Author: skipper97

The autumn inshore season is in full swing. Yellow butterflies are out in force, leaves are falling and the daylight hours are getting shorter. In spite of unseasonably warm temperatures, inshore game fish know what’s on the horizon so they are packing on the calories in anticipation of leaner times ahead. Combine those factors with prime solunar periods and less boat traffic for some fantastic shallow-water sport.

Bull reds are schooling and herds can be found throughout the bay system. Large swim baits, jigs and flies will entice these brahmas, especially in competition mode. Watch for birds as the fish drive the bait to the surface.

Slot to overslot reds are prowling the skinnier flats. Weedless spoons, darker jigs and shrimp lures like the DOA standard in root beer/gold flake are effective. With their underslung mouths, they have a harder time eating a topwater plug like Rapala Skitter Walks or MirrOlure Top Dogs, but it’s still an exciting take as they hump up behind the lure. And speaking of a topwater bite, chunky speckled trout have been slamming a noisy clicker like a Skitter Walk, Top Dog or Super Spook. With the gazillion of mullet around, you can’t go wrong with a black and silver imitation. There’s no shortage of other bait around, too, including shrimp, pinfish and pogies/menhaden.

Sheepshead can be found around bay structure and these tasty convicts put up a good fight on light tackle. Live shrimp, fiddler crabs or mud crabs are the most productive offerings.

Because of the recent dry spell, the bay water clarity is very good to excellent. That makes it easy to spot the fish and easy for the fish to spot you. Stealth and silence is an absolute necessity for stalking targets on the shallow flats. Water temperatures early this week ranged from 74 first thing to nearly 78 degrees by mid-afternoons. It won’t be long for cold fronts to start rumbling through and when they do, expect a shift into the upper bays or deeper water and another shift in patterns. In the meantime, enjoy the always fun fall bite.

Copyright 2024, Capt. Dave Lear

All rights reserved.

With yellow butterflies flitting around the ditches and bushes, the fall fishing season is officially here. These flying buttons are in time with the reduced daylight hours and slightly cooler temperatures that all mean it’s time to pack on some pounds for coastal game fish. It happens to help when a smorgasbord of bait is on the move in the shallower depths.

Water temperatures are still slightly elevated above the 84-degree mark. The clarity is very good, in spite of recent rains. There is quite a bit of floating grass on the surface, however, which makes casting plugs with treble hooks aggravating. Switching to in-line single hooks help mitigate that problem and also makes them easier to remove and less traumatic for fish to be released. Cannonball jellyfish are also around, but not in significant numbers.

Gazillions of mullet of all sizes are schooling and jumping with joy inshore and along the beach troughs. That’s a surefire dinner bell for reds, trout and jack crevalle. Showering schools of pilchards and sardines are more signs of feeding frenzies.

Redfish are prowling the shallows in search of a meal. Sandy bars with seagrass nearby are prime places to prospect for the spotted-tail drum. Weedless gold spoons and jerk or shrimp baits top the list of offerings. Darker colors for contrast in the clear water have been triggering strikes. Most of the fish are in singles or pairs right now. Expect the reds to start schooling soon and the big bulls to collect in the pass and bays gorging on menhaden and other calorie-packers.

Speckled trout are also on the alert. Topwater plugs like the Rapala Skitter Walks, MirrOlure Top Dogs and Heddon Super Spooks are all effective in clear water. As mentioned, in-line single hooks shed floating grass a little easier, but the hook-up ratios are not quite as high as trebles. Shrimp lures like the DOA standard 1/4-ounce, fished plain or under a clacker cork, are effective mid-column lures. I haven’t tried the new Z-Man Prawnstarz shrimp yet. It does look promising from the photos I’ve seen.

Our heart goes out to those along the Big Bend coast who suffered catastrophic damage from Hurricane Helene. That area will always be special to me and it will take time to recover. Mother Nature is resilient, though, and fishing should be great again as soon as boat ramps and other facilities reopen or rebuild. Best wishes to all for a speedy recovery!

