Florida Panhandle in general, but right here in our own backyard is some of the most beautiful water you will see anywhere. Crystal clear rivers filled with fish and other marine life, banks lined with century old trees, some home to Eagles, others house the Owl. Lakes stocked with largemouth bass so big fishermen come from around the world for a shot at a double digit trophy. Then there’s the Gulf of Mexico.
Our part of the gulf starting from the “Hatch” (Stienhatchee), is known for extra large seatrout nicknamed “gator” trout. Water seems to be conducive to grow these tasty fun to catch fish at a faster rate. Expansive shallow grass flats also make for family fun and more during scallop season. As we move West, redfish and seatrout still dominate the inshore market as these can be caught almost anywhere along the Florida Panhandle. About the time we cross into Carrabelle is when it begins to change. From here to Destin, Florida off shore fishing becomes more the norm where live bottoms and manmade reefs hold big, tasty, grouper and snapper. Main reason is travel time to get to the fish. You simply do not have to run as far out in a boat to get to deeper water where these guys live.
This past weekend I went for a boat ride up the Wakulla River. I had never really took the time to just ride and watch. Like no time before, I left the fishing poles at home. It amazed me how many people were taking advantage of it’s beauty. Families were on boats, in kayaks and canoes, friends and others were doing the same. We all had one thing in common and that was getting out.
For the past 6 weeks times have been difficult for many due to obvious reasons. Like most things there is a silver lining if you look hard enough. The one I see is all the moms, dads and kids together taking advantage of the outdoors. While anchored along the river’s edge a family of 6, children ages 8-16, drifted near us in kayaks. This was going to be the last time they rented them. The father told me they had such a great time they were going to purchase their own. Scenarios like these are happening throughout the Panhandle, but hasn’t come without frustration as many are boat ramps have been closed, creating hours of wait time to load and unload.
Great news! Almost all the boat ramps in our area are now open. Taylor County opened yesterday but Franklin county remains closed as many are hopeful they’ll soon reopen too. This should ease much of the congestion across the region. Remember, throughout the year our neighbors to the North travel quite a ways to take advantage of the same beauty the Panhandle offers. The revenue brought to our great state creates jobs in the fish and wildlife field through fishing license fees, gas, food and lodging.
Strong winds and questionable tides have kept many fish from hitting my frying pan. Just the other day I was staring down a redfish just like a bedding bass. As I positioned myself with the boatstick to make the perfect cast he just looked at me. From a distance I thought it was a log. I should have casted from 50’ away but I didn’t. I should know better that logs don’t have shadows under them, they lay on the bottom! Anyway, I made that perfect cast. Just beyond the sandy spot where the big red sat, worked the jig right next to the fish’s face and in one quick motion he ran the other way! Same thing happened with several over slot seatrout. If you’ve read some of my past reports you know my fondness for sight fishing. It’s a lot like hunting but with a fishing rod and reel. Forecast today is flat and sunny so I’ll probably be back in the same spot as you’re reading this! Sounds like a good time for another tip.
Tip of the week. Top water. So many fishermen love top water. The explosion is like nothing else in fishing! Tis the season to throw top water right now, especially when it’s calm or a light chop. Ever had one of those blow ups and you set the hook and your bait comes flying back at ya? Happens quite a bit. Learn to be patient. Feel for that tug before setting the hook. Other times you may get a fish that hits behind your bait or swirls under it. When this happens I follow up by throwing a jig tipped with soft plastic as close as possible to my bait. 90% of the time they’ll hit that. Next time you fish with top water give it a try. I even have a set up where I keep my jig rod right next to me when fishing top water.
For more information or any questions feel free to send me an email at flpanhandleoutdoors@yahoo.com. Cliff “JR” Mundinger Until next week, be safe have fun, practice “social fishdancing” and ALWAYS wear a life jacket while boating!
APALACHEE BAY
Otto Hough (myhometownfishing.com) says, “Wind, seems Ma Nature's affinity for windy afternoons has been the angler's worst aggravation as most afternoons these past few days. However, each morning afforded some good opportunities for catching up through the lunchtime hour. The dry cold front that passed through Wednesday brought some awesome morning temps for springlike fishing, but the winds following the frontal system remained elevated in Thursday. If the NWS Marine Forecast for this three day period holds true, south winds Friday will keep aggravation levels somewhat elevated. Saturday and Sunday a northeast breeze will serve to pull down the midmorning low downward beyond the level tides chart are reflecting. Be cognizant of that fact if planning on midmorning launch at the Lighthouse. The basin canal out to the Gulf will be muck hindering navigation. Also, that muck is not good for the water pumps. And speaking of launching, thank you Gov. Desantis. Econfina is wide open! Also happy to report for kayak anglers that Leonard's landing on US98 is open again. Launch away.
"With the post full moon tidal flows being significant over the coming weekend coupled with cooler morning temps, the skinny water bite ought to be cranking. Chunk a topwater plug early on at sunrise during the falling tide to snooker a good trout or red up close to the creek mouths, then begin to work on out with the tide. If drift fishing, make a point of having at least one live pinfish behind the drift as there have been an impressive number of legal cobia cruising inside and on the outer fringes of the flats.
