Author: skipper97

Old Man Winter’s chilly breath has put a damper on appetites this last week. But they’ve got to eat sometime, so being in the right spots during the shorter feeding windows will still result in some quality catches.

Coastal rivers are still spotty in the upper stretches and with this weekend’s warming trend, that will probably remain the same. Oyster bars, mud flats and tidal creeks are the best spots to try your luck. Fishing this time of year definitely takes some patience and perseverance. You might strike out several times before finding the motherlode. Don’t be afraid to change up offerings, either.

Water temperatures plunged in the low 50s before making a gradual climb closer to the 60-degree mark. As a result, trout and reds haven’t been overly aggressive. Slow down presentations and downsize lures for better enticement.

This is the time of year when trout school up in the shallows, often in considerable numbers. Competition often triggers strikes even when the fish are timid and spooky. A DOA CAL Stark Naked shad tail with a chartreuse 1/8-ounce jig head produced a few nice sight-cast trout for me on a falling tide. The fish were schooled in less than two feet of water, so a stealthy approach is key. Redfish are also mixing in amongst mullet, which requires a sharp eye for copper and blue tails. Polarized sunglasses are a must.

The bait scene is in winter mode. Most of the pinfish have left the flats, leaving only mud minnows, finger mullet and some pods of greenies and ballyhoo. So the Stark Naked pattern (olive back/pearl belly) was a good mirror of the current forage. Go as light as possible to avoid spooking wary fish.

In the nearshore depths grouper diggers are finding cooperative gags by trolling Mann’s Stretch 30s in dorado and red head/white body patterns. Gags up to 30 inches have been fooled with some red grouper mixed in. Black sea bass will be thick on most structure and the flounder numbers should be good as well.

Light to moderate winds and mid-day tides are on tap for this weekend in advance of Tuesday’s new moon. There won’t be any water around daylight, so plan accordingly. High tides will crest after noon and the last two hours of the rise offer the best feeding windows. A lesser period will occur the last hour or so before dusk.

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

It’s trial and error time for Big Bend coastal anglers. This week’s cold snap dropped water temperatures significantly, but the expected warming trend by the weekend will moderate things somewhat. That means it will take time searching to dial in the fish. Feeding windows will be shorter as well, so it pays to optimize the opportunities.

The long holiday weekend provided action with reds, trout, flounder inshore. Oyster bars, tidal creeks and flooded shorelines were the best places to prospect. Rock grass patches were also productive, but expect those to die back with the cooler water.

The variety of effective baits could stock a tackle store. Topwater plugs like Rapala Skitter Walks and Heddon Super Spooks proved enticing to trout and reds. The venerable Aqua Dream weedless spoons were also pounced on eagerly by red drum. With the bait getting scarce in the shallows, consider downsizing to the 1/4-ounce spoons for more subtle winter presentations.

Soft-plastic minnow lures like the Z-Man minnows, DOA 4-inch swim baits and similar offerings are also a good choice for the next few months. Use only enough weight to cast easily and let the buoyancy of the plastic do its thing. The Paul Brown Corky Mullet in gold/black and orange is deadly in the winter months with its slow descent and seductive profile. For all lures in cooler water, remember to slow the presentation and retrieve. Cold-blooded fish won’t expend more energy chasing down a meal than they can metabolize.

Sheepshead are really becoming numerous. These wary convicts are best fooled by fiddler crabs and live or fresh dead shrimp. But they will occasionally eat a bucktail jig or crustacean fly for those with patience.

Water temperatures dipped into the mid-50 degree range earlier this week, but expect some warming with the return to more seasonal conditions. After forecast showers on Friday, the rest of the weekend looks favorable, albeit with weak tides. Highs will crest before sunrise and fall throughout the mornings, bottoming out at negative levels around lunch. So be cognizant of water levels if you get a late start. Shields Marina, the St. Marks City Ramp and the public ramp at Shell Point are all good spots regardless of tides.

Following the negative lows, water will slowly ooze back in during the afternoons, cresting at dusk or later. With the moon in a quarter phase, water movement will be less than three feet, however. The peak time to fish will be the hour sandwiched around the daytime low.

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

Finally the stars and drumsticks are aligning. With the long holiday weekend and the prospects of light winds, fair seas and strong tides, fishing should be an outstanding bonus to the Thanksgiving bounty.

