Author: skipper97

A spring hiatus to construct a brick wash rack for the boat barn has limited reports of late. But that project is complete and a couple recent trips to check out some local spots has helped define the late-spring action.

East Bay and the recently-constructed oyster reefs there and in Blackwater Bay are rapidly becoming mullet magnets. Mullet of all sizes are massed around the rock piles in huge quantities. Hopefully it won’t be long for the oysters to get firmly re-established and start the food chain. The water clarity is fairly good around the reefs and will only improved once the bi-valves start their filtering process. Red and black drum were prevalent this winter in good numbers and the game fish should take up more regular residence as time goes on.

Further west, Big Lagoon is clear as usual and bait is thick. Redfish, trout and flounder are the prime targets here, although sharks and jacks are regular visitors now as well. The usual offerings like Rapala Skitter Walks or Heddon Super Spooks will entice strikes, particularly in low-light conditions. As the sun gets higher and the ambient temperatures rise, switch to mid-column presentations with soft-plastic jerk baits or shrimp imitations. Add a heavier jig head or use a weedless worm hook to work the bottom depths of 1 to 5 feet or so. Ladyfish, bluefish and the occasional pompano or Spanish mackerel are also around now.

One hundred sixty tagged redfish have been released in coastal counties throughout the state in anticipation 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. Fishing starts Memorial Day Weekend (May 27) and 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.

We’re not quite there yet, but the transition phase is definitely underway along the Emerald Coast flats. A week ago the water temperatures in Grand Lagoon were 61.5 degrees. With the exception of a handful of large mullet, bait was non-existent and I only spotted four redfish. Last Friday in Santa Rosa Sound, the water had warmed to 69.3 degrees. There were quite a few stingrays and cow-nose rays on the flats, along with a few pods of buck mullet. I also encountered more than four dozen spooky reds (thanks jet skis). With ambient temperatures in the upper 70s to low 80s this week, expect the water to broach the magic 70-degree mark.

The redfish at least looked at a Capt. Mike’s 1/4-ounce weedless gold/chartreuse spoon. With weak tides and jet ski harassment, they weren’t too hungry, unfortunately. I did also spot a trio of sheepshead and one nice trout in the shallows. The water clarity is exceptional, which increases the wariness level considerably.

Everything should be going off in the next couple of weeks. Pompano, Spanish mackerel and bluefish will be among the first to arrive. Cobia will follow next, surfing the beach troughs and nearshore depths as they migrate to the west. Redfish appetites should improve and speckled trout will be existing their winter haunts and prowling the grass beds and inshore structure looking to fatten up in preparation for the spawn. Sheepshead will be spawning soon as well.

For what it’s worth, the forecast is for stormier conditions later this week as March blows in. The weekend bite should be improving in advance of the full moon next Tuesday and strong solunar periods. The annual Outcast Bait and Tackle extravaganza starts at 0400 Thursday, March 2 at the store location in Pensacola and continues through Sunday. It’s a good time to stock up on some needed tackle in advance of the upcoming season.

Copyright 2023, Capt. Dave Lear
All rights reserved.

The winter doldrums have set in on the flats of the Florida Panhandle. Extreme negative lows, chilly water temperatures and a lack of bait have made conditions challenging. There are targets available, but they are super-wary and hard to feed.

Although clarity is exceptional right now, the earlier cold temperatures chilled the water considerably. The range was a little over 61 degrees late morning and only rose to 64.4 by mid-afternoon during a trip this week. The absence of bait doesn’t help. There are no pinfish or mullet around right now. The main signs of life are regular and cow-nose rays, with a couple hardhead catfish thrown in. Small crabs and marine worms likely comprise most of the redfish diet right now.

Anglers have been doing fairly well on speckled trout in the coastal rivers recently, where deeper havens exist. Twitch baits like MirrOlure MR17 lures in the trout pattern are producing. Paul Brown Corky or the Unfair Lures Rip-n-Slash are other good choices for winter fishing. Trout season is closed until March 1, but catch and release is still allowed.

Sheepshead are another possibility right now. Live shrimp, fiddler crabs or fresh dead shrimp will fool the convicts. Using a shovel or rake to scrap barnacles off pilings for chum will turn ‘em on. Docks, seawalls and bridge pilings are all places to prospect for sheepies.

The early part of the weekend doesn’t look too promising, with wind gusts predicted up to 25 knots on Friday and Saturday. It’s expected to lay down by the Sabbath. Sunday marks the full moon, so expect negative low tides mid-mornings. The peak solunar periods will be right at dawn and again from 11 to 1 pm with the moon down.

Now is the best time to get the boat, outboard and trailer serviced for the upcoming spring. Don’t forgot about tackle, either. Grease/oil reels, re-spool line and check rod guides for damage. Organizing tackle boxes/bags is another worthwhile endeavor on cold and windy days.

