Happy Fishing! Check out this week's Big Bend fishing report
Free fishing weekend for those who like to freshwater fish. June 4th and 5th, all fees and requirements are waived for those who would normally need a license to fish. All creel, bag and other rule/regulations still apply. Remember, there’s a bass cruising in Lake Talquin right now with a pink tag. The lucky angler who catches it could win over $10,000.00. Wouldn’t THAT be a story to tell.
Saltwater fishermen will have to wait their turn. Not much of a wait, with the freebie coming the following week.
Speaking of saltwater, grouper season officially opened in gulf federal waters June 1st. State waters have been open for a couple months. As waters warm, grouper move to deeper water. This plays right into our hands. Or frying pan.
Area ramps should have less traffic this weekend. I applaud all who obeyed rules, stayed safe and played nicely with others while putting the boat in or taking it out last weekend. Looked like most everyone had a great time.
With temperatures now reaching into the 90’s, sun protection becomes that much more important. Sun poison is no fun. Neither is dehydration. If you’ve ever experienced either you’re in agreement. There’s always one in every crowded boat or beach. Freshwater or saltwater, sun is awesome but carries a burden when too much is taken in.
Ever had a fish break you off? You know, the “one that got away”. It may have actually been poor knot tying. Net time it happens look to see if there’s a curly cue at the end of your line.
Over the years I’ve tied baits and hooks many different ways. One stands alone as my all time favorite, especially now with the eyes not so good and that’s the Palomar. A loop through the eye, overhand knot, wet and pull tight. I use if for almost anything I fish for. Sure there’s many others to choose from, but day in and night out it’s the easiest and the strongest for most applications.
Inshore fishermen can contribute their experience and opinions on red drum June 15th at the Wakulla community center. Visit MyFWC.com for detailed information. Currently proposed is changing the limit per angler from 1 to 2 respectively.
Makes no difference if you’re at the beach or on the water. Be safe, have fun and stay hydrated this summer. Enjoy!
APALACHEE BAY
Otto Hough (myhometownfishing.com) says, ” Well, as expected, the long Memorial Day weekend definitely put the boats on the water, but I do believe the majority weren't angling, but partying. For those folks angling, new moon tides and seas were good. Biggest aggravation was a seemingly early arrival of floating seas grass, especially around the mouth of the Aucilla on westward, almost back to Grey Mare rock. One can couple that issue with skinny water temps in the low 80s to signal the arrival of summertime fishing conditions that are here to put a challenge into the skinny water fishing when targeting the trout and/or reds.
"Over these next three days, post new moon tides along the coast will be dropping out into late morning. With northerly wind predicted for Saturday, with little chance of pesky thunderboomers, it ought to make for some enjoyable fishing early morning to beat the heat, catch 'em and get back to the hill to enjoy the A/C.
"Given the bathtub water temps, it's time to still work the topwater plugs rigged with inline circle hooks early on after safelight if near grass-free waters can be located. Once that sun pops on up in the morning sky, change it up to get the offerings down in the water column by midmorning or so. The soft five inch glow Z-man and Saltwater Assassin jerk shads Texas rigged on a 4/0 or 5/0 wide gap worm hook have been generating lots of attention around the submerged bars where active mullet are hanging.
"One of my favorite softbaits over these bars is the even bigger seven inch Z-man jerk shad worked almost like a topwater plug as these Elastec softbaits float, making them an easy to work offering over the bars. The big trout love to slam what appears to them to be a weak mullet near the surface. Now, down in the water column, another offering I like to toss is the Mirrolure 18MR Heavy Dine, rigged out with inline 1/0 circle hooks that help to minimize grass aggravations while providing for a less stressful catch and release of a hooked trout or red.
"For those anglers opting to target the gags, Federal waters opened June 1st. So, for the month of June in both State waters of the Four County Big Bend Zone as well as any Federal waters outside the 9 Mile Limit of State waters, all are now free range for gags 24 inches or better. Remember, the Four County Big Bend Zone will only be open through the month of June as gag grouper season in our Four County Big Bend Zone waters will close in State waters.
"This weekend, consider taking a friend or two who may not have ever saltwater fished on the Big Pond on a fishing excursion as June 4th and 5th are FWC Saltwater license free days. Next weekend will be a FWC Freshwater license free two day fishing opportunity as well. Plus, whenever boating, wear an auto-inflatable PFD and have one for the guest angler on board. Enjoy what should be a less crowded time on water and at the ramps without the party crowds of the past weekend. Boat safely. Just FISH!"
ST GEORGE ISLAND
Captain Russ Knapp (850-653-5072) reports, “Here we are on June 1st and all eyes are already watching a possible tropical system forming up just off of Belize and forecast to head toward lower Florida .
"As of Wednesday afternoon, it looks like our weather is going to ok for the weekend with forecast seas at 2 to 4 ft on Saturday and 2 to 3 ft on Sunday with almost no chance of rain. BUT, remember things change fast in our part of the weather world so be sure to check the forecast before you head out as it's not worth risking a life or a boat for a fish.