Water clarity continues to improve after a long tropical season. Temperatures have dipped slightly into the mid- to upper-60s, but that range is still a happy zone for most resident game fish. In fact, the cooling water and shorter daylight hours act as a trigger to turn on appetites, especially during major and minor influences from the moon and tides.

Trout are being caught closer to the hill with the current conditions. Lures of all types, live shrimp and baitfish are accounting for the majority. There are still pinfish on the flats, but the window is limited. The prime depths are less than four feet. Focus on rock grass patches, sand troughs or potholes and creek mouths when targeting specks. There are some monsters lurking around, usually solo, but good numbers of slot fish available. The best part is the fight are spirited with the cooler conditions.

Mullet are schooling all over and find the mullet and you’ll find redfish nearby. Sizes range from dinks to genuine bulls, even on the flats. The copper drum are also aggressive and will pound a noisy surface stick bait like a MirrOlure Top Dog or Heddon Super Spook, as well as Aqua Dream weedless spoons or soft-plastic minnow imitations such as DOA 4-inch swim baits or Z-man minnows. White or pearl continues to be the hot color in the latter, while gold or chartreuse are top choices for the spoons. As the water temperatures ease down and the baits gets scarce, consider downsizing to 1/4-ounce spoons instead of the 3-season 3/8-ounce variety to match the bait sizes.

Surprisingly there are still some sharks around, along with tons of sheepshead, black sea bass, flounder and even a few pompano. The sheepies are spooky on the flats but they may be fooled by a crustacean bucktail jig. Fiddler crabs or fresh shrimp are the standard offerings. Flounder will eat a tout or shrimp lure hopped slowly along the bottom.

Winds are forecast to be light to tolerable throughout the long holiday weekend. Low tides will bottom out in the negative range around sunrise, but choose ramps accordingly for early starts. High tides of nearly three feet of flood will crest in the early afternoons, courtesy of Monday’s full moon. If you have to pick a time to go, be in a good spot the last couple hours of the rising tides. The moon will be down there and the fish should be cooperative.

Red snapper will be open again this long weekend (Friday through Sunday) for one last hurrah. The seas should be favorable for a change. Please practice common courtesy at the boat ramps this weekend and have a safe Thanksgiving.

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

In a case of taking the bad with the good, the high pressure system that has produced blustery conditions all week has limited coastal fishing opportunities. That said, the bite was on fire last weekend with the new moon tides and cooler water temperatures. Those who ventured out were rewarded with a variety of fish and lots of ‘em.

Trout were aggressive and fought hard in the cooler conditions. Topwater lures produced, along with jerk baits and plastic minnows. White and pearl are still the top color choices, although gold and silver patterns were effective as well. The majority of the action came from depths of three feet or less over sea grass flats and sand potholes.

Redfish were equally aggressive and took a variety of offerings, including weedless spoons and topwater stick baits. Flooded shorelines, backcountry tidal creeks and rock grass patches were all holding hungry red drum, many of which were mid- to upper-slot or even over. A few giant black drum are around and the sheepshead are getting thick on the flats, especially near oyster bars and small rock piles. Black sea bass are increasing in numbers as well.

With the cooler temperatures flounder are on the move. Target them around pinch points, oyster bars and sandy troughs on the flats. Mud minnows, finger mullet and plastic grubs or shrimp lures hopped along the bottom will tempt these tasty flatfish.

There were some reports of cobia landed last weekend. These brown bombers are making their way slowly south and probably won’t stick around for much longer. A large bucktail jig or Gag’s Whip-it Eel lure on a medium-heavy rod will handle any ling encountered.

The weather pattern is expected to finally change, with winds gradually diminishing. The direction will stay mostly from the northeast until then. With the waxing crescent moon phase, tides will be moderate. Highs will occur before dawn and bottom out after lunch with less than 2.5 feet of water movement. The best opportunities will happen the first hour or so after daylight with a very high activity period. A high solunar window will be available the first hour of incoming after the dead low.

Offshore enthusiasts can take advantage of a few more days of red snapper season. Private recreational anglers can fish November 21-22 and again November 27-29 in the Gulf and state waters. For more information, visit www.myfwc.com

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

Apalachee Bay dodged a bullet with Tropical Storm Eta this week, thank goodness. Even though the intensity wasn’t too bad, the bay certainly didn’t need any more run-off now that the water clarity is finally improving. And with good-looking weather and winds on tap for this weekend, on top of new moon tides, and a return to more seasonal temperatures next week, inshore fishing should see a noticeable uptick.

