Author: skipper97

The stars are aligning for a great holiday weekend, fishing-wise. Coming off Thursday’s new moon the tides will be strong, the winds and seas are forecast to be favorable and the fish should be chomping. The only caveat will be the extra boat traffic due to the holiday, so be prepared for longer waits at the ramps.

The big news the last week or so are the reports of very large cobia being caught. The water temperatures are in the upper 70s and the ling are crisscrossing the Big Bend in good numbers. Trophies up to 80 pounds have been landed. Cobia can be found around most structure and even sometimes cruising along the flats. It may be solo fish or pods of several members. A medium-heavy spin outfit with 30-pound test braid with a 40-pound fluorocarbon leader will handle most ling. Al Gag’s Whip-it Eels and larger swim baits or bucktail jigs will entice the fish, as will live pinfish, catfish or eels. There is a new federal size limit, so be aware of your location and measure carefully before putting one in the box.

Trout and redfish continue to be cooperative and can be found from the backcountry creeks and bayous to the open flats. Depths of six feet or less are prime zones, although don’t hesitate to try deeper with the warmer water. Soft-plastic touts, minnows and shrimp lures are the standard options. A noisy surface plug twitched over the tops of flooded grass or oyster bars will score nice bags as well. With the aggressive pattern, colors don’t matter as much as presentation, but it’s hard to go wrong with natural-looking black/silver or olive/pearl. With the winds and rain this past week, water clarity might dictate mixing a little gold into the repertoire as well. Both reds and trout will gladly slurp down a wobbling Aqua Dream weedless spoon, too.

This is the ideal time for diversity, if you’re tired of chasing trout and redfish. Tripletail and flounder are here in good numbers. A DOA shrimp or Sureketch jig will trigger strikes from either. Some hefty Spanish mackerel are in the nearshore depths hammering bait pods. Use a shiny casting spoon or Gotcha lure to pick macks off the edges of bait. For big game action, sharks will definitely bend the rod. Blacktips and spinners are great sport and will gladly eat a swim bait lure.

Winds are expected to be south/southeast at low volumes through Monday. Mid-morning low tides will be replaced by nearly two feet of incoming water by mid-afternoon. With the brightening lunar phase, very high feeding activity is forecast for a couple hours after the high has peaked, along with the last hour before dead low.

Please practice common courtesy at the ramps and on the water. Maintain social distancing and operate the boat safely. Law enforcement will have a presence all weekend, on the lookout for boaters under the influence or those who violate fisheries laws.

Finally, remember the reason for the Memorial Day holiday and give thanks to those brave American service members who made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure our freedom.

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

Breezy conditions and cooler temperatures have kept anglers and game fish guessing this past week. The weather forecast for the upcoming weekend looks much better with summer-like heat and calm winds. The combination should stimulate appetites, despite the in-between moon phase.

Trout remain steady, although lately it’s been a process sorting through shorts and undesirables to reach a limit. The usual bait-stealers are back in force, along with another surge of smooth pufferfish. These pests made an appearance a few years ago and for some reason (likely more salinity) they’re back. They will quickly make mince meat out of a soft-plastic lure, so stock up before leaving the dock. No particular baits of note are in the spotlight this past week. A complement of light and dark patterns and a couple different jig head weights should do the trick. Using scented lures or adding juice like Pro-Cure gels will increase the bites but often attract the trash species as well.

Redfish have been scattered yet cooperative with offerings in the strike zone. The Z-Man Diezel Minnowsin white are a consistent producer, along with Aqua Dream weedless spoons in chartreuse, watermelon and black. The water clarity is super clear, so darker patterns are really standing out. Adding a ball-bearing swivel to the nose ring of the spoons will help minimize line twist, an inherent problem with the slow flutter action of these baits.

Toothy critters are hit or miss. Spanish mackerel haven’t been overly abundant so far this spring. Bluefish and ladyfish are often in the mix. Use a silver casting spoon with a trace of wire leader to tangle with the Spaniards. Skyrocketing macks, nervous bait and diving birds will all tip off the location of schools pounding baitfish.

