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Fishing Report for the Florida Panhandle
Capt. Alex Crawford
May 15, 2003
Carrabelle - Saltwater Fishing Report
Record Levels of Freshwater. Due to all of the rainfall these past two weeks, the Apalachicola River has been at record flood levels. The Chattahoochee/Flint system is dumping huge volumes of freshwater downstream through the Apalachicola. The Apalachicola Bay and the Saint George Sound is chocolate soup. Yesterday at the West Pass, the outgoing tide was running at 8 knots and a sample taste produced just a slight tinge of salt. The water at my dock in Two Mile channel is so fresh, I don’t even have to flush my Yammy.
This dramatic change in the salinity level of the water affects the inshore and offshore fisheries. For example, with the dirty water, trout get lockjaw and disperse to areas that are more comfortable temperature and salinity wise. Last week we were out 13 miles in the Gulf and caught some hardhead catfish. This is abnormal! It is necessary to go farther south(deeper) into the Gulf to find a more reliable pattern, especially for pelagics like Kings. Spanish and Cobia. As you go farther into the Gulf, the water turns from murky brown, to cloudy green and finally, cobalt blue.
The really hot bite right now is King Mackerel. Trolling cigar minnows on Baitomatics is a killer technique. Time to resharpen the trusty gaff and go right from the water to the fish box in one smooth motion. Or, if your targets are smokers, bridle a small Spanish or pull a large frisky hardtail. The schoolies during the Spring run are smaller snakes, typically averaging about 6 pounds, but they are the best eats. If you find the cigar minnows, the Kings will be under them. Wanna have some reel fun, break out the bass tackle and do some CPR, catch, photo and release. Two Kings is max per angler per day anyway, 24” fork.
Inshore, go to the Government Cut for some fast and exciting, string-stretching fun. Some folks consider ladyfish to be “trash fish.” Not me! Ladyfish fit all of my criteria for fun. They are plentiful, easy to catch, fight hard and jump everywhere, sometimes into your boat. Sometimes it is all about the thrill, not the kill. It is about just being on the water, not always a meat hunt. So, go catch the poor man’s tarpon, aka ladyfish. Remember to sharpen your hooks to penetrate boney mouths. This time of year they are really prolific and act like Olympic high jumpers on steroids.
Till next tide, tight lines and solid hookups,
Captain Alex Crawford
www.topknots.com
Proud Member Florida Outdoor Writers Association
Proud Member Florida Guides Association
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