Anglers who have braved the winds and sloppy seas this past week found some cooperative fish, but they had to work hard for them. Short windows of opportunity have come mainly on moving water and prime solunar periods. The maze of oyster bars in the coastal rivers have been the best places to look.

Trout are still responding well to topwater lures that make noise and surface commotion. One Knockers, Skitter Walks and MirrOlure Top Dogs all get the nod. White patterns are scoring, but gold and silver are equally effective. Bluefish and ladyfish are still around to make things interesting.

Aqua Dream weedless spoons are scoring best on the redfish. Work them slowly over the tops of flooded bars, between cuts and along grassy shorelines. If you find jumping mullet, the reds won’t be far behind. Gold remains the standard, but don’t be afraid to try chartreuse or silver versions in pockets of clear water.

Flounder and sheepshead are more options of late, along with black sea bass. Try a Sureketch shrimp in pearl/red fire tail or CAL Arkansas Glow bounced along the bottom for flatfish. Sheepies are suckers for fiddler crabs and fresh shrimp, but they will occasionally eat a small bucktail like a Bugg’s Jig shrimpy pattern. Black sea bass are not picky about anything swimming in front of their faces.

This is probably the last weekend for any lingering pelagics. There were still some sharks in the shallows and Spanish mackerel in slightly deeper water. But if temperatures get into the 40s overnight next week as expected, they’ll be heading south for palm trees and umbrella drinks.

Sunday’s new moon will feature significant tidal swings this weekend with up to three feet differences. The lows around daylight will not offer any navigable water, so deeper ramps will be necessary for early launches. The early afternoon highs will allow easy access to the backcountry. Expect very high feeding windows right at daylight and the last couple hours of the rise before the water crests. Winds are expected to be light and moderate for a change.

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

Has the Florida Gulf snapper season been extended? Judging by the forecast of sloppy seas and the likelihood of rain this weekend, that would be the normal turn of events. But the season is indeed closed and inshore enthusiasts will be moaning and groaning instead.

The cold snap earlier in the week dropped inshore water temperatures to the low to mid-60s. That in turn stimulated some appetites among trout, reds and flounder. Spanish mackerel were also active in the nearshore depths and may still linger with the latest warming trend.

The water clarity inshore is gradually improving, especially to the west. Fingers are crossed Eta in whatever version doesn’t cause a set-back.

When winds and seas do allow, oyster bars, tidal creeks and shallow flats are the most productive zones. The trout were responding aggressively to Rapala Skitter Walk top-water plugs earlier in the week. Soft-plastic touts, jerk baits and minnows are also working. Lures with gold in the pattern are generating the best reactions.

The venerable Aqua Dream weedless spoon is the best choice for redfish right now. Try gold for tannin-stained water or chartreuse for the clear. With the water cooling, it may pay to downsize the spoon for a more subtle presentation.

Sheepshead are showing up in greater numbers on the flats. Watch for them around rock piles and other structure. Fiddler crabs and fresh shrimp are the prime sheepie offerings, but they will occasionally eat a crustacean lure like the Bugg’s Jigs or a smaller fly. They can be a challenge to feed, though.

Flounder are staging in preparation to moving to deeper water for the winter. A DOA grub or Sureketch tout in white with a pink or red tail is always a flatfish standard. Bounce the jig along drop-offs and through pinch points on moving water. If you catch one, chances are good others are in the vicinity.

Black sea bass are increasing in numbers as well. These fun scrappers will eat most anything, but the DOA 2.75 shrimp is an ideal option. Sea bass are great sport on light tackle. Try for them in depths up to 10 feet with mixed bottom or over the grass flats. They are definitely trip-savers sometimes, particularly with junior anglers.

Moderate high tides will crest just before daylight this weekend. That, combined with sunrise, may offer a brief window for about an hour per the solunar predictions before the winds start to howl. The tide bottoms out after lunch before rising again after dark. But overall this is shaping up to be a better weekend for freshwater fishing or maintenance on the boat, engine and trailers.

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

There’s no use in sugar-coating it. This month, normally one of the best of the year to fish, has been way off. The culprits are hot, dirty water and too much wind. Thankfully the pattern will be shifting to more normal-like temperatures coming on the heels of Hurricane Zeta and a trailing cold front.

