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Fishing Report for the Florida Panhandle
Capt. Alex Crawford
March 5, 2002
Carrabelle - Saltwater Fishing Report
Along the Panhandle Unforgettable coast of Florida, the Gator hunting season has returned. Gator Spotted Seatrout that is! After February's closed season of catch and release, trout are back on the menu. And they are bigger and hungrier than ever. On Sunday my party had a beefy pair of 5 pounders caught on live shrimp just before high tide on the NE side of the Apalachicola bridge. A mixed bag of slot reds, sheepshead and flounder were included in the catch. Gortex and Thinsulite are the only way to go with these brisk early Spring blows. March has definitely come in like a lion.
Pompano begin their annual migration this month. One of the really fun rites of Spring is to go sand flea collecting with your trusty flea rake. These little crustaceans are filet mignon to the fabulous eating pompano. Quarter ounce chartreuse Nylure jigs tipped with fleas will score you an early Spring gourmet dinner. If there is a fish that is better table fare than the little Pompano, this angler/Captain wants to discover it.
One of the very best spots for Spring Pompano is the sand bar that runs parallel to the East end of Saint George Island. Another great spot is the Northeast corner of Dog Island in the East Pass. Big Reds, giant Jacks, Spanish and jumping Ladyfish feed in these areas as the water warms.
Trout fishing will improve as the water gets closer to the 68 degree mark. Gators will swim out of their comfy Winter holes out onto the grass flats in search of small pinfish, pigfish, shrimp and crabs. As the shallow flats heat up, trout will become good targets for noisy topwater plugs. Try a Yo-Zuri Hydro Popper or a Rapala Skitter Pop fished erratically to entice Mr. Gator into taking a bite. Remember, you can possess one over 20 inches.
It won't be long now until the age old Spring migration begins. Cigar minnows will start to show with chomper Kings right behind them. Also, better break out the big spinners and respool/lube in preparation for the always exciting Spring Cobia Hunt. Hunt down the beach in the morning with the sun over your shoulder for better visibility and return in the late afternoon. Post all hands on watch duty as high up as they can safely get on your vessel. There are IGFA records swimming out there between Pensacola and Carrabelle just waiting for your perfect presentation of a live eel. Just go get you some, maybe a 100 something!!!
Offshore, the recent blows have made it tough going. The good news is that, as you read this, we are only 5 weeks from the opening of Red Snapper season. Hooray! So, start tieing some snapper leaders with 30 pound fluorocarbon, 100 pound barrel swivels and 3/0 hand -sharpened J hooks. As always, live cigar minnows are the best of the best snapper baits.
Until next tide, tight lines and solid hookups,
Captain Alex Crawford
Member Florida Guides Association
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