Author: skipper97

Unfortunately there haven’t been many weather windows for the last week or so, which limits real fishing intel. But with the sun expected back and drier conditions ahead, more anglers will be getting out. Finding cleaner water will be key, though.

With all the rainfall, expect the coastal rivers and larger tidal creeks to be murky and flooding. Trout especially don’t like to compete with silt. So those waterways closer to the Gulf, with higher salinity levels, would be the best spots to prospect. Adding noise, scent or both to offerings will also help the fish hone in on the baits.

Redfish are much more tolerant of marginal water conditions. The fish were schooling before the monsoons, so don’t overlook known haunts when you hunt again. Flooded shorelines, shell bottom and creek holes with rock are redfish heaven. Weedless gold spoons like the Aqua Dream 1/4-ounce versions will cover a lot of water and the vibration is a good attractant. Gold or pink shades are preferred with the water a little cloudy or tannin-stained. Spinnerblade rigs with a soft-plastic minnow like the CALs or Sureketch touts are another good option.

If winds and seas allow, a jaunt to the nearshore artificial reefs or limestone bottom will give access to black sea bass. These tasty scrappers are a blast on light tackle and will hit most anything. They provide a great chance to clean out the tackle box. You might also score a flounder or two.

Now is the perfect opportunity to do some coastal exploring and prep for the upcoming season. Take a rod, but use the lower winter tides to mark hazards and fishing spots in the GPS. Those numbers will come in handy later. It’s also the ideal time to get the boat in for annual servicing before the shops get slammed. Tune-up the outboard, check the trailer and fix any little nagging problems so you’ll be ready when the fishing really does turn on again.

Copyright 2021, Capt. Dave Lear. All rights reserved.

Looks like the rain gear will be necessary this long holiday weekend. The fish should be feeding between showers with the strong tides associated with Friday night’s new moon. Water temperatures are moderating, but the clarity will be on the murky side thanks to the recent precipitation.

The lower stretches of the coastal rivers and backcountry creeks still remain the most productive areas. Trout, reds and flounder top the line-up. With clarity a factor, adding noise, scent and lure color contrast could mean the difference between a good day and a boat ride. Focusing on areas with bait (mullet are key), funneling action and structure/ambush points will also help even the odds. Shrimp lures, suspending twitch baits and soft-plastic jigs are all good choices, along with live shrimp free-lined or under a cork, finger mullet and mud minnows the prime forage. Fiddler crabs are tops for sheepshead.

Winds are expected to be from the southeast to south through Monday. Strong negative low tides will occur mid-mornings, which will mandate launching from deep water ramps like Shields Marina or the St. Marks public ramp at the fort. High tides will crest mid-afternoons, topping above three feet.

Based on the lunar phase, expect very high feeding activity for an hour around the low and high peaks. If it turns out to be too soggy to go, now is an excellent time to get the tackle cleaned, re-stocked and organized. It’s also a good opportunity to schedule annual maintenance or do the service work on the boat and trailer before the action really turns on.

Copyright 2021, Capt. Dave Lear. All rights reserved.

Even with the calendar flip, fishing remains tough along the Forgotten Coast. The inshore water temperatures have warmed slightly, but regular rain has clouded visibility. Still, there are some fish to be caught for those who put in the time.

The best action for trout remains the lower stretches of coastal rivers where the salinity is higher or in the backcountry creeks. A variety of lures are working with a mix of colors and styles. Slow suspending plugs, shrimp lures and the venerable grub tail on a jig, like the SureKetch or CAL series, are a ready stand-by. If the water is murky, try pearl, glow or chartreuse. Gold and natural patterns will work in the clearer depths.

Redfish are schooling with the winter season. Strength in numbers and shallow haunts offer protection from marauding dolphin. Try soft jerk baits, weedless spoons and bucktail jigs for the reds, but be sure to use ones with weed guards in the skinny stuff.

There are a number of alternative targets, including flounder around the nearshore reefs, sheepshead, mangrove snapper and black sea bass. The sea bass will hit most anything and are great sport for the kids on light tackle. They’re quite tasty, too, if you find the bigger ones.

The wind and tides are not going to be optimal this coming weekend. Winds are forecast to be at or above small craft advisory levels with another approaching front. The waning crescent moon phase won’t move a lot of water either. Moderate highs just over two feet will occur mid-mornings, with only a slight drop-off by mid-afternoons for the lows. The best opportunities for feeding activity will be the last couple hours before the crest while the moon is still up. An average window will open again the last hour before dead low.

Copyright 2021, Capt. Dave Lear. All rights reserved.

