turn up around offshore structures and have surprised a few grouper fishermen working the bottom. Grouper fishermen have generally been forced to fish in deeper water- 50 to 60 feet -because of a proliferation of brown algae in waters closer to shore. The algae make it almost impossible to troll and difficult to bottom-fish. No reports yet on scallop abundance in the bay, but with a relatively dry winter and spring there may be a chance for a good year.
Ochlockonee Bay
All of the fishing has been good the last few weeks in the Ochlockonee Bay area. Redfish and sea trout are being caught around the oyster bars at the mouth of the bay, and Spanish mackerel and trout have been plentiful on the Clam Bar, which is the area between the two boat channels. Spanish mackerel have also been plentiful in the nearshore waters within two or three miles of shore, especially in areas like the Ochlockonee Reef and Dog Island Reef. Offshore the better grouper fishing has been in 60 feet of water on out. Kingfish are scattered but there are still some around, and "K" tower is currently home to some big amberjack.
Apalachicola Bay
Strong west and southwest winds have hampered the fishing in the bay the past few days. Sea trout and redfish, however, are being caught on the inside of St. George Island in some of the more sheltered areas. If the winds cooperate, the shorline along US Hwy 98 between Eastpoint and Carrabelle and the Cat Point Dry Bar should provide for some good opportunities. The same goes for the St. Vincent Dry Bar, where high tide is the best time to go. There are still a few redfish being caught in Bob Sikes Cut. Pompano were plentiful on the beach side of East End before the winds started last week, and there are still some Spanish mackerel hanging around. Whiting and sea trout can be caught in the surf when the weather is calm. The Fifth Annual Parent and Youth Fishing tournament is being held out of Fisherman's Choice in Eastpoint on Saturday. Youth anglers must be in line by 4pm to weigh-in their catches. For more information call (850) 670-8808.
St. Joe Bay
Live bait has become the ticket for catching fish in St. Joe Bay. Numerous trout between 2-4 pounds have been caught using menhaden and pinfish. Baits can be fished about 2 feet beneath a float or popping cork or on the bottom with a slip-lead rig and about a 15-inch leader. The fish are hanging real close to deep channels so they can slip off into deeper water when it gets too hot. The best approach is to find a grassbed that runs off into deeper water. Anchor in the deep water and cast back to the edge of the grass. Two or three large schools of redfish are roaming back-and-forth along the bay side of the peninsula around Pompano Point. If you find a school you can catch and release big reds all day. Mixed schools of ladyfish and bluefish are scattered around the bay and a few big flounder are still being caught in the Intracoastal Canal.
Also an interesting article "Tides should make for good fishing at Saltwater Classic".