HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Last report of 2022. Wow, what a year in fishing.
The Big Bend and surrounding waters of our great State offer some of the best fishing anywhere in the country.
From lakes and spring fed rivers to the Gulf of Mexico, there’s something for everyone who loves the water.
Lakes, like Talquin and Seminole are home to some of the largest bass and crappie in the South East. Local rivers hold largemouth, striped, spotted and even shoal bass along with some of the biggest Bream around. Then there’s the Gulf. You can fish from shore, a pier, a paddle board, kayak or boat for so many different species.
Last couple days of the year are looking warm but wet. Showers in the forecast could dampen your spirits if you’re planning a fishing trip. Good news is, rivers that lead into the gulf are loaded with fish.
Looking ahead to 2023, changes in fishery management are coming. Before heading out be sure to visit MyFWC.com for up to date information. No worst way to ruin a day then not be informed and getting a ticket.
Until next year, be safe, have fun and always wear your life jacket while boating!
APALACHEE BAY
Otto Hough (Facebook @myhometownfishing) says, ”Near ICE fishing conditions enveloped the waters of the Big Bend through the Christmas weekend on into the day after. Fortunately, a glimmer of warmth with smooth seas returned Tuesday to allow anglers an opportunity to test out any new tackle Santa may have left under the tree. If the current marine forecast holds true going through the long New Years weekend, a springtime feel will be in the air with light winds and seas. Only Saturday morning till midday is iffy.
That brutal stretch of below freezing cold dropped skinny water temps into the deadly range for the trout as well as the transplanted snook. Those fish lucky enough to get into the deep holes and spring boils prior to the deep freeze should have dodged the bullet. Outside, Ma Nature has been kind enough to provide a string of nice days of light easterly wind coupled with light seas to allow anglers an opportunity to chase the gags as the season draws to a close at the stroke of midnight New Years Eve.
These next four days over the long New Year weekend ought to bring somewhat of a return to near springtime air temps, but water temps have bottomed out in the low 50s. Think deep hole fishing! And again, Saturday at midnight, the final bell will ring for the 2022 gag grouper season that will remained closed till September 2023.
Tidal flows over the long weekend will be extremely light as it’s a “between the moons” stretch of tides. Focus the fishing opportunities that arise on the minor and major solunar feed times when working any of the rivers, St. Marks, Aucilla and Econfina. If presented, those hungry trout will devour a lively shrimp offering. Should live shrimp not be available, work those holes with a Z-man NED rig or a jig rigged with a softbait shrimp imitation spiced up with a dab of shrimp flavored ProCure. If into plug casting like me, toss a Mirrolure HeavyDine with chartreuse and pink in the color pattern. Slow trolling a gold/orange bellied or bone colored Bomber Long A is a good way to locate both the trout and reds in the river holes and cuts.
With a potentially wet frontal system pushing across Apalachee Bay late Friday into Saturday, take a moment to closely check the current radar, Weatherstem and buoy readings before dropping in the hole Saturday morning. Plus, always file a float plan with someone on the hill with your target area and arrival time back on the hill clearly stated. Also, make certain to call to let that person know boat is back in port or on the trailer. Boat safely, wear an auto-inflatable PFD, then, just FISH!!
ST GEORGE ISLAND
Captain Russ Knapp (850-653-5072) reports, “In case you wondered , Winter is here and she’s not happy with us as SGI recording a low temperature last weekend of 22 degrees.
This weekend’s forecast has Saturday a wash out with 80-90 % chance of rain thanks to yet another front cruising into our area but Sunday doesn’t look too bad with winds down to 5 to 10 knots, seas 2-3 feet and no rain.
Tides at the Cut this weekend feature an early morning – 0.2 low followed by a mid-day high of .8 feet than a midafternoon .7 low and ending with an evening high of 1.2 feet. Please, as we always remind you — recheck the weather before you head out as things change fast.
In the bay, Capt. Dan Fortunas (850 980 0101) reports the Cut is still holding Redfish of all sizes, some nice Sheepshead and a few Flounder with the best fishing on a slow tidal flow.
Reds can’t turn down a nice finger Mullet. Sheepshead fancy fiddler crabs and fresh shrimp while Flounder love both Mullet and Shrimp.
Capt. Dan has also been finding Black Drum around the bridge pilings that are hungry for most anything offered to them. With the water temperature having plunged to 55 degrees in the bay it’s time to start fishing the deep holes in the bay and around the creek mouths in East Bay for fish looking to warm up a bit. Remember, if the fish are cold and moving slowly you need to fish slowly for them.
Offshore, the Grouper Gods are closing the Gag Grouper season as of 12/31, but on the good news side reopening Red Grouper season on 1/1/23 so all isn’t lost.
