Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

April 7, 2017

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – As usual, the Trout are the hot topic in the area. Anglers aren’t having any trouble finding or hooking them so far. Live bait is your best bet to hook them, although Gulp in New Penny is a solid alternative. They are beginning to push deeper with the unfavorable weather however we expect them to move back in once conditions settle down. The Reds on the other hand haven’t been as affected. They are swimming shallow shorelines and also preferring live bait. The dirty water doesn’t seem to bother them, so your usual spots should still produce. The occasional Tripletail are hanging out on the buoys along with scattered Flounder, Sea Bass and Sheepshead on structure.

OFFSHORE – Things are about par with the season in the area. Kings are just beginning to make an appearance but to see decent numbers you will have to be prepared to spend some time on the water. Cobia have also been caught as they begin their move in. They are up to 60 pounds. Anglers are targeting them with bucktail jigs, jerkbaits or swimbaits. Spanish seem to be following them in depths of 15-19 feet of water. Grouper are open, but seem to be a bit limited.

For more fish slamming info download the Pro Angler App for hundreds of locations that provide you with more of thousands of GPS Hot Spots, local Pro Reports, What’s Biting, Tide & Weather data along with many more amazing Pro Angler features.

A big THANK YOU to this week’s Pro Report contributors -Cedar Key Marina II, Sea Hag Marina and Shields Marina! Find their contact information on the Pro Angler App!





Pro Angler Team

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INSHORE – Ladyfish are moving onto the flats and the Spanish will follow. Sharks are showing up. Redfish (Drum, Red) and Trout continue to do well. The Trout (Seatrout, Spotted) are moving out as the water temperature increases, 2.5 to 4.5 feet are key depths. Reds are still shallow. Pink Shine or Sugar Spice Glow have been producing well. New Penny Shrimp is also a good choice. Bronze/Gold Bait balls in medium depths have been great for Trout. The Topwater bite is a bit slower. This should turn on when the bait pods move in and the temperatures rise.

OFFSHORE – Sheepshead can be found nearshore in 20-40 feet of water. Cobia have finally been sighted and caught this week. They are short however the warmer water is bringing them in. Spanish (Mackerel, Spanish) are beginning to arrive so Kings (Mackerel, King) shouldn’t be far behind.




Sea Hag Marina
352-498-3008
www.seahag.com

March 24, 2017

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – The typical Winter fish continue to be the targets in this area as of late. Redfish, Flounder, Sheepshead and Trout are all being caught into this week. Redfish can be found in and around bushes and mangroves while the Trout seem to be mixing with Sheepshead around structure. If you are targeting Flounder, head to the piers for some of the best bite.

For more fish slamming info download the Pro Angler App for hundreds of locations that provide you with more of thousands of GPS Hot Spots, local Pro Reports, What’s Biting, Tide & Weather data along with many more amazing Pro Angler features.

A big THANK YOU to this week’s Pro Report contributors -Cedar Key Marina II and Sea Hag Marina! Find their contact information on the Pro Angler App!







Pro Angler Team

March 17, 2017

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – Everything seems to be right on schedule for this time of year. Sheepshead are providing the most action for anglers into this week. You can find them nearshore, and as far out as 40 feet of water as well as inshore and as close as the grass flats in Cedar Key. Typical setups of live bait will consistently work well to hook them.
Redfish and Trout are doing their best to stay in warm water. Redfish are holding up shallow and very lethargic but don’t seem to be too picky on what they are taking. New Penny Shrimp or a Gulp in Pink Shine drifted right in front of their face is the best bet. Trout are similarly swimming grass flats in shallow water as well. Mouths of creeks are particularly a good place to begin your search in the morning during low tide.

For more fish slamming info download the Pro Angler App for hundreds of locations that provide you with more of thousands of GPS Hot Spots, local Pro Reports, What’s Biting, Tide & Weather data along with many more amazing Pro Angler features.

A big THANK YOU to this week’s Pro Report contributors – Marine Hardware, Sea Hag Marina and Shield’s Marina! Find their contact information on the Pro Angler App!







Pro Angler Team

March 10, 2017

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – Typical seasonal fish are the main catches so far. Redfish and Trout are fishing shallow this week throughout the inshore. You can easily stay within 2 feet of water, especially in the Steinhatchee area. Targeting Trout has been productive during high tide in the river systems. Cobia and Spanish are beginning to move back in which is promising for a steady Spring bite. Flounder are providing a good bite as well this week. If you are fishing Shrimp or Berkley Gulp you are likely to hit some good sizes. Unsurprisingly Sheepshead continue to hold up on structure throughout the rivers.

For more fish slamming info download the Pro Angler App for hundreds of locations that provide you with more of thousands of GPS Hot Spots, local Pro Reports, What’s Biting, Tide & Weather data along with many more amazing Pro Angler features.

A big THANK YOU to this week’s Pro Report contributors – Capt. John Blouse of Hooked Up Charters at Cedar Key Marina, Sea Hag Marina and Bass Pro Shops! Find their contact information on the Pro Angler App!


OFFSHORE – Steinhatchee is definitely providing the best bite for anglers this week. They seem to have the most productive weather windows when anglers can find calm times to hit the water. Kingfish are showing up along with a closer bite of Sheepshead in 30 feet of water. On the bottom we are also seeing Amberjack. Towards Cedar Key the Spanish have begun their Spring run and anglers are eager to see them fire up for the season.




Pro Angler Team

March 3, 2017

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – Redfish and Trout have been fishing well on grassy flats in the morning or incoming tide. The Redfish have really been coming out of the creeks taking Shrimp, Minnows or gulp on jig heads. Livetarget scaled Sardines in Ghost Amber color has been working well to hook them. Trolling lures such as gold/orange threadfins or Rapala X Raps in a subsurface Walker with a single hook are working well too. Whitebait will work well as the temperature creeps up. Lighter colors such as white or pink are also key to catching them.

For more fish slamming info download the Pro Angler App for hundreds of locations that provide you with more of thousands of GPS Hot Spots, local Pro Reports, What’s Biting, Tide & Weather data along with many more amazing Pro Angler features.

A big THANK YOU to this week’s Pro Report contributors – Marina Hardware at Cedar Key, Capt John Blouse of Hooked Up Charters and Cedar Key Marina, Sea Hag Marina, & Bass Pro Shops! Find their contact information on the Pro Angler App!


OFFSHORE – There aren’t a lot of species open to harvest but you can find a decent mix of bottom fishing. Sheepshead have continued to bite on the nearshore reefs and wrecks. As you head further offshore you will start to find some Sea Bass and some catch and release Grouper and Snapper. The Amberjack bite has been the focus of most offshore trips, you’ll just have to head past 60 feet of water for decent fish.




Pro Angler Team

February 24, 2017

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – Things are a bit quiet this week. Unsurprisingly the Trout are providing the most consistent bite from Cedar Key to Apalachee Bay. The numbers are decent although haven’t fired up quite yet. Towards Suwanee a majority of the fish are catch and release with a handful of slot sizes mixed in. Towards Apalachee Bay we are seeing a better mix. Fish in shallow to find them using artificials such as Pink Shine Gulp or Strike First Golden Brim.
Sheepshead are providing scattered action on structure this week. Shallow rocks are also holding Tautog and Grunts.
Redfish are transitioning into their Spring patterns this week as they move to oyster bars, mouths of the rivers, tidal creeks and shorelines. Artificials are working well to hook them. Head out in the late morning or early afternoon for the best bite. If you decide to mix things up and head a bit farther off the shore don’t be surprised to run into a few Flounder and Black Sea Bass.

For more fish slamming info download the Pro Angler App for hundreds of locations that provide you with more of thousands of GPS Hot Spots, local Pro Reports, What’s Biting, Tide & Weather data along with many more amazing Pro Angler features.

A big THANK YOU to this week’s Pro Report contributors – Doug’s Bait & Tackle, Sea Hag Marina and Shields Marina! Find their contact information on the Pro Angler App!







Pro Angler Team

February 17, 2017

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – From Cedar Key to Steinhatchee Redfish have been tucked into very shallow water. Any of the boats that draft more water, have had to wait for high tide to get into the Redfish. Reports from Apalachee Bay haven’t been very promising for Redfish. Trout fishing across big bend has been decent with most anglers finding better fish on grass flats and oyster bars. If you happen to find some inshore rock piles there will also be a decent Sheepshead bite there as well.


OFFSHORE – Sea Bass and Amberjack are the big legal catches this week. Throughout the week the various Captains we spoke with were all in agreement that 50 ft and out has been providing the best bite for both fish. Anyone wanting to fish for offshore Sheepshead will only have to travel to 40 ft of water for the good sizes. Some King Mackerel have been caught in 60 ft of water while trolling Cigar Minnows.

For more fish slamming info download the Pro Angler App for hundreds of locations that provide you with more of thousands of GPS Hot Spots, local Pro Reports, What’s Biting, Tide & Weather data along with many more amazing Pro Angler features.

A big THANK YOU to this week’s Pro Report contributors – Capt. John Blouse of Hooked Up Charters, Sea Hag Marina and Bass Pro Shops! Find their contact information on the Pro Angler App!




Pro Angler Team

February 9, 2017

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – At mid-week the FSU Marine Lab at Turkey Point was reporting water temperatures in the upper 60s and the mild ambient temperatures should keep pushing those readings even higher. Peak solunar times to fish will start at dawn and continue for an hour or so, followed by a peak from early to mid-afternoon. Tidal flow will be more than three feet of swing between the cycles and that will push a lot of forage around. If winds stay light to moderate as predicted, try a DOA shrimp or Sureketch tout with 1/8-ounce jig head and work the bends and mouths of the coastal rivers and tidal creeks. The new Rapala 360GT swim bait is another good probing lure to locate Trout (Seatrout, Spotted) and Reds (Drum, Red). Close-in rock piles are likely to produce Black Sea Bass (Sea Bass, Black) and Flounder (Flounder, Southern). As the tide flows in, focus on the flooded shorelines and points with Rapala Skitter Walks or Zara Spooks. Bone and gold patterns have been consistent all winter long. Aqua Dream or Capt. Mike’s weedless spoons in the 3/8-ounce size cast into the flooded grass will dredge out any lingering Redfish.






