Happy Fishing! See where the fish are biting in Big Bend waters

APALACHEE BAY

Otto Hough (Facebook @myhometownfishing) says, ”Three-peat or more ahead. Seemingly, Ma Nature doesn't want to cut weekend anglers much slack, if any at all. Friday looks to again be wet and windy, with elevated backside northwest winds sticking around that will likely have adverse impacts to fishing conditions Saturday. Hopefully, winds diminish enough to allow an opportunity to fish in somewhat decent conditions Sunday. Fingers are crossed. One of the big changes after the heavy rains of last weekend is the amount of dark freshwater flowing out the river swamps on down the rivers into the Big Pond. Lots of dark water coming through the East River Refuge spillway. Further east, the Aucilla outflow is staining a goodly portion of the nearshore waters to the east and west of the river mouth. West of the Lighthouse, between Shell Point and Levy Bay, water clarity is still decent. However, water clarity has definitely diminished along the coastline, primarily east of the Lighthouse beyond Stoney Bayou.

During the weekday afternoons this past week, the abundance of sunshine served to pop the skinny water temps over nearshore submerged rock piles and oyster bars up a few degrees, just enough to wake the trout up. In the mouth of the East River, the trout began to move out of the main river and creek holes to enjoy the midafternoon warmth while feasting around the submerged bars. Working MirroDine 17MRs with a tinge of chartreuse in the color scheme was quite productive as was slow twitching either a Z-man or Saltwater Assassin glow/chartreuse five inch shad just off the fringes of the bars.

Sadly, the strong northwest winds associated with the passing weather system over Thursday night will really stink the early morning pre-new moon negative low tides way the heck out, likely keeping the water out for the better part of the day Friday and Saturday if the current NWS Marine Forecast for wind velocities holds true. In the rivers, hiding from the wind, if at all possible to wet a line, it'll be the deep holes offering up the better chances to find fish in the early morning hours. Bluebird skies both Saturday and Sunday may help to warm the skinny waters by the early afternoon high. With that stiff northwest breeze in the mix, just know those high tides are going to be held down lower than the tide charts relect, but that thin warm will warm quickly, so there's a chance to locate fish.

In these expected windy conditions, make sure to file a float plan with someone on the hill while also checking the wind readings carefully prior to shoving off. One thing is for certain, don't try launching at the Lighthouse prior to lunchtime this weekend, maybe not at all till midafternoon as the boat basin will be nothing more than a mud hole at best with the strong negative low tides pushed out further by the northwest winds.  Also, be aware that the water at the mouth of the Aucilla will be scarce, probably through midmorning. Ease out slowly. Remember, rocks are not a friend of lower units and the Aucilla has many. Make wise decisions over this coming windy weekend. Wear an auto-inflatable PFD. Boat safely. Just FISH!

INLAND 

The heavy rains last weekend helped to slow the dropping water level in Lake Iamonia. If a little more rain falls Thursday night into Friday over the Ochlocknee River basin in South Georgia, the river just might rise to flood stage to provide an influx of new water flowing into Iamonia through the old cotton canal.

One thing is for certain though, regardless of water level the Iamonia bass are in spawning mode. Bedding season has begun. Put the females back. Only take the buck bass for the grease.

Also, going into on this new moon weekend, the specs, aka speckled perch are feeding heavily during the major solunar feed periods. Live minnows are producing well as are slow retrieved or trolled Roostertails, Road Runners and Beetle spins. White and chartreuse colors are producing nicely.

ST GEORGE ISLAND

Captain Russ Knapp (850-653-5072) reports, “The weekly cold front looks to be coming on Friday, bringing winds of 20 to 25 Knots gusting 30 from the NE. Saturday morning winds diminish 15 to 20 Knots in the afternoon with seas running 3 to 5 feet. 

On Sunday you can look for conditions to improve with the winds still from the NE but down to 5 to 10 Knots and seas only 1 to 2 feet and no chance of rain. Look for a -.7 low tide around 8 AM followed by a 4 PM 1.1-foot-high tide both Saturday and Sunday which will give you a good incoming tide most all day long.  As we say every week -- sea conditions forecasts are predictions, not facts and can vary with changing conditions in a hurry so ALWAYS recheck the weather before you head out.

In the bay, Capt. Lee Chapin (850 370 6400) reports last weekend's nasty weather has really shut bay fishing down so far this week, but things look to improve with the first hints of Springs coming soon.  Capt. Lee did find a few Redfish and Sheepshead but they were scattered about. The bigger issue is all the fresh water coming down the river has carried with it a good number of floating trees and other non-friendly to your boat items.  If you do go fishing this weekend, go on Sunday and double your lookouts to avoid becoming good friends with the fiberglass repair shop.