Cobia are prone to pop up anywhere from the flats to nearshore reefs and structure. A medium-heavy outfit loaded with 30-pound braid or heavier and a 40-pound leader will handle most. Big bucktail jigs, Gag’s Whip-It Eels and larger swim baits will fool the bombers, along with frisky pinfish, hardhead catfish or slimy real eels.

Tides won’t be particularly strong this weekend. Water will be rising all morning, peaking around lunch time before dropping back out again by early evenings. A little more than a foot will drain after the mid-day highs. The solunar prediction is only calling for an average activity window for a couple hours before the tide crests.

Boat traffic continues to be hectic, so please practice social distancing at the ramps and on the water. Be aware of other boats. Remember, the operator is legally responsible for wakes or reckless operation. Stay safe and be courteous so a good time can be had by all.

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

Coastal fishing action has continued to be steady, despite cooler temperatures and occasional breezy conditions. The forecast for the upcoming weekend looks to be more of the same, although a decent exchange of water will occur coming on the heels of Thursday’s full moon tides.

Nice stringers of speckled trout are being caught from the shallows out to as deep as eight feet. The usual litany of offerings is producing, including live mud minnows, shrimp and pinfish to fake shrimp, plastic touts and topwater surface plugs. White is currently the prevailing hot color. Silver trout are also chewing in good numbers. These “speck” cousins are scrappy, good to eat and open season, so get after them if you want a mess for a family fish fry. Silver trout are typically found in deeper water.

The flounder bite is also picking up as the flatties take up residence inshore. Bounce a small jig or DOA 2.75 shrimp slowly along the bottom to locate the fish. Flounder suck in baits more often than strike them hard so fish accordingly. If you find one, chances are good others are in the vicinity.

Redfish are also settling into summer patterns, which means less schools and more singles, pairs and small groups. Target oyster bars, creek mouths, rock grass and flooded shorelines for these spunky game fish. With the recent rains, try pink Aqua Dream weedless 3/8-ounce spoons if the water is tannin-stained. If super clear, chartreuse or watermelon works well, along with the standard gold pattern.

Those venturing into deeper water have been rewarded over the last week, too. Big cobia, amberjacks, grouper and various snapper (reds must be released) are all coming to the gaff or net. Unless a lingering shark or goliath grouper gets to them first. Even if you are bottom fishing, it pays to have a medium heavy combo ready with a Whip-it Eel or flashy bucktail jig in case a brown bomber glides up next to the boat.

The National Weather Service and forecast apps like Windy are calling for breezy conditions through Sunday, mainly out of the Northeast. Probably wouldn’t hurt to have rain gear handy before venturing out. Low tides will drop out mid-mornings, with an incoming crest by mid-afternoon with more than 2.5 feet of water difference. That should stimulate some appetites. Prime times will be the first couple of hours after the high peaks, followed by a shorter, less-active window of an hour just before dead low.

Fortunately other ramps are opening in the region, which should ease congestion across the Forgotten Coast. Social distancing at the ramps/marinas and on the water is still necessary, however. With the extra number of boats on the water these days, please practice common courtesy so everyone can have a safe and enjoyable time. Also, be aware that law enforcement is writing tickets for parking in unauthorized areas, so make sure the tow vehicle and trailer are in the proper spots.

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

Unsettled weather has made it more challenging for Big Bend anglers lately. Fish are still being caught, but the bite hasn’t exactly been on fire this last week due mainly to choppy seas and cooler water temperatures. As the calendar flips to May, however, a promising forecast is on tap for the weekend. The number of boats is at record levels due to the coronavirus situation and that doesn’t look like it will change anytime soon. So please maintain social distancing at the ramps, Ship’s Store, cleaning table as well as on the water so everyone stays safe.

Low tides will occur well before dawn this weekend, with highs flooding back in around lunch time. With the light and variable winds forecast, the water exchange should average about three feet. The moon phase is halfway between full and new, so the solunar effect won’t be as pronounced. Feeding activity should be average for the couple of hours leading up to the crest, with a lower than normal period again in the later afternoon.