Shields Marina
850-925-6158

February 2, 2017

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – There has been a big influx of freshwater. Some of the fish have moved from the river back out to the flats. This has made the inshore bite is a bit slow. Once the salinity increases the Reds (Drum, Red) and Trout (Seatrout, Spotted) will fire back up. Good baits for trolling are gold and orange belly lures for both. Fresh Shrimp is always good for other applications. Gulp on a jighead is also productive. Rising tide has provided the best bite overall.






Bass Pro Shops
850-402-6900

February 2, 2017

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – There has been a big influx of freshwater. Some of the fish have moved from the river back out to the flats. This has made the inshore bite is a bit slow. Once the salinity increases the Reds (Drum, Red) and Trout (Seatrout, Spotted) will fire back up. Good baits for trolling are gold and orange belly lures for both. Fresh Shrimp is always good for other applications. Gulp on a jighead is also productive. Rising tide has provided the best bite overall.






Bass Pro Shops
850-402-6900

January 26, 2017

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – The weather as of late has not been ideal for anglers trying to hit the water. We are expecting temperatures to drop as the upcoming weather system moves in although the rain has mixed up the water a bit. We expect this to turn the Trout (Seatrout, Spotted) on and get the Reds (Drum, Red) moving. The early morning and midday bite will be most productive through to the evening. Anglers are throwing suspending lures such as Rapala X-Raps, Fat Boys or Swimbaits. Keep them slow as the fish are still lethargic. Soft plastic jigs that imitate Shrimp such as DOA Shrimp jigs are doing well when hopped on the bottom. Search the deeper holes for the best Reds, Trout and Flounder (Flounder, Southern) as well. During the sunny days, anglers are fishing the oyster bars and mudflats using bone or pearl Skitter Walks on high tide. Fishing structure such as pilings, buoys, seawalls and rock piles has produced Sheepshead on live Shrimp or Fiddler Crabs. Nearshore, Black Sea Bass (Sea Bass, Black) are holding up on the reefs, deeper holes and tidal creeks. Now is also the ideal time to get your boat and/or motor into the shop for annual service or to repair any nagging problems. Activities at the marina are slower right now and the turnaround time is much quicker than it will be later this spring.






Shields Marina
850-925-6158

January 19, 2017

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – Trout (Seatrout, Spotted) and Redfish (Drum, Red) are both turning up this week. With the recent weather they are moving around the creeks and flats. The high tide is fishing better however keep in mind they aren’t very schooled up at this point so you may have to cover some ground or put some time in to find them. Live Shrimp and Gulp are the key setups this week. New Penny and Pearl are going to be your best colors.






Bass Pro Shops
850-402-6900

January 11, 2017

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – Hey anglers! In order to bring you valuable, up to date content such as regulations, GPS Hotspots, and BRAND NEW features the Pro Angler App Pro Reports will be returning the week of January 16, 2017. Please feel free to take a look at last week’s reports for an idea of what’s biting or give your favorite local bait shop a shout! The Pro Angler App looks forward to bringing you lots of exciting changes as we kick off 2017!






Pro Angler Team

January 5, 2017

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – The holiday period offered exceptional fishing, however, and the record-warm temperatures triggered steady action. Trout (Seatrout, Spotted) and Redfish (Drum, Red) were staging in the tidal creeks and along the shorelines where they readily attacked topwater plugs, jigs, swim baits and live Shrimp alike. Most of the action occurred in water less than four feet and on the rising tides. Flounder (Flounder, Southern) have been plentiful too while Sheepshead and Black Sea Bass are congregating around rock piles. Water temperatures were back up into the upper 60s, but that will all change with the weekend lows expected to dip below 30 degrees. The heavy rains earlier in the week will definitely impact the salinity in the coastal rivers, so I wouldn’t count on a major push upriver. Best bets when the winds calm down would be the tidal creeks of the refuge or the nearshore rock ledges/artificial reefs. In the meantime, get all the prep work done so you’ll be ready for the spring season. There are less than 10 seats remaining for the Sunday, February 12 Flats Pro Seminar to be held at Shields Marina in St. Marks.






Shields Marina
850-925-6158

December 30, 2016

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – This week the focus has been on the hot Trout (Seatrout, Spotted) bite. Although most are under slot sized there are some keepers should you put some time in. They are putting up a good fight and have provided a great experience for families heading out over the holidays. Light colored lures are your best bet in the clear water this week. Pearl, silver/metal flake and gold/glow are most productive. Shrimp Touts and smaller swimbaits are key setups. Topwaters are still successful. Redfish (Drum, Red) are here and there mixed in with the Trout. You may even turn up with a few Flounder (Flounder, Southern) or Sea Bass (Sea Bass, Black) incidentally. If you are targeting them you are better off heading to the tidal creeks and shorelines right before and after high tide. Shields Marina 850-925-6158

December 22, 2016

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – The mild temperatures expected for the upcoming holiday weekend may seem unusual, but the Trout (Seatrout, Spotted) and Redfish (Drum, Red) certainly haven’t noticed, says Capt. Dave Lear of Tallahassee. Anglers are reporting tremendous catch rates, especially with Trout, although many are smaller than the slot limit. With such fast action, however, not many are complaining. The Trout are being caught on a variety of offerings, including soft-plastic jigs like the Sureketch touts and fake Shrimp like the DOA standard and new 2.75-inch version. Those using real Shrimp or tipped jigs are scoring as well. Sheepshead, flounder and sea bass are frequent by-catch. Redfish are often found in the same areas – mainly drop-offs and cuts between the oyster bars in the St. Marks, East and other coastal rivers. Creek mouths to the east have been producing too. Add Aqua Dream weedless spoons or spinnerbaits to the mix when targeting Reds specifically. Suspending twitch baits like the Paul Brown Fat Boys, MirrOlure Catch 2000s and Unfair Lures Rip-n-Slash, worked slowly through the water column, will prove enticing to the reds as well as keeper-size Trout. Slowly trolling hard bait lures is another effective way to cover water to locate the fish. With mid-day high tides and more than 2-foot of water movement, matched with reasonable wind forecasts, the holiday outlook is promising. The prime solunar periods will be from early morning through the lunch hour and again as the tide starts falling hard in the later afternoon. And if you’re interested in attending the 2017 FLATS PRO SEMINAR at Shields Marina on 2/11 & 2/12, now is the time to register. At this time, we only have two slots left for Saturday’s class but have some availability still for Sunday’s class. Advanced registration is required. Lunch and angler bags will be provided along with some great door prizes. To register, visit www.captaindavelear.com and click on the Seminar tab. Shields Marina 850-925-6158

December 15, 2016

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – The Redfish (Drum, Red) and Trout (Seatrout, Spotted) are on fire this week. They can be found between 2-4 ft around the oyster bars and deep holes in the rivers. More of them are beginning to move back into the river. If you can find a good hole around 10-12 ft they are there. Gulp is working well. White Shrimp and Penny colors are best. Redfish Magic in Gold is a great alternative. Anytime you can get live Shrimp, that is the way to go. The temperature is cooling down pulling the fish off the flats and into the river so they are on the move. Bass Pro Shops 850-402-6900

December 9, 2016

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – It sounds like Old Man Winter will be making his first real appearance by this weekend and that should put the coastal fish on the move, says Capt. Dave Lear of Tallahassee. With forecast temperatures dipping near or below the freezing mark, the Trout (Seatrout, Spotted) and Reds (Drum, Red) will be making a transition to the coastal rivers and tidal creeks, at least temporarily. With another warming trend returning by Sunday, those same fish may venture back out to the adjacent flats or shorelines in search of food. And until it gets cold and stays that way, this seesaw pattern is likely to continue. Despite the blustery winds last weekend and earlier this week, anglers venturing out did find cooperative playmates. Reports of Bull Reds prowling the oyster bars in the St. Marks River were enticing. Trout were also active, although the negative low tides restricted movement until later in the day. Live and fake Shrimp suspended under popping or clacking corks proved effective. Aqua Dream weedless gold spoons also work well as probing search bait for Reds of all sizes. With the cooler water temperatures, the Z-Man minnows in pearl are working well, along with slow suspending lures like the Rapala X-Raps, Unfair Lures Rip-n-Slash and Paul Brown Fat Boys. Gold patterns continue to get the nod, although mullet imitations and pearl/red head have dedicated fans as well. Sheepshead and Black Sea Bass (Sea Bass, Black) are around in steady numbers around structure like the artificial reefs and larger rock formations on the East Flats. Live Shrimp or Fiddler Crabs are the prime Sheepie offerings, while Sea Bass will readily slurp down soft plastic Sureketch jigs bounced near the bottom. With mid-day high tides ushered in by the approaching full moon, the weekend action should be good throughout the morning hours and again before dusk. Dress in layers to start and get out there and catch ’em up! ALL OF US AT SHIELDS MARINA WISH YOU A HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON! Shields Marina 850-925-6158

December 2, 2016

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – It was a banner holiday weekend, fishing-wise, with multiple reports of big Trout (Seatrout, Spotted) and Redfish (Drum, Red) catches across the region, says Capt. Dave Lear of Tallahassee. That success may be hampered by Mother Nature in the next few days, however, if the forecast of strong winds holds true. The recent cool snap, on top of the new moon tides, had fish chomping after Turkey Day. Big Trout, those exceeding 20 inches, were the highlight. Many were taken on topwater plugs like Rapala Skitter Walks and Heddon Super Spooks, while others succumbed to Zman swimming minnow lures and other soft plastic jigs, along with live Shrimp under popping corks. Slot size fish were so numerous some anglers lost count of the numbers caught. Most were sporting hefty girths as they gorged in anticipation of leaner months ahead. The Redfish were also cooperating. Most were found prowling the shorelines with broken sand/shell bottom. The same lures used for trout were scoring Reds. Aqua Dream/Capt. Mike’s weedless spoons are more proven reds-catchers. Flounder (Flounder, Southern), Sheepshead and Black Sea Bass (Sea Bass, Black) round out the seasonal smorgasbord. The milder temperatures this week have raised the Gulf water temperatures again, which will certainly be confusing to the fish. Instead of heading up the coastal rivers and tidal creeks, many will remain close to the shore with deep-water access in anticipation of the next cold front. Winds are predicted to be near or above advisory levels this weekend and out of the northern quadrant. With the mid-day low tides, expect the negative low conditions to linger longer than normal. Shields Marina 850-925-6158