If you have a favorite guide or outfitter who was impacted by the storm, consider donating to the International Game Fish Association’s Worldwide Anglers Relief Fund. The link is igfa.org/warf

Copyright 2024, Capt. Dave Lear

All rights reserved.

After a bad accident forced a two-month fishing hiatus, I was finally ready to get back on the water. I promised my better half that I’d take it easy, so instead of heading west as originally planned, I did a leisurely trip to my home waters—Blackwater Bay. The river was muddy around Milton, but by the time I cleared the I-10 bridge, the water was clean although heavily stained with tannin. With the upcoming full moon, there was plenty of flow and a good solunar period from 10 to noon so I was hoping for some action.

The first stop had me tossing a Zara Spook in less than four feet. No trout and no mullet, either. I moved on. Tried the topwater again but with the advancing time and temperatures, I switched tackle to get down into the water column. The surface temperatures were as high as 84.85 degrees.

Swirls and mullet jumping were encouraging signs. I was tossing a DOA CAL Stark Naked shad tail on a 1/4-ounce chartreuse jig head. As I was twitching it back from the spartina shoreline, the jig was soundly thumped. I set the hook and the fight on 8-pound braided line was on. The fish made several strong runs, yet never showed itself. A big sailcat was the likely culprit, I suspected. As I eased it closer to the skiff with the Power Pole down, it suddenly made a surge towards the stern. Somehow the fish managed to wrap the line over the trim tab plate, around the Power Pole spike and then when it doubled back, around the extended push pole tip. It was a mess.

I opened the bail to reduce tension and belly-flopped on top of the poling platform, poking and jabbing the rod tip downward, trying to unhitch the coils. By a small miracle, I managed to unravel all those tangles without parting the line. The fish took off again and I finally confirmed the ID of a chunky red. Another stubborn surge or two and I hoisted my prize into the cockpit. A quick snapshot, brief revival in the water and it swam strongly off into the ice tea. No lemon, no sugar. Time for a long swig of cold Heineken.

The shoreline was still active and the lure fooled a dink croaker (first one in a long while), along with Orange Beach releases on a pinner and needlefish. Time to move yet again.

I normally sight-fish from the poling platform during my trips. The water visibility and my limited mobility made Motor Guide my friend today instead. As I eased slowly along the front side of the Blackwater oyster reefs bouncing the jig, another jarring thwack telegraphed up the line. This time I could see my adversary and it wasn’t another red I hoped for. Instead the jig had hooked a 3-foot stingray in the wing and it wasn’t a happy Dasyatis americana. After a few minutes, I wound it next to the gunwale and managed to pop the hook free without a Steve Irwin moment. My luck is getting better.

When something toothy nipped the tail off the lure, it was time to call it quits. The pre-summer sun was cooking and my energy was flagging. Besides, the magnolias were blooming in the refuge, an osprey and blue heron had squawked hellos and I had released a nice slot red. It was a good morning and even better to be back on the briny again.

Memorial Day Weekend marks the start of a summer fishing tradition. The 2024 CCA Florida STAR Tournament gets underway Saturday, May 25 and continues for more than 100 days, ending September 2, 2024. Prizes include boat, outboard and trailer packages for tagged redfish, tackle, gift certificates and scholarships for junior anglers. There are multiple inshore and offshore divisions but you have to be a CCA member and registered for the STAR tournament to win. Visit ccaflstar.com to sign up now and good luck!

Copyright 2024, Capt. Dave Lear

All rights reserved.

With Spring officially here, the favorite season is almost ready to pop. Water temperatures last week were almost 66 degrees but the cool spell the last few days dropped it down again slightly. Still, it’s rising closer to the magic mark of 70 and that’s when things really start.

Trout have been active in the bays and backcountry and are aggressively pouncing on topwater plugs, jigs and subsurface twitch baits. Colors haven’t really mattered much, although with the abundance of mullet in the shallows, patterns matching those are always good. The water has been somewhat murky due to recent rains also, so darker shades to match the conditions will work along with adding noise and/or scent. A clacker or popping cork with a DOA shrimp or soft-plastic jig suspended underneath will typically trigger an investigation.

