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Fishing Report for the Florida Panhandle
Capt. Alex Crawford
December 24, 2002
Carrabelle - Saltwater Fishing Report
Flexible schedules produce groupers. This time of year the fickle winds of old man winter force the addicted offshore angler to take advantage of opportunity windows. The past few days have been one of those windows across the landscape of the Panhandle fishing landscape. I heard the call from the hungry groupers and we answered the bell.
Red groupers are aggressive feeders right now, when you can go out between weather fronts. These beautiful fish pull harder, pound for pound, than their Gag relatives. And they will eat a wide assortment of offerings, giving them a moniker of ole garbage mouth. They can be a little wormy in summer, but proper cooking removes any danger to humans.
Winter grouper grabbin’ can be a shallow affair. In the Gulf any live bottom will hold groupers. In my small part of the big pond we start at 35 feet and keep moving South looking for good shows on the sonar. Invest in a high quality marker float, as this tool will allow you to harvest more fish.
One of the very best Winter grouper baits is a good quality frozen pogy, Inset your sharp circle hook through the eye socket and drop it to the bottom. Gimbal your rod into the rod holder and watch your rodtip. When the rodtip bends completely into the water, you know the drill, crank down, pump up etc., etc. Catching a few shorts is just in the game. The smaller throwback fish keep you at the ready for those big, keeper bucket-mouths.
This week the Munn family drove down from the North Carolina mountains to spend Christmas on the world-class beaches of Saint George Island. And they were really keen on some inshore fishing. So, yesterday we ventured out into the Apalachicola Bay for a day of Sheepshead catching. Notice the terminology here. We started with a dozen dozen frisky live shrimp and ended the day with 31 chunky Sheepshead. Let there be no mistake, the Winter bite is ON! These hard-pulling gamesters averaged 3 pounds, with a few 4’s and 5’s making it into the box. On 10 pound class spinners, this is hot, pump and wind, inshore action.
Until next tide, tight lines and solid hookups and wishing everyone a fun Christmas and the very best New Year,
Captain Alex Crawford
Proud Member Florida Outdoor Writers Association
Proud Member Florida Guides Association
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