Copyright 2023, Capt. Dave Lear
All Rights Reserved

Happy New Year, anglers! Even though we are beginning the toughest month of the year for inshore pursuits, that doesn’t mean opportunities aren’t available. Besides, you won’t know unless you actually go.

The recent record cold spell shut the bite down considerably, when the winds allowed access. Spotted seatrout moved into the coastal rivers and creeks to seek refuge from the frigid water temperatures, which plunged into the upper 40s. Thankfully, no major fish kills have been reported in the Panhandle region.

Redfish are much more tolerant of temperature changes, but even they have been prone to lockjaw. The warmer temperatures this week should spur some appetites. Sheepshead are around structure, where they will deftly steal fiddler and other small crabs or fresh dead shrimp. Historic reports indicate the striped bass in Blackwater Bay should be on the prowl as well, especially at night. Finger mullet and white minnow pattern flies are top striper offerings.

Another cold front later this week will return more seasonal conditions. Use smaller, lighter lures on wary redfish like DOA shrimp, 1/4-ounce Aqua Dream spoons and small crab lures such as the new Z-Man Kicker CrabZ. For trout, slow suspending minnow lures, such as the Paul Brown Original or Rapala X-Rap in the skin series are good choices. Regardless, remember to slow the presentations way down. Cold-blooded game fish will not expend much energy chasing down a bait, but one moving slowly and vulnerable will get attention.

Saturday marks the first full moon of the new year. That will usher in extreme negative low tides in the mid-mornings. Choose launch ramps carefully or you might be sitting in the parking lot with the skiff on the trailer until there is enough water flooding in. Peak solunar periods with the best feeding cycles will occur in the early afternoons.

This is also the best time of year to get prepared for the prime spring season. Boat dealerships are typically slower right now, making this the perfect opportunity to get the outboard serviced, trailer checked out and knock out that punch list on the boat. Check batteries in accessories, inspect and replace safety gear if needed and test bilge and live well pumps. Get your reels serviced too, plus check over rods for any corrosion, cracked line guides, etc. Organize the tackle box/bag, replacing any suspect hooks, swivels and re-spool the reels with new fresh line. Before you know it, the pompano and Spanish mackerel will be back and it’ll be game on once again.

Copyright 2023, Capt. Dave Lear

All rights reserved.

It has to be confusing for the fish. Shorter daylight hours tell them winter is supposed to be in full swing. But when temperatures drop to freezing before heating back into the upper 70s, they probably don’t know how to act or where to go. That predicament makes it difficult for inshore anglers to pattern.

After the chill pre-Thanksgiving, shallow water temperatures had plummeted into the 50s. With more moderate temps, they were back into mid-60s, more normal for the season. The rains have clouded visibility somewhat, but overall the clarity is good. That makes it easier to sight-fish but also makes the fish more wary. Moving water and prime solunar periods when the moon is more directly overhead or below are always the best times to prospect. Yet the adage of the best time to go is whenever you can go still applies.

There are still some pilchards and pinfish on the flats. They will probably be gone with the next hard cold front, however. Mullet are thick everywhere, in all sizes. Mud minnows can also be found most of the time. Live or fresh shrimp are available at the local tackle shops or if sheepshead are the target, fiddler or small crabs can be easily gathered before starting.

As a bait alternative, the Pro-Cure bait gels are made from real baits and add scent to lures. It’s available on-line or at some tackle shops and marine stores. When fish are finicky, adding to small ribbon of the gel to a lure will often trigger a strike and the gel/scent remains for several casts. That was the ideal combo for a 25.5-inch spunky 6-pound red I recently caught after spotting it and making the cast. The depth was about 10 inches and that red didn’t hesitate in running over and inhaling a DOA near clear 1/4-ounce shrimp lure juiced with scent.

With the abundance of mullet around, topwater plugs like the Rapala Skitter Walk or Heddon Super Spook in silver/black will get attention. Soft plastic jerk baits, such as the Trout Support GrassWalkers rigged with a weedless worm hook, are also effective. Trout reports have been positive using suspending plugs in deeper water. Flounder have been scarce lately.

The long-range forecast is calling for more seasonal temperatures and that should prompt the fish into more typical winter patterns. That means it’s better to wait a bit to allow the water to warm slightly. The approaching full moon on 12/8 will usher in good water flow on the highs, but extreme shallows or even negative conditions on the lows. So plan your launch ramp and targeted zones accordingly.

With the holiday season upon us, an evergreen choice for the anglers on your list is a gift membership to Coastal Conservation Association. CCA has a long and successful track record of conservation success stories across America’s shorelines. Adult and junior angler levels are available and include newsletters and a subscription to TIDE magazine. For more information, please visit: www.joincca.org

Copyright 2022, Captain Dave Lear
All rights reserved.

