Author: skipper97

In true fashion March is roaring in like a lion, with gusty conditions expected for part of the three-day weekend, accompanied by cooler temperatures again. Briny anglers will have to adjust accordingly, but there are cooperative fish available.

The coastal rivers have been producing redfish, trout and sheepshead, but the fish are concentrated in tight areas. It may take several tries to find the right spots and the feeding windows will be limited. Live shrimp and soft-plastic jigs/fake shrimp are fooling the majority.

The tidal creeks to the east and around the marsh islands in the western part of the bay are holding good numbers of trout and redfish as well. Topwater and suspending plugs are tempting trout, while weedless spoons are rarely refused by hungry reds. Many of these fish are upper-slot and sows, although it may be difficult to get a bait past the smaller school-mates. Sheepshead are starting to congregate in pre-spawn mode as well. Fiddler crabs, live shrimp and crustacean pattern flies will fool the finned convicts.

Tides will be pronounced this weekend in advance of Monday’s full moon. Negative lows will make it difficult to launch early from most ramps except Shields Marina and the public ramp at the fort in St. Marks. The negative lows right around daylight will give way to a flood of water shortly after lunch. The crest will be more than three feet and the combination of moon and tidal movement will offer high feeding activity the last couple hours of the daytime flood. Exposed mud flats, oyster bars and rocks that absorb radiated sun on the lows will be good places to try once the water does start coming back in.

With azaleas and dogwoods in full bloom, it won’t be long before the pelagics start returning to the Big Bend waters. Spanish mackerel and bluefish will be among the first to arrive, followed by pompano and then cobia. So now is a good time to get those rigs and tackle in order. If your boat, outboard, trailer need service, get it done soon before the spring fever rush commences.

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

Well, here’s a shocker—the weather is all over the place again. After a chilly Friday start coming on the heels of a front, it’s supposed to be sunny and more seasonal again over the weekend. I’m sure the fish will get the memo.

Last weekend’s new moon tidal swings produced good results for many, according to reports. Trout were scattered, but the smaller reds were all over the bars in the St. Marks River. Live shrimp resulted in big numbers with a few slot fish mixed in. Sheepshead were also coming to the net on live shrimp.

Good numbers of slot redfish were schooling on the shallow flats. But with the negative lows to start the day, those fish were super-skittish. Aqua Dream 1/4-ounce spoons in watermelon did coax a few. The water prior to the latest rain showers were crystal clear. Expect some murkiness this weekend, especially the creeks draining out of the refuge impoundments.

The high pressure system coming Friday will likely have the bite shut down. By Saturday and Sunday, however, things should stabilize and the action should be back on. At mid-week, the weather service was calling for northwest winds under advisory levels. Sunday looks to be the best opportunity with even lighter breezes clocking from the northern quadrant to the South by afternoon.

The in-between moon phase won’t produce super strong water movement. But there is a reasonable flow and difference between lows in the later mornings to high late in the afternoons. More than two feet of water will flood in at the crest, giving the cooler water a chance to warm all day. Look for fish over radiated oyster bars, mud flats and near rock piles.

If you’re in the market for a new or pre-owned boat or boating accessories, check out the Tallahassee Boat Show at the fairgrounds on South Monroe Friday through Sunday. Admission is free and the hours are 10-5 each day. Shields Marina and a number of other regional dealers will have all types of fishing boats on display.

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

Get ready for another round of wind and some more seasonable temperatures, at least temporarily. And be patient as you try to figure out what the confused fish are doing again.

Rain and fog haven’t produced ideal conditions lately. Trout are scattered in the lower stretches of the St. Marks River around the oyster bars. Don’t be surprised at the occasional red or flounder, either. Live shrimp under clacker or popping corks are the top producers lately with the water churned up. If you want to try artificials, go with lighter-colored suspending plugs or shrimp lures/jigs. Adding a squirt of Pro-Cure bait gel may increase the odds of success. The fish are still somewhat lethargic, so be sure to work any offering slow, slow and slower.

There were good groups of reds prowling the shallows before the latest blow. Once that East Fan cranked up to full blast, however, they scattered. When you do find ‘em, Aqua Dream 1/4-ounce weedless spoons in watermelon and gold are proving effective. Soft-plastic swim baits rigged with a very light swim bait hook are good alternatives. The sheepshead on the flats have been few and far between lately.