Sheepshead are still around structure. The spawn hasn’t really kicked off, according to recent reports. Stripers are holding in the upper part of Blackwater Bay.

There’s no shortage of redfish. Getting these spooky targets to cooperate in skinny water is another story, however. Weedless spoons, soft-plastic jerk baits with just enough weight to cast and smaller crustacean pattern flies are effective offerings for reds. With a little more warmth to the water, a topwater plug like a Rapala Skitter Walk or Heddon Super Spook will get their attention.

Once the water tops 70 degrees, expect Spanish mackerel and cobia to start popping up in the nearshore waters. Some pompano are already moving through. Spanish are a blast for kids and adults when trolling Christmas tree rigs, McDonald’s straws or flashy spoons like Kastmaster or Deadly Dick. Epoxy minnows or Clouser flies are a deadly imitation of the glass minnows Spaniards love to gobble if the buggy whip is your preference.

Besides mullet, pilchards, mud minnows and pinfish are becoming more common. Shrimp should be filtering back inshore as well.

This weekend looks windy, but the tides will be strong next week coming off Monday’s full moon. So this would be a prime time to service the outboard and trailer. Clean and lube reels, check the guides on the rods and re-spool new line as needed. Once the spring season kicks into full gear, you’ll want to be ready.

Copyright 2024, Captain Dave Lear
All rights reserved.

The toughest month to fish is underway, but conditions are definitely improving. Despite recent bouts of heavy rain, Santa Rosa Sound is exceptionally clear, albeit still on the cool side with water temperatures in the mid-50s. Quality redfish and nice trout are holding in the shallows, especially on darker bottom where the more heat is absorbed from the sun. The fish are wary, but there are plenty of opportunities to explore and present jerk baits and flies. Because of the cooler temps, remember to slow down the presentations. Smaller lures are better, not only for the profiles but also the noise factor.

Sheepshead continue to provide good sport around structure throughout the bay systems. Bridge pilings and channel fenders will hold the convict fish. Barnacles, mussels, fiddler crabs and live shrimp are the top offerings, in order. Sheepshead are very adept at stealing baits with subtle bites, so anticipation is key to solid hook-ups.

The striped and hybrid bass action remains strong in the Blackwater. Cold temperatures and high pressure seem to turn these fish on. Nighttime fishing around lights and docks are producing the most fish.

With the lull before the spring season, now is the perfect time to get ready. Inspect tackle and service as needed. Check rod guides for cracks or corrosion. Cork rod handles can be cleaned to like-new condition using a Scotchbrite pad and some dishwashing liquid. Re-spool new line on reels if needed or at least peel off several yards and start fresh. Check roller bearings and lube sparingly with a couple drops of machine oil.

Go through the tackle boxes, too. Inspect for corrosion and replace hooks or sharpen as needed. Replace split rings and discard old, cloudy soft plastics. Organizing boxes into different fisheries (inshore, fly, spoons, etc.) will make it easier to rig when the spring bite does turn on.

Now is also the perfect time to service the boat, outboard and trailer. If you don’t do the work yourself, this is the slowest time of the year for service facilities so get in the que quickly. Change out the engine oil, lower unit oil and all filters on the outboard. A magic marker notation on oil filters will serve as a reminder. Charge batteries if they aren’t on trickle charge and inspect hoses, clamps and bilge pumps. Spray electrical panels with a corrosion inhibitor like Boeshield T-9 or Corrosion X. Squirt some dielectric grease into the trolling motor plug, too.

Don’t forget about the trailer. Check the tire inflation/treads and look for dry rot, sidewall cracks, etc., including the spare. Check the winch and tie down straps. Plug in the lights and check for proper operation. Shoot some grease into the hubs or take this time to repack so you’ll be ready to roll.

As a reminder, spotted seatrout/specks are closed in the Florida Panhandle for the month of February to protect stocks when they are concentrated due to colder temperatures. Catch and release is still allowed.

Copyright 2024, Capt. Dave Lear
All rights reserved.