What a strange coincidence? It’s another weekend and yet another small craft advisory! Fortunately January is almost over and spring is in the not-too-distant future when the weather will stabilize and the fishing will take off again. In the meantime, quality fish are still being caught, albeit in shorter windows, for those who persevere.

Friday night’s full moon will usher in some of the most extreme tidal ranges of the year. Mid-morning lows will be in the negative one-foot range at the mouth of the St. Marks River. That means the two ramps with safe water will be Shields Marina and the fort ramp in St. Marks for early risers. High tides will top three feet by late afternoons, but another front and rain are forecast for Sunday.

The heavy rains on Thursday may not negatively impact the water clarity until next week as the feeder creeks and marsh slowly drain. A safe bet is to start closer to the river mouth with higher salinity levels before working upstream. The colder temperatures again will mandate slow retrieves. Suspending plugs like the Paul Brown series, MirrOlure Catch 2000s and Rapala Twitchin’ Raps in natural patterns are good choices. Bouncing a jig with just enough weight to reach bottom is another good tactic. Substituting a live shrimp on a jig head instead of soft-plastic is never a bad choice, either. In addition to trout, you might also catch flounder, mangrove snapper and sheepshead.

Redfish are prowling the creeks and flooded shorelines. The fish are nervous in the extreme skinny, but bite better once they feel comfortable with more water. Aqua Dream weedless 1/4-ounce spoons, CAL shad tails in Arkansas Glow or Rainbow Trout on a 1/8-ounce jig are sight-fishing standards. Tan and brown bucktail jigs are another option.

Of course, there’s the full moon/feed at night question to contend with as well. The tremendous tidal swings will move some water and bait, but it may be during the night time hours. You won’t know unless you go, though. Prime solunar times will be very high activity for an hour either side of the daytime crest and a high period the first hour in the mornings after dead low.

Copyright 2020, Capt. Dave Lear. All rights reserved.

There are several reasons why January and February are the toughest months to fish along the Forgotten Coast. Unsettled weather, regular cold fronts and chilly water temperatures all play a role. But fish have to eat to survive, so being at the right spot at the right time can still produce.

Coastal water temperatures remain in the mid-50s despite the warmer ambient temperatures this past week. The water is very clear for the most part, although there is a slight tint closer to the major rivers.

Trout and redfish are the bread-and-butter species and they are still available, although not always cooperative even when you do find them. The clearer visibility allows easier spotting, but that also means they can see you when working the shallows. Subtle presentations with smaller baits and long casts improve the odds. Because they are feeding on smaller minnows, marine worms and crabs, downsize accordingly. Switching to a 1/4-ounce Aqua Dream spoon versus the 3/8-ounce version will match the prey better. Small bucktail jigs will mimic crabs or shrimp and could result in a sheepshead finding it palatable. Don’t be afraid to change lure colors if one isn’t working.

It also pays to slow down the retrieves. A cold-blooded fish won’t expend more energy chasing down a meal than it can gain from its protein. So crank lures slowly and methodically, especially when working deeper holes.

Pay attention to tides and surroundings. Shallow mud flats or areas with dark bottom that are warmed by the sun’s rays before flooding will be a couple degrees warmer. They will also hold bait and attract game fish. Winter’s negative tides also mean caution is necessary when launching and recovering the boat. Tide levels can also be greatly affected by prevailing north winds.

Winds are supposed to be on the lighter side this weekend. With the in-between moon phase, tidal movement will be minimal. There will be incoming water all morning, peaking around lunch time before falling slightly (less than 1/2 feet) by the late afternoon lows. Peak times to fish are the first couple hours of daylight and the last hour of the afternoon fall.

Copyright 2021, Capt. Dave Lear. All rights reserved.

Old Man Winter has definitely made his presence known along the Forgotten Coast this year. A weekly procession of cold fronts and chilly temperatures has kept the water temperatures into the 50s and the fish sluggish as a result. But they have to eat to survive, so if you’re in the right spots at the right times and adjust accordingly, you can still enjoy success.

Another blast is expected to elevate the winds and seas the first part of this weekend. High barometric pressure doesn’t help matters, but the calm days—like this Sunday—after a front are usually the prime opportunities.

There are still some quality trout being caught in the coastal rivers. Working suspending lures at a snail’s pace near the bottom are the best ways to trigger strikes. Paul Brown Fat Boys, MirrOlure Catch 2000 and Trout Trick lures with a jig head are producing right now. Natural colors, orange/black and chartreuse patterns will all work. The water is still turbid from the recent rains, so adding a squirt of Pro-Cure bait gel will increase the attraction. Watch for bait on the sonar and target deeper holes in the rivers and backcountry creeks.

