Apalachicola Fishing Report 11- 2012

HANK HAYNES FROM JACKSONVILLE'S 44 INCH, 28 LB REDFISH CAUGHT 11/17/12 with Capt. Ken Finch

The past couple of weeks have been fantastic here on the coast. It's been cool & dry and with the exception of just a few days, very very fishable. Capt. Nathan Donahoe claims he's seeing more Reds than he has ever before seen in his life and if you ask Capt. Chris Robinson "How's the Fishing?" he gets that goofy grin on his face and says "we're wreckin em!" And that would be on light tackle & artificial lures or on fly rods.

Bay guides are coming in with tales of huge Bull Reds (see photo above) and losing count of the sheer numbers of fish they are catching in a day. I called Capt. Jr. Holland while he was still out on his 2nd trip today - so far he said they had 58 in the boat. (no- that's not 58 Redfish!) And Capt. Greg Fletcher was doing really well trout fishing out of Indian Pass.

If the weather holds, the next couple of weeks should be just as favorable for inshore fishing.

The 2013 fishing schedule is starting to come together - looks like Chris & Tommy may have some days open in the Keys in February if you're up for a real Spring Break. As always before we are honoring the right of first refusal for dates fished this year. You should be hearing from me soon for the inevitable deposit request.

Capt. Jr's houseboat is for sale by owner! It is currently being used as a vacation rental property with reservations into April. (and openings in December if you want to come stay!) Reply with your phone number if you are interested in more information and Jr. or Rhonda will call you back.

Happy Thanksgiving Y'all! And don't waste time standing in line at big box stores for Black Friday... Come to Apalachicola where we Light up the Town the day after Thanksgiving. Santa arrives aboard a shrimp boat, there's entertainment around town, the shops will be open until 8PM and the restaurants will be offering some yummy specials in keeping with the holiday. Stop in & say hi!

Kathy Robinson
Robinson Brothers Guide Service
44 Avenue E
Apalachicola, FL 32320
850-653-8896
www.FloridaRedfish.com

Ft Lauderdale Sailfish Heating Up!

Fishing offshore of Fort Lauderdale has been excellent the last week. Anglers fishing with me aboard the Reel Work have been catching mostly sailfish and mahi-mahi. Our anglers have caught at least 1 sailfish every trip this week and on one outstanding trip or anglers hooked 4 sailfish and land 3 of them. Dolphin (mahi-mahi) fishing has also been excellent. Our anglers have landed at least several nice mahi over the last week with the largest being a 32 pounder caught last Sunday. To top things off we had a blue marlin on the line Friday which is very rare here. Blue marlin are one of the bigest fish in the ocean. Females can weigh more then 1,900 lbs and reach lengths of 14 feet. They prefer warm water, like you find in the Gulf Stream just offshore of Fort Lauderdale, but are usually found far out at sea.
Fishing is already excellent and should remain that way well into 2013. Our charters are filling up fast so book your trip now to make sure you don't miss out on the fun!

Reel Work Sport Fishing Charters
301 Seabreeze Blvd.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
954-522-9399
1-877-524-9377
Email: lauderdalefishing@gmail.com
Website: lauderdalefishing.com
Fort Lauderdale Fishing Charters

Sarasota, FL Fishing Report
9/8/2012
by Capt. Rick Grassett

Anglers fishing with me on my Action Craft flats skiff the Snook Fin-Addict, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, caught and released redfish , trout, Spanish mackerel, and blue runners in Sarasota Bay and the coastal gulf on flies on a couple of trips during the past week.

Gary Mintz, from CO, fished Sarasota Bay with me on Tuesday. We caught a few trout and ladyfish on Siesta Key lighted docks before dawn, but snook were finicky. We checked the coastal gulf and found lots of Spanish mackerel feeding on the surface off Siesta Key where he caught and released Spanish mackerel and blue runners on Ultra Hair Clouser flies. Gary finished the morning strong with a nice red and numerous trout on a Clouser fly near Bishop Point. An instructional fly fishing trip later in the week was slow.

Catch and release snook before dawn and then moving to the flats for trout and reds in Sarasota Bay should be a good option next week. Snook are also moving onto shallow fats of Sarasota Bay. Juvenile tarpon in upper Charlotte Harbor should be another good option. Check the coastal gulf for false albacore (little tunny), Spanish mackerel and more when sea conditions are good.

Tight Lines,

Capt. Rick Grassett
FFF Certified Fly Casting Instructor
Orvis- Endorsed Outfitter Guide
CB’s Saltwater Outfitters-2011 Orvis Outfitter of the Year
Snook Fin-Addict Guide Service, Inc.
(941) 923-7799
E-mail snookfin@aol.com
www.flyfishingflorida.net and www.snookfin-addict.com

Gary Mitz, from CO, caught and released this big red on a Clouser fly while fishing Saraosta Bay with Capt. Rick Grassett.