Trout are coming to the net on a wide variety of bait and lures. Pinfish are thick and a split “shiner” tail suspended under a float will often be just the smelly tidbit for a big sow trout or even a cobia to investigate. Live shrimp are seldom refused. Scented touts and shrimp lures soaked on the bottom have been effective lately. Adding a squirt of Pro Cure bait gel adds a little more attraction. Flounder are also being tricked this way.

The topwater bite has been off slightly with the cooler water. With highs expected in the mid-80s though, a Super Spook, Top Dog or Skitter Walk danced across submerged oyster bars, sandy potholes or past rock grass will likely trigger an explosive reaction.

Redfish can be found in the shallows, weaving through submerged grass and around structure in search of meals. Aqua Dream weedless spoons are great search baits to locate foraging reds. The blue crab, black and watermelon versions are doing the trick in bright sunshine. Pink would be a good choice too if the water is tannin-stained from the recent rains, while gold is also a reliable stand-by. Watch for jumping and schooling mullet. Find them and the redfish won’t be far behind.

These mini cold fronts tend to push the pelagics out deeper, at least briefly. Spanish mackerel, bluefish, pompano, tripletail and cobia won’t take long to return with warming trends, so be prepared with appropriate tackle and offerings. With the exception of cobia, normal trout/redfish gear will handle the bunch. Shiny casting spoons are deadly on the Spaniards, while DOA shrimp will satisfy the others. For cobia, gear up with medium-heavy outfits spooled with 30-pound test or heavier. Lures include Whip-it Eels, bright heavy bucktail jigs and weighted swim baits.

Refresh yourself with the current bag and size limits as several have changed recently. With the enhanced boat traffic, slow down and practice the Golden Rule so everyone can enjoy their time along the Forgotten Coast.

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

Thunderstorms and windy conditions have interrupted the spring season somewhat this past week. Water temperatures are on the cooler side with averages in the mid-70s. With Thursday’s new moon tides, there will be plenty of water movement this weekend for those anglers venturing out.

The trout bite has been hit or miss because of the above circumstances. A few exceptional sows have been caught and fortunately those breeders have been released. Keeper size—15 to 19 inches—are better quality meat, anyway. A variety of lures and bait are accounting for specks, including touts like local favorite Sureketch rigged on light jig heads, DOA shrimp and noisy topwater plugs. Many of the strikes on the latter were hesitant, however. When that happens, be ready to toss a jig, shrimp lure or jerk bait back in the same area. The subsurface presentation will often trigger follow-up strikes.

Redfish continue to frequent the shallows solo or in small groups. Flooded shorelines, oyster bars, rock piles and pinch points (creek mouths, cuts, etc.) are good places to prospect for reds. The same lures mentioned for trout will also work on reds, but for the ultimate search bait a weedless spoon like the Aqua Dream variety in 3/8-ounce size will cover a lot of water and fool a lot of reds. Gold and chartreuse have been the top colors lately.

It’s also the time of year when surprise catches become more common. One cast might yield a trout, the next a bluefish and the third a Spanish mackerel or pompano. There are also ladyfish, sharks and jacks in good numbers throughout the Forgotten Coast now. Cobia are also being spotted on a regular basis now. Keep a medium-heavy spinning outfit loaded with at least 30-pound braid ready for quick access. A Whip-it Eel lure or bright bucktail jig will tempt the brown bombers and will also interest blacktip or spinner sharks.

Friday is expected to still be breezy coming on the heels of the latest front. Saturday and Sunday are predicted to have westerly winds at moderate levels. Tides for this weekend will be mid-morning lows, followed by nearly three feet of incoming water by mid-afternoon. The solunar tables based on the moon phase project a high activity feeding period an hour before the lows as the moon rises. A very high activity slot will occur two hours after the high tides have peaked.

With the adjacent county ramp closures, the Wakulla County ramps are experiencing even more congestion than usual. Please use staging areas to load the boat and have it ready before backing down the ramp. If this is the inaugural trip of the season, run the engine on a hose beforehand to ensure it starts. Don’t overload the boat with too many passengers and observe social distancing in the Ship’s Store, at the docks and on the water. When you start fishing, practice the Golden Rule. Don’t cut off others on drifts or working shorelines. Give other boats ample room. We can all have a safe, fun time out there if everyone displays common courtesy.

