Otto Hough (Facebook @myhometownfishing) says, ”The "between the moons" fishing over the past Labor day weekend was decent, with the better catches along the coast happening right after safelight and just before the twilight hour arrived, continuing on into midweek. The reds were certainly active from Carrabelle eastward beyond the Aucilla. The bigger trout seemingly dined in similar fashion during the first hours of the morning. Both species have been devouring topwater offerings. It's definitely the "walk the dawg" time of year that's arriving along the Big Bend coastline.
"This next three day stretch going into the full moon could be awesome, but as of midweek, it appears Ma Nature will likely be delivering heavy rains over the Big Bend. The current NWS Marine Forecast for the Four County Big Bend is not overly promising, and I'm an angler consumed with hope and optimism for a chance to wet a line. There's always hope in an angler's tackle bag. If a window does present a skinny water opportunity, work the creek mouths during the rise into the strong mid-afternoon flood tide.
"Given the current forecast, it'll be imperative to closely monitor the radar before dropping in the hole any of these next three days. Plus, if forecasted conditions hold true, it's not a weekend to even think to long about trying to venture outside for gags as seas are going to be elevated, especially on the leading edge of the streaming boomers. Not particularly enjoyable conditions if the present forecast holds true.
"As for shallow rock pile trolling for the gags, bathtub water temps are holding back the migration of the bigger gags to the shallower waters. For now, quality legal gags are hanging in waters 30 to 50 feet over live bottom. Once shallow water temps slip downward into the 70s, the rock piles will start gaining new, legal size "residents". Until then, the long run to deeper waters is necessary to secure a limit of legal gags.
"It's shaping up to be a weekend to err on the side of caution before dropping in the hole, especially if the radar screen is colorful over Apalachee Bay. As always, when motoring anywhere on the Big Pond, wear an auto-inflatable PFD. Make wise decisions over the weekend, fishing only when a decent opportunity presents. It's not a bad thing to chill on the hill if the weather isn't cooperating. Be smart, boat safely. Just FISH!!"
Captain Russ Knapp (850-653-5072) reports, “Hate to start on a down note but the weather this weekend frankly doesn't look good as a front is forecast to stall and a low pressure system is going to set up in the Northern Gulf of Mexico. The bottom line is it's going to rain and not a little but a lot and if the low starts spinning things could get sporty in a hurry so but sure to check and recheck the weather before you attempt to go fishing this weekend. If you do get out, at the Cut look for low tides at 9 to 10 AM forecast at 1.0 feet followed by a low tide around 4 PM forecast at 2.0 feet. Please be aware that if we get strong Southernly winds for a day or more the tides will be higher than forecast and the timing may be off.
"In the bay this week the fishing has been pretty good with Capt. Dan Fortunas (850 980 0101) reporting a good numbers of hungry Redfish, Mangrove Snapper, Speckled Trout, and Flounder cruising around the Cut. Live bait or frozen finger Mullet for the Reds while everybody else would love for you to offer them a live or fresh Shrimp. While you are moving around the bay, be sure to have a quick look at most anything floating on the surface as the Tripletail are still here and will be happy to bite a live or fresh shrimp under a popping cork. If you have the kids with you pick up some orange Shrimp favored "fish bites" and fish the oyster flats just West of the low rise in the SGI bridge for Silver Trout and Whiting.
"Offshore, Capt. Clint Taylor ( 850 370 6631) suggests targeting Gag Grouper in Federal Waters (past nine miles) as the season has been known to close early with very little notice. Capt. Clint says bring your Sabikis and catch some live baits on your way out with the bigger the better for the Gags and maybe a nice AJ. Fishing a small piece of squid on a 5.0 hook should put some non Red Snapper and Triggerfish in your box but be ready to chum them up away from the endangered Red Snapper.
"Tip of the week -- if your fishing in the bay with lures, replace the tripe hooks with single hooks and make releasing the fish a lot easier for both you and the fish."
Capt. Kevin Lanier of KC Sportfishing Mexico Beach, Fl (850 933 8804) reports "Fishing has certainly transitioned here on the panhandle this week with Federal Red Snapper season over yet the weather is still beautiful, and people are getting out.
"We have run a few trips for kings and had great success on our last on. 9 fish total, 5 kings and 4 big Spanish Mackerel rounded out a great day. My technique for chasing these fish is to put out a 4-bait spread. Starting with the closest to the boat I run a #4 Planer with a 6-foot leader to a Duster 3 hook rig. My favorite colors are white and the green/red/silver. I put a Cigar minnow on the hooks, making sure it does not spin, I drop this rig about 20 feet off the back corner of the boat.
"On the other side I put a Stretch 30 plug in Red and White. I run it 30 feet off the other rear corner. On the forward rod holder, I run a Mackerel tree rigged with a 2-ounce trolling weight and a Silver Horde Coho Killer spoon. I run these 50 feet behind the boat. Lastly on the other side I run another duster rig with a cigar minnow, this rig has a 4-ounce trolling weight. I run this one back 40 feet.
"My goal is to work around structure and ledges. I like the artificial reef structures around Mexico beach. I keep my speed between 4 and 5 mph This is simply my technique and there are many others, but I hope this was helpful"
Capt. Pat McGriff of One More Cast guide serevice, (ONEMORECAST@GTCOM.NET) Says, “Saturday, we had 9 trout for Billy Pillow and I all on live pins under Back Bays in 5–6ft. of water on the falling tide.