Offshore, it's more not so good news with the forecast for Saturday in the unsafe mode. Sunday while better, may find the fish in lockjaw mode until things have a chance to settle down. Capt. Clint Taylor (850 370 6631) suggests this may be the perfect time to reline your reels. Capt. Clint also reminds you to never to use line stronger than what is recommended on the side of your reels and suggests using Andre clear mono for the first 100 feet and then back it with braid. Using mono for backing has many advantages not the least being you can get a lot more line on your reel which can make a huge difference if you hook into a sea monster. As a side note, Capt. Clint normally uses 60lb test mono on his bottom fishing rigs and finds that it is all you need even with a large fish on.

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ECONFINA

With the bad weather and low tides I've been fishing the coastal rivers for bass, bream and stripers. Try Rapala jointed minnows and crankbaits in gold or silver colors. Look for spots that have deep water right next to the bank and fish right along the drop-off, generally the rivers are better than the creeks this time of year. You might also try a jighead/ paddle tail combo in the same spots. Capt. Randy Peart (Captpeart@yahoo.com)

MEXICO BEACH

Captain Kevin Lanier of KC Sportfishing charters (850 933 8804) reports,” February came in with wind and rain but has not dampened the fishing. Both inshore and offshore fishing has been good. The opportunities to run off shore have been few and far between but when you can get out it has been good.

Inshore fishing continues to be steady and no boat is required to have success. Lur on Sydni Booth of Port St. Joe proves this with a 21-inch Sheepshead caught off one of the local seawalls using a live shrimp. Trout and Red Fish are around as well. This bite should continue for another month or so. Watch for the schools of Sheepshead to show up on the near shore structures sometime in the next few weeks.

On a note of concern, make sure you check out the new Gag Grouper regulations that looks like it goes into effect this year. Not good for us in the Gulf. Make sure you contact your local legislative representative to voice your displeasure.

BIG BEND KAYAK REPORT

Salt strong coach Matt Lanier (Matt@saltstrong.com) tells us, “I do believe we have been getting the first hints of some warmer weather!  However, as it looks, this weekend’s temperatures look like they aren’t going to be headed in the right direction. It looks like more winds and a bit of a chance at some rain, but if the weather holds out, there could be some chances at getting onto some fish!

With the change in water temps we will have after this rain, the fish will should feed pretty well if you find the right spot. Typically, finding wind protection will be important, as the calmer areas will tend to have warmer water.  But finding salinity will also be important as the rain, and its fresh water, effects the fishes movements, behaviors, and feeding habits as well.

The trout that are schooled up, are still found in their usual haunts around structure and ledges and depth changes.  You can find solid numbers in the deeper holes in creeks, and on the ledges of the flats.  Be sure to use jig heads heavy enough to get you down in the deeper part of the water column, where those fish are at.

It can often be helpful to downsize the size of your bait, going to a smaller presentation, to entice the bite from those more lethargic fish.  The fish have a slower metabolism in the winter and will not use calories to chase a bait down like they will in the warmer months. Therefore, fishing smaller baits, on the bottom, is a great cool weather tactic.

On warmer afternoons, redfish can be found roaming the flats in some of those early spring habits, cruising around creek mouths and oyster beds during the rising tide; and in the soft current seams of depth changes on the falling tide.

Productive lures range have been ranging from paddletails to shrimp imitations and hard baits (like the Salt Strong FRED Paddletail, Power Prawn, or the MR17), but the biggest factor is warmth. It the sun is shining, your lure choice can be a bit more aggressive and you can fish faster, but if it is a dark and cloudy day, try to go something smaller, and more subtle to illicit those strikes from fish that are slower to react.  The Florida Redfish Series Stop 2 is just a week away on Saturday February 25 in Panama City at The Panama City Marina on Harrison Ave. At Stop 1 there was a record turnout of 37 kayaks and about 63 boats! Let’s see if we can beat that number on the Emerald Coast!  Be sure to go to flredfishseries.com for more information on this event and others upcoming.

If you find yourself on the water and fishing in a spot where you haven’t gotten a bite for the last 15 minutes… it’s time to move. Keep looking for the 90/10 zone where those fish are holding. Don’t waste time in unproductive areas. The fish are moving and so should you!

To get the kids on some fish quickly, a live shrimp or GULP! under a popping cork around creeks, creek mouths, and even grass lines is a solid producer of fish. And the best part is you never know what you’ll catch because everything eats shrimp…EVEN ME!

For an easy way to find the 90/10 zone, go to www.saltstrong.com/recipe for some tips on finding the fish in your area!

If you plan on getting out this weekend, be sure to dress appropriately. Stay warm and always make sure you check (and double check) your gear and the weather. But most importantly… STAY SAFE & HAVE FUN!

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Happy Fishing! Here is this weekend's Big Bend fishing report