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Fishing Report for the Florida Panhandle
Capt. Alex Crawford
August 12, 2003
Carrabelle - Saltwater Fishing Report
Get wrecked for spectacular summer snappers. It is a sure-fire slam dunk during the hot months for red and gray snappers, with some lanes and vermilions as a bonus. This technique is so simple and straight forward, it is surprising more anglers don’t do it.
Wreck fishing solves the first and most important rule of catching fish. Fish where fish are. Because most of the sea floor of the Gulf of Mexico is barren sand, wrecks offer many species a place to hide from predators and, more importantly, a place to feed. During different times of the year, wreck inhabitants include amberjacks, cobia, king mackerel, barracudas, groupers, snappers, triggers, spadefish etc. Due to space constraints here, our discussion will be limited to catching snappers on your favorite wreck.
First, begin a collection of wreck numbers in your database/GPS. The public wrecks get heavy pressure from anglers and divers. One of the very best sources of information is commercial fishermen, particularly shrimpers. Shrimpers have wrecks enterd into their GPS, so they won’t entangle their nets, an expensive mistake. Offshore shrimpers will anchor on a wreck at night and sleep. Theoretically, other shrimpers dragging their gear will not cause a catastrophe at sea I call, ‘things that go bump in the night.” How did those shrimp boat wrecks get down there in the first place? Was it by design or by accident? No matter, always investigate anchored shrimpers offshore and, if they are on a wreck, punch the numbers into your machine for future reference.
Many wreck pros will dive on their wrecks to see how the vessel is positioned, what remains of the superstructure and how various species of fish orient to it. Sometimes the schoolie snappers will lay on the bottom, up current leading edge of the wreck. Individual sow snappers will swim alone up in the water column. Big groupers may hang some distance on the bottom away from the wreck. Amberjacks like to hang in schools tight to the remaining superstructure. Obviously, all of this is important to your target fish plan and where you anchor your boat.
Snappers respond very well to chum and chunk-baiting techniques. Red snappers and mangroves will come up to the top to take chunk or live baits. My favorite chunks baits are cigar minnows and bonito. Best live baits for snappers are big shrimp, finger mullet, small pogies and cigars. It is always a thrill to watch my anglers present bait to individual fish. Sure beats sight-fishing redfish, because you watch the take in clear water. It’s like presenting a dry fly to a big brown trout. Call it adrenaline IV on wide-open drip!
Since snappers on top average about 4 pounds, tackling down is appropriate. Twelve pound class spinners with small barrel swivels, 20# fluorocarbon leaders about 4 feet and finished with a hand-sharpened 1/0 live bait hook will work. If you must, 20 pound tackle is about tops. Sometimes a big boy with shoulders will try to break you off in the steel and 20’s will turn them, when 12’s won’t.
As with all of my reports, my goal here is to share at least one new idea or a different twist on a proven technique. I attempt to entertain, instruct, inspire, inform and communicate fresh ideas, new techniques and unique insights that will make you a better angler.
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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