In the bay, Capt. Dan Fortunas (850-980=0101) reports the fish are hungry and waiting for you to bring them a free dinner. Given that we had 4 inches of rain recently Capt. Dan suggests stay away from the river mouths and fish in the clear water wherever you can find it. If you want a Speckled Trout dinner head for the grass flats behind the islands and fish in 2 ½ to 4 feet of water with an Electric Chicken grub on a 1/8 oz jig head 24" under a Cajun Thunder popping cork. The keys to success are pop the float hard and in a varied pattern while leaving no slack in your line and remember it's not Bass fishing so don't set the hook super hard. Trout are called Weakfish up north due to their soft mouths and if you set the hook to hard you will pull the hook right out. The Cut is holding Redfish , small Sharks and a surprising number of Flounder, fish live bait or fresh shrimp for Reds and Flounder and a nice chunk of dead bait for the Sharks. Tripletail are still in the area so be sure to have a quick look at floating objects as you pass by them and you may have Tripletail opportunity present itself.
"Offshore, Gag grouper season is now open in Federal waters where the "big fish" are and Capt. Clint Taylor (850-370-6631) says big live baits fished on live bottom will put Gags in your box. Capt. Clint reminds you to tip your SabIki rigs with a small bit of Squid tentacle and you will catch great Grouper bait. Mangrove Snapper are biting well on the wrecks and reefs so don't forget to bring a chum block to lure them up from the for a short time longer out of season Red Snapper. The Pelagic are starting to arrive in our area in good numbers so as always put out a flat line with a nice live bait if you have it or a dead bait if you don't .as you never know what is cruising around. Don't forget that your Reef Angler permit must be renewed every year and you can do it online in a short time for free at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com or visit MYFWC.com.
"Tip of the week -- If you going to launch at a busy and new to you boat ramp do yourself and everybody else a favor by parking your rig out of the way and observing a few others launching before you back in. All ramps are different and you can learn a lot in a few minutes about current flow, wave action, slipperiness and on a low tide where the concrete ends which can prevent a huge surprise and a lot of laughter at your expense."
ECONFINA
Captain Randy Peart (captpeart@yahoo.com) says, ”Lots of fish at St Marks right now, Trout, Mackerel and Sea bass are all over the flats. Try 5 to 8 ft of water with a Gulp Shrimp on a 1/4 Oz jighead. Or your favorite plastic bait will also work. Seeing good numbers of Flounder also, the secret to catching them is to get your bait right on the bottom. Most people fish to fast , slow down and keep your bait right along the bottom. Also, when you catch one there may be others in the same area. Remember the 14 in size limit!"
MEXICO BEACH
Capt. Kevin Lanier of KC Sportfishing Mexico Beach (850-933-8804) reports”, Our first tropical wave is moving through the western Florida panhandle the next few days, so it is time to do things around the house and work on the boat. Fish has been excellent both inshore and offshore.
Offshore, the Trigger fish and Amberjack are attacking baits. Anything you put down will get bit. Live bait is best for the AJ’s. Keep the bait near the surface and let the fish come up for it because you will need the distance to stop the fish before it gets back to the structure. Red Grouper have been on the bite and Red Snapper continue to be a menace since we still cannot retain them. Federal Charter Snapper season begins June 1st with recreational season beginning June 18."
LAKE SEMINOLE
Capt. Paul Tyre reports, “The Crappie on Lake Seminole have been moving out of their spawning areas and into their deeper post spawn areas. They have been biting on minnows and jigs. I had a fantastic trip with Mike and Jane Radney from Gulf Breeze Florida! We caught over 30 BIG Crappie using jigs with forward facing sonar witch is a absolute blast!
"The Bream and Shellcracker continue to bed I had a EXCITING morning with the West family from Thomasville, Georgia. We caught over a 150 Shellcracker! It was awesome watching Ryan and Riley 10 year old twins have a blast catching all those Shellcracker!
"The bass fishing continues to be very good as the bass are beginning to school and feed up for the upcoming summer! Spinnerbaits and Topwater lures have been very productive!
"For a Lake Seminole Fishing Adventure for Shellcracker and/or Bass this April give me a call to check availability at 850-264-7534 , follow us on Instagram @ Capt.paultyrefishing or email me @ paultyrefishing@yahoo.com."
FRESHWATER
Otto B. Fishing says,” I'm pleased to report that the early morning post new moon bass and bream bite for those anglers launching to fish on Lake Iamonia earlier this week at safelight has been good, if not bordering on awesome. For those old timers who targeted either species, the fish were extremely cooperative up into midmorning or so. I had the chance to chat with a couple avid bream anglers I know when I arrived got back to the St. Rd.12 landing about same time they did. Each gentleman had a most impressive livewell of one pound plus Iamonia bream. Saw one that most definitely was pushing two pounds. Can we say, fish fry! Going early is key to finding success on Iamonia with the summertime conditions that'll be present over the next three months or so. Just FISH, early!"
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Happy Fishing! Check out this week's Big Bend fishing report
