Happy Fishing! Here is this weekend's Big Bend fishing report

April showers bring May flowers, so they say. What is it that April wind brings but frustration for most anglers.

Wind is actually a necessary evil. The dictionary says, “Wind is moving air. It increases the rate of water loss from the organisms, therefore affecting their distribution. Wind is also important in formation of rain.”

My personal experience with wind benefitting nature came from Lake Jackson several years back.

While fishing the Crowder area, I noticed dozens if not hundreds of floating rocks. They were actually giant snails.

With a Westerly wind whipping across the pond, snails were able to move quickly from one side to the other and re-colonize, like growth in real estate or when settlers moved West hundreds of years ago.

Maybe you’ve seen Mrs. Snails eggs. Pink, flower looking things growing on thick grass stems or other hard structure that sticks out of the water.

From the desk of FWC. Florida’s recreational and commercial stone crab season in state and federal waters will end on May 2, with the last day of harvest being May 1.

Commercially harvested stone crab claws may be possessed and sold during the closed season but only if they have been placed in inventory prior to May 2 by a licensed wholesale or retail dealer.

Stone crab traps must be removed from the water within five days after the close of the stone crab season. Stone crab claws may not be harvested from traps pulled after the season closes.

Also, Greater amberjack reopens to recreational harvest in Gulf waters May 1-31. Never caught one? They pull, hit like trains and school, which means if you catch one, good chance there’s more with it. Definitely not an old mans sport or for the faint of heart.

Speaking of Amberjack, did you know they have a predator lurking below that is more aggressive than a shark? It’s called a Goliath Grouper. They’re big, hungry and very aggressive when it comes to sport fish we chase.

Be sure to tune in to next weeks report. We’ll bring you the full story on a recent Goliath Grouper catch during Rock the Dock tournament. A fish bigger than most men!

APALACHEE BAY

Otto Hough (myhometownfishing.com) says, ”Kudos are in order for all the volunteers that helped host an awesome 12th Annual Rock the Dock tournament in Panacea over the past weekend. In spite of some downright atrocious wind conditions during most of the tournament time, lots of big reds and trout were weighed in each day, not to mention a whole lot fun time was had by just about everyone in attendance. A complete listing of all Leaderboard categories is available on the Rock the Dock 2022 web page. Check it out to see some of the impressive weights for the trout and reds from the weekend.

"Now, it'd be great to see some good marine conditions appear over the Big Bend entering the month of May, but it appears Ma Nature will likely provide another dose of southeast winds Friday, diminishing slightly Saturday while clocking down to full southerly winds by Sunday. It seems that the weekend anglers aren't catching many breaks at all, as both Tuesday and Wednesday this week were great for those who were able to get on the water. The pre-new moon bite has been solid for anglers targeting the reds and trout in nearshore waters, as well as the gags offshore.

"If conditions allow, the morning low tides along the entire coastline will be occurring in the eight o'clock hour. Given the potentially breezy conditions, there's likely only a limited window of opportunity early and late to work the topwater plugs. Midmorning on through the rise into early afternoon, if targeting the reds, air out an AquaDream spoon along the edges of submerged bars that are showing active mullet schools. The slow suspending Rip-n-Slash 70, MirroDine 17MR and Unfair Lures Arrowhead lures are also all good offerings along the bar fringes. Also, it's a good idea this pre-new moon stretch with a five inch Z-man or Saltwater Assassin jerk shad that has a tinge of chartreuse in the color scheme rigged on a 4/0 wide gap worm hook. If a little more depth is desired, utilize a 1/16th ounce weighted wide gap hook.

"Offshore, hard to say if the smaller boat anglers will have seas conducive to chasing the gags. Most likely not, as seas will be at near cautionary levels offshore for most of the weekend, small boat anglers will again get the short end of the stick. If lucky enough to be chasing from a solid twenty-six footer or more as the offshore fishing platform, expect to find the gags voraciously feeding on live bait offerings over live bottom.

"Regardless of where the fishing excursion may wander across Apalachee Bay, pay particularly close attention to the winds as the Big Pond can get downright treacherous if gusty wind squalls pop up. Given the chances for on and off thunderboomers is in the mix, mainly Saturday afternoon, be aware of any sudden wind changes. Needless to say, I'm preaching it again, wear an auto-inflatable PFD and if at the helm, have that "kill" switch attached. It's the law! Boat safely. Just FISH!"

ST GEORGE ISLAND

Captain Russ Knapp (850-653-5072) reports, “At this time the Marine Forecast for the weekend doesn't look too bad with winds 10 to 15 knots from the SE both days and seas running 2 to 3 feet but remember, this is a forecast and very likely will change by Friday night. Tide wise, at the Cut you will find a 1.4 ft low around 9:30 AM followed by a 2.0 ft high tide at 2:45 PM after which the bottom falls out to a minus 0.3 low at 10 PM. As always, recheck the weather before you cast off and avoid an unpleasant surprise that can have an unhappy ending.

"In the bay, Capt. Dan Fortunas (850-980-0101) is finding nice fat Speckled Trout both on the flats and around the Cut, with the Cut also holding Redfish, big Jack Cheville , Ladyfish, and a few of most everything that swims in our waters. On the flats Capt. Dan is fishing a Gulp shrimp on an 18" fluorocarbon leader hung under a Cajun Thunder type float and popping it hard every 20 seconds or so . Around the Cut, fresh shrimp on a 2.0 circle hook fished on the bottom is your best plan but don't be afraid to try cut bait if you have any as Redfish do love a nice bit of Mullet. While the Apalachicola River is finally below low flood stage there is still a lot of fresh/dirty water in the area so you do need to find the clean water for the best fishing. On the subject of clean water, if you're going to be fishing off the beach for Pompano, clean water is a must so head away from the river mouth and toward the state park for best results. Anglers I have spoken to fishing West of the light house on SGI are reported some Speckled Trout cruising by but the Pompano bite has been slow, so again head East.

