I spoke with the North Skyway State Fishing Pier near St Petersburg this afternoon. Mangrove snapper and gag grouper are keeping pier anglers very busy there. Late in the afternoon until early morning is the best time to fish, although some fish can be caught during the day around tide changes. Large snapper, around 14" - 18" , are being caught around the inside pylons and rock piles from around mid span to the end. Shrimp, greenbacks, and threadfins are the best baits. Keeper sized grouper are being pulled from the reef by the bait shop. Greenbacks, shrimp, and frozen squid are the best baits. Most pier anglers are fishing the bottom. Use just enough weight to hold your bait near the structure you are fishing. For more information contact;
N Skyway Fishing Pier State Park
727-865-0668
10501 Sunshine Skyway Bridge
St Petersburg, FL 33701
www.skywaypiers.com/
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Guest Report, Half Hitch Tackle, Panama City
Report for 07/27/2007
Salt Water
DESTIN - Kings are back on this week right outside of the pass near the sea buoy. The snapper bite has been steady, on charter boat reported plenty of keeper amberjack on the landing craft only 16 miles from the pass. The grouper are mainly on natural bottom and edges. On the pier there have been some tarpon, a couple kings and lots of ladyfish and hardtails. The jetties are holding a good number of blues and some mangrove snapper. On the surf expect a few pompano, lots of ladyfish and sharks at night. In the bay the reds are good near most bridges and the coast guard station. We here the blue water is just off the edge and the wahoo and dolphin have been there. I hear there is a good amount of weeds just north and west of the squiggles. The marlin and tuna bite has been good. Overall fishing is good for everything but trout.
PANAMA CITY OFFSHORE AND BAYS - The King Mackeral bite has remained good. Several large kings in the 20# class have been caught regularly over hard bottom areas. Troll Dusters and free-line live or dead bait for the most action. Try a large Drone Spoon with 4-6 oz.s of lead for bigger kings. The Tarpon bite has been very good and should only get better into August. These fish are extremely spooky, do not run up on them with your motor. They simply will not eat. Anchor on the sandbar and wait for the fish to come to you. Use live mullet, pin fish, pogies, cigar minnows or menhaden on a 7 to 12/0 circle hook with 60 to 100# fluorocarbon leaders and 20 to 30# main line. The Wahoo are being found in greatest numbers far offshore, but a few can be caught around the 8-10 mile mark. High speed trollers like the Panhandler and Yo Zuri Bonita in back and purple colors are working best. Also, try slow trolling rigged ballyhoo or live hard tails. Mahi Mahi are showing up in greater numbers. Lots of chicken dolphin are being caught around many of the offshore wrecks and bigger dolphin are being caught from 25 miles out. The Grouper bite has been very good lately. Best catches have been in the 100 to 200 foot areas on mainly hard bottom. Live bait, whole boston mackerel and jigs(Shimano Butterfly or Williamson) are working well. Jigs with a glow color to them are a sure bet. Amberjack are on many of the inshore wrecks and reefs in good numbers. Try the Bridge Spans for lots of action. The larger fish will be well offshore over hard bottom. Live cigar minnows or pinfish will entice the larger fish, while jigs (Williamson Jig or AJ Jig) will trigger the most bites. Snapper action is still going strong. Squid, cigar minnows and chunks of northern mackerel are working well. The bag limit for state waters remains four snapper per person and 16” length, however in federal waters only two snapper per person and 16” length. Federal waters start basically nine miles from land, and is noted on your maps as the Natural resources boundary. Ladyfish, Bluefish and Bar Jacks are everywhere up and down the beaches right now. Throw Pompano Jigs, Gotcha’s and Spoons on light tackle for a lot of fun.
ST ANDREWS BAY SYSTEM - Flounder are being caught on drop-offs in the bays and on the edges of grass flats. Use a Carolina rig with live bull minnows for the best results. For artificial bait fishermen, use an 1/8 oz. jig with Gulp Curl Tail Minnows in a variety of colors. The Trout bite has been excellent the last few weeks. Target spotty bottom grass flats in the 1-3 foot range. Big trout can be caught early in the day on topwater plugs close to the shoreline. An excellent technique for drifting the flats is to rig a Berkley Gulp 4” Shrimp weedless with a standard wide gap worm hook and no weight. The bait will sink slow and with each twitch will dart erratically. The trout will nail it on the fall! Redfish are not schooling up very much right now but are biting good around docks with deeper holes and shallow marshy areas with a bit of clay bottom. Gulp, Gold Spoons and Soft Jerk Baits are working well. Early in the morning and late in the afternoon, try throwing topwater baits (Spook Jr with a Red Head and White Body) for some explosive action.
DAN RUSSEL PIER - Spanish mackerel and a few Kings are being caught every day at the pier right now. Sharks, Pompano, Whiting, Blue Fish, and Lady Fish are also being caught. Call 850-233-5080 for the latest pier fishing information.
MEXICO BEACH/OFFSHORE - The hot species this week are king mackerel. They are haunting most of the local reef and wreck sights. The Air force tower and Virginia reef in particular have produced some very nice fish this week. Water temperatures are hovering at and above eighty five degrees, so those of you who prefer trolling should weight your rigs, or better still, use down riggers to get your baits in cooler water. Most reports coming in from local anglers suggest trolling depths of about twenty-five feet or so. Surface trolling will still produce Kings but they are typically small. Your best option for a big Kingfish is using a Sabiki rig to catch hard-tails or blue runners and free line them, while drifting and/or drifting over structure.
ST JOSEPH BAY - Tarpon fishing is still hot this week and large numbers of these giants are caught daily. Tarpon are feeding heavily between Money Bayou and Indian Pass. Cast net yourself a few pogies and use a 9/0-10/0 Owner SSW circle hook with 80lb fluorocarbon leader and drift your baits through the schools of baitfish. St. Joe Bay is alive with trout and redfish but Because of the shortage of live shrimp this time of year anglers are taking advantage of the plentiful pinfish and using them or bull-minnows for bait. Both will work very well for these species.
Fresh Water
APALACHICOLA /WHITE CITY
Fresh water fishing reports are very good this week; however, bass anglers are saying they are catching both redfish and trout in their favorite honey holes. Water salinity is higher due to lack of rain and a few saltwater species are migrating further up the watershed this season than in wetter seasons. Several local bass fishermen reported bull sharks shearing off their bass behind the gills in Lake Wimico.
Fishing Report prepared by Half Hitch Tackle Staff.
The Captains Corner Fishing Report is provided by local charter captains and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of Half Hitch Tackle.
Half Hitch Tackle
850-234-2621
2206 Thomas Dr
Panama City, Fl 32408
www.halfhitch.com/
Salt Water
DESTIN - Kings are back on this week right outside of the pass near the sea buoy. The snapper bite has been steady, on charter boat reported plenty of keeper amberjack on the landing craft only 16 miles from the pass. The grouper are mainly on natural bottom and edges. On the pier there have been some tarpon, a couple kings and lots of ladyfish and hardtails. The jetties are holding a good number of blues and some mangrove snapper. On the surf expect a few pompano, lots of ladyfish and sharks at night. In the bay the reds are good near most bridges and the coast guard station. We here the blue water is just off the edge and the wahoo and dolphin have been there. I hear there is a good amount of weeds just north and west of the squiggles. The marlin and tuna bite has been good. Overall fishing is good for everything but trout.
PANAMA CITY OFFSHORE AND BAYS - The King Mackeral bite has remained good. Several large kings in the 20# class have been caught regularly over hard bottom areas. Troll Dusters and free-line live or dead bait for the most action. Try a large Drone Spoon with 4-6 oz.s of lead for bigger kings. The Tarpon bite has been very good and should only get better into August. These fish are extremely spooky, do not run up on them with your motor. They simply will not eat. Anchor on the sandbar and wait for the fish to come to you. Use live mullet, pin fish, pogies, cigar minnows or menhaden on a 7 to 12/0 circle hook with 60 to 100# fluorocarbon leaders and 20 to 30# main line. The Wahoo are being found in greatest numbers far offshore, but a few can be caught around the 8-10 mile mark. High speed trollers like the Panhandler and Yo Zuri Bonita in back and purple colors are working best. Also, try slow trolling rigged ballyhoo or live hard tails. Mahi Mahi are showing up in greater numbers. Lots of chicken dolphin are being caught around many of the offshore wrecks and bigger dolphin are being caught from 25 miles out. The Grouper bite has been very good lately. Best catches have been in the 100 to 200 foot areas on mainly hard bottom. Live bait, whole boston mackerel and jigs(Shimano Butterfly or Williamson) are working well. Jigs with a glow color to them are a sure bet. Amberjack are on many of the inshore wrecks and reefs in good numbers. Try the Bridge Spans for lots of action. The larger fish will be well offshore over hard bottom. Live cigar minnows or pinfish will entice the larger fish, while jigs (Williamson Jig or AJ Jig) will trigger the most bites. Snapper action is still going strong. Squid, cigar minnows and chunks of northern mackerel are working well. The bag limit for state waters remains four snapper per person and 16” length, however in federal waters only two snapper per person and 16” length. Federal waters start basically nine miles from land, and is noted on your maps as the Natural resources boundary. Ladyfish, Bluefish and Bar Jacks are everywhere up and down the beaches right now. Throw Pompano Jigs, Gotcha’s and Spoons on light tackle for a lot of fun.
ST ANDREWS BAY SYSTEM - Flounder are being caught on drop-offs in the bays and on the edges of grass flats. Use a Carolina rig with live bull minnows for the best results. For artificial bait fishermen, use an 1/8 oz. jig with Gulp Curl Tail Minnows in a variety of colors. The Trout bite has been excellent the last few weeks. Target spotty bottom grass flats in the 1-3 foot range. Big trout can be caught early in the day on topwater plugs close to the shoreline. An excellent technique for drifting the flats is to rig a Berkley Gulp 4” Shrimp weedless with a standard wide gap worm hook and no weight. The bait will sink slow and with each twitch will dart erratically. The trout will nail it on the fall! Redfish are not schooling up very much right now but are biting good around docks with deeper holes and shallow marshy areas with a bit of clay bottom. Gulp, Gold Spoons and Soft Jerk Baits are working well. Early in the morning and late in the afternoon, try throwing topwater baits (Spook Jr with a Red Head and White Body) for some explosive action.
DAN RUSSEL PIER - Spanish mackerel and a few Kings are being caught every day at the pier right now. Sharks, Pompano, Whiting, Blue Fish, and Lady Fish are also being caught. Call 850-233-5080 for the latest pier fishing information.
MEXICO BEACH/OFFSHORE - The hot species this week are king mackerel. They are haunting most of the local reef and wreck sights. The Air force tower and Virginia reef in particular have produced some very nice fish this week. Water temperatures are hovering at and above eighty five degrees, so those of you who prefer trolling should weight your rigs, or better still, use down riggers to get your baits in cooler water. Most reports coming in from local anglers suggest trolling depths of about twenty-five feet or so. Surface trolling will still produce Kings but they are typically small. Your best option for a big Kingfish is using a Sabiki rig to catch hard-tails or blue runners and free line them, while drifting and/or drifting over structure.
ST JOSEPH BAY - Tarpon fishing is still hot this week and large numbers of these giants are caught daily. Tarpon are feeding heavily between Money Bayou and Indian Pass. Cast net yourself a few pogies and use a 9/0-10/0 Owner SSW circle hook with 80lb fluorocarbon leader and drift your baits through the schools of baitfish. St. Joe Bay is alive with trout and redfish but Because of the shortage of live shrimp this time of year anglers are taking advantage of the plentiful pinfish and using them or bull-minnows for bait. Both will work very well for these species.
Fresh Water
APALACHICOLA /WHITE CITY
Fresh water fishing reports are very good this week; however, bass anglers are saying they are catching both redfish and trout in their favorite honey holes. Water salinity is higher due to lack of rain and a few saltwater species are migrating further up the watershed this season than in wetter seasons. Several local bass fishermen reported bull sharks shearing off their bass behind the gills in Lake Wimico.
Fishing Report prepared by Half Hitch Tackle Staff.
The Captains Corner Fishing Report is provided by local charter captains and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of Half Hitch Tackle.
Half Hitch Tackle
850-234-2621
2206 Thomas Dr
Panama City, Fl 32408
www.halfhitch.com/
Monday, July 30, 2007
Western Panhandle Fishing Is Excellent!
I spoke with Victor at Gulf Breeze Bait & Tackle near Pensacola today. He tells me that fishing in the western panhandle is excellent both inshore and offshore. Redfish are under mangroves and docks, and in deeper holes or on oyster bars. Cut bait, Berkley Saltwater shrimp, and gold spoons are the best baits. Trout are on the grass flats. A top water plug fished early in the morning will catch trout. Later in the day move to deeper water and try a live shrimp under a popping cork, jigs, or slug baits. Flounder are in the bay and inlet. Bull minnows bounced across sandy bottom will draw strikes from flounder. Spanish mackerel are in the bay. Small silver spoons and Got-Cha Plugs are good baits for spanish. King mackerel are off the beach and will eat cigar minnows and hardtails slow trolled near bait schools. Mangrove snapper are along the jetty's in the inlet. Shrimp and small pinfish are the best baits. Red snapper, grouper, and amberjack are on wrecks in 100ft of water. Pinfish are a good bait for all. Dolphin, wahoo, blue marlin, white marlin, and a few sailfish can be caught by trolling lures and ballyhoo. Start at the nipple and work your way offshore to the spur, the dumping grounds and other structure. Tuna are being caught around deep water oil rigs. For more information contact;
Gulf Breeze Bait & Tackle
850-932-6789
825 Gulf Breeze Pkwy
Gulf Breeze, FL 32561
www.gbtackle.com/
Gulf Breeze Bait & Tackle
850-932-6789
825 Gulf Breeze Pkwy
Gulf Breeze, FL 32561
www.gbtackle.com/
Good Pier Fishing in St Augustine
I spoke with St Johns County Ocean Pier in St Augustine this morning. They told me that fishing for blue fish, spanish mackerel, and whiting is very good from the pier. The blue fish and spanish mackerel will hit small silver spoons and Got-Cha Plugs. Use a small, 1/2oz - 1oz, trolling weight to get you spoon several feet down into the water column, then reel in as fast as you can to get the mackerel and blues to hit. Whiting will eat live or dead shrimp and clams fished on the bottom or a small buck tail jig. For more information contact;
St. Johns County Ocean Pier
904-461-0119
350 A1a Beach Blvd
St Augustine, FL 32090
St. Johns County Ocean Pier
904-461-0119
350 A1a Beach Blvd
St Augustine, FL 32090
Jacksonville Beach Pier Producing Nice Fish
I spoke with Jacksonville Beach Pier this morning. They were telling me that fishing is a little slow this morning, due to west winds, but was excellent this last weekend. Bluefish, redfish, black drum, flounder, trout, whiting, and a few king mackerel were all caught from the pier this weekend. Bluefish will hit spoons and Got-Cha Plugs, reds will eat shrimp fished on the bottom, and black drum like pieces of crab on the bottom. Flounder will bite a shrimp or small bait fish bounced across the bottom, trout and whiting will eat a shrimp on the bottom or under a float.King mackerel can be caught from the end of the pier using 20lb class tackle. A frisky blue runner or hardtail fished under a balloon/float will catch kings. For more information contact;
Jacksonville Beach Pier
904-241-1515
503 1st Street N
Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
www.jacksonvillebeachpier.com/
Jacksonville Beach Pier
904-241-1515
503 1st Street N
Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
www.jacksonvillebeachpier.com/
Friday, July 27, 2007
Roy's 4th Annual Redfish Tournament
Roy's 4th Redfish Tournament Coming To Town Soon:
As we Alway's Shoot For Larbor Day Weekend August 31 -September 1st. This Year we will change Some Of The Way's you Can Win money or Prize's. Fish With Most Spot's , Most Weight , NO SPOT"S . Cost will be $100.00 For any Boat with up to 3 people. Captain Meeting is at MAD DOG"S on the River August 31st ,2007. Fishing Will Be on September 1st Starting At 7 am. For More Stop By Later In Week To Pick up Your Form's or Watch The Following Web Site's. roysbaithouse.com, or palmcaostlinks.com.
As we Alway's Shoot For Larbor Day Weekend August 31 -September 1st. This Year we will change Some Of The Way's you Can Win money or Prize's. Fish With Most Spot's , Most Weight , NO SPOT"S . Cost will be $100.00 For any Boat with up to 3 people. Captain Meeting is at MAD DOG"S on the River August 31st ,2007. Fishing Will Be on September 1st Starting At 7 am. For More Stop By Later In Week To Pick up Your Form's or Watch The Following Web Site's. roysbaithouse.com, or palmcaostlinks.com.
Guest Report From Roy's Bait House, Flagler Beach
FISHING REPORT FOR 7/24/07
INTERCOASTAL WATERWAY
JOE WALKUP 2 FLOUNDER BOTH WEIGHT THE SAME 4LB 3OZ EACH.