November 23, 2016

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – There are plenty of Redfish (Drum, Red) and Trout (Seatrout, Spotted). Redfish are already up in the creeks as the water temperature has dropped. Bone colored Spooks with crystal sides are working well. New Penny Gulp is always working along with Skitterwalks. There are tons of fish around. Trolling Long A-Bomber is hooking Reds and Trout in the St. Marks River. PRO ANGLER APP USERS – Tap a fish below for additional tips and tricks! OFFSHORE – Grouper (Grouper, Gag) are being caught in 30 ft of water. Troll stretch 20s to hook them. Bass Pro Shops 850-402-6900 www.bassproshops.com

November 18, 2016

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – Redfish (Drum, Red) are on fire and they are just about everywhere. The Point and St. Marks are both hot areas. Trout (Seatrout, Spotted) are biting here too. Bomber A orange/gold translucent lure is working well. Live Shrimp are also killer. Falling or rising tide are productive. Search 4-6 ft to find them. Out of St. Marks head to marker 59. PRO ANGLER APP USERS – Tap a fish below for additional tips and tricks! OFFSHORE – There are a lot of quality Grouper (Grouper, Gag) caught this week. They are up to almost 30 inches. Head to roughly 50 ft just past the state line. Bass Pro Shops 850-402-6900 www.bassproshops.com

November 10, 2016

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – Fingers crossed, everything is lining up for a good weekend inshore, says Capt. Dave Lear of Tallahassee. The shift to seasonal temperatures, the approaching full moon and hopefully less wind are the recipe for brisk action, especially during the upcoming mid-day high tides. The water temperatures are down into the low- to mid-70s, which will really stimulate some appetites. Despite the gusty conditions, quality fish were caught last weekend by tournament anglers and weekend warriors alike. Trout (Seatrout, Spotted) are coming to the net in good numbers and on a variety of offerings, including top water lures, jigs and live shrimp or cut bait. Productive depths range from six feet or shallower, with a lot of undersized mixed in with the keepers. Redfish (Drum, Red) continue to collect in schools, prowling the flats, shorelines and tidal creeks throughout the Big Bend region. The Reds will gladly inhale the same offerings as Trout, but a weedless spoon like the Aqua Dreams or Capt. Mike’s variety consistently produce too. With exceptional water clarity due to the lack of rain, chartreuse, silver/red, and the standard gold patterns will all work. The AD Live Action series of holographic bait like the Pinfish spoon is another proven Redfish favorite. Flounder (Flounder, Southern) are thick in creek mouths, around oyster bars and lurking in deeper potholes. DOA standard shrimp lures as well as soft-plastic Sureketch jigs in mud minnow or white/pink tails will fool these tasty flatties. Once you catch one, be sure to fan-cast the area thoroughly as others are likely to be in the vicinity. For run-and-gun action, Spanish Mackerel (Mackerel, Spanish), Bluefish, Jacks (Jack, Crevalle) and Ladyfish are stuffing themselves before heading south for the winter. They won’t stick around long with the falling water temps, so keep eyes peeled for surface commotion or diving birds to locate the wolf packs. Shiny casting spoons and lures rigged with a trace of light wire leader will result in plenty of rod-bending fun! PRO ANGLER APP USERS – Tap a fish below for additional tips and tricks! Shields Marina 850-925-6158 www.shieldsmarina.com

November 3, 2016

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – Not a whole lot has changed into this week. The weather is cooling down this weekend so there will be fish out on the flats a bit later in the morning once the sun gets out. Search the creeks once the temperature drops. The bite is mostly Trout (Seatrout, Spotted), Reds (Drum, Red) and a few Flounder (Flounder, Southern). Gulp or live Shrimp are best for them. Bounce them on the bottom. Earlier in the day try topwater for Trout in bone color. Anglers are staying inside to avoid the wind. PRO ANGLER APP USERS – Tap a fish below for additional tips and tricks! BAIT REPORT – Pinfish can be trapped in the mornings. Clip the top spines and half the tail off a Pinfish and hook it to use as bait. Bass Pro Shops 850-402-6900 www.bassproshops.com

October 27, 2016

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – Halloween might be Monday night, but there will be plenty of treats for anglers fishing this weekend, says Capt. Dave Lear of Tallahassee. With water temperatures in the mid-70s, the autumn bite is on like a big jack-o-lantern, with Trout (Seatrout, Spotted), Redfish (Drum, Red) and Flounder (Flounder, Southern) leading the revelers. Start prospecting for Trout in depths of six feet or less. The slow shift towards the shallows and tidal creeks is underway. The water clarity is excellent right now with the lack of rain and floating grass isn’t much of an issue either. That gives top water action top billing. Rapala Skitter Walks, Heddon Super Spooks, MirrOlure Top Dogs and Hall ’em In Peanuts all get the nod. Color doesn’t matter as much as noise and action, but natural patterns that mimic mullet are never a bad choice. Shrimp are moving slowly offshore too, so fake and real ones are also effective right now. DOA one-quarter-ounce shrimp in gold/glow, gold glitter and near clear, fished plain or under a clacker-style cork, are good ways to probe the depths. Sureketch jigs in root beer or white with pink tails pinned to a 1/8- or 1/4-ounce jig head are also effective search baits for Trout and Flounder. Oyster bars are prime places to hunt Reds in October and a weedless willow-blade spoon like the Aqua Dream or Capt. Mike’s variety are the bomb. Work them slowly along the edges or over the tops of flooded bars and hang on. Wolf packs of Spanish Mackerel (Mackerel, Spanish), Bluefish, Ladyfish and Jacks (Jack, Crevalle) continue to slash and burn through pods of hapless bait. Tie on a shiny casting spoon like a Kastmaster, diamond jig or Gotcha and toss into the frothy frenzy and crank as fast as you can. Rarely will the lure make it back to the boat unmolested. A light wire leader or heavy mono will minimize cut-offs. Hopefully the forecast calling for lighter winds than last week holds true. The approaching new moon Monday is ushering in strong tides all weekend. After near-zero lows early in the morning, there PRO ANGLER APP USERS – Tap a fish below for additional tips and tricks! BAIT REPORT – Shrimp are running offshore. Pinfish are running the sandbar. Shields Marina 850-925-6158

October 21, 2016

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – Inshore anglers had to contend with windy conditions this past weekend and the long-range forecast is calling for another cold front. Fishing has been very good for those willing to venture out, however. The Trout (Seatrout, Spotted) bite is fast and furious as the fish gorge in preparation for the winter ahead. Shrimp lures, suspending and topwater plugs are all working well right now, mainly on the higher tides. A lot of shorts are being caught, along with Bluefish and assorted others like Ladyfish, Catfish, Puffers (Puffer, Smooth) and other undesirables. The juvenile Trout are typically concentrated, so it pays to move around to locate the bigger fish. The preferred depths this past week have ranged from seven feet to the shallows. Rock grass patches, sandy pot holes and troughs and creek mouths are prime places to target right now. Redfish (Drum, Red) are gathering into larger schools and the action has been excellent once the fish are found. The numerous oyster bars towards the mouth of the St. Marks River and East River are prime places to try a weedless spoon like the Aqua Dream and Capt. Mike’s versions. Gold and pink are the hot colors right now. Weedless jerk baits and surface lures worked over the tops of the bars on flood tides will score Reds too. There are still some scattered pelagics in the vicinity, but they won’t stick around long. As the water temperatures continue to ease down, Tarpon, Cobia and Sharks will be heading for points south, along with any lingering Spanish Mackerel (Mackerel, Spanish), Blues and Pompano (Pompano, Florida). If the predicted northerly winds this weekend (if the weather-guessers are right), coincide with the early high tides, boats with shallower drafts will be able to get close to the hill and stay protected. Peak feeding times will run from first light to mid-morning as the water starts to fall out. Strong north winds will push the water faster though, so keep an eye on the sounder to avoid getting stuck. PRO ANGLER APP USERS – Tap a fish below for additional tips and tricks! Shields Marina 850-925-6158

October 14, 2016

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – The weather is cooling down so anglers can stick to the mouths of the creeks as fish move through. Trout (Seatrout, Spotted) are on the go and Redfish (Drum, Red) won’t be far behind. Live Shrimp or bone colored Topwaters in the morning will hook them. PRO ANGLER APP USERS – Tap a fish below for additional tips and tricks! Bass Pro Shops 850-402-6900

October 6, 2016

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – With the weather moving in most anglers are staying close to shore. Kings (Mackerel, King) are being caught on the troll. Snapper (Snapper, Vermillion & Snapper, Red) are on the reefs. Redfish (Drum, Red) and Trout (Seatrout, Spotted) are moving up into the creeks as the water gets warmer. In the creek mouths use live Shrimp to hook them. Stay safe and dry this weekend! PRO ANGLER APP USERS – Tap a fish below for additional tips and tricks! Bass Pro Shops 850-402-6900

September 29, 2016

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – The water temperatures should be dropping and we should see more Trout (Seatrout, Spotted) coming in. The Redfish (Drum, Red) are already here! The new moon should bring in Flounder (Flounder, Southern) as well. Search the mouth of the river and the closer flats to find them. PRO ANGLER APP USERS – Tap a fish below for additional tips and tricks! BAIT REPORT – Greenbacks (Threadfin) are moving into structured areas with rocks or towers. Mullet should arrive in the river with the tide. Bass Pro Shops 850-402-6900

