Scott Paterna's Fishing Report   January 19, 2007

Apalachee Bay anglers receive a gold star for taking advantage of every bit of good fishing weather they've had this winter.  It was great practice for the upcoming "flats explosion".  Going through the motions keeps all of fishing's details fresh.  For example, greasing the axle bearings.  A simple yet important detail.  Replacing fishing line:  another.  And so on...Anglers are plenty aware that 2006 was the best fishing year ever.

When the Spring arrives, trout and redfishing will be even better than last year.  This thought alone is fueling winter fishing.  Even if no fish are caught, simply going through the motions is worth it.  Of course, plenty of keeper fish were boated.  Ken Brantley and Jim Drew set up a drift South of Black Rock past the stake and a school of bonitas converged.  Jim tossed a live shrimp on a jighead utilizing his trout rod.  A six pound bonita inhaled it and the monster fight was on!!  Jim could not believe his good fortune.  Way to go!!

Jim Drew		Johnny McDonald

Trout anglers need to get up creeks East of the St. Marks Lighthouse.  Shore anglers can bike the East River pools and get to the same spots.  A couple of kayak anglers paddled to where it is easier to walk.  Beyond that spot is winter trout territory.  All creeks are potential hotspots.  Live shrimp or Gulp jigs are baits favored by the anglers.

Redfish action continues up the St. Marks.  Start fishing past the power plant a quarter mile.  Gene Walton and Kane Curtin boated seven while keeping a 25" beauty.  Kane is becoming a pro river angler.  Way to go!!!  Live shrimp was the ticket for his success.  In the process, Gene and Kane released many silver trout.  Then Buck and Gene went the next day and boated two more keeper reds.  There are plenty of reds for the taking.  This has been a good redfish winter.

Otto Hough and Randy Trousdell	Kane Curtin	Jordan Hults

Grouper is still the fish of the season.  Grouper, grouper, grouper are everywhere.  There were even grouper caught at the nearshore artificial reefs.  There are so many, they are like saltwater bream... Ok, so that's an exaggeration.  Anyway, the pictures speak for themselves...

This is a very unusual winter, so take advantage of weather conditions when available.  Go fishing and stay in "fishing shape"... Don't let spring catch you by surprise!

In two more weeks trout season will be closed and you need to remember to safely release all the trout you catch.

APALACHEE BAY FLATS FISHING SEMINARS:  We will start this year's seminars on Wednesday, January 31st at 6:30pm at Jerry's Bait and Tackle.  This time the seminar will be hosted by Capt. Randy Peart and will cover Apalachee Bay Flats Fishing.  This will cover all aspects of Apalachee Bay trout, reds and all other species. I t will be followed by a Q.A.  The cost is $20 payable at the door.  Reserve your seat at Jerry's 850-421-3248 or email Scott at TMSeatrout@earthlink.net.

Scott Paterna
Jerry's Bait and Tackle
664 Woodville Hwy
850-421-3248
TMSeatrout@earthlink.net
http://www.jerrysbait.com

This article originally published on January 21, 2007.

Written by :

mkwestmark

 

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