Democrat Fishing Report 2/18

[GeorgeP]

Apalachee Bay February fishing has been difficult. Many of the areas holding fish right now are well up inside the coastal creeks and difficult to access. Anglers working the creeks have caught redfish during mid-day when the creek water warms up. Spring Creek continues to hold trout (although the season remains closed until March1) and redfish from the mouth all the way up to the headwaters. There's also been some small mangrove snapper reported there. Offshore fishing remains steady with one report of grouper cooperating in about 80 feet of water. If the weather stays warm, it will soon be time to explore the flats directly in front of the various creeks. - Scott Paterna, Jerry's Bait and Tackle

Lanark Village/Carrabelle Redfish fishing is consistently good throughout the bay. Good catches have been reported around the docks on Dog Island, the docks along Lanark Village and all along the Turkey Point channel, especially around the channel markers. Some parties have caught and released up to 40 reds in a single trip. One large trout was also caught and released in the channel, which suggests the big females could be stirring a little in preparation of a spring spawn. Not many people are fishing offshore where the grouper action has been fairly slow with six or eight "keepers" making up a good day. - Mike Hopkins, Lanark Village Mart

Apalachicola Trout and redfish fishing has picked up a little around the Cat Point Dry Bar. Fishing in Bob Sikes Cut has slowed recently after a spurt of redfish and sheepshead action earlier in the week. Sheepshead can still be caught around bridge pilings in the bay. Whiting on the beach has remained consistent. If the water temperature holds up we could be looking at an early run of Spanish mackerel, but none have been reported so far. Offshore, there are still plenty of red snapper, but the season remains closed. Grouper action has been moderate, with parties catching a few each trip but no great numbers. - Rex Pennycuff, Fisherman's Choice

St. Joe Bay The most reliable fishing in the St. Joe area right now is whiting on the beach. The best approach is to buy a few fresh shrimp and break them into little pieces small enough for the small fish to take in one bite. Sheepshead have begun gathering around the buoys at the mouth of the bay in anticipation of a spring spawning run. Inside the bay, bat rays and pinfish have begun to show up which means other species will be returning soon. The first reports of pompano are expected soon in the Panama City area and usually precedes their appearance in the bay a few days later. There should be plenty of trout around when the season opens back up on March1. - Eckley Sander, Presnell's Bayside Marina and RV Resort