Friday looks to be choppy according to the mid-week forecast. Saturday and Sunday should be decent. With Sunday night’s new moon, however, the negative lows right after dawn will dry out most launches except for Shields Marina and the Fort ramp. The moon phase will usher in more than two feet of flooding water by mid-afternoons. Anglers paying attention to the solunar tables will be wise to be in their favorite spots for the last hour of the falling tide (providing there is enough water) as the moon rises. Expect another window of very high feeding activity again the last two hours of afternoon flood once the moon is up.

Now is the time before fishing really turns on to get tackle in order and make sure all the boat projects/service work is done. Once spring fever hits, there will be a backlog at the service department, so plan accordingly.

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

Except for a couple cooler nights predicted for the upcoming holiday weekend, the extended forecast is calling for pleasant daytime temperatures and moderate winds. That, combined with current inshore water temperatures in the upper 60s, means the spring season is starting early and the fish are responding accordingly.

Good catches were reported last weekend and earlier this week. Fish continue to frequent the shoreline flats and protected spots in the tidal creeks and coastal rivers. There might be a slight adjustment as the temperatures dip a bit with the approaching cold front. But it should only be a temporary hiccup.

A variety of lures are working right now. With higher tides and afternoon sun topwater plugs like Heddon Super Spooks, MirrOlure Top Dog and Rapala Skitter Walks are proving irresistible to quality trout. Wiggly swim baits rigged weedless with worm hooks are another good choice, along with shrimp lures like the DOA variety or Sureketch touts. Pearl or gold patterns are triggering the most interest lately. Real shrimp or fiddler crabs are the top baits for sheepshead, which are plentiful now around most structure, manmade or natural. Don’t be surprised to find a flounder or black sea bass on the end of the line, either.

Redfish are roaming the shallows in singles, pairs and sizable groups. Those same swim baits mentioned earlier are enticing to reds, but it’s hard to beat an ADL weedless spoon in gold or watermelon. The smaller 1/4-ounce size matches the bait for the time of year and lands softly to avoid scaring the intended target.

The ‘tweener moon phase this long weekend won’t offer much in the way of tidal flow. Only a foot of water will be exchanged between the morning high just before dawn before falling out around the lunch hour. If you only have a limited time to go, the best slot would be the first couple hours each day as the moon is up. A lesser high activity window will occur during the lunch hour as the moon sets. Water will flow in all afternoon before cresting again in the early evening hours.

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

The month of February has started a lot like the preceding one—with fluctuating weather and hit or miss fishing opportunities across the bay. Good reports of trout and redfish filter in, with suspending lures, swim baits and spoons scoring the most. Gold, pearl and watermelon patterns have been the favorite colors. But there are other reports of barren stretches or uncooperative fish due to weak tidal movement. In other words, it’s typical for this time of year and you won’t know unless you go.

The recent winds and storms have affected the water clarity somewhat. It’s not quite as clear as it had been previously. Thursday gale force winds won’t help matters and it’ll likely take a couple days to clear again. But with Sunday’s full moon and decent weather on tap, the odds are improving for more good action. Sheepshead and sand trout have been consistent by-catches of late, with fiddler crabs or fresh dead shrimp tops for the convicts. Sandies will eat most anything tossed in front of their noses, so they are good candidates to clear the tackle box of those weird jig colors that won’t tempt anything else.

The tidal creeks and coastal river mouths are still the most productive places to prospect. Water temperatures have been hovering in the mid- to upper 50s. The overnight lows near freezing may push the fish up-current some, although heavy rains and run-off may counteract the movement towards warmer water. Use the boat’s sonar to check the depths and don’t commit to any one place too long before moving on. The fish concentrate in those areas that are most favorable. Find those and it can be one on every cast.

Shields Marina and the St. Marks fort ramp are the two most predictable places to launch this weekend due to their deepwater access and the extreme negative lows right around daylight. The mid-afternoon highs will offer plenty of water, however, cresting at more than 3 feet. With the bright full moon, the solunar tables are calling for very high feeding activity from lunch time until the peak of the high tide as the moon is down. There’s a lesser high activity window sandwiched for an hour around the low tides. The oyster bar maze in the lower stretch of the St. Marks River would be an ideal spot to target during this low-water period.

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

Hot, cold, hot, cold. Those words describe the weather and fishing lately along the Forgotten Coast. After another expected front with rain on Friday, the pattern will shift again with sunny skies and cooler temperatures over the weekend.