With Saturday’s full moon, the tides will be extreme this weekend, with well over three feet of water movement. Lows will occur in the early mornings, followed by daylight highs in the mid-afternoons. Expect very high activity the first hour of daylight and the last two hours before the crest. Winds are predicted to be of moderate levels from the Northeast to North. But bear in mind the typical track record of the weather-guessers.

Overnight lows are forecast to dip into the 50s and even upper 40s, so the fish will be shocked at first. But then expect a turn-on as the inshore waters cool off from the previous 80s. This is the autumn trigger we’ve all been waiting for. It will also likely be the last chance at pelagics like Spanish mackerel, pompano and bluefish before they scoot off for warmer climes. A small silver spoon like a Kastmaster, diamond jig or Dirty Dick’s will mimic the glass minnows and other forage these speedsters are keying on. Watch for surface activity, diving birds and jumping fish to pinpoint the action. Bluefish, ladyfish and jacks are likely in the mix.

Pompano won’t linger around, but stragglers are likely to be in the sand troughs on the flats or off the barrier islands. A yellow or pink pompano jig or tan bucktail hopped along the bottom will trigger strikes as these sight-feeders key in on puffs of sand.

Flounder should be on the move as well. Slowly work a Sureketch white/pink tail tout along the bottom near pinch points, cuts between oysters or creek channels. A CAL Stark Naked or Arkansas Glow shad tail pinned on a chartreuse head is a dead ringer for bull minnows, a flatfish favorite. Of course, the real thing or finger mullet cast-net along the shorelines will seldom get turned down.

Trout and reds have been scattered due to the wacky conditions, but expect that to improve. A topwater plug like the Heddon Super Spooks, MirrOlure Top Dogs or Rapala Skitter Walks danced in the low-light hours will get pounded. Patterns with some gold are the top producers with the current water clarity. Suspending lures like the Cotton Cordell Redfin or Unfair Rip-n-Slash are more good choices.

Tried and true weedless spoons are the most consistent lures for redfish lately, with blue crabs on the move. Aqua Dream versions in gold or pink are scoring the most, with watermelon and chartreuse more options.

With November on tap, let’s keep our collective fingers crossed for a return to a more normal autumn season along the Forgotten Coast.

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

Mother Nature is celebrating the World Series this week by throwing some curve balls. Unseasonable warm weather has the inshore water temperatures pushed back into the upper 70s and elevated winds has made fishing difficult. Rain is in the forecast for Saturday, but fortunately the winds are supposed to lay down and improve conditions afterwards.

The water clarity is still fair to poor, depending on location. The zones along the East Flats, especially closer to Deep Creek and the spillway from the refuge, resemble three-day old tea. The flats near Econfina and Aucilla are reported the same. The in-land terrain continues to drain from the rains brought on by tropical systems, so it may take an extended period of dry weather to totally remedy the situation.

Even though the calendar is almost ready to flip to November, daytime high temperatures in the mid-80s are not triggering appetites like normal. The fish are not super aggressive. Trout and reds are being caught, but anglers really have to work hard to find quality fish and be ready to mix up presentations to find the right ones. Trout have been keying in on jerk baits with chartreuse tails like the Trout Support Grasswalker (Chicken on a Chain). Who comes up with these weird color names, by the way?

The reds continue to prowl the usual haunts such as flooded shores, oyster bars and backcountry creeks. With the water tint, gold and copper Aqua Dream weedless spoons have been the most productive options of late. Mud minnows or finger mullet soaked on the bottom are effective as well.

Spanish mackerel are scarce lately, likely due to rough conditions and warmer water. Flounder aren’t on the move as much, either. Sheepshead and black sea bass are becoming more common, though.

Tides won’t be very strong this weekend with the moon in between phases. High tides will crest shortly after daylight for the best opportunities. The first couple hours after the crest offer the best shots according to the solunar tables. The last hour before the lows bottom out in the late afternoons provide a shorter window.

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

It may be a little lumpy for snapper enthusiasts offshore, but the weekend is shaping up to be a good one for inshore pursuits. With the new moon on Saturday and more autumn-like weather, the big three of trout, redfish and flounder should be more than cooperative.