CINDY STARK 1-18" REDFISH ,2-14" FLOUNDER 1-20" BLACK DRUM.
DUTCH DEWICK BEEN LIMITING OUT ON TROUT NIGHTLY 16"-18" MOST BIGGEST 24"
ROY EARL 7 FLOUNDER 15"-20"
CHRIS NIELSEN 26 " TROUT , 20" FLOUNDER
PIER - SURF - BEACH
LOT'S OF SMALL POMPANO , FEW BLUEFISH ,WHITING ,REDFISH ,BLACK DRUM , RIBBONFISH , SPOT'S. STILL LOT'S OF BAIT OFF BEACH WITH SHARK'S ,KING MACKERAL ,TARPON MIXED IN POD'S.
OFFSHORE
PEOPLE HAVE BEEN GETTING OUT EARLY RETURNING EARLY DUE TO THE WEATHER. WE HAVE BEEN HAVING A NUMBER OF WATER SPOUT'S HAVE BEEN REPORTED INCLUDING THE ONE THAT HIT FLAGLER BEACH SUNDAY. WE HAVE BEEN LUCKY NO ONE HAS BEEN HURT. LOT OF SHARK'S , BARRAUCDA'S , RED SNAPPER , A.JACK'S , KING MACKERAL'S
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR UP DATED FISHING REPORT'S CALL THE SHOP.
386-439-1027
GOOD LUCK ! ROY MATTSON
Logged
Fresh Bait: Live and Frozen
For more information contact;
Roy's Bait House386-439-2200
105 N 2nd St
Flagler Beach, FL 32136
www.roysbaithouse.com
INTERCOASTAL WATERWAY
JOE WALKUP 2 FLOUNDER BOTH WEIGHT THE SAME 4LB 3OZ EACH.
CINDY STARK 1-18" REDFISH ,2-14" FLOUNDER 1-20" BLACK DRUM.
DUTCH DEWICK BEEN LIMITING OUT ON TROUT NIGHTLY 16"-18" MOST BIGGEST 24"
ROY EARL 7 FLOUNDER 15"-20"
CHRIS NIELSEN 26 " TROUT , 20" FLOUNDER
PIER - SURF - BEACH
LOT'S OF SMALL POMPANO , FEW BLUEFISH ,WHITING ,REDFISH ,BLACK DRUM , RIBBONFISH , SPOT'S. STILL LOT'S OF BAIT OFF BEACH WITH SHARK'S ,KING MACKERAL ,TARPON MIXED IN POD'S.
OFFSHORE
PEOPLE HAVE BEEN GETTING OUT EARLY RETURNING EARLY DUE TO THE WEATHER. WE HAVE BEEN HAVING A NUMBER OF WATER SPOUT'S HAVE BEEN REPORTED INCLUDING THE ONE THAT HIT FLAGLER BEACH SUNDAY. WE HAVE BEEN LUCKY NO ONE HAS BEEN HURT. LOT OF SHARK'S , BARRAUCDA'S , RED SNAPPER , A.JACK'S , KING MACKERAL'S
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR UP DATED FISHING REPORT'S CALL THE SHOP.
386-439-1027
GOOD LUCK ! ROY MATTSON
Logged
Fresh Bait: Live and Frozen
For more information contact;
Roy's Bait House386-439-2200
105 N 2nd St
Flagler Beach, FL 32136
www.roysbaithouse.com
Fish In The Shade At Charlotte Harbor
I spoke with Robert at Fishin' Frank's Bait & Tackle in Charlotte Harbor this morning. He tells me that tarpon fishing is phenomenal in Boca Grande Pass and in Charlotte Harbor. Blue crabs, pass crabs, and greenbacks are all good tarpon baits. Shark fishing is also excellent in the harbor. Bull sharks, hammerheads, blacktip, and other sharks are active in the day and at night. Cut bait on an extra strong hook, attached to your main line with a short piece or wire, is best for catching sharks. Quarter sized chunks of sardines or ladyfish are perfect for smaller sharks, larger chunks of jacks or mullet works best for the bulls and hammerheads. A few cobia are swimming with the sharks in the harbor and will hang out in the shade provided by your boat. Large jigs and pinfish will get the cobia to bite. Redfish are hanging under mangroves, docks, and other shady areas near Pine Island and Burnt Store on the east side of the harbor. Dead shrimp, mullet and ladyfish are the best baits. Snook are biting early and late in the day in Boca Grande Pass and on the beaches. Pinfish, ladyfish, and cut bait are all good baits for snook. Remember that snook season is closed so bend down the barbs on your hooks, land the fish as quickly as is possible, and spend extra time reviving your snook before releasing it. Mangrove snapper fishing is excellent at night. Mangos can be caught any where from reefs 25 miles offshore to inside Charlotte Harbor. The biggest snapper are on the reefs farthest offshore where fish 2lb - 4lb's can be found. Near shore reefs are holding plenty of snapper also with fish slightly smaller then those found farther offshore. Snapper in the harbor are also good sized with fish to 2 1/2 lb's being caught. Small pinfish and cut sardines are the best baits for snapper. For more information contact;
Fishin' Frank's Bait & Tackle
941-625-3888
4425 Tamiami Trail #D
Port Charlotte, FL 33980
www.fishinfranks.com/
Fishin' Frank's Bait & Tackle
941-625-3888
4425 Tamiami Trail #D
Port Charlotte, FL 33980
www.fishinfranks.com/
Spanish Mackerel and Mangos Best at Sebastian Inlet
I spoke with Dave at Inlet Bait & Tackle near Sebastian Inlet today. He was telling me that spanish mackerel are keeping anglers on the jetty's busy. There are big schools of glass minnows in the area so #00 squid spoons, glass minnows, and small menhaden are the best baits. Mangrove snapper are along the rocks on the north side of the inlet. Small pinfish, majorras, and shrimp are the best baits. Some pompano and whiting are being caught from the surf. Sand flees are scarce right now so switch to clams or pompano jigs for bait. For more information contact;
Inlet Bait & Tackle
321-768-6621
9722 S Highway A1a
Melbourne Beach, FL 32951
Inlet Bait & Tackle
321-768-6621
9722 S Highway A1a
Melbourne Beach, FL 32951
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Dunedin Fishing is Great Early and Late
I spoke with Pat at Dunedin Fishing Center in Dunedin today. He was telling me that fishing is great if you go out between 6pm and 9am. Redfish are being caught on shrimp and cut bait, mullet or ladyfish, near the north end of Caladesi Island. Speckled trout are in deeper water from St. Joseph Sound to Clearwater. Live shrimp, D.O.A. Shrimp or Berkley Saltwater Shrimp, in New Penny or Root Beer & Gold, will catch quite a few trout. Good number of pompano have moved into Hurricane Pass. Sand flees, shrimp, and pompano jigs fished from the pet beach on Honeymoon Island will catch lots of pompano. The pet beach, the north end of Honeymoon Island, and along the beaches of Honeymoon Island and Caladesi Island are also great places to catch big snook. The biggest pinfish you can find will be the best bait. Please remember that snook season is closed so bend down the barbs on your hooks, land the fish as quickly as is possible to prevent it form getting over stressed, and spend less time handling the fish and more time reviving it before release. A few tarpon are off the beach. Look to see what direction the fish are moving, then swing well outside of them and past them before putting out a spread of crabs and sardines on the bottom and under floats. For more information contact;
Dunedin Fishing Center
727-738-5628
243 Bayshore Blvd
Dunedin, FL 34698
Dunedin Fishing Center
727-738-5628
243 Bayshore Blvd
Dunedin, FL 34698
Bradenton
I spoke with John at Corkey's Live Bait & Tackle in Bradenton this morning. He was telling me that fishing is great even with the summer heat. The key to catching fish this time of year is to skip the daytime heat and thunderstorms by fishing between 6pm and 9am. Palma Sola Bay is holding good numbers of speckled trout and redfish. Look for the trout on the deep flats when it is light out, and around dock lights at night. Live shrimp, jigs or a D.O.A. Shrimp or Berkley Saltwater Shrimp, in New Penny or Rootbeer colors, suspended under a popping cork or Cajun Thunder Float will catch many trout. Redfish are on the flats in Palma Sola Bay and in Sarasota Bay. They will eat live shrimp and very small pass crabs. Snook fishing is excellent in Long Boat Pass and along the beaches. Large pinfish are the best bait. Snook season is closed so bend down the barbs on your hook to make releasing the fish easier, land your snook as quickly as is possible to keep the fish from being over stressed, and spend extra time reviving your snook before releasing it.Tarpon are just off of the beaches. Blue crabs and pass crabs are the best bait. Good numbers of permit are being caught on wrecks 45 miles offshore. Blue crabs and pass crabs are the best bait. Lots of sharks are being caught. Chunks of bonita are a good bait for sharks. For more information contact;
Corkey's Live Bait & Tackle
941-792-7901
10103 Cortez Rd W
Bradenton, FL 34210
Corkey's Live Bait & Tackle
941-792-7901
10103 Cortez Rd W
Bradenton, FL 34210
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Greater Jacksonville King Fish Tournament Winners
This list comes courtisy of Roy's Bait House in Flagler Beach
Final results
Largest Fish
1. James Croft, 48.60 pounds
2. Ronnie Dick, 47.60 pounds
3. Charles Lippiatt, 44.40 pounds
Ultra Class Aggregate Winner's
1. Don Combs, 63.95 pounds
2. Paul Dozier, 62.75 pounds
3. James Rachael, 61.90 pounds
4. Robert Ward, 60.80 pounds
5. Jim Wormhoudt, 59.35 pounds
6. Eddie McGowan, 59.15 pounds
7. Richard Thomason, 58.80 pounds
8. Rob Hammer, 57.00 pounds
9. Richard Iwaniki, 54.50 pounds
10. Jimmy Gabrielsen, 54.05 pounds
11. Al Cumbie, 53.75 pounds
12. Jim Hammond, 53.40 pounds
13. Charlie Lyons, 52.35 pounds
14. James Bryant, 51.60 pounds
15. James Fedick III, 48.95 pounds
16. Jim Crews, 48.95 pounds
17. Daniel Crowley, 48.75 pounds
18. Curtis Tumlin, 47.15 pounds
19. Louis McDonough Jr., 46.75 pounds
20. Casey Smith, 46.45 pounds
23 Class Aggregate
1. Charles Robey, 66.10 pounds
2. Robert Creech, 60.35 pounds
3. Alec Lawson, 55.25 pounds
4. Richard Geiger, 50.90 pounds
5. Paul Cox 46.35 pounds
6. Lee Heatwole, 46.05 pounds
7. Ira Lee, 45.65 pounds
8. Leland Long, 44.55 pounds
9. Kyle Littlejohn, 44.15 pounds
10. Jason Kurtz, 43.20 pounds
11. Fred Bridges, 42.95 pounds
12. Andy May, 42.50 pounds
13. Ronnie Beasley, 42.30 pounds
14. Scott Myers, 41.85 pounds
15. John Gountain, 41.80 pounds
16. Lon Bryan IV, 41.15 pounds
17. Fred Anson III, 41.15 pounds
18. Michael Crabtree, 41.10 pounds
19. Kevin Bowles, 40.65 pounds
20. Joshua Generazio, 40.60 pounds
Logged
Fresh Bait: Live and Frozen
Roy's Bait House
386-439-2200
105 N 2nd St
Flagler Beach, FL 32136
www.roysbaithouse.com/
Final results
Largest Fish
1. James Croft, 48.60 pounds
2. Ronnie Dick, 47.60 pounds
3. Charles Lippiatt, 44.40 pounds
Ultra Class Aggregate Winner's
1. Don Combs, 63.95 pounds
2. Paul Dozier, 62.75 pounds
3. James Rachael, 61.90 pounds
4. Robert Ward, 60.80 pounds
5. Jim Wormhoudt, 59.35 pounds
6. Eddie McGowan, 59.15 pounds
7. Richard Thomason, 58.80 pounds
8. Rob Hammer, 57.00 pounds
9. Richard Iwaniki, 54.50 pounds
10. Jimmy Gabrielsen, 54.05 pounds
11. Al Cumbie, 53.75 pounds
12. Jim Hammond, 53.40 pounds
13. Charlie Lyons, 52.35 pounds
14. James Bryant, 51.60 pounds
15. James Fedick III, 48.95 pounds
16. Jim Crews, 48.95 pounds
17. Daniel Crowley, 48.75 pounds
18. Curtis Tumlin, 47.15 pounds
19. Louis McDonough Jr., 46.75 pounds
20. Casey Smith, 46.45 pounds
23 Class Aggregate
1. Charles Robey, 66.10 pounds
2. Robert Creech, 60.35 pounds
3. Alec Lawson, 55.25 pounds
4. Richard Geiger, 50.90 pounds
5. Paul Cox 46.35 pounds
6. Lee Heatwole, 46.05 pounds
7. Ira Lee, 45.65 pounds
8. Leland Long, 44.55 pounds
9. Kyle Littlejohn, 44.15 pounds
10. Jason Kurtz, 43.20 pounds
11. Fred Bridges, 42.95 pounds
12. Andy May, 42.50 pounds
13. Ronnie Beasley, 42.30 pounds
14. Scott Myers, 41.85 pounds
15. John Gountain, 41.80 pounds
16. Lon Bryan IV, 41.15 pounds
17. Fred Anson III, 41.15 pounds
18. Michael Crabtree, 41.10 pounds
19. Kevin Bowles, 40.65 pounds
20. Joshua Generazio, 40.60 pounds
Logged
Fresh Bait: Live and Frozen
Roy's Bait House
386-439-2200
105 N 2nd St
Flagler Beach, FL 32136
www.roysbaithouse.com/
Jupiter Sailfish & Wahoo Are Under The Bonita
I spoke with Fred at Fishing Headquarters in Jupiter today. He was telling me that large schools of bait fish are keeping game fish close to shore. The only problem is that there are also large schools of bonita feeding on the bait making it hard to get your offerings down to the game fish. If you can get a bait below the bonita you can catch sailfish in only 100ft of water. Mark the bottom of the bait schools on your depth finder, and set your down rigger to hold your bait or lure just below the school. Use a cast net or sabiki rig to catch what ever bait is swimming in the area, or use ballyhoo or a skirted lure as bait. King mackerel are starting to show around Jupiter. Using the same techniques you use for sailfish will produce a few kingfish. Wahoo are hanging on the outside of the bonita schools. Look for them on the drop in 130ft - 200ft. Big blue runners, small bonita, and big lures will catch wahoo. Snook are very active in the inlet and on the beach. Fred caught and released 6 snook in 30 minutes next to the pier the other night. Please remember that snook season is closed in all of Florida, so bend down the barbs on your hooks, land the fish as quickly as possible, and spend extra time reviving your snook before releasing it. For more information contact;
Fishing Headquarters
561-743-7335
633 N Highway A1a
Jupiter, FL 33477
http://www.fishingheadquarters.net/
Fishing Headquarters
561-743-7335
633 N Highway A1a
Jupiter, FL 33477
http://www.fishingheadquarters.net/
Dolphin, Kingfish, and Tarpon are in Lauderdale
I spoke with Kigsbury & Sons Tackle in Ft. Lauderdale this morning. They were telling me that there are good numbers of dolphin along weed lines and debris 8 miles offshore. Troll ballyhoo, live bait, or skirted lures along the weeds to locate the fish. When you get a hook up, mark the spot and circle back to set up a drift. Use chum to bring the dolphin close to your boat, then feed live bait or cut bait into the slick on medium action spinning tackle. King mackerel are following bait schools close to shore. Troll live bait or "king" spoons just outside of bait pods in 100ft of water. Tarpon fishing is good just off of the beaches. Look for rolling fish early in the morning and late in the afternoon. Watch to see what direction they are heading, then swing well outside of them and in front of them, set out your baits and wait for the school to come to you. A live blue crab or fresh dead sardine should be fished on the bottom along with a crab and live sardine under a float. For more information contact;
Kingsbury & Sons Tackle
954-467-3474
1801 S Federal Hwy
Ft Lauderdale, FL 33316
Kingsbury & Sons Tackle
954-467-3474
1801 S Federal Hwy
Ft Lauderdale, FL 33316
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Panama City Guest Report
Report for 07/19/2007 Salt Water
MEXICO BEACH/OFFSHORE - The offshore bottom fishing remains steady this week with some nice red snapper and red grouper catches reported. Snapper bite is at 100’ and the grouper are out farther at the 150’ mark. Snapper may be a bit finicky and lighter tackle may be the answer to increase the bite. Gag grouper will take some searching and deeper water (200’) may be the key to finding them, as reports are they are hard to find. The near shore wrecks are still producing Kings at the 70’ and the deeper wrecks at 100’ are producing some keeper AJ’s. Trolling dusters with a cigar minnow will yield good numbers, but the bigger kingfish are coming from trolling or flat lining a live cigar/blue runner around the wrecks off Mexico Beach. The Dolphin bite remains strong, but catches are typically small fish in the 5 pound range, but can be a hoot using light tackle. Try chumming cut bait around the weed lines and rig your outfit with 20 lb fluorocarbon with a 1/0 circle hook to get into the fun. For bigger dolphin and wahoo head out 30 to 40 miles and look for anything floating such as tarps, wood, debris, and of course weed lines. Troll panhandlers and Islanders (Red and White) rigged with ballyhoo for your best chance.