As if a glance at the calendar weren’t enough, natural signs are clearly indicating the autumn fishing season is upon us. The grass has stopped growing, yellow and monarch butterflies are floating from bloom to bloom and purple wild flowers are popping up along the roadways. Combine all those factors with decreasing hours of sunlight (the time changes this weekend) and the inshore game fish are slipping on the bibs in anticipation of leaner days ahead.

Water temperatures this week are still on the mild side, with upper 60s in Santa Rosa Sound and nearly 72 degrees closer to the pass in Big Lagoon. Bait of all varieties is still prevalent, but that will change quickly with approaching cold fronts. The long-range forecast shows cooler temperatures next week, with winds elevated somewhat. Tuesday’s full moon will produce strong tides and prime solunar feeding windows.

Trout are becoming more common. A Rapala Skitter Walk surface plug in black/chrome produced several nice slot fish with aggressive strikes. A few hefty sows were also lurking in the same zones of grass and sand potholes/troughs. Shrimp are on the move, so a DOA shrimp in near clear worked like fake scampi as well. I added Pro-Cure shrimp gel for a little extra attraction.

Redfish are on the prowl, too. From small rats to upper and over-slot sizes, the fish are mostly singles or small pods but some bigger groups are also forming. The ones on the super-shallow flats with clear water are extremely wary and hard to feed. Those in slightly deeper water and dark bottom are usually more cooperative. Top-water plugs like the Skitter Walks, MirrOlure Top Dogs and Heddon Super Spooks will generate powerful pushes and comical attempts until the underslung mouths finally connect. The fights are spirited and quite fun on 3000-class outfits.

Sheepshead are showing up more on the flats and around structure, while flounder will stick around inshore until it really gets cold. Both species are great table fare and worthy targets for light tackle enthusiasts. Cast-netters can also enjoy autumn by targeting schooling roe mullet or shrimp in the backwater marshes.

Copyright 2022, Capt. Dave Lear

All rights reserved.

The autumn season along the Emerald Coast is getting into full swing. Water temperatures are dropping and will continue to fall with this week’s cold front. Bait is abundant right now, but that’s subject to change. In anticipation of leaner days ahead, inshore game fish are feeding more aggressively.

My longtime fishing buddy John Dunphy joined me Sunday for a foray in Santa Rosa Sound. Winds were light from the east and the water clarity was decent to excellent. Water temperatures were right around 74 degrees.

We found redfish all morning, although most were typically uncooperative. The majority of the fish were singles and pairs, although we did see a few pods of six to eight fish. Many were holding around dark grass patches, which coincidentally held most of the bait (greenbacks, mullet, pinfish and needlefish). Bendback flies in grizzly and dark brown bucktail jigs didn’t draw any follows. When I switched to an Aqua Dream 1/4-ounce gold weedless spoon, however, the reds started showing greater interest. One picked up on the spoon after it settled and aggressively tracked it before I set the hook. A lower slot prize, it fought well for its size. Dunphy was also able to tally his own red on a Johnson gold spoon of the same weight. All fish were sight-cast in the shallows. We also encountered a few nice trout in the same zones, but didn’t get any eats.

Expect choppy conditions the next few days with the ensuing cold front. The action should pick up again towards the end of the week as temperatures and winds stabilize and the calendar gets closer to next week’s new moon. Spanish mackerel, bluefish and pompano are all still around, but not for long. The flounder bite should turn on as well with the cooling water.

Copyright 2022, Capt. Dave Lear

All rights reserved.

Well, the weather-guessers missed again on Wednesday. What was supposed to be northeast at 5 to 10 knots actually turned out to be due east at 15 to 20 with washboard white caps in the western part of Pensacola Bay. I almost turned around to try a different spot but decided to give it a couple drifts. I’m glad I did.

Water temperatures were 81.5 degrees to start and climbed to 82.3 by early afternoon. Water clarity is slightly stained due to all the recent rains and run-off. But that min-cold front this week spurred the appetites. Trout were very aggressive on top (Rapala Skitter Walk) despite the choppy surface and bright sunshine. Although there is quite a bit of floating grass, it’s not impossible to fish treble hook plugs in shallow depths. While rapidly reeling in once to clear some grass, a trout popped the lure three times. Several hit as soon as it settled on the water.

The trip produced my personal best seatrout so far in the Panhandle. A hefty sow pounced on the plug, dug deep and then launched three feet into the air. It was a solid fish that put up an impressive fight. I didn’t want to stress it anymore with the scales, but it measured a tad over 24 inches before swimming off quickly. That is certainly proof that topwater action isn’t just for calm, overcast days or low-light conditions.