Tip of the week — give yourself a Holiday present of a nice pair of Long johns and stay warm on these cold winter days. I’ve started wearing mine and trust me IT’S GREAT to be warm!
KEATON BEACH
Capt. Pat McGriff, (onemorecast@gtcom.net) reports, “HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
MEXICO BEACH
Capt. Kevin Lanier of KC Sportfishing Mexico Beach, Fl (850 933 8804) reports” HAPPY NEW YEAR!
BIG BEND KAYAK REPORT
Salt strong coach Matt Lanier (Matt@saltstrong.com) tells us, “I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! The cold temps and high winds came and brought us some tough conditions and made it advantageous for even the most dedicated of us to stay indoors over the Christmas break. But as the temperatures start to stabilize a bit, we will be looking at some decent, although cold, fishing weather.
With the hard cold front that we just experienced; the fish will be in a full winter pattern. And don’t be surprised if they are pushed farther back in the rivers and creeks than you would normally find them.
The redfish and trout are seeking warmer waters in the back water areas with good depth and some darker water. Darker water and deeper water also means warmer and more stable waters for those fish.
Be sure to use jig heads heavy enough to get you down in the deeper part of the water column, where those fish are at; and now that we are in the colder part of the year, exposed jig heads will be optimal, as there is less grass to get hung up in.
It can often be helpful to downsize the size of your bait in the colder months, going to a smaller presentation, to entice the bite from those more lethargic fish. The fish have a slower metabolism in the winter and will not use calories to chase a bait down like they will in the warmer months. Therefore, fishing smaller baits, on the bottom is a great wintertime tactic.
Yes, the redfish and trout will be seeking warmer waters, however, the sheepshead do love some cold weather and waters, so they are a great species to target in the colder months. The escaped convicts will be holding close to structure like dock or bridge pilings with good barnacle growth as they feed on the crustaceans.
Be sure to use a smaller hook with a split shot when pitching around the structure for the sheepshead as they have smaller mouths, and hook placement at hookset is important. Using fiddler crabs or pieces of shrimp is a great and simple way to target these tasty table fare.
With the heavy north winds, and cold temps, fishing will still be a bit touch and go. The water levels are still a bit low after a week of sustained north winds, so that is going to be an issue of concern when planning a fishing trip. Be sure you are launching at a location with some deeper water nearby as water levels may still be somewhat unpredictable.
I hope that fresh Christmas gear is ready for action, because this week will provide a first glance at some solid fishing after one of the coldest Christmas’ in a while.
I hope that you all have a safe and wonderful New Years, and we will see you next year!
LAKE SEMINOLE
Capt. Paul Tyre reports, “The Bass fishing on Lake Seminole has been excellent in December! The Bass, Striper, and Crappie fishing will get even better after this colder weather.
The big Largemouths have been feeding heavily on Bream, while the schooling Bass are feeding on Shad. The Hybrids and Stripers have started their annual Fall feed and will last through January!
We have been catching Bass on a variety of lures from Spinnerbaits and vibrating jigs to jerk baits. A Double Willow Leaf Strke King Premier Plus 1/2 oz Chartreuse and White has produced very well. This bait works well at fast speeds to generate a reaction strike. The new Strike King Thunder Cricket has been very productive this Fall and I expect it to continue to produce through the winter! The Strike King Thunder Cricket has incredible action to it and a built-in trailer keeper that works great!
Jerk baits have worked well this Fall and will continue through December. The key has been working them fast and at a erratic pace. As the water temps continue to drop, slow the pace down. The Strike King KVD jerk bait in the 200 series and the 300 series in any Shad color has also worked well. The Strike KVD series is one of my favorite Jerk Baits because of it’s cast ability and action.
The Hybrids and Stripers have been exciting to catch and we been averaging over 30 each morning by 10am! When fishing for Stripers and Hybrids, the right action rod and a 6:3.1 gear ratio reel is important. I prefer a Temple Fork Outfitters rod in the Professional series, it’s a 7’6’’ Heavy action rod and is ideal for catching big Stripers and Hybrids on an Alabama rig. It is a fast action rod but is moderate enough to handle the strong surges that you get when fighting big Hybrids and Stripers. On the business end of the A-rigs, I prefer the Bass Assassin 4 and 5 inch Die Dapper rigged on a Saltwater Assassin jig-head.
The Crappie fishing has also been very good, we have been catching them on Jigs in 10 to 15 feet of water. December is an excellent month to catch some BIG Crappie!
For a Lake Seminole Fishing Adventure give me a call to check availability at 850-264-7534 , follow us on Instagram @ Capt.paultyrefishing or email me @ paultyrefishing@yahoo.com.
Shane Stewart of Tallahassee, FL holds up a nice gag that didn’t get away. Shane’s catch came while fishing with the Boatsticks team near the St Mark’s lighthouse in 20’ of water. (Boatsticks photo)