ST JOSEPH BAY - Tarpon has never been hotter and large numbers of these giants are being caught daily. Reports all week have indicated the Tarpon have been feeding heavily between Money Bayou and Indian Pass. Use a 9/0-10/0 Owner SSW circle hook with 80lb fluorocarbon leader and drift your baits (Live/dead pogies) through the schools for your best shot. St. Joe Bay is a hit or miss location right now. The LY’s are hard to find and chumming them up around the grass flats is your best bet and rig them using Owner size 1 mutu light circle hook with 12 to 15 lb. fluorocarbon leader. Target Larger fish in deep holes, and along drop offs. Make sure to keep your bait on the surface. Recent reports have indicated the red fish bite takes place during late morning on a falling tide. Reports of Large school sightings along the cape side of the bay. Live bait is the ticket if you spot them.
PANAMA CITY OFFSHORE AND BAYS - King’s are still the hot ticket all over the inshore wrecks. Troll Dusters and free-line live or dead bait for the most action. Try a large Drone Spoon with 4-6 oz.s of lead for bigger kings. The Tarpon bite has been very good and should only get better into August. These fish are extremely spooky, do not run up on them with your motor. They simply will not eat. Anchor on the sandbar and wait for the fish to come to you. Use live mullet, pin fish, pogies, cigar minnows or menhaden on a 7 to 12/0 circle hook with 60 to 100# fluorocarbon leaders and 20 to 30# main line. The Wahoo are being found in greatest numbers far offshore, but a few can be caught around the 8-10 mile mark. High speed trollers like the Panhandler and Yo Zuri Bonita in back and purple colors are working best. Also, try slow trolling rigged ballyhoo or live hard tails. Mahi Mahi are showing up in greater numbers. Lots of chicken dolphin are being caught around many of the offshore wrecks and bigger dolphin are being caught from 25 miles out. The Grouper bite has been very good lately. Best catches have been in the 100 to 200 foot areas on mainly hard bottom. Live bait, whole boston mackerel and jigs(Shimano Butterfly or Williamson) are working well. Jigs with a glow color to them are a sure bet. Amberjack are on many of the inshore wrecks and reefs in good numbers. Try the Bridge Spans for lots of action. The larger fish will be well offshore over hard bottom. Live cigar minnows or pinfish will entice the larger fish, while jigs (Williamson Jig or AJ Jig) will trigger the most bites. Snapper action is still going strong. Squid, cigar minnows and chunks of northern mackerel are working well. The bag limit for state waters remains four snapper per person and 16” length, however in federal waters only two snapper per person and 16” length. Federal waters start basically nine miles from land, and is noted on your maps as the Natural resources boundary. Ladyfish, Bluefish and Bar Jacks are everywhere up and down the beaches right now. Throw Pompano Jigs, Gotcha’s and Spoons on light tackle for a lot of fun. Half Hitch Tackle
ST ANDREWS BAY SYSTEM - Flounder are being caught on drop-offs in the bays. Use a Carolina rig with live bull minnows for the best results. For artificial bait fishermen, use an 1/8 oz. jig with Gulp Curl Tail Minnows in a variety of colors. The Trout bite has been excellent the last few weeks. Target spotty bottom grass flats in the 1-3 foot range. Big trout can be caught early in the day on topwater plugs close to the shoreline. An excellent technique for drifting the flats is to rig a Berkley Gulp 4” Shrimp weedless with a standard wide gap worm hook and no weight. The bait will sink slow and with each twitch will dart erratically. The trout will nail it on the fall! Redfish are not schooling up very much right now but are biting good around docks with deeper holes. Gulp, Gold Spoons and Soft Jerk Baits are working well. Early in the morning and late in the afternoon, try throwing topwater baits (Spook Jr with a Red Head and White Body) for some explosive action. Half Hitch Tackle
DAN RUSSEL PIER - Spanish mackerel and a few Kings are being caught every day at the pier right now. Sharks, Pompano, Whiting, Blue Fish, and Lady Fish are also being caught. Call 850-233-5080 for the latest pier fishing information.
DestinThere have been plenty of tarpon at the pier along with a few kings, ladyfish and hardtails. In the surft the june grass has disipated somewhat and there are even a few pompano around, if someone told me i might not believe it in july but I was bored thursday afternoon and decided to try and ended up with too many ladyfish to count and 6 pompano. Kings have moved to deeper water due to the heat but can still be caught in numbers. Offshore fishing has stayed hot with plenty of dolphin, wahoo, marlin and some tuna. Bottom fishing is regular summer stuff, snappers for those light tackle fisherman, groupers on natural botton and amberjack good for those who like to jig. in the bay loads of big reds around the bridges and some sharks across the flats.
Fresh Water
APALACHICOLA /WHITE CITY - Your best bet would be to hit the tributaries off the Apalachicola River, and in the morning and evening hours use spinnerbaits and swap to the soft plastics in the afternoon such as Zoom brush hogs in blackberry/green pumpkin color. Bluegill will be best at first light along the shore in 2-3ft of water utilizing wigglers and crickets just off the bottom.
Fishing Report prepared by Half Hitch Tackle Staff.
The Captains Corner Fishing Report is provided by local charter captains and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of Half Hitch Tackle.
Half Hitch Tackle
850-234-2621
2206 Thomas Dr
Panama City, Fl 32408
www.halfhitch.com/
MEXICO BEACH/OFFSHORE - The offshore bottom fishing remains steady this week with some nice red snapper and red grouper catches reported. Snapper bite is at 100’ and the grouper are out farther at the 150’ mark. Snapper may be a bit finicky and lighter tackle may be the answer to increase the bite. Gag grouper will take some searching and deeper water (200’) may be the key to finding them, as reports are they are hard to find. The near shore wrecks are still producing Kings at the 70’ and the deeper wrecks at 100’ are producing some keeper AJ’s. Trolling dusters with a cigar minnow will yield good numbers, but the bigger kingfish are coming from trolling or flat lining a live cigar/blue runner around the wrecks off Mexico Beach. The Dolphin bite remains strong, but catches are typically small fish in the 5 pound range, but can be a hoot using light tackle. Try chumming cut bait around the weed lines and rig your outfit with 20 lb fluorocarbon with a 1/0 circle hook to get into the fun. For bigger dolphin and wahoo head out 30 to 40 miles and look for anything floating such as tarps, wood, debris, and of course weed lines. Troll panhandlers and Islanders (Red and White) rigged with ballyhoo for your best chance.
ST JOSEPH BAY - Tarpon has never been hotter and large numbers of these giants are being caught daily. Reports all week have indicated the Tarpon have been feeding heavily between Money Bayou and Indian Pass. Use a 9/0-10/0 Owner SSW circle hook with 80lb fluorocarbon leader and drift your baits (Live/dead pogies) through the schools for your best shot. St. Joe Bay is a hit or miss location right now. The LY’s are hard to find and chumming them up around the grass flats is your best bet and rig them using Owner size 1 mutu light circle hook with 12 to 15 lb. fluorocarbon leader. Target Larger fish in deep holes, and along drop offs. Make sure to keep your bait on the surface. Recent reports have indicated the red fish bite takes place during late morning on a falling tide. Reports of Large school sightings along the cape side of the bay. Live bait is the ticket if you spot them.
PANAMA CITY OFFSHORE AND BAYS - King’s are still the hot ticket all over the inshore wrecks. Troll Dusters and free-line live or dead bait for the most action. Try a large Drone Spoon with 4-6 oz.s of lead for bigger kings. The Tarpon bite has been very good and should only get better into August. These fish are extremely spooky, do not run up on them with your motor. They simply will not eat. Anchor on the sandbar and wait for the fish to come to you. Use live mullet, pin fish, pogies, cigar minnows or menhaden on a 7 to 12/0 circle hook with 60 to 100# fluorocarbon leaders and 20 to 30# main line. The Wahoo are being found in greatest numbers far offshore, but a few can be caught around the 8-10 mile mark. High speed trollers like the Panhandler and Yo Zuri Bonita in back and purple colors are working best. Also, try slow trolling rigged ballyhoo or live hard tails. Mahi Mahi are showing up in greater numbers. Lots of chicken dolphin are being caught around many of the offshore wrecks and bigger dolphin are being caught from 25 miles out. The Grouper bite has been very good lately. Best catches have been in the 100 to 200 foot areas on mainly hard bottom. Live bait, whole boston mackerel and jigs(Shimano Butterfly or Williamson) are working well. Jigs with a glow color to them are a sure bet. Amberjack are on many of the inshore wrecks and reefs in good numbers. Try the Bridge Spans for lots of action. The larger fish will be well offshore over hard bottom. Live cigar minnows or pinfish will entice the larger fish, while jigs (Williamson Jig or AJ Jig) will trigger the most bites. Snapper action is still going strong. Squid, cigar minnows and chunks of northern mackerel are working well. The bag limit for state waters remains four snapper per person and 16” length, however in federal waters only two snapper per person and 16” length. Federal waters start basically nine miles from land, and is noted on your maps as the Natural resources boundary. Ladyfish, Bluefish and Bar Jacks are everywhere up and down the beaches right now. Throw Pompano Jigs, Gotcha’s and Spoons on light tackle for a lot of fun. Half Hitch Tackle
ST ANDREWS BAY SYSTEM - Flounder are being caught on drop-offs in the bays. Use a Carolina rig with live bull minnows for the best results. For artificial bait fishermen, use an 1/8 oz. jig with Gulp Curl Tail Minnows in a variety of colors. The Trout bite has been excellent the last few weeks. Target spotty bottom grass flats in the 1-3 foot range. Big trout can be caught early in the day on topwater plugs close to the shoreline. An excellent technique for drifting the flats is to rig a Berkley Gulp 4” Shrimp weedless with a standard wide gap worm hook and no weight. The bait will sink slow and with each twitch will dart erratically. The trout will nail it on the fall! Redfish are not schooling up very much right now but are biting good around docks with deeper holes. Gulp, Gold Spoons and Soft Jerk Baits are working well. Early in the morning and late in the afternoon, try throwing topwater baits (Spook Jr with a Red Head and White Body) for some explosive action. Half Hitch Tackle
DAN RUSSEL PIER - Spanish mackerel and a few Kings are being caught every day at the pier right now. Sharks, Pompano, Whiting, Blue Fish, and Lady Fish are also being caught. Call 850-233-5080 for the latest pier fishing information.
DestinThere have been plenty of tarpon at the pier along with a few kings, ladyfish and hardtails. In the surft the june grass has disipated somewhat and there are even a few pompano around, if someone told me i might not believe it in july but I was bored thursday afternoon and decided to try and ended up with too many ladyfish to count and 6 pompano. Kings have moved to deeper water due to the heat but can still be caught in numbers. Offshore fishing has stayed hot with plenty of dolphin, wahoo, marlin and some tuna. Bottom fishing is regular summer stuff, snappers for those light tackle fisherman, groupers on natural botton and amberjack good for those who like to jig. in the bay loads of big reds around the bridges and some sharks across the flats.
Fresh Water
APALACHICOLA /WHITE CITY - Your best bet would be to hit the tributaries off the Apalachicola River, and in the morning and evening hours use spinnerbaits and swap to the soft plastics in the afternoon such as Zoom brush hogs in blackberry/green pumpkin color. Bluegill will be best at first light along the shore in 2-3ft of water utilizing wigglers and crickets just off the bottom.
Fishing Report prepared by Half Hitch Tackle Staff.
The Captains Corner Fishing Report is provided by local charter captains and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of Half Hitch Tackle.
Half Hitch Tackle
850-234-2621
2206 Thomas Dr
Panama City, Fl 32408
www.halfhitch.com/
Guest Report, Roy's Bait Shop Flagler Beach
Roy Has Been Buisy Keeping Shrimp in Shop
THE LOCAL FISHING REPORT IS LIKE THIS. THERE HAS BEEN SO MANY PEOPLE FISHING IN THE INTERCOASTALAND CATCHING NICE SNOOK AND RELEASING THEM IT IS BREAKING MY HART. THERE IS A LOT OF TROUT AROUND , MANGO SNAPPER'S , REDFISH , TARPON ,THE FLOUNDER FISHING HAS BEEN THE BEST IN 4-5 YEAR'S LOT'S OF 2-6 LB FLOUNDER , AND YES THE SHRIMP ARE THICK IN THE RIVER.OFFSHORE FISHING HAS BEEN FAIR REPORT'S OF LOT'S OF SHARK'S , BARRACUDAS, ON THURSDAY SKA KINGFISH TOURNAMENT WENT WELL AS OF 6:30 THURSDAY TOP FISH WAS 43.8 LB'S WITH 200+ BOAT'S TO WEIGHT IN .SEE UP DATE ON WINNER'S IN ANOTHER REPORT.BUT EVERY BODY CAUGHT KING MACKERAL THURSDAY.SURF & PIER HAS BEEN A SHOW IN IT SELF.WANT TO WATCH A LIVE FISH SHOW DRIVE TO FLAGLER BEACH LOOK OVER THE OCEAN FOR BIG BAIT POD'S AND WATCH THE BIG TARPON ,KING MACKERAL , SHARK'S IN A FEEDING FENZY. THERE HAS BEEN ALSO BIG WHITING COMING IN NICE SHEEPHEAD IN THE HAMMOCK BEACH AREA , POMPANO , BLACK DRUM TO 8 LB'STHERE WAS A GUY ON THE BEACH UP BUY THE INLET WHO CAUGHT 3 KING MACKERAL'S ALL AROUND 10 LB'S FROM THE SURF ON BERKLY POWER MULLET , PLUS SOME GUY'S ARE HOOKING TARPON , KING MACKERAL ON THE END OF THE PIER USING LIVE BAIT'S.TILL LATER IN WEEK GOOD LUCK FISHING !! LOOK FOR INFORMATION ON ROY'S REDFISH TOURNAMENT LABOR DAY WEEKEND . WILL POST ON WEB SITE THIS WEEK.ROY MATTSON - ROY'S BAIT HOUSE OPEN 5 AM - 9 PM DAILY
Roy's Bait House
386-439-2200
105 N 2nd St
Flagler Beach, FL 32136
www.roysbaithouse.com
THE LOCAL FISHING REPORT IS LIKE THIS. THERE HAS BEEN SO MANY PEOPLE FISHING IN THE INTERCOASTALAND CATCHING NICE SNOOK AND RELEASING THEM IT IS BREAKING MY HART. THERE IS A LOT OF TROUT AROUND , MANGO SNAPPER'S , REDFISH , TARPON ,THE FLOUNDER FISHING HAS BEEN THE BEST IN 4-5 YEAR'S LOT'S OF 2-6 LB FLOUNDER , AND YES THE SHRIMP ARE THICK IN THE RIVER.OFFSHORE FISHING HAS BEEN FAIR REPORT'S OF LOT'S OF SHARK'S , BARRACUDAS, ON THURSDAY SKA KINGFISH TOURNAMENT WENT WELL AS OF 6:30 THURSDAY TOP FISH WAS 43.8 LB'S WITH 200+ BOAT'S TO WEIGHT IN .SEE UP DATE ON WINNER'S IN ANOTHER REPORT.BUT EVERY BODY CAUGHT KING MACKERAL THURSDAY.SURF & PIER HAS BEEN A SHOW IN IT SELF.WANT TO WATCH A LIVE FISH SHOW DRIVE TO FLAGLER BEACH LOOK OVER THE OCEAN FOR BIG BAIT POD'S AND WATCH THE BIG TARPON ,KING MACKERAL , SHARK'S IN A FEEDING FENZY. THERE HAS BEEN ALSO BIG WHITING COMING IN NICE SHEEPHEAD IN THE HAMMOCK BEACH AREA , POMPANO , BLACK DRUM TO 8 LB'STHERE WAS A GUY ON THE BEACH UP BUY THE INLET WHO CAUGHT 3 KING MACKERAL'S ALL AROUND 10 LB'S FROM THE SURF ON BERKLY POWER MULLET , PLUS SOME GUY'S ARE HOOKING TARPON , KING MACKERAL ON THE END OF THE PIER USING LIVE BAIT'S.TILL LATER IN WEEK GOOD LUCK FISHING !! LOOK FOR INFORMATION ON ROY'S REDFISH TOURNAMENT LABOR DAY WEEKEND . WILL POST ON WEB SITE THIS WEEK.ROY MATTSON - ROY'S BAIT HOUSE OPEN 5 AM - 9 PM DAILY
Roy's Bait House
386-439-2200
105 N 2nd St
Flagler Beach, FL 32136
www.roysbaithouse.com
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Scalloping Contacts
I have been searching the inter net looking for information on the best places to go scalloping, guides to put you on the scallops, and marinas to launch from. To no surprise the three most famous scalloping areas, Steinhatchee, Crystal River, and Homosassa are the only places that promote scalloping. Port St. Joe is hosting it's 11th Annual Scallop Festival on Aug. 18th-19th, and they mention that you can find scallops in St. Joseph Bay, but they don't promote recreational scalloping. Suwannee mentions that you can gather scallops in there area, but they push scalloping enthusiasts toward Steinhatchee. Below you will find a list of fishing guides that advertise scalloping trips in Steinhatchee along with local marinas. There is also a link to visitcitrus.com, the official site for information for Citrus Co., Crystal River and Homosassa along with a list of local marinas. The website contains information you will need to find guides and supplies in those areas. Also, if you plan on bringing your boat and are looking for a public boat ramp, click on the link on the right side of this web page, BOAT RAMPS- Big Bend. That will take you to a map of all the public boat ramps in the area.