My charter Sunday was rained out missing the last two ( best) hours of the incoming tide but we managed five trout and a 22” red and a 4 pound bluefish. Tuesday, Billy and I had 8 trout with one over 19” and a redfish. We caught five on the incoming tide and three on the flop. Wednesday, I had Jimmy Douglas, Curtis Johnson and Morris Grantham of Homerville, Ga. out and we brought in 15 keepers to 22” with five trout on the incoming and ten on the falling tide. Had a couple of nice trout on the Assassin Sea Shad in the Laguna Shrimp pattern bouncing. Most of our 15 trout were caught in 4 + feet of water with none over 5.2 ft. Seems to be too much fresh water up tight to the hill with most of the mullet we saw out half-mile off the grass. Stained water was the key to our success the last three days on the water with no breeze to help us out the last two."
Salt Strong coach Matt Lanier, (matt@saltstrong.com) tells us, ”This past week gave us some spotty weather for fishing time, but some still made it out and reported catching fish even in the tough conditions. Overnight temperatures are continuing their cooling trend, with the early sunset and late sunrise. Water temps are cooling more, bringing with those cooler temps, some active and hungry fish.
"Reports are coming in of finding larger trout on the flats moving in to feed on the larger bait that is indicative of this season. An early morning topwater lure in a walk-the-dog action is proving to drive them crazy. The topwater bite is still good on windy mornings, but you will need to go with larger and louder offerings such as the SheDog or SkitterWalk. Look for these speckled missiles in the 4-5 foot depth after the sun comes up, but don’t be surprised if you hook a big one cruising shallow, next to the redfish, first thing in the morning.
"Redfish are on the move and looking for food. Reports are confirming that redfish are being found cruising the grass flats on an incoming tide in fair numbers. These fish are usually looking for an easy meal and with the larger bait that is found on the flats in this season, you can safely throw larger paddletails, like the 5” Salt Strong Slam Shady Bomber, to target those bigger fish.
"Early morning topwater redfish action is tough to beat, so drive those fish crazy with your preferred walk-the-dog topwater lure and hold on. Suspending twitch baits like the MR17, as well as jerkshad style presentations are working well as great all-around presentations this time of year as well.
"For the upcoming long holiday weekend, be sure to check the weather before any final plans and be sure to keep an eye on the radar on any boat day. There is rain and/or thunderstorms projected to scatter the Big Bend Region intermittently this weekend, but there should be plenty of opportunity to get out on the big water for some fun-in-the-sun over the holiday. So go have fun, be safe, and make wise choices!
To get the kids on some fish quickly, a live shrimp under a popping cork is always a solid producer of fish, and the best part is you never know what you’ll get because everything eats shrimp. EVEN ME!
"Some other exciting news is there are sales on some of the favorite kayak brands (Vibe & Hobie) during this holiday weekend. Harry Smith Outdoors in Railroad Square, as well as Sunjammers in Destination Panama City, are offering huge discounts on their inventory right now, so be sure to check them out if you are interested or have thought about getting involved in the plastic boat navy. Whether it be kayak fishing or just a kayak to float down a river, both places can help you find the right vessel to fit your needs. They do offer on-the-water demos, for those of you on the fence about it, and are happy to accommodate you in any way.
"If you plan on getting out this weekend, always make sure you check (and double check) your gear and the weather. But most importantly… STAY SAFE & HAVE FUN!"
Capt. Paul Tyre reports, “The Fall bite has started on Lake Seminole! Fall fishing on Lake Seminole can be excellent for numbers and quality! The Bass and Stripers are feeding heavy on Shad and we have been catching over twenty plus by noon!
"The Topwater bite has been good this week and will get even better as we enter into September. Buzzbaits and Walking baits like a Heddon Zara Spook, fished along the edges of the grass lines on the Flint River arm of the lake have been very productive.
"The Striper and Hybrid fishing has been on fire the last couple of weeks! Moving into September we anticipate the excitement to continue. When fishing for Hybrid and Stripers, the correct rod paired with a 6:2-1 reel is critical. For the reel, I prefer the Lews LFS series. It has an awesome drag and can hold up to the demands of these hard fighting fish! For the rod, I prefer a Temple Fork Outfitter's Rod in the Professional Series. TFO's 7'6" heavy action rod with its fast tip and moderate action, paired with an Alabama rig, is my go-to for battling these tough fighting fish! On the business end of the A-rig, you can't beat the Bass Assassin 4” or 5" Sea Shad rigged on a Bass Assassin jig head.
"For a Lake Seminole Fishing Adventure give me a call to check availability at 850-264-7534 , follow us on Instagram @ Capt.paultyrefishing or email me @ paultyrefishing@yahoo.com."
All the afternoon showers falling over northern Leon county this past weekend helped to recharge the oxygen levels in Lake Iamonia while dropping the water temp a few degrees. The bass bite has most definitely been stimulated going into the full moon weekend. With predicted bands of heavy rains in the forecast over these next three days, that's about the only thing that could mess up what should be a prime pre-Fall fishing stretch. The lake is in prime shape. If a window of opportunity does open up, the bass are liking the Zoom Speedvibes, flukes, horny toads and Z-man TRDz frogs worked on the fringes of the pads.