Redfish are roaming in search of an easy meal, too. Oyster bars, cuts and rocks will hold reds, along with sheepshead. Aqua Dream weedless 1/4-ounce spoons, CAL shad tails and plugs will tempt the red drum. Fiddler crabs, live shrimp and crustacean-looking bucktail jigs like the Buggs series are the best offerings for the convict fish.

If the wind or cold don’t cooperate, this is an excellent time to get your tackle and boat serviced. Cleaning reels and re-spooling line, checking rods, organizing tackle boxes and doing the annual service to the outboard and trailer now will pay dividends when spring returns. On calm days on the super-low winter tides, this is also the ideal time to explore and mark rocks, channels and bars that can be fished later.

The waxing crescent moon phase won’t provide much in terms of tidal movement. Negative lows will occur mid-mornings, while the incoming water will peak shortly before sundown. Expect a period of high feeding activity for about an hour around the high. An average window will occur the first hour of incoming after the bottom drops out. Bear in mind, the winds play a big factor in tides right now so actual water levels may be different from the predicted tidal charts.

Copyright 2021, Capt. Dave Lear. All rights reserved.

Winter is a challenging time to fish the Forgotten Coast and this weekend won’t be an exception. The recent heavy rains have muddied and diluted the coastal rivers, the flats are especially chilly and there’s another round of cold temperatures on tap. All that combines for shorter feeding cycles and hit-or-miss opportunities.

Trout are particularly sensitive to salinity levels and the large run-off and reinforcing rain this week will probably push the fish downriver in search of saltier zones. Those stretches closest to the Gulf, especially with oyster bars and deep holes, will provide the best chances for success. Slow suspending baits like the Shimano Coltsniper, Paul Brown Fat Boy or MirrOlure Catch 2000 are all effective options. Natural colors are never a bad choice, but if the water is stained or murky, then pearl, chartreuse and gold patterns will match the conditions. Retrieves must be slowed down to meet the trout’s winter metabolism.

Shrimp lures and touts are more winter standards. Added a squirt of Pro-Cure bait gel will increase the attraction factor. So will noise.

Redfish are much more tolerant than their speckled cousins. There are still some reds prowling the flats on low tides after the sun is out, but more will be found in the backcountry’s brackish waters. Weedless Aqua Dream spoons (1/4-ounce to match the hatch), smaller plugs like MirrODines or shad tails pinned to a light jig head or weighted worm hook will entice the copper drum.

Sheepshead are around in good numbers. Fiddler crabs and live shrimp will fool these tasty barred porgies, if they don’t steal the bait first. Convict fish are very subtle nibblers, so braided line will help detect the tiny taps. Black sea bass are thick on the nearshore reefs and structure.

Winds are expected to be breezy Friday and Saturday coming on the heels of the latest front. Sunday might be the best window. Tides will be extreme and with the north winds will be slow to move. Negative tides will bottom out before daylight and slowly rise until the lunch hours. Shields Marina and the St. Marks fort ramp will be the safest spots to launch as a result. Prime feeding windows will be the last couple hours of the daytime rising tide.

Copyright 2020, Capt. Dave Lear. All rights reserved.

It’s probably not a surprise to anyone that the last week of 2020 featured difficult fishing conditions. Some quality fish were landed, but many more had lockjaw due to the full moon and chilly water. And the prospects for the first few days of 2021 will center on the weather.

Despite the warmer temperatures the last few days, coastal waters have yet to rebound from the severe cold snap earlier. Temperatures have struggled to approach 60 degrees and when it’s that cold the fish don’t feed often or only for brief windows. Water a few degrees warmer can make all the difference in the world. So can underwater features. Mud flats, dark bottom and oyster bars that absorb solar radiation are often magnets once the tide covers them. They are also havens for small crabs, bait fish and marine worms that comprise the winter time diet. Planning trips later in the day after the sun bakes awhile is another option.

The coastal rivers have been the most productive zones lately for the reasons mentioned earlier. Deep channels and steady thermoclines offer sanctuary from the chill. Finding where the fish are actually holding requires a methodical approach, however. If the bites are scarce in one spot, don’t be afraid to try others. Mixing up baits is another proven tactic. Slow-sinking presentations are essential and so are slower retrieves. Fish will not expend more energy chasing down a meal than they can gain eating one. With finger mullet and mud minnows prime forage, lures like the Corky Fat Boy, MirrOlure Catch 2000 or Rapala Twitchin’ Raps are good choices. Soft-plastic jigs or shrimp lures are less expensive if you end up snagging on the many rocks and obstacles on the bottom.

In the live bait department, live shrimp pinned to light jig heads is the standard offering. Fiddler crabs (or shrimp) are great for sheepshead and small live minnows will fool trout and reds. Or you can add scent to lures with the Pro-Cure line of real bait gels.