Steinhatchee
MARINAS
Sea Hag: 352-489-3008, Gulf Stream: 352-498-8088, River Haven: 352-498-0709
GUIDES
Capt. Jim Henley, 352-498-0792, e-mail jmshenley@yahoo.com
Capt. Randall Hewitt, 386-208-3823(Cell) 386-294-1257(Home) www.naturecoastfishing.com/
Cracker Boys Guide Service, Capt. Butch Gentry, 850-986-2193
Big Bend Charters, Capt. Brian Smith, 352-498-3703
Turner Sportfishing, Capt. Wiley Horton, 352-284-0990, www.turnersportfishing.com/
Steinhatchee Kayak Tours, 352-213-7057, www.steinhatcheekayaktours.com/
Citrus County (Crystal River, Homosassa)
MARINAS
Crystal River
Dockside Trading Co: 352-563-2730, Plantation Inn Dive Shop: 352-795-5797,
Pete's Pier Inc: 352-795-3302, Twin Rivers Marina: 352-795-3552
Homosassa
Magic Manatee Marina: 352-628-7334, Van Der Valk Tradewinds Inc: 352-628-2214,
Riverhaven Marina: 352-628-5545, Momosassa Riverside Resort: 352-628-2510,
Homosassa Riverside Resort & Marina: 352-628-0622
GUIDES & SUPPLIES
www.visitcitrus.com/scalloping.asp
Steinhatchee
MARINAS
Sea Hag: 352-489-3008, Gulf Stream: 352-498-8088, River Haven: 352-498-0709
GUIDES
Capt. Jim Henley, 352-498-0792, e-mail jmshenley@yahoo.com
Capt. Randall Hewitt, 386-208-3823(Cell) 386-294-1257(Home) www.naturecoastfishing.com/
Cracker Boys Guide Service, Capt. Butch Gentry, 850-986-2193
Big Bend Charters, Capt. Brian Smith, 352-498-3703
Turner Sportfishing, Capt. Wiley Horton, 352-284-0990, www.turnersportfishing.com/
Steinhatchee Kayak Tours, 352-213-7057, www.steinhatcheekayaktours.com/
Citrus County (Crystal River, Homosassa)
MARINAS
Crystal River
Dockside Trading Co: 352-563-2730, Plantation Inn Dive Shop: 352-795-5797,
Pete's Pier Inc: 352-795-3302, Twin Rivers Marina: 352-795-3552
Homosassa
Magic Manatee Marina: 352-628-7334, Van Der Valk Tradewinds Inc: 352-628-2214,
Riverhaven Marina: 352-628-5545, Momosassa Riverside Resort: 352-628-2510,
Homosassa Riverside Resort & Marina: 352-628-0622
GUIDES & SUPPLIES
www.visitcitrus.com/scalloping.asp
Friday, July 20, 2007
Ruskin has Reds, Trout, Flounder, and More
I spoke with Patty at Ruskin Bait & Tackle in Ruskin today. She was telling me that fishing on the southeast shore of Tampa Bay is very good. Anglers there are catching redfish, speckled trout, flounder, snook and mangrove snapper from the bay, tarpon from the Little Manatee River, Bishops Harbor, and the Skyway Bridge, and a few amberjack and king mackerel from the mouth of Tampa Bay and the gulf. Redfish can be caught from under mangroves or docks and in the deep grass beds. Trout will be where they can find shade in water that is several feet deep and moving. Flounder are on sand flats and rock bottom that has good water movement. Live shrimp is the best bait for reds, trout and flounder. Drag or bounce your bait across the sand or rocks to catch the flounder. Mangrove snapper are thick along the Skyway Piers and around rock piles in the bay. Shrimp is also the best bait for mangos. Ruskin B&T has a good supply of live shrimp and other baits. Look for tarpon rolling in the river and harbor. Blue crabs, pass crabs and greenbacks are the best baits. AJ's and kingfish will be over the ship channel. For more information contact;
Ruskin Bait & Tackle
813-641-2325
1519 S US Highway 41
Ruskin, FL 33570
Ruskin Bait & Tackle
813-641-2325
1519 S US Highway 41
Ruskin, FL 33570
Big Reds in Indian River
I spoke with Lilly's in Titusville this morning. They were telling me that schools of big redfish are in the north end of the Indian River. The reds are most active early in the morning or late in the afternoon and will eat cut ladyfish or live shrimp. For more information contact;
Lilly's
321-264-0330
20 N Washington Ave
Titusville, Fl
Lilly's
321-264-0330
20 N Washington Ave
Titusville, Fl
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Florida Bay Scallops, What You Need To Know
The Florida bay scallop season has been open for more then two weeks now, and from all of the reports that I am getting, this is turning out to be an excellent year. I thought I would give you all of the 'need to know' information about scalloping in this post, and I will work on places to go and how to catch and cook them in a later post.
SEASON - July 1 - September 10.
OPEN HARVEST AREAS - State waters in the Gulf of Mexico extending from the Pasco - Hernando county line ( latitude 28 degrees, 26.016 minutes North ), to the west bank of the Mexico Beach canal ( latitude 85 degrees, 25.84 minutes West ) in Bay County.
POSSESSION - It is illegal to take scallops from outside of the open harvest areas, or to land scallops outside of the open harvest areas. In other words, you can not gather scallops from within the legal harvest areas, and then dock your boat outside of the legal harvest areas with scallops aboard. If you live south of the Pasco - Hernando county line, or west of the Mexico Beach canal, you can not drive your boat into the legal harvest area, gather scallops, then return to your dock with scallops aboard.
RECREATIONAL HARVEST LIMIT - 2 gallons of whole bay scallops in the shell, or one pint of bay scallop meat per day. There is also a per boat limit of 10 gallons of whole bay scallops in the shell, or 1/2 gallon of bay scallop meat aboard any vessel at any time. Scallops may only be landed by hand or by dip net.
LICENSE - A Florida saltwater fishing license is required for the recreational harvest of bay scallops.
DIVING/SNORKELING REQUIREMENTS - A divers-down flag must be displayed on any vessel with divers/snorkelers in the water. The flag must be a minimum of 20"x24" and must use a stiffener to keep the flag unfurled. This flag must be displayed above the vessels highest point so that it is visible from all directions. A 12"x12" float flag is also required by all divers/snorkelers, and you must stay within 300' of this flag.
GEAR - Mask, snorkel, fins, diver-down flag, mesh bag to hold scallops until you get back to the boat, cooler with ice, sunscreen.
Keep an eye out for my next post on places to go scalloping and how to catch and cook them. Also check the maps to Florida's public boat ramps on the top right hand side of my main page. They will give you information on all of the public boat ramps in the legal harvest area, Boat Ramps - Big Bend, and you can use them to get driving directions or to find food, lodging, gas or whatever you will need when your scalloping adventure.
SEASON - July 1 - September 10.
OPEN HARVEST AREAS - State waters in the Gulf of Mexico extending from the Pasco - Hernando county line ( latitude 28 degrees, 26.016 minutes North ), to the west bank of the Mexico Beach canal ( latitude 85 degrees, 25.84 minutes West ) in Bay County.
POSSESSION - It is illegal to take scallops from outside of the open harvest areas, or to land scallops outside of the open harvest areas. In other words, you can not gather scallops from within the legal harvest areas, and then dock your boat outside of the legal harvest areas with scallops aboard. If you live south of the Pasco - Hernando county line, or west of the Mexico Beach canal, you can not drive your boat into the legal harvest area, gather scallops, then return to your dock with scallops aboard.
RECREATIONAL HARVEST LIMIT - 2 gallons of whole bay scallops in the shell, or one pint of bay scallop meat per day. There is also a per boat limit of 10 gallons of whole bay scallops in the shell, or 1/2 gallon of bay scallop meat aboard any vessel at any time. Scallops may only be landed by hand or by dip net.
LICENSE - A Florida saltwater fishing license is required for the recreational harvest of bay scallops.
DIVING/SNORKELING REQUIREMENTS - A divers-down flag must be displayed on any vessel with divers/snorkelers in the water. The flag must be a minimum of 20"x24" and must use a stiffener to keep the flag unfurled. This flag must be displayed above the vessels highest point so that it is visible from all directions. A 12"x12" float flag is also required by all divers/snorkelers, and you must stay within 300' of this flag.
GEAR - Mask, snorkel, fins, diver-down flag, mesh bag to hold scallops until you get back to the boat, cooler with ice, sunscreen.
Keep an eye out for my next post on places to go scalloping and how to catch and cook them. Also check the maps to Florida's public boat ramps on the top right hand side of my main page. They will give you information on all of the public boat ramps in the legal harvest area, Boat Ramps - Big Bend, and you can use them to get driving directions or to find food, lodging, gas or whatever you will need when your scalloping adventure.
Crystal River: Scallops, Reds, & Trout
I spoke with Lisa at Twin Rivers Bait & Tackle in Crystal River today. She was telling me that scalloping is good from Shell Island North. Speckled trout are active early in the morning and late in the afternoon on grass flats. Live shrimp is the best bait and Twin Rivers B&T has a good supply of select shrimp on hand. Redfish are also active early and late. Look for reds along mangrove shorelines, oyster bars, and deeper channels. Shrimp, gold spoons and cut bait are all good for redfish. For more information contact;
Twin Rivers Bait & Tackle
352-564-0085
9687 W Fort Island Trail
Crystal River, FL 34429
Twin Rivers Bait & Tackle
352-564-0085
9687 W Fort Island Trail
Crystal River, FL 34429
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
West Palm Beach
I spoke with Dave at Seven Seas Bait & Tackle in Riviera Beach today. During these long, hot, dog days of summer, snapper are the main target of most local anglers. Mutton snapper are biting well around wrecks, reefs, and ledges in 80ft - 120ft of water. Sardines are the best bait. Mangrove snapper can be found in the Lake Worth Inlet and around bridges. Sardines and small pinfish are good baits. A few dolphin and a few king mackerel are still being caught by offshore anglers trolling weed lines and color breaks. Live bait and skirted lures will catch the dolphin, live bait and large spoons will catch kingfish. Inshore anglers are doing most of there fishing at night. Snook season is closed, but you can find plenty of line siders around bridges and dock lights. Redtail Hawks, greenbacks, and pinfish are all good baits. A Zara Spook or other top water plug that you can 'walk the dog' with, are also a great way to catch snook at night. Remember to bend down the barbs on all of your hooks to make releasing any snook you catch much easier on you and the fish. For more information contact;
Seven Seas Bait & Tackle
561-686-7845
47 E Blue Heron Blvd
Riviera Beach, FL 33404
Seven Seas Bait & Tackle
561-686-7845
47 E Blue Heron Blvd
Riviera Beach, FL 33404
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Sebastian Inlet Guest Report from Whitey's
Fishing Report
Reported by Capt. Sherrie Stovall on July 12, 2007
Offshore: With hot surface temperatures and flat seas, now is the time to cool off by hunting on the ocean floor. Diving can be a nice relief form the heat and higher fuel prices. Lobster season opens for a short 2-day mini season July 25th and 26th for 2007. Lobster must be at have at least a 3" carapace, and the limit is 12 per person for the short season. The Regular spiny lobster season is August 6 through March 31. The daily bag limit is 6 per person per day during that time. Don’t forget to purchase you Lobster stamp for $2.50 from the state to keep your limit. Every person must posses a stamp in order to harvest bugs (dive lingo for lobster) and a regular fishing license does not make your legal.
Now is the time to start checking your favorite numbers for some long legs and antennas poking out. The summer cold water currents have not moved in yet and the bottom temperatures are still warm. Look for the water to stay warm until the winds start blowing for the west. West winds are the summer time curse for thermoclines and make it hard to fish the bottom, but great to go diving. Many of the larger gray grouper have been stacking up along the shallow reefs around 70 ft. There is a plankton layer along the bottom and tons of small anchovy baits are present. Most of the snapper seem to be gorging themselves on that protein rich snack. Anglers are finding that the 70 ft. and 90 ft. reefs are barren of large baitfish and the bite seems slow due to the buffet of little baits below. Seems like you need to make that boat run early this month and check out the deeper ledges around 130 ft. - 240 ft. for better bottom action. Most of the mahi will be scattered along the offshore bars. Best bet for action will be live bait on the surface. If it is just too hot to stay still, put the dead baits out and start trolling. Look for the typical signs of grass patches and rips on the surface. Don’t be surprised if you get a few spies at your baits by a sailfish.
Sebatian Inlet: Inshore fishing heats up on the redfish. As summer time hits the crabs start to float out of the river and into the inlet. The redfish stack up in the chanel and go crazy on the crabs floating on the surface. The best time is after the current really gets moving out of the inlet.
River: Spotted sea trout have been very prolific along the lagoon flats. Shrimp on a cork and spoons are the easiest way to cover some ground and find the fish. The redfish are also roaming around looking for a free meal. Look to start fishing early in the mornings and later in the evenings to beat the heat.
Be sure to put your sunscreen on and to stay highdrated and cool in the heat!! Until next month……
Visit our new Whitey's Photo Album site for loads of pictures new and old.
If you need information, or wish to book an Offshore Charter, please call us on 321-724-1440, or email us at: captstovall@whiteysonline.com
For more information contact;
Whitey's Bait & Tackle
321-724-1440
9030 S Highway A1a
Melbourne Beach, FL 32951
www.whiteysonline.com/
Reported by Capt. Sherrie Stovall on July 12, 2007
Offshore: With hot surface temperatures and flat seas, now is the time to cool off by hunting on the ocean floor. Diving can be a nice relief form the heat and higher fuel prices. Lobster season opens for a short 2-day mini season July 25th and 26th for 2007. Lobster must be at have at least a 3" carapace, and the limit is 12 per person for the short season. The Regular spiny lobster season is August 6 through March 31. The daily bag limit is 6 per person per day during that time. Don’t forget to purchase you Lobster stamp for $2.50 from the state to keep your limit. Every person must posses a stamp in order to harvest bugs (dive lingo for lobster) and a regular fishing license does not make your legal.
Now is the time to start checking your favorite numbers for some long legs and antennas poking out. The summer cold water currents have not moved in yet and the bottom temperatures are still warm. Look for the water to stay warm until the winds start blowing for the west. West winds are the summer time curse for thermoclines and make it hard to fish the bottom, but great to go diving. Many of the larger gray grouper have been stacking up along the shallow reefs around 70 ft. There is a plankton layer along the bottom and tons of small anchovy baits are present. Most of the snapper seem to be gorging themselves on that protein rich snack. Anglers are finding that the 70 ft. and 90 ft. reefs are barren of large baitfish and the bite seems slow due to the buffet of little baits below. Seems like you need to make that boat run early this month and check out the deeper ledges around 130 ft. - 240 ft. for better bottom action. Most of the mahi will be scattered along the offshore bars. Best bet for action will be live bait on the surface. If it is just too hot to stay still, put the dead baits out and start trolling. Look for the typical signs of grass patches and rips on the surface. Don’t be surprised if you get a few spies at your baits by a sailfish.
Sebatian Inlet: Inshore fishing heats up on the redfish. As summer time hits the crabs start to float out of the river and into the inlet. The redfish stack up in the chanel and go crazy on the crabs floating on the surface. The best time is after the current really gets moving out of the inlet.
River: Spotted sea trout have been very prolific along the lagoon flats. Shrimp on a cork and spoons are the easiest way to cover some ground and find the fish. The redfish are also roaming around looking for a free meal. Look to start fishing early in the mornings and later in the evenings to beat the heat.
Be sure to put your sunscreen on and to stay highdrated and cool in the heat!! Until next month……
Visit our new Whitey's Photo Album site for loads of pictures new and old.