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

April showers and breezy conditions have put a damper on coastal fishing this past week. And if the weather-guessers get it half right, it looks like rain gear will be handy this upcoming weekend, too.

When weather does allow, the bite has been good, with a lot of variety. Trout have been cooperative on a variety of lures, including topwater plugs, soft-plastic touts and shrimp, plus suspending lures. Moving water is best, with no discernible difference between incoming and outgoing. Fish pot holes and rock grass on the flats, oyster bars and creek mouths for quality specs. Natural patterns are still tops, but good reports of larger fish on electric chicken jigs were also shared. If anyone knows a bait fish or crustacean that is actually colored electric chicken, please let me know.

Redfish are scattered still, but certainly willing to eat Aqua Dream spoons in gold and chartreuse. The 3/8-ounce version makes for a bigger profile now with the warmer water and wobbles enticingly. Buggs bucktail jigs are another good option for reds, along with DOA shrimp. When the reds are hungry, a noisy Rapala Skitter Walk or MIrrOlure Top Dog will seldom be refused, although it may take several tries for a hook-up.

For anglers who prefer to use live or natural baits, there’s no shortage of variety right now. Live shrimp on a jig head under a popping or clacker cork will take just about every game fish swimming in the briny. Mud minnows, finger mullet, sardines and pilchards are also readily available. Split pinfish tails or “shiner” tails are deadly under a cork, while sand fleas will get the attention of any passing pompano.

Cobia, Spanish mackerel and tripletail are around in good numbers. The mid-week cold snap might force a quick detour to deeper water, but they’ll be back in quick order. Sharks are more frequent in the shallows, along with marauding packs of big, strong jack crevalle. Those bruisers are a blast, but be prepared with lots of line capacity on the reel or be ready to give chase by boat.

The in-between moon phase won’t offer a whole lot of water movement this weekend, but enough for steady action. Low tides will drop out before daylight, with the flood tides peaking shortly after lunch with 2.5 feet of incoming flow. The solunar predictions call for a high activity window the last two hours of the incoming tides as the moon comes up.

Please maintain social distancing and don’t overload boats with multiple passengers. Wakulla is the last county in the region with open ramps, so practice common sense and courtesy so access to the coastal waters continues.

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

Mother Nature is going to help with social distancing this weekend as elevated winds and strong thunderstorms are predicted throughout. That will give the fish and inshore waters a brief rest as prudent boaters will stay on the hill. Adjoining counties have drastically reduced ramp access, despite the Governor’s order that fishing is allowed with social distancing. Unfortunately many sandbar partiers and over-loaded boats have ruined things for those who were abiding by the guidelines.

The full moon earlier in the week triggered super strong tides, but in typical fashion the daytime bite was somewhat slow. As the lunar impact fades, the spring season will continue strong. Water temperatures were in the mid- to upper-70s, pre-front. The water is crystal clear in many places, but cloudy and silty in others. The murkiness could be attributed in part to the large schools of mullet and roaming stingrays along the coast. Sea turtles, sharks and all the typical bait are back in big numbers as well.

Still haven’t heard any reports of pompano yet, but they should be around. On calm days, check for them on sand troughs or skipping behind the boat wake. These tasty jacks are suckers for a pompano or bucktail jig bounced slowly across the sand. As sight-feeders, they key in on the puffs the jigs make. A DOA shrimp (the new 2.75 version) is another option, along with the standard sand flea soaked on the bottom.

A few cobia are coming to the gaff and tripletail are hanging around structure, too. Large bucktails or eel jigs are too tempting for ling, while DOA 1/4-ounce shrimp are deadly on the tripletail. Most of the trips are too small to keep, but even a junior puts up a tremendous scrap on light tackle. Be careful releasing these fish, though. The gill plates are super sharp and will slice quicker than a razor.