September 23, 2016

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – Fall has officially arrived and while the temperatures don’t feel like it, fishing is definitely shifting into the new season, says Capt. Dave Lear of Tallahassee. Trout (Seatrout, Spotted) are becoming much more aggressive, the Flounder (Flounder, Southern) action is ramping up and the redfish will soon be gathering into bigger schools. And even though the water temperatures are still in the 80s, water clarity is improving and the floating grass isn’t quite as thick as it was right after the storm. Over the past week the trout bit steady on the last of the falling tide and first of the incoming. The top water action was explosive, with multiple strikes, even knocking Skitter Walk plugs clear out of the water. Chrome patterns were working best, but anything shiny and noisy would probably have gotten hammered. Look for similar action this week over spotty, patchy bottom in depths of four feet or less. Shrimp are on the move as well, so fakes like DOA standard Shrimp in glow and gold glitter are good, along with Sureketch touts on a light jig head. Real Shrimp, pinned with a 1/8-ounce jig head or on a 1/0 circle hook suspended under a clacker cork, will catch a bunch too. Redfish (Drum, Red) are still scattered, but it shouldn’t be long before the schools start forming to harass bait on the move. Rock grass patches on the flats, the mouths and bends of the tidal creeks, plus any flooded oyster bar will hold reds once the parade begins. Top water lures twitched in the zones will trigger reactionary strikes, often with two or more fish following. Aqua Dream or Capt. Mike’s weedless 3/8-ounce spoons in gold or silver will fool the reds too. The pink pattern is another proven winner in the darker-tinted water still present on the East Flats. With the forecast calling for mostly dry conditions and light northerly breezes, this weekend is shaping up to be a good one. The high tides, although not strong on the half-moon phase, will crest shortly after daybreak and fall throughout the day. So get out there and get after ’em! ARE YOU INTERESTED IN BEING A FORK LIFT OPERATOR FOR SHIELDS MARINA – IF SO, PLEASE PICK UP AN APPLICATION – MUST HAVE EXPERIENCE AND GOOD EYESIGHT. EXCELLENT COMPANY BENEFITS! WE ARE A DRUG FREE AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. PRO ANGLER APP USERS – Tap a fish below for additional tips and tricks! Shields Marina 850-925-6158

September 16, 2016

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

OFFSHORE – Fishing is a bit slow this week. Those who have headed out are finding Trout (Seatrout, Spotted) and Redfish (Drum, Red) using live Shrimp or gulp. The best time of day to head out is still early mornings. PRO ANGLER APP USERS – Tap a fish below for additional tips and tricks! Jerry’s Bait & Tackle 850-421-3248

September 9, 2016

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – Good riddance Hurricane Hermine! The storm put a damper on most Labor Day holiday fishing plans and caused major infrastructure damage to many of the region’s marinas and docks. Fortunately Shields Marina in St. Marks, the Fort ramp and the Lighthouse ramp in the refuge are all in good working order. The water clarity will slowly improve as we move beyond last Thursday’s landfall. Be careful whenever you do get on the water as there will be plenty of debris. Go slower than normal and keep a careful watch while underway. Floating grass will be a problem with fouling fish hooks. The upcoming weekend does offer some relief, however. The ‘tweener’ moon phases won’t be moving a whole lot of water, but the calendar and hours of sunlight are telling the fish they’d better start putting on some pounds in anticipation of leaner months ahead. The Gulf water temperature had cooled into the low 80s as a result of the storm. Any downward deviation off the hot tub conditions is always good. The best windows of opportunity will be from after daylight until late mornings as the weak high tides flood and ebb. If the floating grass isn’t too bad, start with a top water offering like chrome Rapala Skitter Walk, Heddon Super Spook or MirrOlure Top Dog. With the discolored water, the noise and commotion will help both trout and reds to zero in on the lures. Another good option would be tying on a soft-plastic Shrimp lure or jig. Shrimp will soon be staging to head offshore and game fish use that opportunity to gorge on them. Start with brighter colors like glow, pearl or chartreuse variations of DOA standard Shrimp or Sureketch touts on a 1/4-ounce jig head. Twitch or hop the lures slowly through the water column. Adding a squirt of Pro-Cure Shrimp gel will enhance the attraction. If that’s not enough, suspend the lures under a clacker-style cork to add noise to the mix. Happy Fishing & Boating! And remember, if you have a boat in St. Marks and a hurricane is forecast to cause problems to this area, you will want to take precautions. If your boat is in the water, come down before the storm and secure your lines properly for the high water. If your boat is on a trailer, it is suggested that you move it to higher ground and then bring it back to St. Marks when all dangers of the storm are passed. To our customers at Shields Marina, thank you for your patience with our storm recovery. We are working as hard as possible to get everything back to normal and do appreciate your business as well as the hard work our dedicated employees have provided. Brett remained at the marina the night of the storm and actually stayed here for the next couple of days without going home. NO BOATS WERE LOST! PRO ANGLER APP USERS – Tap a fish below for additional tips and tricks! Shields Marina 850-925-6158

September 1, 2016

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – The storm watch is on for Apalachee Bay and the Forgotten Coast. With an expected landfall Thursday afternoon with growing intensity, conditions will be unfishable for a day or so. By Saturday, however, bay waters should be calm. Clarity is another matter. Since the fish hunker down during a strong blow, they’ll be ready to feed again with steady barometric pressure. Locating said food – or lures – can be problematic if the water is muddy or silty, though. To increase the odds of hook-ups, go with noise and scent. Top water plugs with rattles or cupped faces that spit and pop are effective, along with lures or live bait suspended under clacker-style corks. The fish won’t eat your offering if they can’t find it. By the same token, colors that stand out stand a better chance of attack. Bright patterns like glow, pearl and chartreuse are good choices. Adding scent like Pro-Cure Bait Gels gives another advantage. We’ve still got plenty of warm days ahead, but the fall season is just around the corner. Trout (Seatrout, Spotted) will start hanging around the shallows, especially areas with sandy potholes, rock grass or oyster bars. Redfish (Drum, Red) will begin to bunch up as well. And as the temperatures ease back into the mid-70s, seasonal visitors like Spanish Mackerel (Mackerel, Spanish), Pompano (Pompano, Florida), Cobia and Tarpon will strap on the feed bags in preparation for the long swim south. This holiday weekend the prospects look good thanks to the new moon tides. Mid-morning lows will give way to a push of more than three feet of water by late afternoon. As a result, the best times to go will be the last hour or so of the rising tide and the first couple once it turns. This weekend also marks the last days of the 2016 CCA STAR Tournament. There are still plenty of big prizes left for the lucky registered anglers who catch and photograph a tagged Redfish. The tournament ends at sunset on Labor Day, so good luck to all participating contestants. TROPICAL STORM HERMINE – With the storm possibly affecting us with both wind and water, please be advised that if you have a boat on a trailer in our trailerable storage area (SHIELDS DRY STORAGE), you may want to come get it and take it to higher ground until after the storm. While we have checked the lines and secured all the boats that are moored with us, please be advised that you may want to come down and check your boat yourself. Due to the weather, we will not be able to operate our forklift operation until after the storm has passed over us. PRO ANGLER APP USERS – With this system pushing through most of Florida, we expect a lot of wind and tough conditions. Most of the fishing from last week should fire back up once the storm passes. Expect to see the rainfall cool off inshore waters. This will help some of the fish that prefer cooler conditions. Stay informed on all the coming weather systems using your Pro Angler App! Shields Marina 850-925-6158

August 26, 2016

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – Fishing has been slow of late, with the summer doldrums firmly entrenched. Hot water and weak moon phases haven’t helped. The bay waters are still clear with only mild staining due to the recent rains. The one consolation is the floating grass is not as thick as it has been in previous weeks, says Capt. Dave Lear of Tallahassee. Anglers are finding some fish if they work hard enough at it. Redfish (Drum, Red) have been scattered of late and most of the trout are being caught in deeper water using jigs and Shrimp lures. Weedless spoons, jerkbaits and jigs are working for the Reds, with no particular color standing out. If you find them and they’re willing to eat, they aren’t too picky. Sheepshead and Flounder (Flounder, Southern) are around too. Live Fiddler Crabs or Shrimp will fool the convicts, while DOA Shrimp in near clear are tricking the Flounder. Ladyfish and roving packs of Jacks (Jack, Crevalle) will scarf down most anything as long as it’s moving quickly. The weekend weather prospects are mixed. Mid-morning high tides will be favorable for fishing right after daylight, if the breezes aren’t too strong. Big Bend anglers will want to keep a close eye on the tropics as well. The computer models are showing a disturbance crossing the peninsula and coming on into the Gulf as a possible hurricane. It that holds true, the bay and Forgotten Coast could be on the receiving end of a lot of unwelcome showers. But it is too early to know where and if this disturbance will develop and if it will be a threat to our area. NOTICE TO ALL OUR CUSTOMERS: In the event of a hurricane warning for the Big Bend area, please come down to the marina and secure or remove your boat if it looks like St. Mark’s will be negatively affected. At this time, we are not expected to be in any type of danger but with all weather, things could change so please keep informed and respond accordingly. Thank You. PRO ANGLER APP USERS – Tap a fish listed below the report for more angling tips and tricks! Shields Marina 850-925-6158

August 18, 2016

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – Things are a bit slow due to the rain. Bull Reds (Drum, Red) are coming out of the bay though. They are moving in with the tide. The Reds are sometimes better in murky water if you’re using cut bait. The Flounder (Flounder, Southern) has turned on as well. Trout (Seatrout, Spotted) are on the flats and around structure. If the water clears up in time for the weekend we expect the Reds to move out a bit and the Flounder to move in. PRO ANGLER APP USERS – Tap a fish listed below the report for more angling tips and tricks! OFFSHORE – The main bite has been Cobia and King (Mackerel, King). Grouper (Grouper, Gag) are at 120 ft. We expect the weather to clean up for the weekend. Bass Pro Shops 850-402-6900

August 11, 2016

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – If the monsoons ever let up, fishing should be OK in the central and western parts of the bay, says Capt. Dave Lear of Tallahassee. The areas from Rock Island south have seen torrential rain so it may take a while before the water clears back up. The East and West Flats around St. Mark’s haven’t been hit as hard, at least earlier in the week, so this weekend looks promising with mid-morning weaker tides and falling water all afternoon. The rains have served to cool the Gulf water temperatures slightly, which is a positive benefit for increased feeding activity. Few ventured out last weekend due to the erroneous forecast and those that did found cooperative fish. Redfish (Drum, Red) continue to roam throughout the tidal cycles, with tailing fish around on the dead lows, followed by a transition to the flooded shorelines and tidal creeks on the high tides. Top water plugs are working well either way, along with weedless jerk baits. Small Pinfish are also scoring a good number of reds. If the water is stained from the rains, try bright lure colors to stand out. Pearl, chartreuse and gold glitters are all good choices. Trout (Seatrout, Spotted) continue to be hit and miss. A few quality fish are responding to early morning topwater presentations in the shallows and around rock grass patches. Otherwise, most are being caught in depths of six feet-plus using jigs and Shrimp lures. As of last weekend the Scallop fleet was still finding consistent numbers on the East Flats. The storms this week may or may not affect the outcome, since Scallops require a delicate balance of salinity. You won’t know until you go, however, so give it a try before school starts. The areas from Gray Mare and just east have been the hot zone lately. Please be careful whenever motoring in the shallows. Prop scars impact the flats habitat and take years to fill back in. A stick-it style anchoring pin also does less damage to the sea grasses than traditional plow anchors. Chuck Shields went out scalloping this past Saturday with some friends and said the water was clear and slick calm in the morning. They got plenty of scallops diving in the area of the Rock Garden in about five feet of water. Boy were they good sauteed in garlic butter and then mixed in a mushroom cream sauce and served over angel hair pasta! PRO ANGLER APP USERS – Tap a fish listed below the report for more angling tips and tricks! Shields Marina 850-925-6158