If you need information, or wish to book an Offshore Charter, please call us on 321-724-1440, or email us at: captstovall@whiteysonline.com
For more information contact;
Whitey's Bait & Tackle
321-724-1440
9030 S Highway A1a
Melbourne Beach, FL 32951
www.whiteysonline.com/
Panima City Guest Report From Half Hitch Tackle
Report for 07/13/2007
Salt Water
PANAMA CITY OFFSHORE AND BAYS - King Mackerel fishing is still strong. Troll dusters, Stretch 25’s or big Rattle Traps from 4-6 knots for the best action. The Tarpon bite is getting better. Several fish are being seen every day and plenty of hook ups. These fish are extremely spooky, do not run up on them with your motor. They simply will not eat. Anchor on the sandbar and wait for the fish to come to you. Use live mullet, pin fish, pogies, cigar minnows or menhaden on a 7 to 12/0 circle hook with 60 to 100# fluorocarbon leaders and 20 to 30# main line. Wahoo are still being caught in good numbers. For best luck, run out to the south west and look for weed lines forming at about 20-25 miles. High speed trollers like the Panhandler and Yo Zuri Bonita in back and purple colors are working best. Also, try slow trolling rigged ballyhoo or live hard tails. Mahi Mahi are showing up in greater numbers. Lots of chicken dolphin are being caught around many of the offshore wrecks and bigger dolphin are being caught from 25 miles out. The Grouper bite has been steady lately. Best catches have been in the 100 to 200 foot areas on mainly hard bottom. Live bait, whole boston mackerel and jigs(Shimano Butterfly or Williamson) are working well. Jigs with a glow color to them are a sure bet. Amberjack are on many of the inshore wrecks and reefs in good numbers. Try the Bridge Spans for lots of action. The larger fish will be well offshore over hard bottom. Live cigar minnows or pinfish will entice the larger fish, while jigs (Williamson Jig or AJ Jig) will trigger the most bites. Snapper action is still going strong. Squid, cigar minnows and chunks of northern mackerel are working well also. The bag limit for state waters remains four snapper per person and 16” length, however in federal waters only two snapper per person and 16” length. Federal waters start basically nine miles from land, and is noted on your maps as the Natural resources boundary. Ladyfish, Bluefish and Bar Jacks are everywhere up and down the beaches right now. Throw Pompano Jigs, Gotcha’s and Spoons on light tackle for a lot of fun. Half Hitch Tackle
ST ANDREWS BAY SYSTEM - Flounder are being caught on drop-offs in the bays. Use a Carolina rig with live bull minnows for the best results. For artificial bait fishermen, use an 1/8 oz. jig with Gulp Curl Tail Minnows in a variety of colors. The Trout bite has been spotty. A lot of dinks are on the flats and roaming the grassy areas. Big trout can be caught early in the day on topwater plugs. An excellent technique is to rig a Berkley Gulp 4” Shrimp weedless with a standard wide gap worm hook and no weight. The bait will sink slow and with each twitch will dart erratically. The trout will nail it on the fall! The redfish action is still going strong. Gulp, Gold Spoons and Soft Jerk Baits are working well. Early in the morning and late in the afternoon, try throwing topwater baits (Spook Jr with a Red Head and White Body) for some explosive action. Half Hitch Tackle
DAN RUSSEL PIER - Spanish mackerel and a few Kings are being caught every day at the pier right now. Sharks, Pompano, Whiting, Blue Fish, and Lay Fish are also being caught. Call 850-233-5080 for the latest pier fishing information.
Fishing Report prepared by Half Hitch Tackle Staff.
The Captains Corner Fishing Report is provided by local charter captains and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of Half Hitch Tackle.
This report is dedicated to the memory of Al Hubbard. Al Hubbard was a field editor for Florida Sportsman magazine, an outdoor writer for the News Herald and a board member of the Florida Outdoor Writer's Association. Mr. Hubbard was also the owner of Al's Outdoors Outfitting Services.
For more information contact;
Half Hitch Tackle
850-234-2621
2206 Thomas Dr
Panama City, FL 32408
www.halfhitch.com/
Salt Water
PANAMA CITY OFFSHORE AND BAYS - King Mackerel fishing is still strong. Troll dusters, Stretch 25’s or big Rattle Traps from 4-6 knots for the best action. The Tarpon bite is getting better. Several fish are being seen every day and plenty of hook ups. These fish are extremely spooky, do not run up on them with your motor. They simply will not eat. Anchor on the sandbar and wait for the fish to come to you. Use live mullet, pin fish, pogies, cigar minnows or menhaden on a 7 to 12/0 circle hook with 60 to 100# fluorocarbon leaders and 20 to 30# main line. Wahoo are still being caught in good numbers. For best luck, run out to the south west and look for weed lines forming at about 20-25 miles. High speed trollers like the Panhandler and Yo Zuri Bonita in back and purple colors are working best. Also, try slow trolling rigged ballyhoo or live hard tails. Mahi Mahi are showing up in greater numbers. Lots of chicken dolphin are being caught around many of the offshore wrecks and bigger dolphin are being caught from 25 miles out. The Grouper bite has been steady lately. Best catches have been in the 100 to 200 foot areas on mainly hard bottom. Live bait, whole boston mackerel and jigs(Shimano Butterfly or Williamson) are working well. Jigs with a glow color to them are a sure bet. Amberjack are on many of the inshore wrecks and reefs in good numbers. Try the Bridge Spans for lots of action. The larger fish will be well offshore over hard bottom. Live cigar minnows or pinfish will entice the larger fish, while jigs (Williamson Jig or AJ Jig) will trigger the most bites. Snapper action is still going strong. Squid, cigar minnows and chunks of northern mackerel are working well also. The bag limit for state waters remains four snapper per person and 16” length, however in federal waters only two snapper per person and 16” length. Federal waters start basically nine miles from land, and is noted on your maps as the Natural resources boundary. Ladyfish, Bluefish and Bar Jacks are everywhere up and down the beaches right now. Throw Pompano Jigs, Gotcha’s and Spoons on light tackle for a lot of fun. Half Hitch Tackle
ST ANDREWS BAY SYSTEM - Flounder are being caught on drop-offs in the bays. Use a Carolina rig with live bull minnows for the best results. For artificial bait fishermen, use an 1/8 oz. jig with Gulp Curl Tail Minnows in a variety of colors. The Trout bite has been spotty. A lot of dinks are on the flats and roaming the grassy areas. Big trout can be caught early in the day on topwater plugs. An excellent technique is to rig a Berkley Gulp 4” Shrimp weedless with a standard wide gap worm hook and no weight. The bait will sink slow and with each twitch will dart erratically. The trout will nail it on the fall! The redfish action is still going strong. Gulp, Gold Spoons and Soft Jerk Baits are working well. Early in the morning and late in the afternoon, try throwing topwater baits (Spook Jr with a Red Head and White Body) for some explosive action. Half Hitch Tackle
DAN RUSSEL PIER - Spanish mackerel and a few Kings are being caught every day at the pier right now. Sharks, Pompano, Whiting, Blue Fish, and Lay Fish are also being caught. Call 850-233-5080 for the latest pier fishing information.
Fishing Report prepared by Half Hitch Tackle Staff.
The Captains Corner Fishing Report is provided by local charter captains and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of Half Hitch Tackle.
This report is dedicated to the memory of Al Hubbard. Al Hubbard was a field editor for Florida Sportsman magazine, an outdoor writer for the News Herald and a board member of the Florida Outdoor Writer's Association. Mr. Hubbard was also the owner of Al's Outdoors Outfitting Services.
For more information contact;
Half Hitch Tackle
850-234-2621
2206 Thomas Dr
Panama City, FL 32408
www.halfhitch.com/
St Augustine
I spoke with Dave at Oldest City Bait & Tackle in St Augustine this morning. He was telling me that fishing is better then average for this time of year. Redfish are all over the place. Look for reds around backwater creeks, around docks, on oyster bars and shell beds, and around bridges. Gold spoons and cut mullet are the best baits. Speckled trout are slowing but a few large fish can be caught on pinfish or finger mullet on grass flats and drop offs. Black drum fishing is good around bridges. Clams and pieces of crab are the best bait. Flounder fishing is excellent. Flounder will hit mud minnows and finger mullet fished in almost any spot that is near shore, has good water movement, and has a sand or mud bottom. Use a pyramid sinker to keep your bait on the bottom and 'bounce' your bait occasionally to cover more ground and draw the attention of any flounder in the area. Whiting fishing is very good from the pier an in the surf. Sandflees and shrimp are the best bait. Offshore fishermen are hooking good numbers of king mackerel on near shore wrecks. Use a sabiki rig to catch what ever live bait is swimming in the area, and troll that around the structure. Snapper fishing is good on these same near shore wrecks. Pinfish and shrimp are the best baits. For more information call;
Oldest City Bait & Tackle
904-461-0244
1915 State Rd 312
St Augustine, FL 32080
Oldest City Bait & Tackle
904-461-0244
1915 State Rd 312
St Augustine, FL 32080
Monday, July 16, 2007
Homosassa Scallops are Large & Plentiful
I spoke with Nancy at McRae's Bait House in Homosassa this afternoon. She was telling me that it is shaping up to be an excellent year for scalloping. Almost every one of the 500+ boats going out on the weekend is coming in with there limit of scallops and the scallops they catching are all very large. Redfish are thick around the St. Martin Islands. Cut mullet and Silver Minnow spoons are the best baits. Speckled trout fishing is very good on the grass flats. Jigs tipped with shrimp, slug baits, and DOA or Gulp shrimp are the best baits. The shrimp have moved offshore to spawn and will not return until the end of August. Whitebait, greenbacks, and pinfish are the best live bait alternatives until they return. You can cast net these baits around docks and channel markers. With the summer heat and thunderstorms upon us, early morning and late afternoon will be the best times to fish. For more information contact;
McRae's Bait House
352-628-2602
5290 S Cherokee Way
Homosassa, FL 34448
McRae's Bait House
352-628-2602
5290 S Cherokee Way
Homosassa, FL 34448
Amelia Island
I spoke with Leaders and Sinkers in Fernandina Beach this afternoon. They were telling me that they have redfish, flounder, and speckled trout biting inshore, tarpon, whiting, and bluefish hitting on the beach, and king mackerel in the Atlantic. Redfish are active around docks, backwater creeks, and oyster bars. Shrimp and cut mullet are the best baits. Flounder fishing is excelent. Flounder can be caught on mud minnows or finger mullet, or they can be gigged, around jetties, oyster bars, and sand bars. Speckled trout can be caught on shell beds and deeper drop offs using finger mullet and jigs. Whiting can caught from the beach. Sand flees and shrimp are the best baits. Look for tarpon just off of the beach and around passes. Blue crabs and fresh dead sardines are the baits of choice. Blue fish are near the beach and can be caught on small silver spoons and Got-Cha Plugs. King mackerel can be caught by trolling live bait and large spoons. For more information contact;
Leaders and Sinkers
904-321-2800
1006 S 14th St
Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
www.floundergigging.com/
Leaders and Sinkers
904-321-2800
1006 S 14th St
Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
www.floundergigging.com/
Friday, July 13, 2007
North Skyway Fishing Pier: Mangos & Macks
I spoke with the North Skyway Fishing Pier in St Petersburg this afternoon. Mangrove snapper and spanish mackerel are the most common fish being caught. The mangos are mostly being caught after midnight, until the sun comes up, under the bridge and by floating your bait out to the rubble. Limits of fish from 12" - 15" are being caught on medium sized shrimp and greenbacks. Spanish mackerel are best early in the morning and late in the afternoon. They are also active during the day from 2hrs before a tide change until slack tide. A small silver spoon, Got-Cha Plug, or greenback are the best baits. There are also a lot of sharks in the area. They will eat shrimp, greenbacks, or cut bait fished on the bottom. For more information contact;
N Skyway Fishing Pier State Park
727-865-0668
10501 Sunshine Skyway Bridge
St Petersburg, FL 33701
www.skywaypiers.com/
N Skyway Fishing Pier State Park
727-865-0668
10501 Sunshine Skyway Bridge
St Petersburg, FL 33701
www.skywaypiers.com/
Key Largo Has great Snapper and Trout Action
I spoke with Lin at Key Largo Bait & Tackle, The Yellow Bait House, on Key Largo this morning. She was telling me that the snapper are spawning on near shore wrecks and reefs. Mangrove snapper are holding close to shore and will eat pinfish and shrimp. The Duane & Bibb wreck is loaded with mutton snapper and has quite a few yellowtail snapper. Lin was telling me that the secret to catching a lot of snapper is to chum,chum,chum, then drop a live pinfish into the chum slick to catch the mutton snapper, or a live shrimp to catch yellowtail snapper. Some small dolphin can be caught around weed lines in 250ft of water off of Key Largo. These are all 'peanut' and 'juvenile' dolphin. The larger fish are in 60ft of water from around Islamorada south with the largest dolphin being the farthest south. In the bay and back country, redfish,snook, tarpon and trout are all biting very well. The redfish are on oyster bars and under mangroves. shrimp and cut mullet or ladyfish are the best baits. Snook are around the small islands and will hit a small pinfish or shrimp. Some tarpon are still hanging out in the bay and will eat a pinfish. Trout have really turned on and are tearing up live shrimp fished under a Cajun Thunder Float. For more information contact;
Key Largo Bait & Tackle (Yellow Bait House)
305-451-0921
101741 Overseas Hwy
Key Largo, FL 33037
Key Largo Bait & Tackle (Yellow Bait House)
305-451-0921
101741 Overseas Hwy
Key Largo, FL 33037
Thursday, July 12, 2007
ICAST50 Best of Show Winners
ICAST 50 is the fishing tackle industry's 2007 convention and trade show being held in Las Vegas July 11th-13th. The highlight of the convention is the 'BEST of SHOW' judging for new products in 17 categories. ESPN Outdoors Fishing has the first look at the winners on there site at, http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/fishing/news/story?page=best_of_show . Here is a rundown of the winners.
Best Fishing Accessory: Berkley TEC Pistol Trigger Grip with Sheath
This is an easy to use lip gripper with a pistol trigger design.
Best Soft Lure: Gulp Alive!
This is a biodegradable scented soft lure.
Best Hard Lure: Rollo Lures
A retractable steel leader helps to set the hook when a fish strikes.
Best Terminal Tackle: Double Dee's
Fish attractors that counter rotate and admit harmonic oscillation.
Best Electronic: Lorance/Navico, LCX-38C HD (200kHz) Sonar/ chart plotter
The SolorMax 8.4", 600V X 800H pixel SVGA screen, gives brilliant, 16- bit TFT color fish-finding and navigational views. Also has a 30GB internal hard drive and Ethernet expansion port for sonar graph sharing.
Best Gift-Wear: McDaddy's Pink Ribbon Collection
Fishing spoon jewelry in white gold or sterling silver.
Best Eye wear: Costa Del Mar, Man-O'-War 2
Best Kids Tackle: Outdoor Adventure Kids Inc.,Miss Fisherman
Smaller rod and reel combo, in pink or purple, designed for young girls.
Best Clothing: Old Harbor Outfitters, Technical Shorts
Shorts include built in fighting harness.
Best Boating Accessory: Bert's Custom Tackle, Bert's Track System
Tackle track system includes ratcheting rod holder and tool holder.
Best Tackle Management System: Shimano, Bristol Bay Portable Live well Bag
Portable live bait system for kayak anglers.
Best Line: Stren, Microfuse in Glacier Blue Fluorescent
Thermally-fused, braided line has high visibility above water, low visibility below water.
Best Combo: Pfluger Fishing Tackle, PFLEX Fly/Spin Kit
Molded case, 6 piece graphite rod, 5SSBB spinning reel, aluminum fly reel
Best Saltwater Rod: E21 Fishing, Fusion
Carbon fiber, nano tube composit material makes this rod strong, lite and able to cast farther with less effort.
Best Saltwater Reel: Shimano, Trinidad DC
Bait caster designed with Digital Control technology.
Freshwater Reel: Shimano, Stradic FI Spinning Reels
Innovations include Paladin Gear durability enhancement and Propulsion Line Management System.
BEST IN SHOW
Best Freshwater Rod: E21 Fishing, The Carrot Stix
Nano bio-fibers, made from carrots, exhibit qualities of both graphite and glass.
Best Fishing Accessory: Berkley TEC Pistol Trigger Grip with Sheath
This is an easy to use lip gripper with a pistol trigger design.
Best Soft Lure: Gulp Alive!
This is a biodegradable scented soft lure.
Best Hard Lure: Rollo Lures
A retractable steel leader helps to set the hook when a fish strikes.
Best Terminal Tackle: Double Dee's
Fish attractors that counter rotate and admit harmonic oscillation.