The trout bite has been steady. Depths have ranged from about 5 feet to skinny (think submerged oyster bars and rock grass). This is prime time for topwater action, with Heddon Super Spooks, MirrOlure Top Dogs/She Dogs, Storm Chug Bugs and Rapala Skitter Walks getting the nod. Action is more important than color right now, although silver in the pattern can’t hurt. Using a loop knot to attach the plug will add the most movement. Jigs and fake shrimp are also working well on trout right now. Fish them solo with modest twitches or suspended under a popping or clacker cork.

Redfish have been scattered this past week. A few schools of smaller fish are around, but they are extremely spooky. Larger fish are cruising solo, but aren’t hanging out in their traditional haunts. A weedless Aqua Dream spoon or soft-plastic CAL jerk bait will entice the copper drum.

Low tides will be mid-mornings through the weekend, with highs cresting in the late afternoon. With the moon waning, the solunar feeding windows will only be average in intensity. If you go, be careful with the seas/winds and please observe the corona guidelines so the Wakulla County ramps can remain open.

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

April Fool’s Day came in the form of a mini cold front this week as overnight temperatures dropped into the 40s. That in turn sent coastal water temperatures down by at least 10 degrees and the fish responded in a not unexpected manner. The bite was slow to non-existent until the afternoon sun warmed the water back up to the 70-degree mark. The fish turned on when it did. The weekend forecast is calling for near-record heat again, so the exceptional spring season should resume as a result. Responsible anglers who practice social distancing at the ramps and on the water will allow the public to continue to enjoy outdoor recreation (fishing), per the Governor’s essential guidelines. DO NOT raft up with other boats and keep the number of passengers aboard to a minimum. Wash hands after using facilities and stay safe.

Before and likely this weekend, trout action was really good. Many of the fish are undersized, so be careful when releasing them. Trout were holding in depths from 6 feet to very shallow. DOA 1/4-ounce shrimp in a variety of colors (near clear, holographic, silver flake) were getting thumped hard when fished solo and slowly. A clacker or popper cork can be added for some noise and a strike indicator. Touts like Sureketch and Z-Man with a light jig head are also working well, along with live pinfish and finger mullet. The topwater response is especially exciting, with the bigger fish smacking Rapala Skitter Walks, MirrOlure Top Dogs and Heddon Super Spooks. Work these lures past pot holes, rock grass and oyster bars to trigger explosive reactions.

Redfish can be found along flooded shorelines, backcountry creeks and oyster bars as well. Aqua Dream weedless 3/8-ounce spoons in gold, sliver/red or chartreuse are all good choices right now due to the exceptional water clarity. Topwater plugs and shrimp lures are scoring reds, too.

The Spanish mackerel pulled a vanishing act with the cold snap, but it’s only temporary. Look for nervous water, frantic bait and macks actually skying out of the water as they lunge through the bait schools. Silver casting spoons and trolled Clark spoons or Christmas tree tube lures will put some tasty Spaniards in the box.

There are plenty of turtles, rays and sharks all along the coast right now. At least one cobia has been spotted, so it pays to carry along a medium-heavy outfit spooled with 30-pound test or heavier and a heavier leader. Add a Gag’s Whip-It Eel lure (1/2-oz in pearl/olive, candy apple red or lime green), a hefty bucktail jig or a swim bait like a DOA BaitBuster and you’ll be ready if a brown bomber coasts into your wake. The pompano are still absent according to my intel, but they should be around any time. Pompano jigs, small bucktails, sand fleas and DOA shrimp will all entice these tasty scrappers.

Low tides this weekend will occur before dawn, with incoming water all morning, cresting by early afternoon. More than three feet of water will flow in on the flood. Peak fishing times will be two hours before the high tides with high solunar activity, followed by a late afternoon window for about an hour. That doesn’t mean the fish won’t respond at other times, but those are the best opportunities based on the lunar positioning.

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

Water temperatures are well into the mid- to upper-70s, the bait is back thick and game fish are responding across the Forgotten Coast. Anglers should maintain social distance from others, but if you can get out the sunshine and fresh air will do some good plus there’s a strong likelihood of bringing home fresh protein, too.