August 4, 2016

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – Now that the dog days are officially here, inshore anglers can look forward to September and the hint of the fall season. In the meantime, some good fish are being caught for those braving the heat and putting in the time says Capt. Dave Lear of Tallahassee. Trout (Seatrout, Spotted) continue to be a hit-or-miss proposition. Some quality fish are being fooled by top-water action in the first hour or two after day-break. Others are finding success by dredging depths up to 10 feet with jigs. Either way, the hot conditions, temperature and water-wise are tamping down the overall Trout numbers. If you still want to target them, Skitter Walks, Heddon Super Spooks,Storm Chug Bugs and MirrOlure Top Dogs are good choices. There’s a ton of floating grass right now, however, so a weedless selection like the Mann’s Ghostor Sebile Soft Magic Swimmer could reduce the frustration factor. For jigs and other soft baits, Sureketch trout touts in lighter shades, along with DOA standard Shrimp, are working well. If you are trying the deeper areas, bumping up to 3/8 or 1/2-ounce jig heads will get down quicker into the prime strike zone. I honestly believe Redfish (Drum, Red) would be perfectly content to do backstrokes in 100-degree water. That’s good, because some of the surface temperature readings have topped the 90-degree mark here recently. Watch for wakes, tails and flashing fish on the dead lows before moving to the flooded grass lines and tidal creeks if copper drum are on your checklist. They’re also more than happy to slurp down a sashaying surface plug, weedless jerk bait or Aqua Dream spoon. The water is exceptionally clear right now, so go bright with the color selection. Silver, chrome and chartreuse are all good right now. And as a reminder, there’s about a month left in the CCA STAR tournament, with a Contender 22 boat, Yamaha outboard and trailer package up next for the lucky angler who’s 1. Entered in the tournament; 2. Catches a tagged red; and 3. Documents said catch with a photo on the approved measuring device. To sign up or bone up on the rules, visit: www.ccaflstar.com. In addition to the reds, there are tons of great prizes and junior angler college scholarships up for grabs. The tarpon seemed to have pulled a vanishing act on the new moon, but they’ll be back around shortly. The main migration has shifted west, pulling the transient guide fleet along with them. As a consolation prize, there are plenty of big sharks cruising the flats. Try chumming over sandy bottom and throw swimbaits or orange tarpon streamer flies at them when they come to investigate. There are also plenty of big jack crevalle around for anyone looking for a tussle on light tackle. With mid-morning lows this week and strong returning tides all weekend there will be plenty of water movement. The extended forecast is calling for showers, but as long as the lightning isn’t popping those cooling events are a welcome relief that definitely turn the fish on afterwards. The Scallop fleet continues to gather up handfuls of the tasty bi-valves two and three at a time. The shallow zones east, just west and throughout the rock garden is the gold mine for the fin-flippers. PRO ANGLER APP USERS – Tap a fish listed below the report for more angling tips and tricks! Shields Marina 850-925-6158

July 28, 2016

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – We’re firmly locked into in the summer pattern of hot, hot and hot, yet the fish are still biting if you plan accordingly, says Capt. Dave Lear of Tallahassee. Rising tides are the best opportunities for action and for this upcoming weekend that time out to late afternoons and early evenings. The morning lows, coming off Wednesday’s full moon, will be the ideal time to get in the water to gather up some Scallops. The Trout (Seatrout, Spotted) that are still hanging around in the shallows are only there early in the mornings. If you’re on the water at daybreak you’ve got a shot at some big fish by working a noisy top water lure like a Rapala Skitter Walk or Heddon Super Spook. Chromes and white are good patterns, but the fish are really keying in on the noise and commotion from the side-to-side action. A good backup choice would be a DOA shrimp or Sureketch jig suspended under a clacker-style cork. If trout are your target, by mid-morning going deep is the better bet. Start at 5-foot depths and keep heading south until you find the zone where the fish are holding in cooler water. It might take up to 1/2-ounce to get the offerings down into the strike zone. Redfish (Drum, Red) don’t mind sauna-like water temperatures, although they do prefer to stage up in the deeper holes in the tidal creeks until that cooler incoming water is flowing inbound steadily. The topwater bite is good all day long for the reds once you find them. To narrow the search, try Aqua Dream weedless spoons in gold or silver and snake it through the flooded shoreline or rock grass. If there’s a red around, it will seldom refuse a slowly wobbling spoon. If you’re looking for variety, there’s a wide range of choices to be found right now. From big Jack, Crevalle to Flounder (Flounder, Southern), Sharks (Shark, Blacktip) to Tarpon, there’s something for everyone to enjoy on light- to medium-heavy tackle. Gear up accordingly and enjoy the fight. Just don’t forget the sunscreen and plenty of fluids. SHIELDS MARINA HAS JUST RECEIVED THE READERS CHOICE AWARD IN TWO CATEGORIES PRESENTED BY THE WAKULLA NEWS: 1 Place for Best Marina and Runner-Up for Boats & Motor Repair. Thank you for those that voted for us – we appreciate your support. PRO ANGLER APP USERS – Tap a fish listed below the report for more angling tips and tricks! Shields Marina 850-925-6158

July 22, 2016

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – Rising tides are the best opportunities for action and for this upcoming weekend that times out too late afternoons and early evenings. The morning lows, coming off Wednesday’s full moon, will be the ideal time to get in the water to gather up some Scallops. The Trout (Seatrout, Spotted) that are still hanging around in the shallows are only there early in the mornings. If you’re on the water at daybreak you’ve got a shot at some big fish by working a noisy top water lure like a Rapala Skitter Walk or Heddon Super Spook. Chromes and white are good patterns, but the fish are really keying in on the noise and commotion from the side-to-side action. A good backup choice would be a DOA shrimp or Sureketch jig suspended under a clacker-style cork. If Trout are your target, by mid-morning going deep is the better bet. Start at 5-foot depths and keep heading south until you find the zone where the fish are holding in cooler water. It might take up to 1/2-ounce to get the offerings down into the strike zone. Redfish (Drum, Red) don’t mind sauna-like water temperatures, although they do prefer to stage up in the deeper holes in the tidal creeks until that cooler incoming water is flowing inbound steadily. The topwater bite is good all day long for the reds once you find them. To narrow the search, try Aqua Dream weedless spoons in gold or silver and snake it through the flooded shoreline or rock grass. If there’s a Red around, it will seldom refuse a slowly wobbling spoon. If you’re looking for variety, there’s a wide range of choices to be found right now. From big Jack, Crevalle to Flounder (Flounder, Southern), Sharks (Shark, Bull & Shark, Blacktip) to Tarpon, there’s something for everyone to enjoy on light- to medium-heavy tackle. Gear up accordingly and enjoy the fight. Just don’t forget the sunscreen and plenty of fluids. SHIELDS MARINA HAS JUST RECEIVED THE READERS CHOICE AWARD IN TWO CATEGORIES PRESENTED BY THE WAKULLA NEWS: 1 Place for Best Marina and Runner-Up for Boats & Motor Repair. Thank you for those that voted for us – we appreciate your support. PRO ANGLER APP USERS – Tap a fish listed below the report for more angling tips and tricks! Shields Marina 850-925-6158

July 15, 2016

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – With a forecast of calm seas and mid-day high tides, anglers should prepare for hot conditions this weekend, says Capt. Dave Lear of Tallahassee but the fish and Scallops are still there! The Trout (Seatrout, Spotted) have mostly gone deeper to find cooler water, but the Redfish (Drum, Red) are still roaming the shallows, especially on incoming tides. Soft plastic Shrimp lures and jigs bounced along the bottom are scoring the Trout. The mouth of Ochlocknee River has been especially productive lately with light-colored DOA shrimp the top producer. Flounder (Flounder, Southern) have also been plentiful on spotty sand bottom. The Redfish have been mixed lately. One cast might result in a 20-inch fish while the next one is over the slot. All are eagerly pouncing on Rapala Skitter Walks in chrome patterns. If the fish blow up on the top water and miss, switch to an Aqua Dream weedless spoon in gold or pink. Wolf packs of Jack, Crevalle continue to roam the bay, popping up at random and then disappearing just as quick. Just about any lure will do, provided it’s worked fast. Ladyfish also prefer a fast-moving meal. Don’t forget to check out Crab floats and the refuge buoys for Tripletail. The strange-looking saltwater bream have been thick this summer and will readily slurp down a fake shrimp or the real thing. Anglers looking for a real tussle can anchor up near the artificial reefs and get the chum going. It won’t take long for any variety of Jaws to show up. A live Pinfish or Mullet will get their attention. Cobia might make a surprise appearance as well. SCALLOP UPDATE: The snorkeling fleet continues to find plenty of tasty bi-valves on the East Flats. It won’t take long to collect a limit of scallops. Just look for all the boats south of Grey Mare and the Rock Garden. Be sure to display all the required dive flags and watch out for swimmers in the water. SHIELDS MARINA HAS JUST RECEIVED THE READERS CHOICE AWARD IN TWO CATEGORIES PRESENTED BY THE WAKULLA NEWS: 1 Place for Best Marina and Runner-Up for Boats & Motor Repair. Thank you for those that voted for us – we appreciate your support. PRO ANGLER APP USERS – Tap a fish listed below the report for more angling tips and tricks! Shields Marina 850-925-6158

July 7, 2016

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – It has been a bit hit and miss this week. Trout (Seatrout, Spotted) and Reds (Drum, Red) have been great on the flats but the keepers are sporadic. The numbers are great and the fish are hitting like crazy. This is between 5-10 ft of water. Anything in New Penny color has been productive. Shields Marina 850-925-6158

