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Fishing Report for the Florida Panhandle
Capt. Alex Crawford
August 25, 2002
Carrabelle - Saltwater Fishing Report
Offshore, Grouper fishing has been consistent way out to the deep south. It is the typical late Summer pattern with water temps in the mid eighties. Go out into at least 100 feet of water and prospect your favorite live bottom with live bait. As a side note, we have really been fortunate so far this season to be tropical storm and hurricane free. It was ten years ago for those of you that remember Andrew. Like other water dwellers, my hurricane plan is simple: load the boat and go north.
Snapper fishing is good on nearshore wrecks, some as close as 12 miles out. The primary prerequisite for loading your box with slab snapper is current, the faster the better. If you drop your live pogy offering vertically on Mr. Snap, it will be eaten. Castnet your pogies at first light, as they tend to disappear when the sun gets up. Or, look for pelicans diving in the Apalachicola Bay. Do a figure eight search in the vicinity, until you locate the bait schools on your bottom machine. You will be rewarded with giant frisky pogies. Remember, pogies are extremely oxygen sensitive. So don't overload your baitwell, especially since the water is so hot. It is not fun to find your live bait floating belly up, after running 30 miles offshore. My general rule is approximately a half doven baits per gallon of livebaitwell capacity. For my system, that is 20 dozen for 40 gallons. High flow baitwell pumps are best, at least 1000 gallons per hour. Forgive me for being redundant but, cardinal fishing rule number one is live bait catches more and bigger fish.
On the inshore scene, reds and trout have been tough to pattern. Generally, it has been a first and last light bite for gator trout. Reds have been on the oyster bars at low water. Live shrimp and pogies will give you the advantage. Try the mouths of the major rivers that flow into the Apalachicola Bay, like the East and St. Marks. This week this angler observed another on-the-water first. At the Government Cut there were so many spanish mackeral, the botttlenose porpoises were skyrocketing on them. It was an amazing display of Olympic high jumping proportions and the admission was free. Exciting stuff!
It won't be long now until the water cools into the Fall pattern and the fishing will get even better. There is always something to look forward to on the unforgettable Panhandle coast of Florida.
Until next tide, tight lines and solid hookups,
Captain Alex Crawford
Proud Member Florida Outdoor Writers Association
Proud Member Florida Guides Association
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