"Offshore, Capt. Clint Taylor (850-370-6631) is putting big Red Grouper in the box fishing large live baits on live bottom in Federal Waters (past nine miles) at a depth of 100 to 140 feet. The wrecks and reefs are covered up with endangered Red Snapper but their time is coming soon so hang on. For you anglers fishing 9 miles or closer Gag Grouper season is wide open and Amberjack season opens on the 1st of May both in state and federal waters. Surprisingly, Capt. Clint has found that the Gulp Loop Current is sending a trough of clear blue water from the deep to as close as 25 miles to the SW of SGI. This water is clean and warm and should be well populated with Pelagic fish for you to catch and remember no matter where you are fishing put out a flat line at all times.

"Tip of the week -- When I put a fresh coat of wax on my boat, I use Star Brite Premium Marine Polish with PTEF and have found it to do an excellent job. Not only does it protect the fiberglass but if you put it on your plexiglass windshield it will repel the spray from it just like Rainex does on your car's windshield. I just stop by Wefings in Eastpoint when I need a new bottle and support a local business not a huge corporation."

KEATON BEACH

Captain Pat McGriff of One More Cast (onemorecast@gtcom.net) says, “If the weather could have been any stranger I just haven’t seen it. Hi pressure stuck for 8 straight, east w-i-n-d every day 15 knots plus for 7 days. Some weird weather and the trout didn’t appreciate it much either.

"We managed limits just about every other day then would struggle to catch 8 trout the next day. No real pattern except one fish here one fish there....don’t think I caught 3 fish on a single drift all last week! I am not complaining mind you, just tired of it. caught my largest fish in 6 feet of water 24.25 inches. reds were scarce when I di go look for them. We caught one red three out of 6 days of charter.

"Depth was a crap shoot. some days we would find some fish in shallow say 3 ft. the next move we would be in 6 feet and find a couple more. We caught half our trout on shrimp and half on live pinfish.

"The water color changed dramatically as the east w-i-n-d moved most of the heavily stained coffee colored water I was fishing in early last week and diluted it down to weak tea. The bite weakened as well. We caught one trout on a plug and despite trying them early in the mornings the trout just didn’t want to slap at them?

"My pal Doug Garwood was down with his wife Janine and he only had one great day where he limited out with ten trout, 4 - 5 fish was his average on plugs for the week. Hard jerkbaits are his forte’ Looking for things to improve ..or at least change? this weekend."

ECONFINA

Captain Randy Peart (Captpeart@yahoo.com) reports,” Fishing’s slow at Econfina. Trout scattered from 3’ to 8‘ of water with a few Mackerel and Sea Bass mixed in. Good numbers of Reds around, although most are running small. Try a 1/8 or 1/4 Oz jighead with a Gulp paddlehead type tail, and reel it at a steady pace. Some over slot Reds out on the flats if you can find them. Also catching some nice Bass and Panfish in the lower Ochlocknee river on Beetle spins and small spinner type baits. The wind is going to stop blowing some time, so get and try it."

MEXICO BEACH

Capt. Kevin Lanier (850 933 8804) reports," We are coming off a very productive week on the water. A ton of catch and release Red Snapper along with some nice Triggerfish and Vermillion Snapper to take home and eat.

"The springtime weather is here with our highs reaching solidly into the 80s but that dang wind. Some days I wonder if it will ever stop blowing. The water temperature is hovering right at 70 degrees and the Spanish Mackerel are thick along the beaches and jetties. Cast or troll silver or gold-colored spoons to get these fish. Do not be surprised if they hit your Pompano rigs as well.

"Pompano fishing is in full swing, and the fish are hungry. Pompano rigs with Shrimp, Fish Bites, or Sand Fleas are a good bet to land you one of these tasty critters Red Fish catches have slowed but they are still around as is Sheepshead. Work structure or around the docks to find the Sheepshead. Red Fish are out on the flats.

"May 1 marks the opening of Amberjack retention so be ready. The state of Florida has announced the dates for Red Snapper season in the Gulf. It begins June 17 and runs until July 31. They also announced that there will be a Fall season as well.

LAKE SEMINOLE

Capt. Paul Tyre reports, “The Bass fishing on Lake Seminole has been very good the first week of April! The Bass are in all three stages of the spawn and are feeding! I had customers this week catch their personal best Bass one that that weighed in at 8.5 pounds! The Excellent Bass fishing will continue through April and end to May. The Dickmeyer’s came all the way down from Commerce Michigan so their son John could try to catch his PB (personal best) Bass and he did his mom Faith caught hers to!

"The Shellcracker will be bedding in April and is exciting way to introduce kids into fishing. 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, ”Happy to say that water conditions; depth, clarity and temperature wise are great on Lake Iamonia and Miccosukee. If looking for some freshwater fun catching bass, Zoom Speedvibes, Bass Assassin RSBs and Z-man Turbo FattyZs worked over the first three feet or so fringes of the pads in 4 to 7 feet have been generating many awesome springtime explosions during the midmorning to early afternoon hours when synced up with a major or minor feed period. Both Junebug and Watermelon Red colors have produced well. Also working well when targeting bass are the Z-man ProZ Chatterbaits, frogs and most any spinnerbait in a Junebug color scheme. Going into the coming new moon, the big Iamonia bream are bedding. Depending on the wind direction, it's not too hard to get a whiff of the bedding scent. Plus, if specs are desired, slow trolling is still producing quality fish on Iamonia."

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