June 29, 2016

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – The long holiday weekend is shaping up to be a great one, fishing-wise, if you keep an eye out for pop-up thunder-boomers says Capt. Dave Lear of Tallahassee. Even the showers are beneficial as they clear out boat traffic and the fish turn on after the water cools a bit from the rain. A combination of factors should really trigger some aggressive feeding. The upcoming new moon on July 4th will push a ton a water throughout the day. The early morning lows, combined with less light, will be ideal for throwing topwater plugs for those who beat the roosters. Rapala Skitter Walks, Storm Chug Bugsand Heddon Super Spooks top the list. The water clarity has been exceptional, so chrome, chartreuse and other bright colors get the nod. For shoreline cruising Redfish (Drum, Red), a 3/8-ounce Aqua Dream or Capt. Mike`sweedless spoon in chartreuse or silver is a good option. Gold is always a surefire fallback. The tides peak around lunch time and fall all afternoon to negative lows right at dusk. Peak solunar periods will stretch from noon until 4 p.m. In addition to surface strikes, Trout (Seatrout, Spotted) are hitting shrimp lures and soft-plastic jigs with authority. Start by fishing them plain, but if the bite is timid, put them under a popping or clacker-style cork instead to draw more attention. It`s always prudent to use the lightest jig possible, but when prospecting the deeper water due to the heat, you might have to increase to 3/8 or 1/2-ounce jig heads. Suspending lures like the Rapala X Raps or Paul Brown`s Fat Boys twitched enticingly through the mid-level water columns will generate interest. There are plenty of options this time of year besides the bread-and-butter Trout and Redfish. Big Jacks (Jack, Crevalle), Sharks (Shark, Bull), Ladyfish, Flounder (Flounder, Southern) and Black Sea Bass (Sea Bass, Black) are available in dependable numbers and will take a variety of artificial baits or the real McCoy. Live shrimp are always an option, but the trash fish will peck `em to pieces. A few throws of a cast net will fill the well with mud minnows, finger mullet and pilchards, or you can catch pinfish on the grass flats using small gold hooks and pieces of squid. Any of these live bait options are also effective for Cobia and Tarpon cruising the flats or the nearshore reefs. The CCA STAR tournament is still in full swing and there are plenty of tagged Redfish swimming around out there. The next one landed by a registered angler wins a new Contender boat, Yamaha outboard and trailer, plus there are tons of other great prizes. STAR continues through Labor Day, so get registered before you miss out. For more information, visit www.ccaflstar.com. If you get too hot to catch fish, the Scallops are on the East Flats are thick as thieves. Snorkelers on opening weekend reported finding handfuls per dive. Look for the hundreds of boats in the vicinity of the Rock Garden/Gray Mare and join the crowd. Just be sure to display the proper dive flags, have all licenses in order and please boat safe and practice common courtesy while you`re out there. (We have anything you will need for scalloping!) BAIT REPORT – A few throws of a cast net will fill the well with mud Minnows, finger Mullet and Pilchards, or you can catch Pinfish on the grass flats using small gold hooks and pieces of Squid. Shields Marina 850-925-6158

June 24, 2016

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – Anglers fishing the 2016 Big Bend Saltwater Classic did well last weekend, despite tough conditions. Two new tournaments records were set, including a monster 57.4-pound King Mackerel (Mackerel, King) and a 7-pound Red (Drum, Red) taken in the junior division. Congratulations to all of this year’s winners! Timing will be good this coming weekend with high tides peaking right around dawn when the water is coolest. Get out there early and work topwater plugs around creek mouths, rock grass clumps and flooded oyster bars. Rapala SkitterWalks in chrome or natural patterns, along with Heddon Super Spooks and MirrOlure Top Dogs will draw explosive surface strikes from big Trout (Seatrout, Spotted) lurking in the shallow depths of 3 feet or less. Redfish will also find these offerings hard to turn down. The tides will bottom out by mid-day, so that’s the time to work deeper. A 1/2-ounce DOA Shrimp or SureKatch soft-plastic jig twitched through the water column in depths of 5-8 feet will garner attention. The water clarity is good right now, so holographic is a good color choice, along with chartreuse and gold glitter. Cobia continue to hang around structure as they slowly migrate west. The bay’s artificial reefs, channel markers and natural bottom can all hold Ling. Anchor and soak a mixture of frozen chum and White Marsh chum pellets to draw the Cobia into casting range and then fire a Gag’s Whip-it Eel or live pinfish in their direction and hold on tight. The same technique offers great sport for blacktip, spinner and other Sharks (Shark, Blacktip & Shark, Spinner) on medium-heavy spin tackle. A 40- to 60-pound leader will handle the cobia, but for Jaws use a trace of wire instead. The bay scallop season opens June 25th and early reports are promising for Apalachee Bay. Remember to have all the required dive flags, licenses and be careful out there on the water. SHIELDS MARINA has anything you will need for scalloping and their web site has a great recipe for enjoying your catch. Shields Marina 850-925-6158

June 17, 2016

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – If the winds and thunderstorms cooperate, it’s shaping up to be a productive weekend fishing-wise, although the dog days are definitely here way too soon – says Capt. Dave Lear of Tallahassee. There will be strong incoming tides early each afternoon because of the approaching full moon. However, the water temperatures have officially reached bathtub temperatures, so anglers will have to adjust accordingly. Top water action would be the best way to attract trout in the early morning hours while the water is cooler. Skitter Walks, Super Spooks and Top Dogs in chrome or natural patterns should be tied on first. By mid-morning, switch to suspending plugs like the Rapala X Rapor DOA BaitBusters in black/silver, chartreuse/silver or white/red head. A Sureketch 1/4-ounce jig head with a root beer or chartreuse tail hopped along the bottom will draw strikes from fish trying to escape the heat. Start around four feet and keep working deeper until you find the right zone. Redfish (Drum, Red) are much more heat tolerant and they continue to prowl the grassy points, shorelines and tidal creeks. An Aqua Dream or Capt. Mike’s weedless spoon rigged with a small ball-bearing swivel will entice the reds. CAL 5.5 jerk baits in new penny or pearl are more good choices in the shallows. Rig with a 4/0 worm hook or a 2/0 circle hook through the nose to snake the lure through potential hang-ups. Anglers using finger mullet or mud minnows free-lined around some of the deeper rock piles on the East Flats are scoring big bull Reds as well. There are still plenty of Cobia around the artificial reefs and other natural bottom with some relief. A medium-heavy outfit with 20 plus pound test and a 60-pound leader will handle keeper Ling. Tie on a Gag’s Whip-it Eel in olive/pearl, candy apple red or lime green and stay on the lookout for them popping up next to the boat. If you see one, others are likely in the vicinity. That same medium-heavy combo will work on early morning rolling Tarpon. Try a large topwater like a One Knocker or a sinking twitchbait like the 65 series MirrOlure in natural patterns. Cast in front, work the lure slowly and hang on. The Aucilla, St. Marks and Ochlockonee river mouths are good places to tangle with silver Kings (Tarpon). If the seas and your boat allow, now is the time for run-and-gun action in the nearshore depths. Rig a light rod with a trace of wire leader and tie on a shiny casting spoon such as a Kastmaster, Gotcha or Sidewinder. Venture beyond the refuge stake (10 to 20 foot depths) and keep your eyes peeled. Showering bait and diving birds will tip the location of bait balls getting pounded. Shut the engine off and drift or use the trolling motor to get into casting distance and work the edges of the schools. Spanish Mackerel (Mackerel, Spanish), Jacks (Jack, Crevalle), Bluefish, Trout (Seatrout, Spotted), Redfish (Drum, Red) and maybe even a King (Mackerel, King) or two are all possibilities. The action is fast and furious but may only last a short while before you have to run to find another school of bait. Shields Marina 850-925-6158

June 9, 2016

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – The Tropical storm that has moved through has kept a lot of anglers off the water. We expect to see Trout (Seatrout, Spotted) on the flats in roughly 4 ft of water. Pinfish are best for them. Redfish (Drum, Red) are holding up in the holes around the flats. Flounder (Flounder, Southern) will be difficult to find with the new moon. We will be able to receive more details once the water clears up and the conditions are more ideal. Bass Pro Shops 850-402-6900

June 3, 2016

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – We have a new moon and that’s resulting in high tide coming in around noon , depending where you are in the bay. St Marks is a little earlier for the tide. You want to hit it 2 hours before and 2 hours after, throwing aquadream spoons. The bone colored spooks are also very good and anglers are having lots of success with it. Gulp and live shrimp under a popping cork are also working well. For the Redfish (Drum, Red), I would stick with the spoons and the top waters. For the gator Trout (Seatrout, Spotted), there’s lots on the shoals and by the river – catch ’em up. Bass Pro Shops 850-402-6900

May 26, 2016

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – Fishing was a little off last weekend because of the full moon, but this week has more than made up for it – Capt. Dave Lear of Tallahassee. Clear water, calm seas and normal patterns are producing a plethora of salt water species across the region. The upcoming holiday weekend should also be good, albeit with more boat traffic as the official boating season gets underway. The extended forecast is calling for light winds with the normal afternoon sea breezes and possible pop-up thunderstorms. Anglers have been finding plenty of short trout (Seatrout, Spotted) on the flats off the mouth of the St. Marks River. A few keepers are mixed in, but the majorities are juveniles. To focus on bigger specks, work farther east and concentrate around rock formations, the associated rock grass, sandy depressions and pot holes, plus the tidal creeks. Bigger trout are generally loners and wary, so stealth is often a key. Noisy top-water lures like the Rapala Skitter Walk or Heddon Super Spooksare always a good bet, especially in low light conditions or with a little bit of chop. When the water temperatures warming, switching to a suspending plug like a Rapala X-Rap or DOA BaitBuster to work the cooler zones will often keep the bite going as the thermometer climbs. Sureketch jigs bounced along the bottom and DOA shrimp fished plain or under a cork are more effective options. Redfish (Drum, Red) are still scattered. Some good fish are being caught, but the numbers just aren’t what they should be for our coast. The new one-fish bag limit will definitely help correct that problem in the long run. Reds will eat the same offerings as trout, but to cover the most water and serve up an irresistible meal, cast an Aqua Dream or Capt. Mike’s weedless spoon and retrieve it slowly so it’s barely ticking off the bottom. If the reds are around they’ll definitely eat one of these crab/minnow imitations. Numerous accounts of tripletails hanging around crab trap floats and other structure in the bay have been reported. These scrappers are fun to catch and better to eat. Use a fresh shrimp (or a DOA) under a cork and be prepared to back the boat away to keep from getting wrapped up. Remember, tripletails have to be at least 15 inches long and the bag limit is two per person per day. Cobia, Sharks and Tarpon top the list of the larger adversaries available right now. All are here in good numbers. Live bait presentations with pinfish, mullet and pilchards will entice these big bruisers, along with Gag’s Whip-it eels, large top-water plugs like One Knockers or saltwater Chug Bugs. DOA BaitBusters in natural patterns or the classic white/red head are also enticing for the big 3. Go early or late. The early morning high tides will be the most productive periods (and least crowded), with another peak feeding window towards dusk. The tweener moon phase won’t be moving a lot of water, but the fish should be active nonetheless. Shields Marina 850-925-6158