Best Electronic: Lorance/Navico, LCX-38C HD (200kHz) Sonar/ chart plotter
The SolorMax 8.4", 600V X 800H pixel SVGA screen, gives brilliant, 16- bit TFT color fish-finding and navigational views. Also has a 30GB internal hard drive and Ethernet expansion port for sonar graph sharing.
Best Gift-Wear: McDaddy's Pink Ribbon Collection
Fishing spoon jewelry in white gold or sterling silver.
Best Eye wear: Costa Del Mar, Man-O'-War 2
Best Kids Tackle: Outdoor Adventure Kids Inc.,Miss Fisherman
Smaller rod and reel combo, in pink or purple, designed for young girls.
Best Clothing: Old Harbor Outfitters, Technical Shorts
Shorts include built in fighting harness.
Best Boating Accessory: Bert's Custom Tackle, Bert's Track System
Tackle track system includes ratcheting rod holder and tool holder.
Best Tackle Management System: Shimano, Bristol Bay Portable Live well Bag
Portable live bait system for kayak anglers.
Best Line: Stren, Microfuse in Glacier Blue Fluorescent
Thermally-fused, braided line has high visibility above water, low visibility below water.
Best Combo: Pfluger Fishing Tackle, PFLEX Fly/Spin Kit
Molded case, 6 piece graphite rod, 5SSBB spinning reel, aluminum fly reel
Best Saltwater Rod: E21 Fishing, Fusion
Carbon fiber, nano tube composit material makes this rod strong, lite and able to cast farther with less effort.
Best Saltwater Reel: Shimano, Trinidad DC
Bait caster designed with Digital Control technology.
Freshwater Reel: Shimano, Stradic FI Spinning Reels
Innovations include Paladin Gear durability enhancement and Propulsion Line Management System.
BEST IN SHOW
Best Freshwater Rod: E21 Fishing, The Carrot Stix
Nano bio-fibers, made from carrots, exhibit qualities of both graphite and glass.
Panama City Guest Report from Half Hitch Tackle
Report for 07/06/2007
Saltwater
DESTIN - Offshore fishing remains hot, this week a 700lb pluss blue marlin won the Pensacola International Billfish tournament. Reports of big dolphin from the nipple out to the spur and over torards the squiggles. Several people have reported nice rips running from the spur to the squiggles. There have also been many blue and white marlin hook ups. I have seen several pictures lately of people bringing marlin into the baot for pictures and then releasing them please remember the billfish foundation has asked everyone to take pictures of the fish while they are in the water and not to baot the fish. This increases survival rates by as much as 400%. On the pier there have been lots of tarpon hookups and a few kings, throw in a few ladyfish and hardtails. The surf is pretty quiet unless you fish at dusk for blues and sharks. Bottom fishing for snapper and grouper is steady and there is a very good bite of kings in the gulf. The bay is doninated by reds and ladyfish, trout have been very slow for most people. the best catch of trout I have heard of was a guy catching 20 in the sould one morning but only haveing 4 keepers. Tim Broom
PANAMA CITY OFFSHORE AND BAYS - King Mackerel fishing has been exceptional this week. A lot of kings are being caught trolling Dusters and free-lining live or dead bait. Larger Kings are being caught slow trolling live bait at a depth of 30-40 feet. Use downriggers or heavy egg sinkers with long leaders to attain the depth range needed. The Tarpon are showing up in greater numbers every day. Several fish are being seen every day and plenty of hook ups. These fish are extremely spooky, do not run up on them with your motor. They simply will not eat. Anchor on the sandbar and wait for the fish to come to you. Use live mullet, pin fish, pogies, cigar minnows or menhaden on a 7 to 12/0 circle hook with 60 to 100# fluorocarbon leaders and 20 to 30# main line. The Wahoo bite has been steady. For best luck, run out to the south west and look for weed lines forming at about 20-25 miles. High speed trollers like the Panhandler and Yo Zuri Bonita in back and purple colors are working best. Also, try slow trolling rigged ballyhoo or live hard tails. Mahi Mahi are showing up in greater numbers. Lots of chicken dolphin are being caught around many of the offshore wrecks and bigger dolphin are being caught from 25 miles out. The Grouper bite has been very good lately. Best catches have been in the 100 to 200 foot areas on mainly hard bottom. Live bait, whole boston mackerel and jigs(Shimano Butterfly or Williamson) are working well. Jigs with a glow color to them are a sure bet. Amberjack are on many of the inshore wrecks and reefs in good numbers. Try the Bridge Spans for lots of action. The larger fish will be well offshore over hard bottom. Live cigar minnows or pinfish will entice the larger fish, while jigs (Williamson Jig or AJ Jig) will trigger the most bites. Snapper action is still going strong. Squid, cigar minnows and chunks of northern mackerel are working well also. The bag limit for state waters remains four snapper per person and 16” length, however in federal waters only two snapper per person and 16” length. Federal waters start basically nine miles from land, and is noted on your maps as the Natural resources boundary. Ladyfish, Bluefish and Bar Jacks are everywhere up and down the beaches right now. Throw Pompano Jigs, Gotcha’s and Spoons on light tackle for a lot of fun. Half Hitch Tackle
ST ANDREWS BAY SYSTEM - Flounder are being caught on drop-offs in the bays. Use a Carolina rig with live bull minnows for the best results. For artificial bait fishermen, use an 1/8 oz. jig with Gulp Curl Tail Minnows in a variety of colors. The Trout bite has been spotty. A lot of dinks are on the flats and roaming the grassy areas. Big trout can be caught early in the day on topwater plugs. An excellent technique is to rig a Berkley Gulp 4” Shrimp weedless with a standard wide gap worm hook and no weight. The bait will sink slow and with each twitch will dart erratically. The trout will nail it on the fall! The redfish action is still going strong. Gulp, Gold Spoons and Soft Jerk Baits are working well. Early in the morning and late in the afternoon, try throwing topwater baits (Spook Jr with a Red Head and White Body) for some explosive action. Half Hitch Tackle
DAN RUSSEL PIER - Spanish mackerel and a few Kings are being caught every day at the pier right now. Sharks, Pompano, Whiting, Blue Fish, and Lay Fish are also being caught. Call 850-233-5080 for the latest pier fishing information.
MEXICO BEACH/PORT ST JOE OFFSHORE - The snapper bit is hot on near and offshore structure. The Grouper bite has also been great, but for good numbers you need to head south to at least 150 foot of water. Reports have the best numbers at 25-40 miles out, just look for bottom structure and you cannot go wrong. Live bait is plentiful and is easy to catch around buoys and over wrecks and reefs close in. the King Mackerel bite is good with large numbers reported around local structure. Look for bait schools around the bottom structure and along the buoy line. Your best bet is trolling dusters and flat lining over structure where bait is holding. For your best bet trolling, head out a couple miles from the buoy line and troll through the schools of baitfish.
ST JOSEPH BAY - Scalloping is great this season, reports say there are large numbers in the bay with average sizes between an inch and an inch and a half in diameter. The best spots are the head of the bay behind black’s island. The summer trout bite is in full swing. Redfish are good this week. Live shrimp is working well and for artificial bait use Berkley Gulp in a three-inch shrimp imitation spoon. Fish the flats from Pig Island all the way to Pompano point and you should be able to catch nice redfish and trout on top water lures like the Mirrolure top dog juniors. You can use live Alewives and live shrimp under a Cajun thunder float too. Choice spots are around Black’s island and in the channel by Pigs bayou. The Flounder bite is slowing, but a few are caught on a daily basis. Bull minnows Carolina rigged with a size 1 circle hook using fluorocarbon leader material and a 1 oz or smaller egg weight is probably the best rig for this species. For more information contact;
Half Hitch Tackle
850-234-2621
2206 Thomas Dr
Panama City, Fl 32408
www.halfhitch.com/
Saltwater
DESTIN - Offshore fishing remains hot, this week a 700lb pluss blue marlin won the Pensacola International Billfish tournament. Reports of big dolphin from the nipple out to the spur and over torards the squiggles. Several people have reported nice rips running from the spur to the squiggles. There have also been many blue and white marlin hook ups. I have seen several pictures lately of people bringing marlin into the baot for pictures and then releasing them please remember the billfish foundation has asked everyone to take pictures of the fish while they are in the water and not to baot the fish. This increases survival rates by as much as 400%. On the pier there have been lots of tarpon hookups and a few kings, throw in a few ladyfish and hardtails. The surf is pretty quiet unless you fish at dusk for blues and sharks. Bottom fishing for snapper and grouper is steady and there is a very good bite of kings in the gulf. The bay is doninated by reds and ladyfish, trout have been very slow for most people. the best catch of trout I have heard of was a guy catching 20 in the sould one morning but only haveing 4 keepers. Tim Broom
PANAMA CITY OFFSHORE AND BAYS - King Mackerel fishing has been exceptional this week. A lot of kings are being caught trolling Dusters and free-lining live or dead bait. Larger Kings are being caught slow trolling live bait at a depth of 30-40 feet. Use downriggers or heavy egg sinkers with long leaders to attain the depth range needed. The Tarpon are showing up in greater numbers every day. Several fish are being seen every day and plenty of hook ups. These fish are extremely spooky, do not run up on them with your motor. They simply will not eat. Anchor on the sandbar and wait for the fish to come to you. Use live mullet, pin fish, pogies, cigar minnows or menhaden on a 7 to 12/0 circle hook with 60 to 100# fluorocarbon leaders and 20 to 30# main line. The Wahoo bite has been steady. For best luck, run out to the south west and look for weed lines forming at about 20-25 miles. High speed trollers like the Panhandler and Yo Zuri Bonita in back and purple colors are working best. Also, try slow trolling rigged ballyhoo or live hard tails. Mahi Mahi are showing up in greater numbers. Lots of chicken dolphin are being caught around many of the offshore wrecks and bigger dolphin are being caught from 25 miles out. The Grouper bite has been very good lately. Best catches have been in the 100 to 200 foot areas on mainly hard bottom. Live bait, whole boston mackerel and jigs(Shimano Butterfly or Williamson) are working well. Jigs with a glow color to them are a sure bet. Amberjack are on many of the inshore wrecks and reefs in good numbers. Try the Bridge Spans for lots of action. The larger fish will be well offshore over hard bottom. Live cigar minnows or pinfish will entice the larger fish, while jigs (Williamson Jig or AJ Jig) will trigger the most bites. Snapper action is still going strong. Squid, cigar minnows and chunks of northern mackerel are working well also. The bag limit for state waters remains four snapper per person and 16” length, however in federal waters only two snapper per person and 16” length. Federal waters start basically nine miles from land, and is noted on your maps as the Natural resources boundary. Ladyfish, Bluefish and Bar Jacks are everywhere up and down the beaches right now. Throw Pompano Jigs, Gotcha’s and Spoons on light tackle for a lot of fun. Half Hitch Tackle
ST ANDREWS BAY SYSTEM - Flounder are being caught on drop-offs in the bays. Use a Carolina rig with live bull minnows for the best results. For artificial bait fishermen, use an 1/8 oz. jig with Gulp Curl Tail Minnows in a variety of colors. The Trout bite has been spotty. A lot of dinks are on the flats and roaming the grassy areas. Big trout can be caught early in the day on topwater plugs. An excellent technique is to rig a Berkley Gulp 4” Shrimp weedless with a standard wide gap worm hook and no weight. The bait will sink slow and with each twitch will dart erratically. The trout will nail it on the fall! The redfish action is still going strong. Gulp, Gold Spoons and Soft Jerk Baits are working well. Early in the morning and late in the afternoon, try throwing topwater baits (Spook Jr with a Red Head and White Body) for some explosive action. Half Hitch Tackle
DAN RUSSEL PIER - Spanish mackerel and a few Kings are being caught every day at the pier right now. Sharks, Pompano, Whiting, Blue Fish, and Lay Fish are also being caught. Call 850-233-5080 for the latest pier fishing information.
MEXICO BEACH/PORT ST JOE OFFSHORE - The snapper bit is hot on near and offshore structure. The Grouper bite has also been great, but for good numbers you need to head south to at least 150 foot of water. Reports have the best numbers at 25-40 miles out, just look for bottom structure and you cannot go wrong. Live bait is plentiful and is easy to catch around buoys and over wrecks and reefs close in. the King Mackerel bite is good with large numbers reported around local structure. Look for bait schools around the bottom structure and along the buoy line. Your best bet is trolling dusters and flat lining over structure where bait is holding. For your best bet trolling, head out a couple miles from the buoy line and troll through the schools of baitfish.
