Fishing Report for the Florida Panhandle
Capt. Alex Crawford
January 14, 2002
Carrabelle - Saltwater Fishing Report
This time of the year around the Apalachicola area, deer, ducks and dogs take precedence over gaggles of groupers. However, for the die-hard angler, this is the best of times. There are no boats out there playing bumper cars for a shot at just one tarpon. It is a peaceful time on the water. You just have to love the environs where fish are found. A place for introspection where fish respond only to endless patience. A place of total solitude without the pangs of loneliness. A place where a man can enjoy the fruits of mother ocean. Oops, there I go again.
Inshore, the news this week is spawning sheepshead by the buckets full. If you like to eat fish, the noble sheepshead is for you. Delicate white-meat fillets are delicious cooked your favorite way. Grilled, baked, fried or broiled, the sheepshead is yummy and now is the time of year to catch enough for the whole family and all your neighbor friends. For a change, try a Superbowl dinner of fish, scratch hush puppies, coleslaw and ice cold beer.
Saturday, one party of three anglers pumped up 30 keeper sheepshead under the Saint George Island bridge. The pattern has been to fish live shrimp on both sides of low water. While fishing around pilings, be prepared to break off some terminal tackle. Tie up you leaders in advance and bring plenty of egg sinkers. Forty pound fluoro leaders and #1 stout J hooks will work best. And remember the bag limit is 15 per angler per day at least 12 inches measured at the fork.
Offshore, the groupers are in their annual transition migration. They have been hard to find this past week. But, not to worry, the black sea bass bite is really in full swing now. The water temperature has reached 65 degrees and the spawn is on. The females are full of eggs and the big males have developed that irridescent blue hump on their heads. These tasty critters will eat anything including your lead sinker. Try a pair of chartreuse jigs above a bank sinker. Bring extra jigs! Many savvy offshore types including this captain consider sea bass superior eating, even compared to black grouper.
Until next tide, tight lines,
Captain Alex Crawford
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