May 20, 2016

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – With the water clear and warm combined with full moon tides, the only thing preventing you from catching fish this weekend will be not going, says Capt. Dave Lear of Tallahassee. The forage is thick on the lush grass flats with Shrimp, Pinfish, Mullet and Blue Crabs topping the list. The inshore water clarity has improved tremendously with the lack of measurable rain lately. Visibility is up to 7 feet plus in areas. Depending on the tides, floating grass can be a problem but overall conditions are prime. Water temperatures are into the mid- to upper 70s, so the trout will be seeking cooler climes during the heat of the day. Depths for trout are ranging from a couple feet to five-plus. Areas with spotty bottom, rock grass and deeper depressions are prime places to prospect. Top water action with Rapala Skitter Walks and Heddon Super Spooks are drawing explosive surface strikes, especially early and late. As the temperatures climb, switch to subsurface presentations with jigs or plugs that get lower in the water column. Unfair Lures Rip-n-Slash, Rapala X-Raps and other stick baits are working, along with soft-plastic jigs or DOA shrimp lures. Use the lightest weight and line possible to detect subtle taps. Adding a squirt or two of Pro-Cure Bait Scent will increase the attraction. Redfish (Drum, Red) are still scattered, although a few larger schools are forming on incoming tides. A gold Aqua Dream or Capt. Mike’s weedless 3/8-ounce spoon is rarely turned down. Top water lures or Sureketch curly-tail jigs hopped slowly in front of foraging reds will also get their attention. You can expect a mixed bag every time you go inshore, with Flounder (Flounder, Southern), Bluefish, Ladyfish, Jacks (Jack, Crevalle), Spanish Mackerel (Mackerel, Spanish), Pompano (Pompano, Florida) and Sea Bass (Sea Bass, Black) all likely to jump on the above offerings. Cobia and Tarpon are both here in dependable numbers as well. Gear up to medium-heavy tackle to handle these bruisers using live bait and DOA BaitBusters or Gag’s Whip-it eel lures. With the full moon this weekend, there will be plenty of moving water. The incoming flow all morning will lead to peak feeding windows by mid-afternoon. We’re getting into the typical summer weather patterns with stronger afternoon sea breezes and pop-up thunderstorms due to the heat, so keep an eye out on the sky and be prepared to scoot to the hill if need be. Shields Marina 850-925-6158

May 12, 2016

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – “After the brief cold snap, it appears the weather is back on track and that means fishing should be good again this weekend, despite the minimal water movement,” says Capt. Dave Lear of Tallahassee. “Of course, you may be tempting fate by venturing out on Friday the 13th. Just be sure to carry a bunch of bananas on board and you should be fine.” Seriously, there will be less than a foot of water moving between the daytime high and low tides. The best window of opportunity will be from dawn until mid-morning. Forecast winds will lend well to top-water action for Trout (Seatrout, Spotted) and Reds (Drum, Red) near the hill. Chrome pattern Rapala Skitter Walks, Heddon Super Spooks and MirrOlure Top Dogs all get the nod. Once the tide starts falling out, switch to a subsurface presentation to work the mid-column depths. Most of the Trout reports are mentioning 3 to 5 feet of water. DOA and other Shrimp patterns are working well, especially lighter colors such as glow, pearl or chartreuse.Sureketch jigs in white with pink tail on 1/4-ounce jig heads have also been scoring Trout. There are a lot of shorts around, but enough keepers to warrant those extra casts. To attract additional attention to the lures, suspend them under a clacker-style cork. Anglers have also catching Trout on Pinfish either actively fished or trailing behind the boat. Redfish are scattered, although some mid- to upper-slot catches are coming to the net. Reds will gladly scarf down a topwater plug or jig. The most consistent producer, however, is an Aqua Dream or Capt. Mike’s weedless 3/8-ounce spoon in gold or pink. Cast and wind, cast and wind around oyster bars, creek mouths and grass points and you’ll be rewarded for your efforts. Cobia are here in force around the nearshore reefs, natural rock formations and can pop up inshore without notice, sometimes right off the transom. A live Pinfish or finger Mullet is enticing to Ling, but for a quick reaction cast with a medium combo it’s hard to beat a Gag’s Whip-it Eel in natural or bright colors pinned on a 1/2- to 3/4-ounce jig head. Shields Marina 850-925-6158

May 6, 2016

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – Inshore anglers can expect unusual conditions this weekend, says Capt. Dave Lear of Tallahassee. The new moon tides with morning lows will push more than 3 feet of water in by the mid-afternoon highs, which normally mean a strong feeding window. However, the atypical cold front and related high pressure system may damper the feeding frenzy somewhat. Combined with discolored water on the East Flats and with large concentrations of floating grass and you’ll have to work to find the fish but they are there. The flats on the western side of the St. Marks River channel were clearer with only a slight tannin stain, at least before Tuesday night’s storms. Redfish remain scattered. A few are being caught, mainly on topwater plugs or Aqua Dream Weedless 3/8-ounce spoons in gold and pink. Trout (Seatrout, Spotted) are taking up the slack, fortunately. With the current water clarity, white or glow colors are producing good numbers of aggressive fish. Many are under-slot, but spunky and enough keepers are mixed in to make it interesting. The best depths have been from 3 to 4 feet with a subtle presentation. Soft-plastic minnows, shrimp and jerk baits with very light weights are drawing the most strikes.CAL shad tails, DOA 1/4-ounce Shrimp and Sureketch touts with 1/8-ounce jig heads are good choices. The secret to finding the concentrations is to find the cleanest water possible. Suspending the above offerings under a clacker-style cork can help the Trout zero in on your baits. So can adding a squirt or two of Pro-Cure bait scent (shrimp, mullet or inshore formulas). Live shrimp are working too, but you’ll go through a bunch. There are plenty of pinfish, finger mullet and mud minnows around now if you prefer to catch or cast-net the real McCoys. With the water temperatures in the upper 70s before the cold snap, more tarpon are arriving daily. The Cobia are here in good numbers already. Boats running out to the artificial reefs and natural bottom can score ling using live bait as well as Gag’s Whip-It Eels or colorful bucktail jigs. Anchor up and use a mix of White Marsh chum pellets and frozen chum blocks to draw Cobia into casting range. The chum slick will also entice sharks, Spanish (Mackerel, Spanish) and King Mackerel (Mackerel, King). The state Red Snapper (Snapper, Red) season opens this weekend, so expect big crowds at the area’s boat ramps. Please practice common courtesy and everyone can have a good time. Shields Marina 850-925-6158

April 27, 2016

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – Wahoo! Some good news to report. The water temperatures are climbing, the water clarity is getting better and we’re finally going to have a weekend with little wind. To top it all off, the fish are chompin’, says Capt. Dave Lear of Tallahassee. With water temps now into the mid-70s, the springtime season is truly on. This weekend’s water movement, coming off the full moon, will be dramatic as well, with more than 2.5 feet of tidal swing. The morning lows will flood to 3.7 feet by mid-afternoon, so get ready for some action. The ‘Rock the Dock Tournament’ in Panacea this weekend will draw a crowd so plan accordingly at the area’s boat ramps. This is the ideal time for exciting top-water strikes. Tie on a chrome Skitter Walk, a bone SuperSpook or a Mirr-O-lure Top Dog in Mullet pattern and work creek mouths, around and on top of flooded oyster bars and over sandy pot holes on the flats. You will be rewarded with fat Speckled Trout (Seatrout, Spotted) as well as bronze redfish. A Spanish Mackerel(Mackerel, Spanish) or Bluefish may crash the party! Once the top-water interest wanes (or if the fish strike short and don’t come back), switch to a mid-column presentation like a weedless fluke, a soft-plastic DOA shrimp or Sureketch tail on a light jig head. Twitch the rod tip so the lure dart and falls. It will usually get hit as it descends. An Aqua Dream weedless spoon in gold or pink is another excellent probing bait. Retrieve it slowly across the bottom. These are go-to lures for foraging Reds (Drum, Red), but big Trout find them irresistible too. Pompano (Pompano, Florida) action has picked up off Dog and St. George Island, so keep a watch for skipping fish in the boat wake. If you see some, circle back, cut the engine and fan-cast the area thoroughly with a bucktail jig or light-colored plastic jig. Bounce it slowly along the bottom of sandy troughs. I haven’t heard any reports of Cobia just yet, but the first one could easily be caught this weekend. A medium-action spinning outfit loaded with 20-pound braid, a 40-pound leader and a natural, bright red or lime green Al Gag’s Whip-it eel will nearly always entice the brown bombers. And Shields Marina has everything you should need for enjoying a boat ride, fishing and just being out on the water. Shields Marina 850-925-6158

April 22, 2016

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – The wind has made the fishing a bit hit and miss. Not a lot of anglers are getting out however those who do are reporting a lot of Redfish (Drum, Red). There are some in the mouth of the creeks mixed in with some Trout (Seatrout, Spotted). With the upcoming tournaments anglers are keeping pretty quiet about where the fish are. Gulp and spoons are generally a great method to hook the Reds. We expect this bite to continue into the weekend. Good luck to everyone fishing! Bass Pro Shops Outpost 850-402-6900