Flounder, black sea bass and mangrove snapper are also winter options. There haven’t been any reports of cold-tolerant silver or sand trout this past week, but they are scrappy, taste good and provide lots of action. They’ll usually congregate in deeper holes.

The current moon phase won’t be generating super strong tides this weekend. Lows will be mid-mornings (good for heat collection), followed by moderate highs just before dusk. Average solunar periods will occur the first hour after the afternoon crest.

Copyright 2020, Capt. Dave Lear. All rights reserved.

Santa has delivered early presents to all the good anglers in the Big Bend. Fishing has been excellent this past week and after a stormy holiday, the weekend is shaping up to be pretty good to try out some new tackle.

The coastal rivers are producing large numbers of trout. Many are undersized, but with the cooler water the fights are spirited. Enough keepers are coming to the net to keep things interesting. Please consider releasing any over 20 inches for breeding stock. The best stretches are from the St. Marks fort ramp south to the oyster bars near the mouth of the river. Water temperatures have been in the 60s there versus mid-50s on the flats. With the predicted sub-30s temperatures on tap for Christmas evening, however, the fish may move further upriver. The best way to locate the action is with a methodical approach, working set distances until you find them. Either that, or look for all the boats congregated in certain spots.

DOA shrimp and other soft-plastic lures and swim baits have been producing consistently. Slow-sinking twitch baits like the Corky Fat Boy, MirrOlure Catch 2000 and Unfair Lures Rip-n-Slash are all good choices. Natural colors are best, with a slower retrieve and patient presentation essential. The fish are feeding on whatever they can find. Live shrimp, finger mullet and mud minnows are the top options for real baits.

Trout are also schooling on the shallow flats but are very wary with the low water conditions. Water clarity is as good as it gets right now, with visibility to 10 feet deep in spots. Trout and redfish are often mixed in the mullet schools, which number in the hundreds lately. Cast-netters have easy pickings for mullet right now if fried or smoked mullet is on the menu. Most of the fish are loaded with roe, too.

Redfish are also prowling the flats with the afternoon sun. They too are very spooky. Stay with smaller weedless presentations to coax some strikes. There are plenty of redfish in the coastal rivers. Most are smaller and mixed in the trout, but some overslot bronze bombers were caught mid-week on swim and jerk baits. Watch for diving birds, bait and get off the beaten path if you want to stretch your line.

The occasional flounder, black sea bass and sheepshead are the other winter-time options. Trout jigs will fool the flatfish, the bass will inhale anything and live shrimp or fiddler crabs are the best offerings for sheepies. Anglers venturing offshore are doing well trolling diving plugs for grouper.

High tides will peak around lunchtime this weekend, with the best window two hours before it peaks. The negative lows will occur just before daylight, which will warm mud flats and dark bottom before the incoming water floods in.

Copyright 2020, Capt. Dave Lear. All rights reserved.

The bite this past week was hotter than a Christmas candle. Trout led the parade with fish often hooked on every cast. Many were undersized or borderline slot, but there were enough legal fish to slime the coolers. The cooler conditions led to aggressive fights, too. Redfish of all sizes and flounder were also part of the mixed bags.

Water temperatures warmed slightly, into the lower to mid-60-degree range, but expect another dip with the latest cold front. Water clarity is excellent and the lower stretches of the coastal rivers were the prime zones, especially around oyster bars. The fish weren’t too picky, with topwater plugs, smaller soft plastics and gold spoons all producing.

Trout in the mid-20-inch range were very aggressive and gladly thumped Aqua Dream 1/4-ounce weedless gold spoons, along with their reddish cousins. Trout Support jerk baits in Chicken on a Chain and pearl Z-man jointed minnow lures were also working. Chrome patterns are producing in the stick bait department. Live shrimp, with minimal weight soaked on the bottom or under a clacker cork, is the most readily available bait for winter-time trips. Mud minnows can be cast-net and fiddler crabs scooped up along the shoreline. Sheepshead love fiddler crabs but will seldom refuse a frisky shrimp.

With the moon phase waning, tides won’t be nearly as pronounced this weekend. The water will be falling all morning with lows in the barely negative level around lunch time. Less than three feet of water will return by dusk. Average feeding activity will be sandwiched around the lows as the moon rises.

This is an excellent time to get the junior anglers on the water. Kids have a blast with the steady action and even little tykes can handle trout by themselves. With the holiday break there will be plenty of opportunities for the next couple weeks. Remember, it is prohibited to anchor in marked navigation channels; move off to the sides instead. Also be aware of depths at ramps depending on the tides and be careful with the sea fog. It will often build again during the day with the temperature changes, which reduces visibility significantly.

Copyright 2020, Capt. Dave Lear. All rights reserved.