Scott Paterna's Fishing Report   May 3, 2007

There has never been a better time to take advantage of all that Apalachee Bay has to offer.  The present warming trend shall bring many more fish onto the flats.  In particular, fish that were residing in deep water shall move in.  Some fish such as grouper and cobia will move to the nearshore reefs.  Huge reds have already been caught at these locations.

Andrew Yadon		Chris Comerford

Andrew Yadon and Chris Comerford caught 40" reds out toward St. Marks Regional Reef.  They fought these fish for about 25 minutes.  Here's their story:  "We were anchored up on the edge of the flats by the pole to the West and were chumming for Spanish when the first red came up and blasted a mullet colored x-rap.  He came all the way out of the water with the lure in his mouth and ten to twelve others came right after him.  It was like watching a school of baitfish coming out of the water.  After fighting him for a while we took the pictures and went back to floating for spanish.  After boating around twenty mackerel, we went back to a similar area a little farther to the west to chum the water again, and fifiteen minutes later the rod bent over and started screaming... Chris's red stayed low and only came up at the end of the fight.  Chris was using shrimp on a jighead".  Both reds were caught on their lightest rods and reels that were set up for spanish mackerel and trout.  One reel had five pound diameter Suffix braid and the other had 8 pound diameter Power Pro.  Both fish were released safely!!"

Huge bull reds have historically never been seen in this area.  Since last year these fish have become permanent residents of the St. Marks and Wakulla Regional reefs along with deep holes closer to shore.  Andy and Chris could not believe their good fortune.  These reds are clearly enjoying the incredible amount of baitfish inhabiting the 20 foot region.  Acres of bait are all over.  (Jay Ferrin and Tyler Patterson pictured at left.)

Trout and cobia that were in 20 feet are moving to the 5 to 8 foot area.  Cobia have already been seen and caught on the flats from the Rock Garden to Cobb Rock.  Trout fishing has been spotty due to cold weather snaps, but this warm trend is the ticket.  Set up a drift East or West of the St. Marks River in 3 to 8 feet of water.  Target areas where structure rises off the bottom.  Target sandy spots or changes in depth.  Remember big trout reside in shallow water.  Fish adjacent crab traps.  Trout hotspots this weekend are Black Rock and the Rock Garden immediately inside Black Rock.  Further East, Cobb Rock is holding a great deal of trout.  Gulp jigs under a Cajun Thunder, Redfin lures and live shrimp are prime trout bait.

Matt Hunter		Paul Houser		Julie Tiggis

Anglers already understand this, but there is an incredible number of spanish mackerel all across Apalachee Bay.  Most anglers are catching spanish while they're trout or red fishing.  These fish will hit any trout bait.  Spoons are a very effective spanish bait.  Creeks and the shallow flats on out to 20 feet are full of mackerel.  These fish are everywhere!

Reds are packed in the creeks.  The East River around Pelican Point is holding reds as is Little Pass.  Stony Bayou also produced reds.  Live shrimp and gold spoons is redfish bait.  The shoreline East of Palmetto Island is another redfish hotspot.  If you aren't fishing, there better be a good excuse... Good luck!

- Scott Paterna

This article originally published on May 3, 2007.

Written by :

mkwestmark

 

Comments (0)

You must be logged in to post a comment.