Even though the winter months are the slowest fishing windows of the year, inshore game fish still have to eat sometime. Those who brave the elements can have some great action, albeit often for only short durations. Unfortunately, the uncooperative weather has allowed only limited forays into the briny lately.

Trout have been consistent in coastal rivers, backwater sloughs and tidal creeks. Those with dark, heat-absorbing bottom are particularly good places to prospect. Shrimp imitations, flukes and jigs work well for specks and can be quickly replaced if they get tangled with rocks or stumps. Dark colors like root beer with gold flakes, avocado and watermelon are effective. Slow-sinking plugs also work well, with natural patterns getting the nod. In certain conditions, like flooded oyster bars, a topwater lure can entice explosive surface strikes, too.

Redfish can be mixed in the same areas as trout. But since they are much more cold-tolerant than their speckled drum cousins, reds will also forage along shorelines and flats in the winter months. Spoons, shrimp lures and crustacean pattern flies are good options for the reds. You may find one or two in the shallows or you may encounter triple-digit schools of fish.

Striper reports have been few lately. Tossing larger swim baits and plugs around docks at night are likely to coax a striper into action. Sheepshead have also been quiet—or those targeting them are keeping it to themselves. Bridge pilings and docks are good spots to try with live fiddler crabs or shrimp if convicts are on the menu.

Coming off the new moon, tides will be in the negative range this long holiday weekend, with lows mid-day. That means good sight-fishing opportunities if the winds cooperate and caution is needed depending on the launch ramp.

This is also the time of year to get ready for better fishing days ahead. Servicing the boat trailer and outboard can be done even in blustery conditions. If you don’t do the work yourself, beat the springtime rush at your favorite service center. Bad fishing conditions are also great times to clean, re-rig and organize tackle or study charts to gather intel for future trips.

Copyright 2024, Capt. Dave Lear

All rights reserved.

It’s “hunting” time on the flats and inshore waters of the Florida Panhandle. Recent changes in weather have the fish in transition, so it will take searching and stalking to learn the new patterns. And when they are located, the feeding windows will tend to be of shorter duration due to slower metabolism and chilly water.

With this week’s cold snap, coastal water temperatures plunged dramatically. Some places were down into the low 50s and only warmed to the upper 50s as the day progressed. More moderate temperatures since will ease the chill somewhat, but several inches of expected rain may offset any warming trend as well as hamper visibility, which was exceptionally clear beforehand, especially in the bay shallows.

Redfish are much more tolerant of extremes, so look for them to be foraging around structure once conditions stabilize. Bull minnows, pinfish and finger mullet are the top live bait choices right now. Shrimp free-lined or pinned on a jig head will also work. For artificials, DOA shrimp, 1/4-ounce Aqua Dream spoons and crustacean patterns for flies are effective. With any lures for the next few months slow down the retrieves.

Trout are moving into warmer havens in the deeper spots within coastal rivers and creeks. Shrimp lures, grubs and suspending hard baits, again worked slowly, will fool the specks. The feeding periods are usually short, but furious when underway.

Striped bass are more active now that the water has cooled. Larger swim baits and plugs will trick the stripers. Focus on docks and bridge pilings for the best chances of success. Black drum are also more prevalent and sheepshead are staging around structure also. Live fiddler crabs or shrimp will entice the convict fish. A garden hoe or shovel can be used to scrape barnacles off the pilings as chum to turn them on.

The next couple of months can be challenging for light-tackle enthusiasts. But persistence and timing can produce excellent results. This is also a prime time to do some scouting on the winter low tides or work on tackle and boat maintenance projects when the weather doesn’t cooperate.

Quality tackle is always a great idea for the angler on your holiday shopping list. But gift memberships to these two non-profit conservation groups are equally memorable.

Coastal Conservation Association Florida: ccaflorida.org

International Game Fish Association: igfa.org

Copyright 2023, Capt. Dave Lear
All Rights Reserved

As the last week of September winds down, all signs are pointing towards the start of the fall fishing season. Yard grass isn’t growing quite as fast, monarch and yellow butterflies are floating around and daylight hours are getting shorter and shorter. Coastal water temperatures have come down slightly, but the above clues mean the fish know colder temperatures are on the horizon and it’s time to pack on a few pounds in advance of the winter months.

