Scott Paterna's Fishing Report (May 15, 2007)

Outdoors

Written by Scott Paterna Tuesday, 15 May 2007 17:18

Scott Paterna's Fishing Report

May 15, 2007

Apalachee Bay is up to it's old tricks. Amazing fish reports abound. One lucky kayaker put in at the Ochlockonee State Park and was paddling along the shore in three feet of water when he realized he was looking down at at sawfish. The fish was approximately three feet long acting as if it didn't have a care in the world. The anonymous kayaker stared in disbelief for awhile and eventually came to terms with the fact that he was looking at a sawfish. So, that is a fantastic fish sighting.

Warm weather now has the water temperature in the mid-seventies. This has fish exploding onto the flats. Baitfish are as thick as can be. Fish are filling in on the flats and calm weather has offshore anglers in the midst of a "grouper frenzy". Trout anglers are having a field day.


Casey Cook boated a 25 incher!		Sean Miller's first big trout!

Large trout are all over the place. Casey Cook boated a nice 25”, 5 lb. trout this weekend on a topwater lure in the Grey Mare area. Casey said that she hit in about 18” of water and about halfway to the boat when he realized that the net had blown out of the boat on the ride to the coast... but he managed to boat the beauty. Sean Miller fished with Jon Stewart just off of the Aucilla river entrance. They set up about 400 yards from the river mouth and drifted along the crab traps. He was fishing Gulps under a Cajun Thunder when the 26 inch monster took the bait. Very nice!

Anglers are catching just as many fish in three feet as they are in eight feet. There are equal numbers of fish being caught East or West of the St. Marks River. The flats explosion is in full gear. Now is the time to work your favorite fish patterns. Anglers drifting the flats may place a jig such as a pearl or new penny Gulp jig or a live shrimp under a Cajun Thunder. Many anglers additionally place a shrimp on the bottom for fish who do not wish to come to the surface. Cast and retrieve a RedFin lure. (Trout love RedFins). Apalachee Bay is holding a ton of trout.


Randy Trousdell released cobia		Jim Drew

Grouper anglers are enjoying plenty of success at the nearshore reefs such as Rotary, St. Marks and Marker 24 barge. Trolling and bottom fishing are the ticket. These locations have been untouched for the past month due to poor weather. Now these spots are full of fish. Anglers fishing just past Marker 24 barge are also boating amberjack and red snapper. Jerry Everton and Colby Hough (party of five), fished Sunday with pinfish and jigs on the bottom and caught 23 grouper, 10 trout, two reds and a big spanish mackerel. The water is crystal clear. The barge is clearly visible from the surface. Squid and sardines have been most effective. Even Gulp jigs are producing grouper.


Jordon Hults 18" seabass		Chris McNally		Otto Hough and Randy Trousdell

Jordan Hults boated an 18" seabass utilizing this method. By the way, that is the largest seabass I've ever seen around here. The water temperature is now in the 70's. This is the best time of year for fishing. During the busy season, please exercise caution on the road and on the water, observe size and bag limits, check the validity of your fishing license and practicing angling courtesy is a MUST to make your trip more ENJOYABLE!

- Scott Paterna, Jerry's Bait and Tackle