Trout have moved on to the grass flats in force. Topwater plugs, shrimp lures and touts (fished solo or under corks), flukes rigged weedless or nose-hooked and live shrimp, pinfish and finger mullet are all equally good choices right now. The fish are aggressive, so speed up the retrieves. Color doesn’t matter quite so much right now, but with the water especially clear natural patterns are probably best. Adding a short section of fluorocarbon leader will also minimize detection. Be sure to double-check the new trout regulations so everyone on board is in compliance.

Redfish are active as well. Most are singles or pairs, although bigger groups are not uncommon. Aqua Dream or Capt. Mike’s weedless 3/8-ounce spoons in gold, chartreuse or silver/red are great search baits to locate fish. Once one is hooked, fan-cast the area as others are likely in the vicinity along flooded shorelines, grassy points and structure (rock piles, rock grass and oyster bars).

The pelagics are also back in good numbers. Spanish mackerel are great fun on light tackle, especially for junior anglers. Slow trolled Clark spoons or Christmas tree tube lures will get their attention. Jumping fish, nervous water or showering bait on the surface are a tip-off for silent drifts and casting using diamond jigs or Kastmaster spoons with a trace of light wire leader. Bluefish, ladyfish and jacks are likely in the mix. A few tripletail are showing up and the cobia and pompano should be here any day, if they aren’t already.

The upcoming weekend looks very fishable, weather-wise, although generous amounts of sunscreen will be necessary with the near-record heat forecast. Wind direction is expected to remain out of the South throughout at light to moderate levels. Low tides will be mid-mornings with highs coming back in by early evening. A decent amount of water movement should wet appetites in conjunction with the spring season. Solunar tables are predicting sandwich periods of an hour or so around the daytime lows and again on the high water.

Stay safe out there, keep your distance from others and DO NOT raft up in groups or you will jeopardize ramp access for everyone.

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

The fish don’t need a calendar to tell them Spring is here. The warm temperatures and increasing hours of daylight are natural signals that it’s time to move and gorge. And that’s the scenario Forgotten Coast anglers can look forward to during the upcoming weekend.

Redfish were certainly active mid-week, but the slack tides weren’t triggering a ravenous feeding response. The fish that were curious honed in on DOA 1/4-ounce shrimp in Near Clear and Aqua Dream weedless spoons. Gold is a sure bet, but with the clear water don’t be afraid to tie on a chartreuse or silver/red version. There are even some true bull reds in the 40-inch-plus class roaming around.

Trout have been somewhat slower to shift into the spring pattern. Per historic trends, the far-eastern portion of the bay normally gets hot first, followed by the stretches closer to the St. Marks River. Many smaller fish were released this past weekend according to reports. Enough keepers came to the net to make it rewarding, though. The top-water bite is starting to pick up, while fake shrimp and touts fished plain with light jig heads or under a clacker/popper cork will trigger strikes, too. A live pinfish or mullet trailing behind the boat could entice the biggest fish of the day, including some early arriving cobia. A shiner tail or fresh pinfish split in half, is another option if you want to try the real thing.

A few advance scouts of Spanish mackerel have been captured in the nearshore depths. The main bulk of the migration will happen any day now. Small silver casting spoons with a trace of wire leader or Clarke spoons slow trolled are tops for the Spaniards. No reports of pompano yet or cobia either. A large tarpon was jumped on trout tackle in front of the Lighthouse earlier this week. It was likely one of the wintering fish shifting to the Gulf. Sea turtles are also moving back into the shallows, which is a good sign. Always check to see if a cobia isn’t tagging along a cruising turtle.

A quick-moving weather system isn’t expected to change the current conditions very much. Winds are expected to be light throughout the weekend, although the direction will clock around somewhat. Low tides will occur around daylight and they are still in the negative territory, so use caution when launching early. Three feet or more of water will flood back in by mid-afternoon in advance of next week’s new moon. The prime time to be casting will be from noonish until the crest of the high tide, according to the solunar tables. Combine that with the weather/temps and it’s prime time to be fishing. Just use caution to avoid close contact with others/possible contaminated surfaces and get out there and enjoy it.

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