Spring is close....
Capt. Eddie Woodall
February 19, 2015
Navarre - Saltwater Fishing Report
Spring time here in the Florida Panhandle region is Inshore Fishing Extravaganza!
The Speckled Trout catching is going to be this month's Best Bet. Now is when you'll find the big females roaming the shallow flats searching for an easy meal in preparation for their first spawning. Remember, I strongly encourage catch and release on trophy sized Speck's. You won't have a problem limiting out on the 15 to 20 inch slot sized fish. So let the big breeders go to keep a strong and healthy population of Speckled Trout.
Sheepshead catching is high on the list. This is the fish if you want something good eat. These crustacean feeders are by far at the top of the list for table fare. It want be hard to find them either; just head to the area passes and look for the congregation of boats. Any structure that has barnacles attached to it is a major food source for the fish. The limits on the fish are liberal, only keep what you are going to use; catch and release will insure we have a healthy population of Molar Mouths for years to come!
Slot sized Red Fish will be schooling up on the grass flats. It's not uncommon to see large schools of fish on the shallow flats west of Destin in Santa Rosa Sound and in Choctawhatchee Bay and to the east towards Hog Town Bayou. This fish is also makes very good table fare. Shallow water structure; docks in our case and the grass flats that are loaded with bait fish is a good place to start looking for them. This is a good time for fly fisherman too; these fish are not easily spooked when they are in big schools like you'll find them now.
Then it's out on the beaches, sight fishing in the crystal clear waters along the beaches is by far one of my favorite things to do. It can be challenging at times but when it comes together it'll be a memory that will last a lifetime! Schools of Crevalle Jacks will be showing up. Now you want to talk about an aggressive top water bite; THIS IS IT! Spanish mackerel will also be making their way into our area and are a blast on light tackle. Then the most anticipated is the spring Cobia run. It always seems to be around the 20th of March when the first Cobia is caught but you never know; when you're out there you better have a Cobia rod at the ready. If it's inshore or near shore fishing you're into, then this is your time of the year to have some fun!
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