Water temperatures are ranging from 79.4 in the bays to 81.5 in Santa Rosa Sound in the shallows. There is all kinds of bait still present, including mullet of all sizes, pinfish, pilchards, sardines, glass minnows and ballyhoo. That spread is appealing to the game fish sliding into the buffet line. 

With all the mullet around, trout are keying in on topwater and suspending plugs. Rapala Skitter Walks in chrome patterns are working, along with MirrOdine sinkers. Redfish have been tempted by DOA shrimp in root beer/gold glitter in the darker water. Switch to near clear versions or try a Z-Man crab lure in water with good visibility. The reds range in size from “rats” to upper slot. The big bulls will be schooling in the bays and pass as soon as the water dips a few more degrees. 

Flounder are active in advance of an upcoming move offshore to spawn. DOA shrimp or CAL minnows rigged with a light worm hook will fool the flatties. A simple plastic grub in bright colors does the trick, too. Or if you want to use live bait, it’s hard to top mud minnows or finger mullet cast-netted along the shoreline. 

There were reports of schools of tarpon on the move this past weekend, stretching from Shoreline Park in Gulf Breeze to the 3 Mile Bridge, heading west towards the pass. Silver kings know what the calendar says and they will be heading for warmer climes soon. If you do target these feisty game fish, gear up accordingly so your prize isn’t exhausted at the end of the fight, or they are likely to fall victim to Jaws. As a reminder, keep fish in the water for photos and a $50 tag is required in advance to keep a tarpon only for world or state records. 

Friday night’s full moon will usher in some great tidal flows through the end of the week and weekend. The solunar tables are predicting very high feeding activity from noon until 2 pm on Friday with the moon down and again at dawn and dusk, corresponding with the moonset and rise. Of course, any time you can go fishing is a good time and with fall season upon us, it’s all good. 

Copyright 2023, Capt. Dave Lear

All rights reserved.  

The dog days of August are howling with heat and it’s making inshore fishing challenging. There’s plenty of bait around, as you’d expect this time of year. Pinfish, pilchards, finger and large mullet, mud minnows and ladyfish for cut bait are all readily available. That bodes well for whenever the temperatures do finally start to cool, perhaps within a month.

Trout are holding in deeper water right now. Subsurface lures are fooling them and noisy topwater lures tossed at dawn is also feasible. There have been some good reports of dock light action at night for specks and reds. Tarpon are also holding around the new 3-Mile Bridge, where they are eating big swim baits and eel imitations like Gag’s Whip It or Hogy lures. Large flies like EP Minnows should also attract interest.

With all the bait, schools of jacks are feeding in wolf packs. It’s hard to target these fast-movers, but if you do hook up, hang on. Pound per pound, jacks are one of the hardest fighting game fish in the water. There are also plenty of sharks around right now. Blacktip and spinner sharks are great sport on plugs and big red or orange streamer flies.

Water temperatures are in the upper 80s right now. Find some deeper holes with slightly cooler water or plan your trips in low-light intervals (dawn and dusk/dark) for the best chance of success. Redfish are much more tolerant of spa temps, however. The copper drum have been prowling the shallows and shorelines. The water clarity is somewhat turbid despite a lack of rain lately. As a result, darker patterns are working well. Root beer, black and dark greens are good choices. Lures that make noise or vibration like weedless spoons or spinnerbaits are more options.

Next Thursday full moon will improve tidal action all next week leading into the Labor Day holiday weekend. September 4 also marks the end of the CCA Florida STAR Tournament. You can still sign up to win some great prizes. Or if you’re already registered, it’s not too late to hunt for a tagged redfish. Only one tagged fish has been caught so far by a registered angler (who claimed the 22 Contender Sport as his prize—congrats!). So there are still some boat, trailer, engine packages up for grabs, along with other fun prizes and junior angler scholarships. To register or to learn more, visit: ccaflstar.com

Copyright 2023, Capt. Dave Lear
All rights reserved.

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.