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Fishing Report for the Florida Panhandle
Capt. Alex Crawford
September 21, 2003
Carrabelle - Saltwater Fishing Report
Isabel was a shameless hussy. Eastern North Carolina residents have had to endure eight storms in the past five years. Virginia residents from Virginia Beach to suburban D.C. got a healthy dose of fallen trees, flooding and power outages. Here on the Forgotten Coast, we were again very fortunate to have dodged another major storm event.
The fishing has improved over this last week, especially inshore. With the cooler nights, water temps have dropped a little. This signal of fall has trout and redfish turning on for their annual eating binge, prior to the winter cold. Also, white shrimp are starting to show up in the Apalachicola Bay, always a good sign.
Try for trout and whiting on the bay side of Bird Island, just southwest of the West Pass. Fresh dead or live shrimp (when they are available) are excellent bait selections. Anchor on the southwest corner of Cape Saint George Island for nice slot trout. Go to the Saint Vincent dry bar for a shot at keeper redfish or white trout for dinner. Beware of sharp oyster shells. Or, try the mouth of the Big Bayou in Saint Vincent Sound on both sides of low water. It won’t be long now until the big bull reds start to show in the passes like the East Pass or the Government Cut. Best baits are large fresh shrimp, mullet or a cracked bluecrab claw.
Offshore this past week we went out south looking at a few of my favorite Kingfish haunts, but they are not here yet. What is out there is literally acres and acres of pogies. Spanish mackerel and five pound bonitos are gorging themselves. It will not be long before the annual migration of Kings begins.
Since the Kings were unavailable, we anchored on a near shore wreck in 75 feet. The catch was mangrove, lane and red snappers, gag groupers, Spanish mackerel, triggers and assorted jacks and sharks. Our most successful baits were small, live pogies.
Till next tide, tight lines and solid hookups,
Captain Alex Crawford
Proud Member Florida Outdoor Writers Association
Proud Member Florida Guides Association
www.topknots.com
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