"Working the slow suspending MirroDines in the pink back/chartreuse belly has been well liked by the trout in 3 to 6 feet of spotty bottom water.. Also, a good down in the water column lure is a goldish colored Rip-n-Slash 70. This lure has been producing as well. Softbait wise, my favorite "trout killer", the glow/chartreuse Saltwater Assassin five inch jerk shad on a 4/0 wide gap worm hook continues to please as does the flash of the Cordell's Redfin gold/orange bellied style. With regard to softbaits, a couple producing softbaits have been the Z-man Trout Trick and PaddlerZ in the fried chicken color scheme tipped on a 1/8th magnum chartreuse jig head. As always, if not comfortable working artificial baits when trout fishing, those lively shrimp under a Cajun Thunder or Equalizer will draw some takers, albeit some trash fish will grab the offering occasionally.
"Outside, if the seas and winds allow, count on some aggressive fish. The gags, from waters 16' out to 40' or more over live structure have not been shy about slamming a slow trolled plug. Slow trolling over rocky bottoms can also afford an opportunity for a cobia or two. Just this past Monday while slow trolling in 20' of water over rocks, Randy Trousdell and I got a double hookup of sorts; one 27 inch gag for Randy and one 37 inch cobia me. Both fish slammed Mirrolure 111MRs being pulled about 75 feet back running just off the bottom a few feet. Those plugs if pulled too far back behind can find "real" Florida quickly bringing about a fifteen dollar heartbreak as the plugs are capable of reaching depths of 25 feet or so at 100 feet back at speeds above 4.5 mph.
"This time of year, especially with baitfish showing over rocks it's not unusual to have a cobe slam one of the slow trolled plugs. Out and about around the southwest edges of the Ochlocknee Shoals there have been some pretty big Kings in the 30 to 40 pound class that have been ravaging and pillaging the numerous baitfish pods. Also assisting in these massacres have been Spanish in the 4 to 5 pound range. For those wanting excitement, run to the Shoals to slow trolling a blue runner on a stinger rig. That setup will definitely generate excitement provided by both species when jittery baitfish pods are spotted.
"Wherever the boat may go during the weekend "social distancing" endeavors on the Big Pond, please exercise ramp etiquette by doing all the launch prep work away from the ramp prior to backing onto the ramp. Nothing creates more tension at a ramp than some "ramp crazy" slowly loading gear in the boat while situated on the ramp! Now, here it is again. While on the water, how about sucking up the ego a bit to wear an auto-inflatable. These devices are comfortable, easy to wear while affording nautical safety. Don't be a boating statistic. Be safe. Boat wisely. Just FISH!"
ST GEORGE ISLAND
Captain Russ Knapp (850-653-5072) reports “Since I can't talk about fishing yet here is some hopefully useful info about fuel and oil. If you’re changing the oil in a 4 stoke engine that sits a lot be sure to use oil rated as FC-W which has rust protection. It also maintains a higher viscosity level ( doesn't thin out ) at high RPM. This oil is what the marine dealers sell. I personally use Mobil 1 which is a full synthetic but my boat gets a lot of hour put on it.
"When going to the gas station I strongly suggest always use marine grade, non ethanol fuel. Your owners manual may say E10 fuel is ok but ethanol doesn't like boats very much and has some nasty properties such as attracting and absorbing water. If you do use ethanol never let it sit over 90 days and be aware that fuel stabilizer while a great product will not rejuvenate old fuel and must be added when the fuel is fresh. Using a fuel filter with a clear bowl is definitely a good idea and be sure the filter has a 10 micron rating which will block water from getting into your engine."
KEATON BEACH
Captain Pat Mcgriff (onemorecast@gtcom.net) reports, “Last week my first two trips resulted in trout limits Friday and Saturday, then Tuesday I had Lewis and Linda Shelley and their friend Suzanne all from Tallahassee, and we brought in 11 trout and three reds 20”, 23” and 24” Linda took top honors on Trout with a 24” Sow. We caught all these fish on live pinfish under Back Bay Thunders from 3.5 – 4.5 feet of water. Wednesday, we had another limit of trout for the Douglas party from Homerville, Ga. We caught three of those trout on Assassin 5” Shads while the balance came in on live pinfish under Back Bay Thunders all from 4.5 – 5 ft. A Stiff Breeze was the ticket as we had two bites; both during the w-i-n-d-y parts of the trip. Taylor County unleashed the dogs and re-opened the county ramps on Thursday, May 7..... so look for a HUGE crowd to show up over the weekend barring thunder and lightning."
LAKE SEMINOLE
The big Bass continue to bite despite the dirty water from the recent rains the water temperature is in the low 70’s and Lake Seminole is at full pool. We had an exciting day with John and Mary Ramsey and Mary caught her PB (Personal Best) right at 7lbs! What a exciting catch, Mary caught her big Bass on a plastic worm in about 6 feet of water. That makes 21 PB’s for different customers this spring.
May is a great month to Bass fish on Lake Seminole the Bass are starting to feed up for the summer and have recuperated from the spawn. For a Lake Seminole Fishing Adventure this May for Bass or Shellcracker, email us at lakeseminolefishingadventures@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram and Facebook @lakeseminolefishingadventures.
LAKE JACKSON
Like a broken record, without rain Lake Jackson water levels will continue to drop. While small boats and other watercraft can still be launched around the lake, larger boats should use the ramp at Sunset landing. Bass are still biting well and some very nice bream have been caught lately dipping crickets along the edge of the lily pads.
Cooler nights have made the bass bite a little better during the day at the peak of the sun along grass lines. Favorite baits are a popping frog and paddle tail worm, both fished on top, weightless. Until next week, be safe have fun and ALWAYS wear a life jacket while boating.Facebook@flpanhandleoutdoors. Email: fishtallahassee@yahoo.com. Cliff “JR Mundinger 850-296-4071
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