I also managed to hook a Spanish mackerel that was barely bigger than the white/ redhead 08 plug. Guess he was ready for an early fall buffet as well. Bait is plentiful, including wads of pinfish, pilchards, finger mullet and needle fish. The shrimp should be on the move soon also. Jellyfish were still around, but not nearly as concentrated as previous trips.

The weekend outlook is promising, although rain gear may be necessary on Saturday. The solunar tables call for a very high feeding window (moon up) for a couple hours around dawn, followed by a high period for an hour starting at 1 pm based on the Waning Gibbous moon phase.

The action will only improve as the water cools and clears. Many anglers are heading to the woods and football stadiums, so traffic will be down as the calendar shifts to autumn. Expect the flounder bite to pick up along with the trout and redfish. Pompano, bluefish, Spanish and cobia will also be trekking south once the cold fronts kick off in earnest.

Copyright 2022, Capt. Dave Lear

All rights reserved.

As the dog days of summer set it, early and late continue to be the best options for inshore pursuits. Water temperatures are hovering in the mid-80-degree range so the most comfortable times for the fish are after the overnight cool-downs. Combine that with the rising sun and you have the most opportune times for action.

With all the steady thunderstorms for a few weeks, the water clarity in Santa Rosa Sound is slightly tinted. It’s still clear enough to sight-fish, but there is a noticeable silt to the water. Add some chop and peekaboo clouds and conditions become more challenging.

There are still plenty of fish to target, though. Redfish are mostly singles that are cruising along in skinny depths. Topwater plugs, Aqua Dream spoons in gold or pink or DOA jerk baits in pearl/chartreuse are getting attention. One guide at the ramp reported a steady bite on live mud minnows. There are a few trout mixed in the same spots as reds.

There is no shortage of bait right now. There are literally thousands of mullet streaming along in massive schools. Watch for those and jumpers and the reds will often be in the neighborhood. There are also plenty of pinfish, pilchards and other baitfish around.

Friday’s full moon will increase the tidal movement all week long. I’ve never had much luck fishing the day of the actual full illumination. The couple days before and right after the lunar peak are typically excellent times to go, however. Consult a solunar chart and look for the periods when the moon is directly overhead or fully down for the best chances.

The first two STAR-tagged redfish have been caught and the Pathfinder and Contender prizes have been claimed. But there is still one other boat, motor, trailer package available (19 Spyder flats), plus the ALTA Equipment Company special prize of $50,000 if a Super-STAR-Tagged redfish is caught. Tons of other great prize packages are up for grabs. The younger crowd also has a chance to win college scholarships. You have to be a CCA member and entered beforehand to win prizes. Fishing continues through Labor Day Weekend so there’s still plenty of time to win. To register, go to https://ccaflstar.com

Copyright 2022, Capt. Dave Lear
All rights reserved.

Nearly incessant thunderstorms and lightning have made inshore fishing difficult in recent weeks, but when windows do open up, the results can be good. Santa Rosa Sound’s water clarity has a slightly silty tint due to the run-off and winds. Sight-fishing is still possible though. Water temperatures are in the middle 80-degree range. Floating grass, which is problematic for topwater plugs with treble hooks, is thick in spots on certain tides.

There is no shortage of bait of all variety. As a result, “matching the hatch” is difficult. Tried and true lures like rattling topwater plugs, DOA shrimp and plastic shad tails or touts, still get the job done. For those anglers who prefer the real thing, a cast net will quickly fill the livewell.

Redfish are mostly singles in the smaller sizes to mid-slot. They are cruising the nearshore depths, typically. The trout bite has improved also, with some nice fish coming to the net. Surface plugs with internal bearings are calling both species into the strike zone and the fights are vigorous in spite of warm water. It never hurts to have a heavier rig at the ready in case the wolf packs of jack crevalle or a rolling tarpon pops up.

Early morning trips are the most productive since boat and jet ski traffic is down and the waters are generally cooler and calmer. It still pays to keep an eye on the horizon for thunderheads to build and expand.

With Thursday’s new moon, the rest of this week looks promising. The solunar tables, which are generally accurate, are useful guides as to the peak feeding times.

The first two STAR-tagged redfish have been caught and the Pathfinder and Contender prizes have been claimed. But there is still one other boat, motor, trailer package available (19 Spyder flats). Tons of other great prize packages are up for grabs. The younger crowd also has a chance to win college scholarships. New this year is the ALTA Equipment Company special prize of $50,000 if a Super-STAR-Tagged redfish is caught. You have to be a CCA member and registered beforehand to win prizes. Fishing continues through Labor Day Weekend so don’t forget to register at https://ccaflstar.com

Copyright 2022, Capt. Dave Lear
All rights reserved.