Happy Fishing! See where the fish are biting in Big Bend waters the 3rd weekend of April
Mark your calendars for April 29th. Rock The dock is back! Such a great tournament out of Rock Landing in Panacea. Well run by some very good people. The tournament boasts captains meeting on Friday with food, vendors with all kinds of trinkets, side pots and yes adult beverages. Saturday will feature live music on stage at Wooley Park. For more information go to visitpanacea.org.
APALACHEE BAY
Otto Hough (Facebook @myhometownfishing) says,” Ma Nature has been making fishing the waters of the Big Bend challenging for the entire month of April. Seemingly, after one good day of light winds, then she has the propensity to dial up wind velocities a notch or two, making for some tough angling conditions at times. On those calmer days this past week, the trout and reds were cooperating for many anglers fishing in enjoyable conditions.
Ma Nature's winds are still going to be the major variable over these three days. The current NWS Marine Forecast is predicting mostly southerly winds in the 10 to 15 kt. range Friday and Saturday, with a stiff north wind Sunday. For those anglers drift fishing either the east or west flats Friday and Saturday, expect to quick drift lines, especially with the pushing breeze during the afternoon rising tide that will be coming back quickly. Expect lots of water to be pushed well up into all the coastline creeks during the rise into the midafternoon flood tides over these first two days. North winds Sunday will be limiting the incoming tide considerably, changing up the target zones a bit for the trout and reds.
With the weekend offering up fine post-new moon tidal flows, coupled with nice water clarity and skinny water temps, there should be some good opportunities to target either the trout and/or reds. Friday and Saturday, expect a strong incoming tide up into midafternoon or so. Sunday, that north wind will have lots of water pushed away from the hill early on going into the midmorning low tide. That will certainly make it challenging to work back up into the creeks. It's a good bet to stay outside the creek mouths to hit the areas around the mouths of the creeks early. Fish the creek mouth cuts, flats, and bars while the baitfish slides out with the quickly moving falling water.
Given there's another low-pressure system that's expected to be passing over the Big Bend Friday night, there's a slight going to a slight chance of showers in the mix Saturday. Hopefully, rain gear won't be needed, but it's always wise to have some handy for all on board as well as auto-inflatable PFDs. Plus, when on the water, a highly important point, respect the conditions when on the Gulf. If the radar app is showing nearby lightning, take it to the hill. Sadly, during that system that passed over Florida this past weekend, a boater was killed with another injured by a lightning strike. Be a wise boater, stay safe, and respect Ma Nature at all times. The fish aren't leaving. Practice safe boating while having some weekend fun on the waters of the Big Bend. Just FISH!
INLAND
Sure would be nice to see some substantial rainfall over the Ochlocknee River basin to push new water into Lake Iamonia. In spite of the lack of truly appreciable amounts of rainfall over the lake, the rains over the past week have served to maintain quality water with an overall lake depth of 97 feet above sea level.
During the recent pre-new moon period, savvy Iamonia bream anglers were beginning to locate bohunker, Iamonia bedding bream through the current moon phase. Also, post-spawn buck bass are continuing to feed aggressively. As for me and my fishing partner Randy Trousdell, we've been working the Magnum Zoom Speedvibes over the sparse fringes of the pads surrounding the main body of the lake with great success. Bass are loving the offerings. The tough challenge on Iamonia has been the wind. Count on it, if the lily pads are folding over, take it to the hill. Chase 'em on the calmest day possible.
ST GEORGE ISLAND
Captain Russ Knapp (850-653-5072) reports, “Well anglers, the weather this weekend looks to be in the "fair to middlin" category with SW winds at 5 to 10 knots Saturday and seas running around 2 feet but with a 40% chance of rain from the weekly cold front. On Sunday, the winds will shift to the North in the wake of the aforementioned cold front and blow 10 to 15 knots which will bring seas up to 2 to 3 feet.
As we always tell you be sure to recheck the weather because the only thing certain about weather is things can change fast.
Tide-wise at the Cut this weekend you can expect a 7 a.m. 1.4 ft high tide, followed by a 10:30 AM 1.2 ft low tide with another high of 1.7 ft at 3:30 p.m. and closing out with a -0.2 around 11:30 PM. In a nutshell, the tide flow isn't going to be running at high speed which most of the time makes the Cut a whole lot better to fish.
In the bay, Capt. Lee Chapin (850 370 6400) reports things are getting better every day as we get further into spring weather.
Capt. Lee's parties are catching Black Drum, Sheepshead, Pompano and a bit of everything else around the Cut with everybody happy to eat fresh Shrimp.
Speckled Trout have moved onto the flats in good numbers so be sure to bring some rods set up with Cajun Thunder popping corks and a 1/8 oz. on 18" fluorocarbon leader tipped with your favorite Gulp bait.
Captain Dan Fortunas (850 980 0101) has been fishing just off the beach and has been rewarded with some Bull Reds, Speckled Trout and Pompano finding his fresh shrimp fished on the bottom.
Offshore, Capt. Clint Taylor (850 370 6631) says you definitely need to take the time to review the latest fishing regulations as things are changing fast with little fanfare.
