Fishing Report for the Florida Panhandle
Capt. Alex Crawford
July 19, 2003
Carrabelle - Saltwater Fishing Report
Saltwater panfishing is just plain fun. Yesterday, 4 teenagers from suburban Atlanta joined me for a day of panfishing fun on the Forgotten Coast. Or, should I say more specifically, the Apalachicola Bay. The bay is finally getting back to normal after record levels of fresh water has been flushed through the estuary. The more dependable summer bite has returned. A great big thanks to the gods of fishing is in order.
In previous reports we have talked about catching the great-tasting beeliners of the Gulf of Mexico. The analogy I have drawn has been the offshore equivalent to freshwater panfishing for species like bream, crappie and sunfish. Well, the inshore equivalent to freshwater panfishing is the fabulous-eating croaker.
Croakers are in the same family as the redfish, trout and black drum. Typically less than a pound, these smallish guys give you a really spirited fight on ultralight tackle. Six or even four pound class spinning gear is perfect. Terminal tackle does not need to be elaborate. A quarter ounce egg sinker and a short piece of 20# leader material, tied to a 1/0 live bait hook will do. Bait selection is easy. Croakers are eager eaters and will readily take small pieces of fresh shrimp, cut pinfish and squid.
This is laid-back angling at its best. The vision conjured up in my mind’s eye is reclining in a john boat on a farm pond while watching my small bobber suddenly submerging under the weight of a hand-sized bluegill. Croaker fishing is a highly sensory angling experience comparable to bobber fishing for bream. First, you can smell the briny aroma of the water. Then, you feel the quick tug on your line. You see the fish and hear the splish-splash on the water. Next, you get to touch these beautiful gold, silvery critters. And lastly, the fish fry with good friends allows you to relive this fun experience again and taste the fruits of your efforts. Live longer, engage your senses!
Pardon the digression, I get carried away at times with these visualizations. Let’s get back to our teenager bay fishing adventure. We dropped a hook on the Saint Vincent Dry Bar with a good running current. There is a place about half way out on the dry bar where a deep channel passes through the bar. We parked right on it at a depth of eight feet. This is a super feeding highway for reds, trout and our target species, croakers. We accidentally caught a 5 pound red and a slot trout, but it was the croakers we wanted. Tally 58, a major-league fishing cleaning project. But the boys were happy to take a huge bag of fish back to ATL for a world-class fish fry. There will be leftovers for what remains of the Iraqi republican guard.
So, the next time you feel a case of fish fever coming on, come be a participator, not a spectator. Get connected with the bounty of the sea and turn it up a notch. Happiness is saltwater panfishing on the Apalachicola Bay. Come get ya some!
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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