ST JOSEPH BAY - Scalloping is great this season, reports say there are large numbers in the bay with average sizes between an inch and an inch and a half in diameter. The best spots are the head of the bay behind black’s island. The summer trout bite is in full swing. Redfish are good this week. Live shrimp is working well and for artificial bait use Berkley Gulp in a three-inch shrimp imitation spoon. Fish the flats from Pig Island all the way to Pompano point and you should be able to catch nice redfish and trout on top water lures like the Mirrolure top dog juniors. You can use live Alewives and live shrimp under a Cajun thunder float too. Choice spots are around Black’s island and in the channel by Pigs bayou. The Flounder bite is slowing, but a few are caught on a daily basis. Bull minnows Carolina rigged with a size 1 circle hook using fluorocarbon leader material and a 1 oz or smaller egg weight is probably the best rig for this species. For more information contact;
Half Hitch Tackle
850-234-2621
2206 Thomas Dr
Panama City, Fl 32408
www.halfhitch.com/
Ponce Inlet
I spoke with Byron at Fishin Cove Bait & Tackle in New Smyrna today. He was telling me that fishing is good in the Halifax River, Ponce Inlet, and the Atlantic. Redfish, speckled trout, and tarpon are all biting well in the river. The fish are most active early morning and late in the day. The reds will be around docks, mangrove shoreline, and creeks. Finger mullet, shrimp, and gold spoons are all good baits for redfish. Trout will be around lit docks at night, and on grass flats and in deeper water during the day. Black drum, flounder, and sheepshead can be caught in the inlet. Pieces of crab will catch the drum, mud minnows and finger mullet bounced on the bottom will catch flounder, shrimp will catch sheepshead. Offshore, dolphin, sailfish, and wahoo can all be caught 25 miles - 30 miles out. Troll ballyhoo and lures around weed lines and color breaks. Tuna fishing is good 100 miles offshore for the few that can get out that far. For more information contact;
Fishin Cove Bait & Tackle
386-428- 6781
129 N Riverside Dr
New Smyrna, FL 32168
Fishin Cove Bait & Tackle
386-428- 6781
129 N Riverside Dr
New Smyrna, FL 32168
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Bonita Springs
I spoke with Ken at Master Bait & Tackle in Bonita Springs today. He was telling me that the big surprise in his area is the good number of tarpon that are still hanging around. The speed limit in New Pass was recently lowered to a No Wake Zone, and now the tarpon are hanging out enjoying the peace and quiet. Blue crabs or pass crabs, fished on the bottom or under a float during an out going tide, will let you jump a few New Pass tarpon. Mangrove snapper are the most consistent fish right now. Mangos are biting any where from the close reefs to the back country. Pinfish are the best bait. Snook are on the beach, and they are moving out to near shore reefs to spawn. One of Ken's customers caught and released 3 snook yesterday, around 41", while fishing these reefs. Extra large pinfish are the bait of choice for summer snook. Please remember, snook season is closed so all snook caught must be released. These fish are spawning, killing one fish now reduces future populations. Do the following to help more snook survive. Bend down the barbs on your hooks, this makes releasing snook easier on you and the fish. Land the fish as quickly as possible and do not handle it more then you have to. Spend extra time reviving your snook before releasing it. A few cobia are being caught. Look for cobia around any type of structure near the beach. Pinfish are the best bait. Quite a few permit are hanging around area wrecks and reefs. A blue crab or pass crab floated above the structure will get permit to eat. Dolphin can be caught if you are willing to run 80 miles offshore. The Fantastico and Stony Point are holding dolphin. For more information contact;
Master Bait & Tackle
239-992-2553
4465 Bonita Beach Rd
Bonita Springs, FL 34134
www.masterbaitonline.com/
Master Bait & Tackle
239-992-2553
4465 Bonita Beach Rd
Bonita Springs, FL 34134
www.masterbaitonline.com/
Nokomis: Snook & Tarpon
I spoke with Dawn at H2Only Bait & Tackle in Nokomis this morning. The summer heat and thunderstorms have set in so most anglers are fishing early mornings or late afternoons. Snook can be caught in the first swash channel on the beach early in the morning. Polarized sunglasses will help you spot the fish as they lay next to the beach waiting for bait to be washed by. Throw a pinfish or whitebait up current and let it wash down to the snook. Tarpon are on the beach. A live pinfish or crab under a float, or a fresh dead sardine on the bottom will produce lots of hookups. Sheepshead are along the jetty's. Live shrimp is the best bait. Amberjack are on structure 30 miles offshore. A large pinfish dropped to just above the structure will get the attention of any AJ's in the area. Grouper fishing is slow, but dropping a pinfish to the bottom around the structure you are fishing for AJ's will produce an occasional keeper. For more information contact;
H2Only Bait & Tackle
941-488-8229
121 Tamiami Trail N
Nokomis, FL 34275
H2Only Bait & Tackle
941-488-8229
121 Tamiami Trail N
Nokomis, FL 34275
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Stuart Fishing is Great Every Where
I spoke with Henry at Snook Nook Discount Bait & Tackle in Jensen Beach this morning. He was telling me that fishing is great no mater where you go around Stuart. In the river, Tarpon are all over the place from Club Med to Sewall's Point and from the Stuart Causeway to the power plant. The bait they eat best will change from day to day, so bring a good variety. Redfish can be caught at night from the power plant to the Stuart Causeway. Shrimp and finger mullet fished around docks and bridges will produce some nice reds before dawn. Look for trout in the same areas as the redfish at night, and in deeper water during the day. Finger mullet and shrimp will catch trout at night, but during the day switch to soft plastic and work your lures slowly. All of the bridges around Stuart are holding a good variety of fish. Bluefish, cobia, spanish mackerel, and snapper can all be caught from under or around area bridges. Henry was telling me that the large variance in water depth, from shallow water near the shore to deep water in the channels, produces the many droop offs and ambush points that predatory fish love. Small silver spoons and Got-Cha Plugs will catch the blues and spanish mackerel, pinfish will catch cobia, and shrimp is best for snapper. Huge schools of bait fish have pushed right up against the beach bringing king mackerel and spanish mackerel with them. Kingfish, around 17 lb's, and large spanish mackerel can be caught all day long from the beach. The best bait will be what ever bait fish is swimming in the area you are fishing. Dolphin are scattered in 80ft - 180ft of water. For the most consistent dolphin action you have to run out to 300ft. Sailfish action is also good in 300ft of water. Troll ballyhoo or lures for dolphin and sailfish. Grouper fishing is OK and snapper fishing is excellent in 40 ft - 80 ft depths. Big pinfish are the best bait for grouper, sardines are best for snapper. For more information contact;
Snook Nook Discount Bait & Tackle
772-334-2145
3595 NE Indian River Dr
Jensen Beach, FL 34957
www.snooknook.net/
Snook Nook Discount Bait & Tackle
772-334-2145
3595 NE Indian River Dr
Jensen Beach, FL 34957
www.snooknook.net/
Marathon: Tuna On The Hump
I spoke with Jason at the Tackle Box, across from the Coast Guard Station, on Marathon today. He was telling me that dolphin are hit or miss with good numbers of 'peanut' dolphin being caught , but few large fish. Snapper fishing is excellent in 150ft of water. Drifting wrecks and reefs is producing impressive numbers of big yellowtail snapper and lots of mutton snapper in the 20lb range. The most popular place to fish right now is the 'Hump'. This underwater sea mound, located just over 20 miles SE of Marathon, is producing some great catches of blackfin tuna. Look for the birds to show you where the fish are, then use a large pink butterfly jig to catch these fun, tasty fish. For more information contact;
Tackle Box
350-289-0540
1901 Overseas Hwy
Marathon, FL 33050
http://www.thetacklebox.com/
Tackle Box
350-289-0540
1901 Overseas Hwy
Marathon, FL 33050
http://www.thetacklebox.com/
Monday, July 09, 2007
North East Atlantic Piers
I spoke with Jacksonville Beach Pier today. They were telling me that pier anglers there are catching black drum, flounder, speckled trout, and whiting. Although a good variety of fish are biting, not a lot of any one type of fish is being caught. The black drum can be caught fishing on the bottom with live or dead shrimp. Flounder will hit live shrimp, mud minnows, or finger mullet bounced across the bottom. Trout and whiting can be caught on shrimp fished under a float or on bottom. For more information contact;
Jacksonville Beach Pier
904-241-1515
503 1st Street N
Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
www.jacksonvillebeachpier.com/
I also spoke with Ron at St. Johns Co. Ocean Pier in St Augustine today. He tells me that his customers are catching black drum, spanish mackerel, and lots of flounder. The black drum can be caught on clams, live shrimp, or dead shrimp fished on the bottom. Spanish mackerel are best early in the morning or late afternoon on Clark spoons or Got-Cha Plugs. Flounder can be caught on mud minnows or finger mullet bounced across the bottom using a pyramid sinker rig. For more information contact;
St. Johns Co. Ocean Pier
904-461-0119
350 A1a Beach Blvd
St Augustine, FL 32080
Jacksonville Beach Pier
904-241-1515
503 1st Street N
Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
www.jacksonvillebeachpier.com/
I also spoke with Ron at St. Johns Co. Ocean Pier in St Augustine today. He tells me that his customers are catching black drum, spanish mackerel, and lots of flounder. The black drum can be caught on clams, live shrimp, or dead shrimp fished on the bottom. Spanish mackerel are best early in the morning or late afternoon on Clark spoons or Got-Cha Plugs. Flounder can be caught on mud minnows or finger mullet bounced across the bottom using a pyramid sinker rig. For more information contact;
St. Johns Co. Ocean Pier
904-461-0119
350 A1a Beach Blvd
St Augustine, FL 32080
Panhandle Piers: Great When Water Clears
I spoke with Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier near Pensacola this morning. They were telling me that the water is dirty today, making fishing slow, but this last weekend it was clear and fishing was phenomenal. When the water clears. in about two days, pier anglers can expect to catch lots of spanish mackerel, king mackerel, tarpon, sharks, and hard tails. Fishing for spanish and king mackerel is best early morning or late afternoon. Spanish mackerel like small silver spoons and Got-Cha Plugs, king mackerel will eat cigar minnows or other bait fish caught from around the pier. A sturdy fishing rig, 20lb class min., and wire leader are needed to land kingfish. Cast to the fish as they swim by or use a float to keep your bait where you want it. Tarpon also require heavy fishing tackle and at least 80lb mono or fluorocarbon leader. Crabs, cigar minnows, and baitfish from around the pier are the best baits. Use a float or cast well in front of rolling schools of tarpon and let the fish come to your bait. For more information contact;
Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier
850-934-7200
41 Fort Pickens Rd
Gulf Breeze, FL 32561
www.fishpensacolabeachpier.com/
I also spoke with Okaloosa Island Pier near Fort Walton this morning. Dirty water is making fishing for everything, except tarpon, a little slow today. Pier fishing for tarpon requires heavy tackle and heavy leaders. Crabs, cigar minnows and baitfish caught around the pier are the best baits. When the water clears, look for blue fish, spanish mackerel, and king mackerel from the end of the pier in the early morning and late afternoon. Clark Spoons and Got-Cha plugs will catch the blues and spanish mackerel, cigar minnows and baitfish caught from around the pier will catch the kings. A few redfish are also being caught. Greenbacks or cut mullet fished on the bottom will catch the reds. For more information contact;
Okaloosa Island Pier
850-244-1023
1030 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
www.okaloosaislandpier.com
Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier
850-934-7200
41 Fort Pickens Rd
Gulf Breeze, FL 32561
www.fishpensacolabeachpier.com/
I also spoke with Okaloosa Island Pier near Fort Walton this morning. Dirty water is making fishing for everything, except tarpon, a little slow today. Pier fishing for tarpon requires heavy tackle and heavy leaders. Crabs, cigar minnows and baitfish caught around the pier are the best baits. When the water clears, look for blue fish, spanish mackerel, and king mackerel from the end of the pier in the early morning and late afternoon. Clark Spoons and Got-Cha plugs will catch the blues and spanish mackerel, cigar minnows and baitfish caught from around the pier will catch the kings. A few redfish are also being caught. Greenbacks or cut mullet fished on the bottom will catch the reds. For more information contact;
Okaloosa Island Pier
850-244-1023
1030 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
www.okaloosaislandpier.com
Sunday, July 08, 2007
Guide to Florida's Public Boat Ramps
The Florida's F.I.N. guide to public boat ramps in Florida is complete. With these detailed maps you can easily find the area of the state you want to search, quickly find all available public ramps in the vicinity of where you want to put in, compare amenities of the various ramps, and see a satellite over view of the ramp and surrounding area. You can zoom in to see a more detailed view, or out for a more general view. You can get driving directions from your home rite to the ramp, and you can search the web, rite from the map, for anything from local bait shops or repair shops to restaurants and lodging. I think that you will find that these maps are the most complete, most detailed, and easiest to use guide to Florida boat ramps on the web today.
Friday, July 06, 2007
Charlotte Harbor: Tarpon & Snapper
I spoke with Robert at Fishn' Frank's Bait & Tackle in Port Charlotte today. He was telling me that tarpon and sharks are wearing out anglers in Charlotte Harbor and Boca Grande Pass. The full moon of this last weekend flushed huge numbers of blue crabs and pass crabs through Boca Grande producing some of the best tarpon fishing of the year. The redfish bite is fair on the east side of the harbor and in Lemon Bay. Live shrimp is the best bait for reds, but the shrimp will soon be migrating offshore. Chunks of fresh cut ladyfish and mullet are an excellent alternative to shrimp. Small top water plugs, such as the Zara Pup, will produce thrilling strikes by redfish early in the morning. Snook fishing is slow in Charlotte Harbor this time of year but is red hot on the beaches. Lady fish, mullet and fresh cut chunks of these fish are excellent baits. Remember... snook season is closed so all snook caught must be released. Bend down the barbs on your hooks to make releasing the fish easier on you and the snook. Robert was telling me that warm water holds less oxygen so you should also spend more time reviving the fish before releasing it. Offshore, snapper fishing is phenomenal. Lane snapper are holding on structure and drop offs 10 miles to 20 miles out. Yellowtail snapper are on structure 3 miles to 10 miles out. The best action, by far, is at night. Anchor over structure where you mark fish on your fish finder and shine lights into the water. Bait fish will be drawn to the lights, and snapper will be drawn to the bait fish. Live shrimp is the best bait along with threadfins and white bait. For more information contact;
Fishn' Frank's Bait & Tackle
941-625-3888
4425 Tamiami Trail # D
Port Charlotte, FL 33980
www.fishinfranks.com/
Fishn' Frank's Bait & Tackle
941-625-3888
4425 Tamiami Trail # D
Port Charlotte, FL 33980
www.fishinfranks.com/
Gulf Breeze: Great Fishing Inshore & Offshore
I spoke with Victor at Gulf Breeze Bait & Tackle near Pensicola this morning. He tells me that fishing is good in the western Florida Panhandle with trout, reds, and flounder keeping rods bent inshore and dolphin, billfish, mackerel, tarpon,and wahoo keeping anglers busy in the Gulf.
INSHORE - The summer heat and thunder storms are here, so fishing early morning and late afternoon is best. Look for redfish around creeks, docks, and oyster bars. Live shrimp, gold spoons, and the 3" Gulp Shrimp in New Penny or Root Beer are the best baits. Speckled trout are on grass flats in the day and lit docks at night. Live shrimp, jerk baits, and the 4" Gulp Shrimp work well for bait. The Top Dog Jr, and 19MR MirrOminnow work great at night and early morning. Flounder have moved into the bay and can be found on sand and mud bottoms with good tidal flow. Bull minnows and Gulp Curly Tail Minnows on a lite jig head are the best baits.
BEACHES - Spanish mackerel can be caught from the Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier on small silver spoons and Got-Cha Plugs. King mackerel can be caught from the pier on frisky live bait fish, or you can catch them by trolling live bait or large spoons near the beach and at the edge. Tarpon can be caught from the pier on crabs or fresh dead sardines fished on the bottom or from a boat just off of the beach.
OFFSHORE - The larger gamefish can all be caught 35 miles offshore and farther. Look for blue marlin and white marlin, dolphin, and wahoo on the 131, the nipple, the elbow, the spur, and offshore oil rigs. Trolling I Land Lures and ballyhoo will produce plenty of action. For more information contact;
Gulf Breeze Bait & Tackle
850-932-6789
825 Gulf Breeze Pkwy
Gulf Breeze, FL 32561
www.gbtackle.com/
INSHORE - The summer heat and thunder storms are here, so fishing early morning and late afternoon is best. Look for redfish around creeks, docks, and oyster bars. Live shrimp, gold spoons, and the 3" Gulp Shrimp in New Penny or Root Beer are the best baits. Speckled trout are on grass flats in the day and lit docks at night. Live shrimp, jerk baits, and the 4" Gulp Shrimp work well for bait. The Top Dog Jr, and 19MR MirrOminnow work great at night and early morning. Flounder have moved into the bay and can be found on sand and mud bottoms with good tidal flow. Bull minnows and Gulp Curly Tail Minnows on a lite jig head are the best baits.
BEACHES - Spanish mackerel can be caught from the Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier on small silver spoons and Got-Cha Plugs. King mackerel can be caught from the pier on frisky live bait fish, or you can catch them by trolling live bait or large spoons near the beach and at the edge. Tarpon can be caught from the pier on crabs or fresh dead sardines fished on the bottom or from a boat just off of the beach.
OFFSHORE - The larger gamefish can all be caught 35 miles offshore and farther. Look for blue marlin and white marlin, dolphin, and wahoo on the 131, the nipple, the elbow, the spur, and offshore oil rigs. Trolling I Land Lures and ballyhoo will produce plenty of action. For more information contact;
Gulf Breeze Bait & Tackle
850-932-6789
825 Gulf Breeze Pkwy
Gulf Breeze, FL 32561
www.gbtackle.com/
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Panama City Guest Report From Half Hitch Tackle
The Weekly Fishing Report:
Report for 06/29/2007 Salt Water
DESTIN - Well let’s just start with the big game fishing! What a weekend we had with the Emerald Coast Classic going on here in Destin. There were 15 blue marlin tagged and releases and 3 brought to the scales. The largest blue marlin was 627lb caught on the Dreamin On with captain Randy Hodgekiss. They also had several dolphin awards and their total winnings for the weekend were $318,585.83. The Uptoit and captain Jemery Miles had the largest tuna at 179.0lb and thier total winnings were $126,623.34. The Sea Spray and captain Dill Staff had the largest dolphin and it was 52.7lb and tallied $76,943.34 in winnings. The Borderline Crazy and captain Scott Templeton had the largest wahoo which was 87.8lbs and totaled $50,078.33 in winnings. All in all the total payout was for the tournament was $1,307,357.00, a very fantastic tournament indeed. On other fronts the kings have been awesome near shore. Snapper are goon in 60-135ft water. Grouper and jacks are good at the edge. On the pier they are hooking some tarpon and getting plenty of kings along with some ladyfish and hardtails. In the surf there are plenty of hardtails and ladyfish during the day and at dusk lots of blues and sharks. In the bay around the Destin Bridge the bull reds have been very hot and a few trout east of the 331 bridge. Tim Broom
MEXICO BEACH/PORT ST JOE OFFSHORE - Summer is here, so expect lots of sun and the occasional afternoon shower/thunderstorm. Water conditions are expected to remain calm throughout the forth of July week. Red Snapper are going strong on near and offshore structures. The Grouper bite is been steady this past week, and that pattern should remain constant throughout the week. Reports have the best numbers at 25-40 miles out. Live bait is plentiful and will continue to be easy to catch at the buoys and over wrecks and reefs close in. The mahi-mahi bite reports are sketchy, but reports have put them 40 to 50 miles out with a few intermittent catches of peanut Mahi in close, look for the weed lines. King Mackerel are biting well and the only way you will not catch one is by not going. Look for bait schools around the bottom structure and along the buoy line. Your best bet is trolling dusters and flat lining over structure where bait is holding. Half Hitch Tackle
ST JOSEPH BAY - Do not forget! Scallop season opens Sunday July 1. The trout bite remains steady throughout the bay with the best sizes coming from the head of the bay. Your best bet for trout this week will be along the St. Joe side of the bay from the Port St. Joe Marina to Black’s island. Redfish numbers have been good this past week and live shrimp are working well are producing more fish than artificial, however if artificial baits are your favorite; use topwater plugs early (daylight to mid-morning) and Berkley Gulp baits the rest of the day. The hot colors are as follows; new penny, root beer, molting, and glow. Half Hitch Tackle
Fresh Water - Now the water has warmed the bass have moved out into deep holes and around the mouth of channels. Your best beat is deep diving crank baits. Shell cracker and Bluegill bite is going strong this summer. Bottom fishing in 3-4 ft. with a wiggler is producing good numbers. Half Hitch Tackle
PANAMA CITY OFFSHORE AND BAYS - The Tarpon migration is in full swing! Several fish are being seen every day and plenty of hook ups. These fish are extremely spooky, do not run up on them with your motor. They simply will not eat. Anchor on the sandbar and wait for the fish to come to you. Use live mullet, pin fish, pogies, cigar minnows or menhaden on a 7 to 12/0 circle hook with 60 to 100# fluorocarbon leaders and 20 to 30# main line. The Wahoo bite is really picking up. A few have been caught only 1 mile off the beach. High speed trollers like the Panhandler and Yo Zuri Bonita in black and purple colors are working best. Also, try slow trolling rigged ballyhoo or live hard tails. Mahi Mahi are showing up in greater numbers. Lots of chicken dolphin are being caught around many of the offshore wrecks and bigger dolphin are being caught from 25 miles out. King Mackerel fishing is starting to become more consistent. A lot of kings are being caught trolling Dusters and free-lining live or dead bait. Larger Kings are being caught slow trolling live bait at a depth of 30-40 feet. Use downriggers or heavy egg sinkers with long leaders to attain the depth range needed. The Grouper bite has been very good lately. Best catches have been in the 100 to 200 foot areas on mainly hard bottom. Live bait, whole boston mackerel and jigs(Shimano Butterfly or Williamson) are working well. Jigs with a glow color to them are a sure bet. Amberjack are on many of the inshore wrecks and reefs in good numbers. Try the Bridge Spans for lots of action. The larger fish will be well offshore over hard bottom. Live cigar minnows or pinfish will entice the larger fish, while jigs (Williamson Jig or AJ Jig) will trigger the most bites. Snapper action is still going strong. Squid, cigar minnows and chunks of northern mackerel are working well also. The bag limit for state waters remains four snapper per person and 16” length, however in federal waters only two snapper per person and 16” length. Federal waters start basically nine miles from land, and is noted on your maps as the Natural resources boundary. Ladyfish, Bluefish and Bar Jacks are everywhere up and down the beaches right now. Throw Pompano Jigs, Gotcha’s and Spoons on light tackle for a lot of fun. Half Hitch Tackle
ST ANDREWS BAY SYSTEM - Flounder are starting to move into the bay in greater numbers. Use a Carolina rig with live bull minnows for the best results. For artificial bait fishermen, use an 1/8 oz. jig with Gulp Curl Tail Minnows in a variety of colors. The Trout bite is picking up some. They are on the flats and roaming the grassy areas. Big trout can be caught early in the day on topwater plugs. An excellent technique is to rig a Berkley Gulp 4” Shrimp weedless with a standard wide gap worm hook and no weight. The bait will sink slow and with each twitch will dart erratically. The trout will nail it on the fall! The redfish action is still going strong. Gulp, Gold Spoons and Soft Jerk Baits are working well. Early in the morning and late in the afternoon, try throwing topwater baits (Top Dog Jr in Bone) for some explosive action. Half Hitch Tackle
DAN RUSSEL PIER - Spanish mackerel and a few Kings are being caught every day at the pier right now. Pompano, Whiting, Blue Fish, and Lady Fish are also being caught. Call 850-233-5080 for the latest pier fishing information.