FWC website as of January has for example, AJ's closed until August, Gag Grouper closed until September and Gray Trigger-fish shut down during June and July.
Commercial for hire Red Snapper fishing is set to open June 1st in Federal waters (past 9 miles) for Captains with a Federal Reef Permit, but as of today no word for non-Federal waters commercial Captains and recreational anglers about their season.
Tip of the week -- let your Captain know what type of fishing you are looking for when you book your charter so that everybody is on the same page. Some people like to fish the flats, some like to fish the Cut, some like to fish around the bridge -- communication is key!
MEXICO BEACH
Captain Kevin Lanier of (KC Sportfishing Charters 850-933-8804) Fishing has picked up inshore and offshore this week. The weather has been very iffy but there have been windows. As we approach May do not forget the freshwater fishery in our area.
With those fish getting ready to bed things will get fun.
Inshore seems to be the best and most consistent producer. The Black Drum are biting along the beaches and canals. Shrimp is your best bet for these fished on or very near the bottom, they are not my favorite to eat but they are a lot of fun to catch. Pompano are very active in the surf and fishing for them can be quite the social event as well. Use a Pompano rig with Fish Bites. Do not forget Flounder.
Offshore there are plenty of Beeliners along with Porgies and catch and release Red Snapper. I avoid using live bait this time of year to avoid the bigger Red Snapper. The water is warming up and a few Kings have started to show. Work the structures, both Man-made and Natural bottom.
Lake fishing should be heating up. Take the family out and have a blast. You cannot beat live worms. Either with a bobber or fished on the bottom. Keep the Bream eating and let the Bass go to keep growing. We use our Rainshadow rods for lake fishing as well. These trends should continue into May.
BIG BEND KAYAK REPORT
Salt strong coach Matt Lanier (Matt@saltstrong.com) tells us, “This past week has been a bit tough on us anglers as the winds have yet to let up long enough to wet a line, but this weekend could give us just the shot we are looking for!
The fish have been hungry as they have been burning up calories in the warmer water, so you can use some more aggressive tactics, like your favorite topwater or swimming paddle tails as the sun comes up.And with the warmer temps, one of the best rules of thumb is to “Follow the Flow.” Always try to follow the water flow. If the tide is coming in, come in with it. If the tide is going out, go further out with it. Following the current, finding good water flow, and finding the bait will be the most important factors moving forward in the warmer months.
The trout, loving their natural haunts, will be will likely be in the deeper holes on the flats, on the ledges of the flats, or even the opening of the river or creek channels. 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.
Most mornings, redfish are cruising the shallows for an easy meal, but also return to the shorelines with the incoming tide. As the sun gets higher in the sky they will generally move and sit in the potholes on the flats, just as they do when the tide falls out.
If the winds allow, you can start the mornings with a topwater plug of choice to entice those massive blowups just after sunrise. With these warmer waters we can start with a faster speed for your retrieval, but be sure to start slow and work your way up to something faster to see what the fish want.
Productive lures have been ranging from paddle tails and jerk baits to shrimp imitations, as well as top waters & hard baits, but the biggest factor moving forward will be finding the bait. If you can find the bait, and find the current, you will find the fish.
One important thing is to keep moving if you aren’t finding feeding fish. With the warmer temperatures, the fish will be on the move and we need to be doing the same to find their preferred feeding zones. Try not to spend too much time in one area if you aren’t getting the bites you are looking for.The Florida Redfish Series Stop 5 is coming up in St. Augustine in just 2 weeks so be sure to get registered early for this event! There will be a Low Country Boil at the Captain's Meeting so be sure to RSVP to the event if you plan to be there!
We are hoping for another record-breaking event, and we have no doubt the fishing will be epic! For more information on this event or others, be sure to go to flredfishseries.com for more information.
The Hobie BOS will be on Lake Seminole the last weekend in April for a 2-day event, and it will be an epic time without a doubt! So, all you freshwater kayak anglers be sure to show up and show out!
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!
If you plan on getting out this weekend, be sure to wear sunscreen! Even though we may be feeling some comfortable temperatures, the sun can take its toll very quickly! Stay covered up and always make sure you check (and double-check) your gear and the weather. But most importantly… STAY SAFE & HAVE FUN!
LAKE SEMINOLE
The Bass fishing has been very good in the first quarter of 2023!
The water temperature is in the low to mid 60’s to low 70’s. The Flint River arm of the lake is muddy due to recent heavy rains above us.
The Chattahoochee River arm is stained while Spring Creek and Fish Pond Drain remain clear.
Despite the muddy water, the Bass fishing has been excellent this week! The Shad have been and will continue to spawn along the grass lines on the main lake. A variety of lures are productive, like lipless crankbaits, Spinnerbaits and even plastic worms, fished along the grass lines.
The Shellcracker and Bream are bedding and can be found around the sandbars in three to five feet of water.
For an exciting Lake Seminole Fishing Adventure for Bass and or Crappie, email us @lakeseminolefishingadventures@gmail.com or follow us on Instagram @capt.paultyrefishing and Facebook @capt.paultyrefishing
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Here is this weekend's Big Bend fishing report.