Amelia Island Fishing Report 9-2012

Amelia Island Fishing Report
September 2012
by Cpt. Lawrence Piper
Get away from it all and ......let's go fishing!

Our Summer Guests have come and gone... but NOW is the best time to be fishing Amelia Island waters! Fall fishing means better weather, less crowds, and great fishing. Follow all the action at the Amelia Island Fishing Report. Get away from it all and...Let's Go Fishing on The Angler's Mark!

August Report/September Forecast:
August started off with a bang with one of my senior customers blowing out the Anglers Mark Bragging Rights Tournament Redfish category. We were treated to a sighting of one of the biggest deer I've seen in the area but catching of some nice Redfish was our prime objective. Sometimes the weather got in the way but usually it didn't have an affect on the great fishing. At one point we were catching Flounder on every trip. September should bring even better fishing to the area. Last year we had a couple of mornings in the high 60's, warming to the mid 80's - great weather. Flood tides beginning Sunday the 16th and running to Friday the 21st should make for some awesome tailing red trips! So if you want to Get Away From it All, give me a shout and we'll go fishing!

Fish Bites.....
Fun Friday Fishing - start your weekend early!
I've had a number of sole anglers request a "spot" on the boat so I've picked Friday September 21, 7am at Atlantic Seafood and will take the first (3) anglers who contact me. We'll plan to fish a 1/2 day (4 hours), $115 each angler. I've gotta have (3) to make it worth launching the boat. As always, I provide the bait, tackle, rods, reels, and fishing license - all you need to do is bring a hat and sunglasses! There's a good tide on that date so it should be a great fishing day!

The First Coast Fly Fishers will meet Monday September 10th at 7pm at the Jacksonville Mariott located near the intersection of I-95 and J. Turner Butler Blvd. Come early and practice your casting on the pond!



Young angler makes BIG catch: This young angler is only 7 years old -watch how he plays this big Red perfectly. Read all about it on Amelia Island Fishing Reports.

The Anglers Mark Bragging Rights Tournament had some movement this month with Paul Desire taking over 1st place in the Redfish category with a 30 1/2" fish. Paul picked up this fish with a top water Bite-a-Bait lure fished over some oyster beds. Mike Maron moved into second place in the Redfish category with a 28 3/4" fish. Ryan Leshinski moved into first place of the Flounder category with a 20" Flounder caught on a mud minnow and jig at a creek run out.

Capt. Lawrence Piper
The Anglers Mark
Amelia Island, Florida
904-557-1027
lwpiper@comcast.net
theanglersmark.com   

Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Report 9-2012

Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Report


Hurricane Isaac swung well to the west of us but still brought plenty of rain and high winds to the area. The water levels in the Lagoons rose nearly one foot but have since receded and are holding about six inches higher than they were pre-storm.

The question on may people's minds is what effect, if any, it had on the algae bloom that has been plaguing our region. I travelled over 70 miles through both the Indian River and Mosquito Lagoon this week and saw a wide range of conditions. Some areas are so cloudy you can barely see six inches while others have crystal clear water. The stained water still has fish in some areas but they are certainly harder to see unless they are tailing. The good news is that all the fish I found were happy to eat a variety of lures and flies even with a full moon overhead.

Trout fishing last month was especially productive. Large trout could be found both on the shallow flats and along sandbars. DOA 5.5" CAL tails with a Woodies Rattle landed the most fish.



Bill sight cast to this big trout with a DOA CAL

Average size trout could be hooked by the dozens using jigs and bucktails. Michael and his father enjoyed over an hour of non-stop catching using a 1/4 ounce jighead and a DOA curly tail. Barbless hooks made for quick catch and release action.



One of Michael's many seatrout

If the pinfish or puffers get too thick, switch to bucktails or a castmaster type spoon.

Unfortunately, the big tarpon that had been so prevalent before the storm seem to have moved on. Small tarpon can still be found in the creeks and canals and we have been catching quite a few on regular and tiny TerrorEyz.

The redfish bite this week was excellent. DOA shrimp, Baitbusters, Aqua Dreams pinfish spoon, bendback flies, and crab flies all caught fish. There is a huge variety of baitfish on the flats and the fish are feeding on anything they can get.



This big redfish ate a Baitbuster

During the next two months, the redfish will be very aggressive as they feast in anticipation of winter. This is one of the best times to catch them on topwater lures. Try to avoid using multiple treble hooks, especially on the trophy sized fish that must be released. These hooks can cause lots of damage to the fish. Use a DOA Baitbuster or refit your existing plugs with a single circle hook.

Schools of glass minnows can still be found by looking for diving terns. The ladyfish, jacks, trout, and sailcats can provide some great light tackle and fly fishing fun.


Upcoming Seminars

Saturday September 22, 2012 - 10:00 to Noon (Free Seminar) "Successful Saltwater Flats Angling Tactics" Instructed by Captains Tom Van Horn and Chris Myers. Located at Mosquito Creek Outdoors, 170 South Washington Ave. Apopka