A unique website dedicated to fishing information from Florida's Northern Big Bend. This includes the area from the Econfina River west to the Apalachicola River
Use this area to post inshore fishing reports from the area. Please try to include relevant information such as:
Location, date, time, water conditions, weather conditions, baits, techniques, species caught, etc.
Hit the water yesterday about noon,wanted to get there sooner but had to go in for a couple hours work on my off day Water was pretty low,scary ride thru the river,didnt wanna donate anothr lower unit this year so I took it easy, Got to my spot (birdrack) and set on a slow drift to the southwest,water was dingy and the temp was 81-82* I threw eveything in the boat at them but it was a very slow day,managed to get three keepers 18in and 2 19 inchers, three shorts and 2 hard pulling sharks fun fun one cat :thumbdown:Off the water around 4:00 pm. I guess it wasnt too bad with all the fresh water the area has seen lately. Things should get real good in another week or two. Trout caught on grub and CT sharks on pinfish.
That river IS treacherous. I want to be equiped with all the spare prop gear next time I go. I am still using aluminum props so I can break 'em rather than the lower unit when I hit one of those hidden things.
Did you loose the lower unit there? I have never had that happen..... I don't really know what'd I'd do! With no trolling motor, I guess I'd have to radio or call for a tow in or something.
But those rivers are beautfiul! And you got dinner!
That cat you caught, if it was a sail cat, is one of the best eating things out on the flats. I have been saving them for years. If it was a hardhead.....throw him back.
Seems 3 is the majic number here lately (keepers) Heard many reports since the storms.....3 keepers.
Went last week to Aucilla....kept .....3.
The dark water makes tough fishing.
Aucilla Yes I lost a lower unit earlier this year,just past the 2nd no wake zone ,did a number on it,broke the shaft destroyed the SS prop.I swear theres a rock the size of a school bus down there.I have it marked for future references
Fisherman 989
This wasnt a sailcat just a hardhead. Ive heard conflicting stories about the sailcat,some people say there great and other say theyre trash. Havent tried one myself.
Sailcat taste like chicken.
The curve below the last houses at Econfina has destroyed many lower units. On low tide I tip toe past it. Last time I was there a boat from Alabama was using a trowling motor to make it back to the landing. Those same rocks had took one more victim.
Sailcat taste great "better than Trout in my opinion" I just can't seem to remember to take something to put them in "they slim up everything" I aint about to put one in the livewell
“Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them and you have their shoes.”
When heading out stay in the right third of the river at that bend past the houses. Left third coming in. High tide your'e safe. Anything less than high STAY WEST>.
Jumptrout51 wrote:When heading out stay in the right third of the river at that bend past the houses. Left third coming in. High tide your'e safe. Anything less than high STAY WEST>.
If you watch the depth finder it rises up at the bend....I always get up at the no wake sign...If I can't due to traffic, I wait til I get past the bend....The Chalkmobile has a scar from there, but I wasn't driving , Chalk Sr
I have learned since my mishap to stay to the right in that area,to bad I didnt hear it sooner, $2000.00 lesson The beauty and fishing in that area is worth every penny.
Those rocks claimed another lower unit Saturday. A long time
friend from Albany was coming upriver in his "first time in the water"
Key West when the rocks ate the lower unit of his new 90 Johnson.
With at least half water I usually cut behind the island on plane
which keeps me on the west side of the river. I enjoy sliding
through there. If I ever meet someone coming the opposite direction in there.....well, I sure have enjoyed the forum!
It may be that my sole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others.
Water was pretty low,scary ride thru the river,didnt wanna donate anothr lower unit this year 
so I took it easy, Got to my spot (birdrack) and set on a slow drift to the southwest,water was dingy and the temp was 81-82* I threw eveything in the boat at them but it was a very slow day,managed to get three keepers 18in and 2 19 inchers, three shorts and 2 hard pulling sharks fun fun 
one cat :thumbdown:Off the water around 4:00 pm. I guess it wasnt too bad with all the fresh water the area has seen lately. Things should get real good in another week or two. Trout caught on grub and CT sharks on pinfish.
I want to be equiped with all the spare prop gear next time I go. I am still using aluminum props so I can break 'em rather than the lower unit when I hit one of those hidden things. 
FWC's budget would never be able to handle it either