Between pressure systems, the fish have been chewing fairly steadily. The lower stretches of the coastal rivers and tidal creeks are the most consistent zones, especially on the first of the incoming tides. Slow suspending and twitch plugs like the Catch 2000, Redfins, Unfair Rip-n-Slash and Paul Brown mullet top the list. Even though the water clarity is excellent right now, gold and natural patterns have triggered the most strikes. Live and fake shrimp, allowed to drift freely with the current plain or under a popping cork, is another good option. Trout have dominated the catch, with enough redfish mixed in to make it interesting. Live shrimp will also fool sheepshead. With water temps now down again into the upper 50s or low 60s, the fights have been spirited.

With the moon phase in between (waxing crescent) there won’t be much water exchange and the tide times aren’t the most accommodating, either. High tides will occur right before dawn and again at dusk, yet with winds predicted to be quartering northwest, the exact crest may be delayed. Low tides will bottom out around lunch time with only a foot of water difference.

Students of the solunar table will note that peak feeding times should coincide as the sun is coming up. Another window will open at the lunch hour in conjunction with the low. Take a rod and some baits along, but this is shaping up to be a good weekend to get out and do some scouting for warmer days ahead.

If any service is needed on the boat, outboard or trailer, now is a good time to get that done, too. The service department isn’t as busy right now, but they’ll be slammed at the first hint of spring when the backlog will definitely increase.

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

It’s a guessing game again or at least trial and error as Forgotten Coast anglers will attempt to figure out the latest fish patterns after this week’s Arctic blast. The rains have diluted the salinity in the coastal rivers and the resulting warming trend won’t have many fish stacked way up-stream. The tidal creeks are still the best bet, but it probably won’t hurt to check out the flats near creeks or oyster bars and mud flats around the river mouths that drain into the bay.

Gusty winds kept most boats on the trailer recently, even on the Monday holiday. The bite had been good prior, mainly in the eastern portion of Apalachee Bay. Those who ventured out were doing well on redfish, some trout and sheepshead. Live shrimp has been the most productive offering, but soft-plastic jerk baits and jigs scored as well. There hasn’t been a dominant color standing out. Pearl or white is always a good starter before trying another pattern.

Topwater action has been a bust lately, but don’t hesitate to toss a Skitter Walk, Top Dog or Spook over the tops of flooded oyster shell to see if anyone is lurking. Slow the retrieve down to a crawl to make it easier to connect. Aqua Dream or Capt. Mike’s weedless spoons are great search baits and will fool reds and trout alike. The 1/4-ounce size more closely matches the available bait this time of year. DOA 2.75 shrimp or Sureketch touts bounced on the bottom are hard for flounder to resist.

The upcoming weekend certainly looks promising. Warmer temperatures, predicted mild winds and strong tides triggered by Saturday night’s new moon are all aligning nicely. Lows will be negative early each morning and could be even more extreme due to the expected northerly winds. The daytime high tides will occur mid-afternoon with plenty of sunshine. Around two feet of water will come in on the rise.

The solunar tables are forecasting very high feeding activity two hours before the high tides as the moon is up. Another very high period, albeit briefer, will occur around the morning low.

If your boat needs servicing or you are ready to add that long-awaited accessory like a trolling motor, new electronics or a Power-Pole, be sure to get it into the shop soon before they get busy. That way you’ll be ready to go when the weather stabilizes and the fishing gets really good again.

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

With the current Twilight Zone weather we’re experiencing, tulip trees and azaleas are blooming in town and cow-nose rays and cannonball jellyfish are on the flats. Water temperatures are in the mid- to upper 60s. And it’s the middle of January. To confuse the fish even further, the outlook is calling for another cold snap next week. What’s next, cobia on Ground Hog Day?

The unseasonably mild temperatures have been producing some impressive catches. Trout and redfish are the primary focus of late. When the water is moving, just about anything cast has been working, including live shrimp and artificials. Fake shrimp, touts, jerk baits and weedless spoons top the lure line-up. The blue crab pattern in the 1/4-ounce Aqua Dream spoon is fooling redfish in the murkier, stained water.

The flooded grassy shoreline, creek mouths and nearshore shallow flats were the hot zones prior to the expected front. After the heavy rains this past week only the lower sections of the coastal rivers are holding many fish. That could change if the cold lingers. Run-off from the St. Marks Wildlife Refuge is also pouring out the dikes like Deep Creek. As a result, better reports are coming from the eastern portion of Apalachee Bay. The water to the West is clear, but the negative lows during the daytime hours have made the fish especially wary. Dense fog the last few days hasn’t helped, either.

