I haven’t been on the water in awhile for various reasons, so I took a quick trip yesterday morning to run the boat and check out conditions after all the recent rain. The water in East Bay was cleaner than Blackwater but both bodies were hot–up to 86.9 degrees. The further inland you go, the murkier the water gets. Bait, especially mullet, is plenty everywhere.
I had a couple blow-ups on topwater (Super Spook) but no takers. I was about ready to call it and head in when I got slammed. The fish went airborne and for a brief second I thought it was a bass. But the fight didn’t feel like a largemouth and when I got it closer, I saw the stripe down the side. I was able to hoist it aboard and quickly took a photo for a STAR Conservation entry (19.5″) and let it go.
In a recent thread on www.microskiff.com, a member started a poll on redfish vs. snook preferences. I commented that snook weren’t in the Panhandle–yet. I’m glad I was wrong this morning.
Before Memorial Day, one hundred sixty tagged redfish were released in coastal counties throughout the state in advance of the 2023 Coastal Conservation Association Florida STAR tournament. Tagged redfish can win several boat/outboard/trailer packages for adult and junior anglers. Tons of other great prize packages are also up for grabs. The younger crowd also has a chance to win college scholarships. Te ALTA Equipment Company special prize of $50,000 if a Super-STAR-Tagged redfish is caught is back again this year. Offshore anglers have a change for 1 $10,000 cash prize if they catch one of the Tigress Outrigger and Gear-sponsored dolphin. You have to be a CCA member and registered beforehand to win prizes.
No registered anglers have caught tagged reds yet, so those top prize packages are still available. And it’s not too late to win. Fishing continues through Labor Day Weekend (September 4). To register or learn more information, please visit ccaflstar.com.
Copyright 2023, Capt. Dave Lear
All rights reserved.