Fishing Report prepared by Half Hitch Tackle Staff.
The Captains Corner Fishing Report is provided by local charter captains and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of Half Hitch Tackle.
This report is dedicated to the memory of Al Hubbard. Al Hubbard was a field editor for Florida Sportsman magazine, an outdoor writer for the News Herald and a board member of the Florida Outdoor Writer's Association. Mr. Hubbard was also the owner of Al's Outdoors Outfitting Services.
For more information contact;
Half Hitch Tackle
850-234-2621
2206 Thomas Dr
Panama City, FL 32408
www.halfhitch.com/
Report for 06/29/2007 Salt Water
DESTIN - Well let’s just start with the big game fishing! What a weekend we had with the Emerald Coast Classic going on here in Destin. There were 15 blue marlin tagged and releases and 3 brought to the scales. The largest blue marlin was 627lb caught on the Dreamin On with captain Randy Hodgekiss. They also had several dolphin awards and their total winnings for the weekend were $318,585.83. The Uptoit and captain Jemery Miles had the largest tuna at 179.0lb and thier total winnings were $126,623.34. The Sea Spray and captain Dill Staff had the largest dolphin and it was 52.7lb and tallied $76,943.34 in winnings. The Borderline Crazy and captain Scott Templeton had the largest wahoo which was 87.8lbs and totaled $50,078.33 in winnings. All in all the total payout was for the tournament was $1,307,357.00, a very fantastic tournament indeed. On other fronts the kings have been awesome near shore. Snapper are goon in 60-135ft water. Grouper and jacks are good at the edge. On the pier they are hooking some tarpon and getting plenty of kings along with some ladyfish and hardtails. In the surf there are plenty of hardtails and ladyfish during the day and at dusk lots of blues and sharks. In the bay around the Destin Bridge the bull reds have been very hot and a few trout east of the 331 bridge. Tim Broom
MEXICO BEACH/PORT ST JOE OFFSHORE - Summer is here, so expect lots of sun and the occasional afternoon shower/thunderstorm. Water conditions are expected to remain calm throughout the forth of July week. Red Snapper are going strong on near and offshore structures. The Grouper bite is been steady this past week, and that pattern should remain constant throughout the week. Reports have the best numbers at 25-40 miles out. Live bait is plentiful and will continue to be easy to catch at the buoys and over wrecks and reefs close in. The mahi-mahi bite reports are sketchy, but reports have put them 40 to 50 miles out with a few intermittent catches of peanut Mahi in close, look for the weed lines. King Mackerel are biting well and the only way you will not catch one is by not going. Look for bait schools around the bottom structure and along the buoy line. Your best bet is trolling dusters and flat lining over structure where bait is holding. Half Hitch Tackle
ST JOSEPH BAY - Do not forget! Scallop season opens Sunday July 1. The trout bite remains steady throughout the bay with the best sizes coming from the head of the bay. Your best bet for trout this week will be along the St. Joe side of the bay from the Port St. Joe Marina to Black’s island. Redfish numbers have been good this past week and live shrimp are working well are producing more fish than artificial, however if artificial baits are your favorite; use topwater plugs early (daylight to mid-morning) and Berkley Gulp baits the rest of the day. The hot colors are as follows; new penny, root beer, molting, and glow. Half Hitch Tackle
Fresh Water - Now the water has warmed the bass have moved out into deep holes and around the mouth of channels. Your best beat is deep diving crank baits. Shell cracker and Bluegill bite is going strong this summer. Bottom fishing in 3-4 ft. with a wiggler is producing good numbers. Half Hitch Tackle
PANAMA CITY OFFSHORE AND BAYS - The Tarpon migration is in full swing! Several fish are being seen every day and plenty of hook ups. These fish are extremely spooky, do not run up on them with your motor. They simply will not eat. Anchor on the sandbar and wait for the fish to come to you. Use live mullet, pin fish, pogies, cigar minnows or menhaden on a 7 to 12/0 circle hook with 60 to 100# fluorocarbon leaders and 20 to 30# main line. The Wahoo bite is really picking up. A few have been caught only 1 mile off the beach. High speed trollers like the Panhandler and Yo Zuri Bonita in black and purple colors are working best. Also, try slow trolling rigged ballyhoo or live hard tails. Mahi Mahi are showing up in greater numbers. Lots of chicken dolphin are being caught around many of the offshore wrecks and bigger dolphin are being caught from 25 miles out. King Mackerel fishing is starting to become more consistent. A lot of kings are being caught trolling Dusters and free-lining live or dead bait. Larger Kings are being caught slow trolling live bait at a depth of 30-40 feet. Use downriggers or heavy egg sinkers with long leaders to attain the depth range needed. The Grouper bite has been very good lately. Best catches have been in the 100 to 200 foot areas on mainly hard bottom. Live bait, whole boston mackerel and jigs(Shimano Butterfly or Williamson) are working well. Jigs with a glow color to them are a sure bet. Amberjack are on many of the inshore wrecks and reefs in good numbers. Try the Bridge Spans for lots of action. The larger fish will be well offshore over hard bottom. Live cigar minnows or pinfish will entice the larger fish, while jigs (Williamson Jig or AJ Jig) will trigger the most bites. Snapper action is still going strong. Squid, cigar minnows and chunks of northern mackerel are working well also. The bag limit for state waters remains four snapper per person and 16” length, however in federal waters only two snapper per person and 16” length. Federal waters start basically nine miles from land, and is noted on your maps as the Natural resources boundary. Ladyfish, Bluefish and Bar Jacks are everywhere up and down the beaches right now. Throw Pompano Jigs, Gotcha’s and Spoons on light tackle for a lot of fun. Half Hitch Tackle
ST ANDREWS BAY SYSTEM - Flounder are starting to move into the bay in greater numbers. Use a Carolina rig with live bull minnows for the best results. For artificial bait fishermen, use an 1/8 oz. jig with Gulp Curl Tail Minnows in a variety of colors. The Trout bite is picking up some. They are on the flats and roaming the grassy areas. Big trout can be caught early in the day on topwater plugs. An excellent technique is to rig a Berkley Gulp 4” Shrimp weedless with a standard wide gap worm hook and no weight. The bait will sink slow and with each twitch will dart erratically. The trout will nail it on the fall! The redfish action is still going strong. Gulp, Gold Spoons and Soft Jerk Baits are working well. Early in the morning and late in the afternoon, try throwing topwater baits (Top Dog Jr in Bone) for some explosive action. Half Hitch Tackle
DAN RUSSEL PIER - Spanish mackerel and a few Kings are being caught every day at the pier right now. Pompano, Whiting, Blue Fish, and Lady Fish are also being caught. Call 850-233-5080 for the latest pier fishing information.
Fishing Report prepared by Half Hitch Tackle Staff.
The Captains Corner Fishing Report is provided by local charter captains and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of Half Hitch Tackle.
This report is dedicated to the memory of Al Hubbard. Al Hubbard was a field editor for Florida Sportsman magazine, an outdoor writer for the News Herald and a board member of the Florida Outdoor Writer's Association. Mr. Hubbard was also the owner of Al's Outdoors Outfitting Services.
For more information contact;
Half Hitch Tackle
850-234-2621
2206 Thomas Dr
Panama City, FL 32408
www.halfhitch.com/
Dunedin, Snook & Tarpon Are On FIRE!
I spoke with Pat at Dunedin Fishing Center in Dunedin today. He tells me that snook and tarpon are 'on fire' on the beaches from Sand Key to Anclote Key. With air temperatures and water temperatures being near there summer highs, the best time to fish will be from 6pm - 9am. Water temperatures will cool slightly during these hours, stimulating fish to feed. Snook are in the first swash channel, (where the water breaks onto the sand), on the beach. They will also be in the passes where the current ebbs off into calmer water. The best bait will be the largest pinfish you can find. Pinfish can be caught from docks and bridges using a sabiki style rig baited with pieces of shrimp or squid. Rig your rod with at least 3ft of 30lb test fluorocarbon leader and a hook that matches the size of your bait. Remember, snook season is closed for the summer so all snook caught must be released. Please, bend down the barbs on your hooks to make releasing the fish easier on you and the fish. With the full moon this last weekend, lots of blue crabs and pass crabs are being flushed through area passes on the out going tides. Tarpon are staging outside the passes looking for an easy meal. Take advantage of this by anchoring near a pass on the outgoing tide and fishing a spread of crabs on the bottom and under a float. Redfish are holding under mangroves at high tide. A large shrimp flipped under the mangroves is the best way to catch these reds right now, but the shrimp will be migrating offshore over the next couple of weeks and will be hard to come by. Gold spoons are the summer standard for redfish. The Berkley Gulp Shrimp and the DOA Shrimp also work well. For more information contact;
Dunedin Fishing Center
727-738-5628
243 Bayshore Blvd
Dunedin, FL 34698
Dunedin Fishing Center
727-738-5628
243 Bayshore Blvd
Dunedin, FL 34698
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
Sebastian Inlet Has Redfish & Snapper
I spoke with Sherry at Whitey's Bait & Tackle near Sebastian Inlet this morning. She was telling me that fishing is a kind of slow today due to an east wind making the water a little dirty. Rising temperatures, both air and water, are also slowing things down all over the state. There is still good fishing in the Sebastian area. Speckled trout, redfish, and a few sheepshead can be caught in the river. The trout will be on the grass flats during the day and around lighted docks at night. Live shrimp and pinfish are the best baits. Redfish will be under docks, on oyster bars, and along mangrove shoreline. Shrimp or a Gulp Peeler Crab are good baits. In Sebastian Inlet, good numbers of snapper are along the rocks on the north side of the inlet. Small pinfish, majorras, and shrimp are the best baits. Good numbers of redfish are in the inlet waiting for crabs to be flushed through on the strong out going tide. Dip net crabs from the cat walk or use the Berkley Gulp Peeler Crabs for bait, and drift them on top of the water through the inlet. Sherry was telling me to use the small clear floats, with the pin in the middle that you can fill with water, along with the Gulp Peeler Crabs. This allows you greater casting distance and still allows the bait to float on top. On the beaches, the whiting bite is good but pompano are scattered. Shrimp and sand flees are the best baits. Offshore, red snapper are on drop offs and structure in 70ft - 90 ft of water. Pinfish and cut bait are the best baits. Grouper are in 27 fathoms around reefs and ledges. Dolphin are scattered right now, but some good weed lines are forming and should hold lots of fish soon. King mackerel are also scattered. For more information contact;
Whitey's Bait & Tackle
321-724-1440
9030 S Highway A1a
Melbourne Beach, FL 32951
www.whiteysonline.com
Whitey's Bait & Tackle
321-724-1440
9030 S Highway A1a
Melbourne Beach, FL 32951
www.whiteysonline.com
Flagler Beach Guest Report From Roy's
FISHING REPORT
Oscar Sarmiento Nice 4lb 5oz Flounder at Inlet
Roy Smith 2 Flounder in 2lb size
Kenny McIntyrel 11year old 17" Trout
Roy Earl 27" 4lb 8oz Trout Plus 4 More Over Size ( all on live Pigfish)
Emily Rodgerson Fishing Dock light's 11 Trout , 1 Flounder ( all Released)
John Craig , Jason Longfellow 5 Trout , 2 Flounder , 2 Snook During The Day - Live Shrimp
Please Stop By And See Roy And Enjoy the 4th of July with us.
Oscar Sarmiento Nice 4lb 5oz Flounder at Inlet
Roy Smith 2 Flounder in 2lb size
Kenny McIntyrel 11year old 17" Trout
Roy Earl 27" 4lb 8oz Trout Plus 4 More Over Size ( all on live Pigfish)
Emily Rodgerson Fishing Dock light's 11 Trout , 1 Flounder ( all Released)
John Craig , Jason Longfellow 5 Trout , 2 Flounder , 2 Snook During The Day - Live Shrimp
Please Stop By And See Roy And Enjoy the 4th of July with us.
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Fort Lauderdale
I spoke to KC at Kingsbury & Sons Bait & Tackle in Fort Lauderdale this afternoon. He was telling me that fishing is excellent with snook biting inshore, tarpon on the beach, and dolphin and sailfish offshore. The snook bite is phenomenal from the canals to the inlets. The best action is at night around lighted docks, pylons, and other ambush points. Finger mullet, pinfish, and jumbo shrimp are all excellent live baits for snook. Redtail Hawks and top water plugs such as the Zara Spook are the best artificial's. Remember, snook season is closed, so all snook caught must be released. Bend down the barbs on your hooks to make this much easier on you and the fish. A few tarpon are in the inlet, but the large schools are on the beach. 'Leap Frog' schools of rolling fish to give your self several shots at a pod of tarpon, or anchor in a spot where you have seen tarpon and soak a crab or a fresh dead greenback on the bottom. Dolphin and sailfish are scattered in 1,000ft - 1,200ft of water with the majority of the sailfish being to the south around Miami. They are spread out so troll live bait or rigged ballyhoo around weed lines and color breaks until you find the fish. KC also wanted me to mention that largemouth bass and peacock bass fishing is phenomenal inland and will stay that way as long as it keeps raining. For more information contact;
Kingsbury & Sons Tackle
954-467-3474
1801 S Federal Hwy
Ft Lauderdale, FL 33316
Kingsbury & Sons Tackle
954-467-3474
1801 S Federal Hwy
Ft Lauderdale, FL 33316
Jacksonville
I spoke with J.B. at B&M Bait & Tackle in Atlantic Beach today. He was telling me that fishing is good in spite of all the rain they have had the last few days. Redfish are active in creeks and under docks. Mudminnows, shrimp, and finger mullet are the best baits. Pompano and whiting are biting well in the surf. Sand flees and shrimp are the baits of choice. Offshore fishing is very good. King mackerel are holding about 9 miles off the beach. Use a sabiki rig to catch what ever live bait is swimming in the area, then troll it around the SE Hole and other structure. Grouper, trigerfish, and lots of nice lane snapper are on structure 27 - 29 miles out. Pinfish, croaker, and cut bait are the best baits. For more information contact;
B&M Bait & Tackle
904-249-3933
2789 State Rd A1a
Atlantic Beach, FL 32233
B&M Bait & Tackle
904-249-3933
2789 State Rd A1a
Atlantic Beach, FL 32233
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