Breezy conditions are predicted for the long holiday weekend, which will likely trigger small craft advisories. With the waning crescent moon, tidal movement will be limited. The early morning highs followed by mid-afternoon lows will exchange less than a foot of water. The best time to target will be the couple hours before high tide.

This weekend will be a prime opportunity to get ready for the up-coming season ahead. Boat and trailer maintenance, tackle organization and studying charts are all good ways to prepare for when the fishing really turns on. If the engine needs annual service or the boat needs other repairs or upgrades, now is the time to schedule that before the service department really gets busy.

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

Coming on top of Saturday night’s full moon, Big Bend coastal anglers can expect limbo tides in the mornings, as in how low can it go? The tables are predicting a negative 1.3 feet, which will render many smaller ramps useless for several hours. Shields Marina and the fort ramp in St. Marks will be the exceptions, because of the river depths.

Results continue to be mixed of late, for a variety of reasons. The chillier overnight lows have dropped water temperatures again, yet highs are expected to be back into the mid-70s by the weekend. The fish have to be confused about which season it actually is. On top of that, more unsettled weather patterns have created blustery conditions this week, with small craft advisories the norm. So not many have been able to get out.

When it does improve (and Sunday looks to be the best opportunity), the coastal rivers and tidal creeks continue to produce. Redfish, trout, flounder and sheepshead top the list. The first three will slurp down a variety of artificial lures, including DOA shrimp and Sureketch touts, swim baits, flukes and weedless spoons particularly for the reds. Suspending plugs like classic MirrOlure 52M series, Paul Brown Fat Boy, Rapala Twitchin’ Raps and Unfair Rip-n-Slash are effective options for working the water column. Once the water warms the exposed bars and flats, a top-water lure like a Rapala Skitter Walk or Heddon Super Spook danced slowly across the surface will fool a wary trout or laid-up red.

For bait enthusiasts, it’s hard to beat a frisky live shrimp impaled on a Kahle hook or light jig head. Pinch the tail flukes to add more scent. Fiddler crabs are excellent fare for sheepshead and easy to catch along the exposed banks. Mud minnows and finger mullet are also good options for soaking.

Thanks to the influence of that big, bright full moon, expect very high feeding windows throughout the weekend. The first will occur the first hour of the incoming tide, followed by a longer window (1.5 hours either side) of the mid-afternoon highs.

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

Happy New Year! As we start a new fishing season and a new decade, it seems like Mother Nature will be up to some old tricks, based on the weekend weather forecast. Friday and Saturday are expected to be blustery with rain, but Sunday certainly looks fishable. And there’s plenty of fish to be caught for those venturing out on the water.

The eastern portion of the St. Marks Wildlife Refuge continues to be the hot zone. Quality trout and redfish top the list, along with flounder, sheepshead, some lingering ladyfish and black sea bass. The lower stretches of the St. Marks River in some of the deeper holes and around the many oyster bars are the prime places to prospect. The East River is also productive when tides allow access. The tidal creeks and adjacent flats are also holding fish with the mostly mild temperatures lately.

A number of lures are working right now, including lighter colored swim baits and fake minnows, rigged with a small jig head or weedless swim bait hooks. White/pearl, silver and glow or chartreuse are working well. Suspending plugs like the MirrOlure Catch 2000, Paul Brown Fat Boys or Rapala X-Rap twitched slowly through the strike zone will draw solid thumps from hungry trout. The Trout Support weedless jerk baits are tricking upper-slot reds, along with the venerable Aqua Dream or Capt. Mike’s weedless spoons in the 1/4-ounce size. Gold or sliver spoons are the best colors with the water so clear of late.

Live shrimp fished under a clacker-style cork or slowly free-lined is hard to beat, especially for junior anglers or novice guests. But DOA plastic shrimp account for plenty of keepers, along with touts like the local Sureketch variety.

The next couple months are prime times to do some strategic scouting on the negative winter low tides. Go slow and use the chart plotter to mark rock piles, oyster bars, creek channels and other fish-attracting (and boat-destroying) structure. This is the slowest time of the year for service work, so if the outboard needs a tune-up or you want to add any accessories, now is the time to schedule it before they get busy again in the spring.

The upcoming weekend won’t offer much in the way of water movement. Tides will crest around mid-mornings before dropping off ever so slightly by mid-afternoon. The amount of water exchanged will be less than a foot. The solunar tables are predicting very high feeding activity the last two hours before the morning highs. A high period coincides right before the tide bottoms out.

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