The good news is the water is gradually clearing up and will only get better into the winter months. Higher temperatures last week pushed the water back up into the lower 80s, but expect it to start easing slowly down. Those factors, combined with decreasing daylight hours, are triggering game fish to strap on the feed bags. There’s certainly no shortage of bait right now. Shrimp, pinfish, mud minnows, mullet and pilchards are all on the move. Using any of these for bait will work. Lures simulating the food chain are also getting pounded. Gold, pearl/glow and chartreuse are still the best color combos for the current conditions. Floating grass remains problematic in places, which makes using lures with treble hooks exasperating. Switching to single in-line replacement hooks or going with a weedless presentation is a simple solution and very effective.

Reds will be collecting around the many oyster bars throughout the bay and coastal rivers. The fish will stage on the down-current side of the bars waiting to ambush bait as it sweeps across. Flounder will also be in the drop-offs or pinch points. If you catch one fish, you’ll likely encounter others. Big trout also frequent those same spots, looking for a meal.

The window for fast action with Spanish mackerel is quickly closing. These pelagics are taking advantage of the bait balls in the nearshore depths. Bluefish, ladyfish and jacks are often in the mix. Small silver casting spoons with a trace of light wire leader will “match the hatch.” If strikes are hard to come by, try heavier monofilament leader like 40-pound test instead. For some real fun, break out the light fly rod and toss some epoxy or Clouser minnow flies. Slow trolling is another proven technique. Rig a medium action spinning rod with a Gotcha plug or Clarke spoon and troll around spotted activity (jumping fish, erupting bait). This is a great way for junior anglers to catch fish with doubles and even triple hook-ups not uncommon. Fresh Spanish is delicious on the grill or brine and smoke filets to make fish dip.

With morning low tides and more than four feet of incoming water by mid-afternoon, the solunar activity will be off the charts with the new moon influence. The first period will be the last hour before the low bottoms out. The lower angle of the sun matched with the rising moon should be a feeding frenzy. Expect a repeat performance for an hour or so on either side of the afternoon crest.

Autumn fishing is in full swing, so get out there and enjoy the fun!

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

Fingers crossed Big Bend coastal anglers will catch a break this weekend if Hurricane Delta stays on its expected track into western Louisiana. The water is just starting to clear from other recent storms. The fish know autumn is here, so we just need some favorable conditions to get after them.

The combination of full moon, strong winds and high pressure system stymied many last weekend. Fish were still caught though, with trout, redfish and flounder topping the list. Getting away from the mouth of the St. Marks River was the key to finding clearer water. Trout are hitting surface plugs early and the floating grass isn’t too bad. A DOA shrimp suspended under a popping or clacker cork is also effective in drawing fish in. If the topwater bite slows or the strikes are half-hearted, switch to something that gets down in the water column. A suspending plug or soft-plastic touts and shad tails pinned on light jig heads continue to produce. Glow, pearl and chartreuse are the hot colors. Water clarity is improving, but there is still a reddish/orange tint, so something that stands out will attract attention. CAL shad tails in Stark Naked or Arkansas Glow are dead ringers for mud minnows. Or you could cast net the real thing or catch pinfish on the flats. Shrimp are moving out of the marshes and are another cast-net possibility.

With all the bait around (sardines, pilchards, menhaden and glass minnows) now is a great time to have some fun with the fast-movers. Spanish mackerel, bluefish, ladyfish and jacks are pounding the bait balls and a small silver casting spoon rigged on a trace of wire leader (or heavy monofilament) will get slammed. Watch for diving birds, surface eruptions and jumping fish to dial in the zone. Drift or trolling motor into range to avoid tipping off your presence. This is also a great chance to pull out the 6- or 7-weight fly rod with a Clouser minnow or epoxy minnow fly. The pelagics won’t be around much longer.

Water temperatures are in the lower to mid-70s, so there are still sharks and tarpon cruising through. Gear up accordingly and be ready to cast when fish are spotted. A large twitch bait like a MirrOlure 65M in green back/pearl is a favorite lure for the big ones.

Friday looks like the calmest day, wind-wise, for the weekend slot. Saturday and Sunday will be a little breezier but not un-fishable. Better pack some rain gear for Saturday, though. The quarter moon won’t be producing super-strong tides. Highs will crest around daylight or just after before bottoming out by mid-afternoon. The best times for action will be the first couple hours after sunrise, with another window sandwiching the low for an hour or so.

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