April 14, 2016

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – It’s hard to believe the calendar says the middle of April when it feels and acts like the middle of March, says Capt. Dave Lear of Tallahassee. Yet another cold front is dumping more rain and ushering in more wind, two scenarios we definitely don’t need in the bay right now. The strong winds are making conditions difficult and this weekend looks like more of the same. On top of that the run-off from the storms has stained the inshore waters considerably. Visibility goes from strong tea to day-old black coffee. To find fish requires finding the clearest water possible that’s also salty. The dark water is also stunting the growth of the seagrass, which is vital for the bait and juvenile fish to hide. With the weather uncooperative the water temperatures have been hovering between the upper 60s to low 70s, which is behind schedule for the time of year. That said, it’s not all doom and gloom. Good catches are being made when the tide is moving and cleaner water is found. The best reports for Trout (Seatrout, Spotted) are coming from the eastern portions of the bay near Econfina and Rock Island. Productive depths range from 3 to 6 feet. For lure fishermen, making sure the fish find the offerings is critical in the stained water. Noisy top water plugs or those that spit and chug are effective. So is suspending a jig or fake shrimp under a clacker or popping cork. Bright colors will stand out, so glow, pearl, chartreuse and chrome patterns are best to start. Redfish (Drum, Red) are not in their summer patterns yet. Small schools are gathered along the shorelines and grass points, as well as in depressions in the tidal creeks that are not as impacted by the run-off. Using vibration will help the reds hone in, so weedless spoons and spinnerbait rigs are working well. Jerk baits are also doing the trick. Flounder (Flounder, Southern) are moving back into the shallows, along with Spanish Mackerel (Mackerel, Spanish). Numbers are inconsistent, however, so it may be another week or so before the action improves. Only a couple Pompano (Pompano, Florida) catches have been reported in the bay so far. As sight-feeders, the current conditions are not favorable for these fun and tasty scrappers. You can’t catch fish unless you go, but let’s keep fingers crossed for a dry spell and calm winds for the rest of April. Dave Lear Shields Marina 850-925-6158

April 7, 2016

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – It’s starting to sound like a broken record for those of you who still remember vinyl, but the rain and winds continue to muddy the inshore waters, says Capt. Dave Lear of Tallahassee. Some quality fish are still being caught, despite the challenges. The water near the mouth of the St. Marks River is very dark with runoff from last weekend’s storms. Get away from there, however, and it clears up, albeit with a reddish tannin tint. The incessant gusty winds lately haven’t helped matters. Schools of Redfish (Drum, Red) are roaming the shoreline but remain cautious. Long casts and a quiet approach is required. Adding some Pro-Cure bait scent to lures or using live Shrimp or mud Minnows will help increase the odds. Look for Reds on sand/shell bottom and if there are rock piles or oysters nearby, so much the better. CAL 5.5 jerk baits in pearl or new penny are good choices, along with Aqua Dream weedless 3/8-ounce spoons in gold or pink. The Trout (Seatrout, Spotted) action is steady and improving on the flats, especially to the west near Piney Island or east towards Rock Island. Live Shrimp under a popping cork is enticing keeper Specks. Skitter Walks and Super Spooks top water plugs will also garner attention. Spanish mackerel (Mackerel, Spanish) are adding to the mix on occasion. The mack attacks will increase as the water temperatures continue to rise. When the winds and seas allow, grouper diggers are finding cooperative gags holding near rock piles and the area’s artificial reefs. Depths up to 20 feet have been producing for those dragging or similar lipped plugs in bright colors. REMEMBER, GROUPER SEASON IS NOW OPEN Dave Lear Shields Marina 850-925-6158

March 30, 2016

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – As expected, cloudy skies and cold precipitation has cooled the inshore water temperatures. It was just over 67 degrees Tuesday afternoon under overcast skies. A warm Wednesday should bump it up a bit before the next round of squalls. Surprisingly, after getting away from the mouth of the St. Marks River, the water was stained but fairly clear. The turtle grass is starting to green up and other good signs include Pinfish, swimming Blue Crabs and lots of rays cruising the shallows. Spanish Mackerel (Mackerel, Spanish) and Pompano (Pompano, Florida) had started showing up before Easter’s deluge. Opportunistic Spanish were eating baits and lures intended for Trout (Seatrout, Spotted), but once they get thick small casting spoons like the Kastmaster or Acme rigged on a short trace of wire leader will fool these speedsters. Focus on the nearshore depths like the drop-off near the sandbar marker beyond the lighthouse to entice Mackerel. Pompano will be frequenting the troughs just off the barrier island beaches, as well as sandy patches on the West Flats. A small pink bucktail or DOA standard shrimp hopped along the bottom where it creates puffs of sand will get the attention of these delicious scrappers. With the Spring hiccup trout are staging around oyster bars and creek mouths as the water slowly warms. The St. Marks, East and Ochlockonee Rivers are producing fat fish on a variety of topwater offerings, including Rapala Skitterwalks, Chug Bugs and Heddon Super Spooks. Long suspending lipped plugs like the X-Raps or Bomber Long A are also producing fish. Colors don’t seem to matter as much as action and noise since the fish are aggressive this early in the game. Soft-plastic Sureketch or CAL jigs on a 1/8-ounce head suspended under a popping or clacker cork will be productive as well. Some quality Redfish (Drum, Red) are coming to the net, but the fish are scattered right now. The action should improve with the approaching new moon. If Reds are the goal, an Aqua Dream or weedless 3/8-ounce spoon in pink, gold and red/silver are the ideal probing baits. Retrieve slowly with a steady rhythm so the spoon is running just above the bottom Dave Lear Shields Marina 850-925-6158

March 24, 2016

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – The March lion has been roaring lately, making for some sloppy seas, but record temperatures have ushered in the spring season with a flurry. With Gulf water temperatures in the happy zone of the mid-70s, the action has shifted from the winter sanctuaries to the shallow flats. Trout (Seatrout, Spotted) and Redfish (Drum, Red) are responding to the usual mix of lures and baits, including topwater walk-the-dog style plugs like Rapala Skitterwalks, Heddon Super Spooks and Storm Chug Bugs. The colors don’t matter as much as the commotion, as the fish are eager to pack on the pounds in anticipation of the spawn. Mid-depth lures such as DOA Bait busters and the 4-inch swim baits are other options as the sun gets up. Fake shrimp in gold glitter, gold/glow and near clear, fished plain or under a clacker cork will attract attention, as will a Sureketch white/pink tail or chartreuse tout on a 1/8 to 1/4-ounce jig head. Redfish will hit the same lineup, but the go-to offering for drum would be a 3/8-ounce Aqua Dream or Capt. Mike’s weedless willow blade spoon to cover the most water. Gold is the standard, although pink will turn heads in tannin-stained water, along with the silver/red pattern. Orange and brown Clouser minnow flies have been effective on reds lately in the western zone. Spanish Mackerel (Mackerel, Spanish), Pompano (Pompano, Florida) and Bluefish aren’t back in numbers just yet, but it’s only a matter of days before the parade returns to the Big Bend waters. Shiny Gotchas and Kastmaster spoons rigged with a trace of light wire leader will entice the Macks and Blues. The surefire McDonalds soda straw over a long-shank hook with a small egg sinker is an economical alternative. For Pompano it’s hard to beat an orange or red bucktail jig hopped across the sand troughs. It never hurts to have a medium action outfit rigged with a Whip-it Eel lure (natural, candy apple red or lime green) for an early arriving Cobia, either. BAIT REPORT – If you prefer the real McCoy, live Shrimp under a cork, Pinfish, fingerMullet and mud Minnows will also turn heads this time of year. Pinfish can be trapped or caught on the flats using tiny hooks and Squid, while Mullet and killifish are easily cast-netted along the shallow shorelines. Be sure to check all safety gear prior to your first trip, start your engine beforehand and please practice common courtesy at the boat ramps and on the water. Dave Lear Shields Marina 850-925-6158

March 17, 2016

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – The Redfish (Drum, Red) are still pretty much up in the river. Some have moved in the bay though. Trout (Seatrout, Spotted) are great in the river and are going for Shad this week. The 3 inch glow have been extremely productive. Shrimp have also been doing well. In the evening anglers are heading to the pier to search for a great Whiting (Kingfish, Southern) bite. They are loving fresh Shrimp and anglers are having no trouble catching a few. There are some Flounder (Flounder, Southern) have been swimming but difficult to find. The St. Mark’s Lighthouse is a great place to look for fish, especially on the point where you can find some fish. You will find some great Trout here. Anglers gearing up for the Spring bite can check out our Fish feature for more tips and tricks to keep your lines tight. Bass Pro Shops 850-402-6900

March 9, 2016

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – There were a lot of Trout (Seatrout, Spotted), Reds (Drum, Red), Drum (Drum, Black), and Sheepshead. A few Flounder, Southern have come back as well. The fish are both in the river near the power plant and in the flats. High tide or just before the incoming tide has been the best time to fish. Live Shrimp has been the key bait. Soft plastics on a jighead have also been productive as an artificial alternative. Shields Marina 850-925-6158

March 3, 2016

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – Trout (Seatrout, Spotted) and Reds (Drum, Red) are biting this week. So far it has been consistent and the sizes have been fair. There have also been some Flounder (Flounder, Southern & Flounder, Gulf) that are still hanging around. A few Drum (Drum, Black) have been pushed up but are still available for anglers who are targeting them. OFFSHORE – Ajs (Jack, Amberjack Greater) are biting offshore this week. Bucktail jigs and live bait will to best to hook them. They are not picky so far. Grouper (Grouper, Gag & Grouper, Red) have been biting however keep in mind what you are required to release. Bass Pro Shops 850-402-6900

February 24, 2016

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – The Sheepshead have really taken off this week, especially in the bay. Small Shrimp or Fiddler Crabs will be a great bait to hook them by the pilings at the bridge or around structure. This is the main focus for most anglers and is typical for this time of year. Anglers are staying inshore due to the high winds offshore this week. We expect this bite to continue into the weekend. Bass Pro Shops 850-402-6900

February 18, 2016

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – Things are good in the bay this week. The fish are all in the shallows this week. The mouths of the rivers have been the best places to jig Shrimp or throw gold Spoons and Bombers. You should turn up with some nice Trout (Seatrout, Spotted) and Reds (Drum, Red) on these. The cooler it get the more the school up in the shallow water. There are some Sheepshead and Flounder (Flounder, Southern) in these areas as well but their locations depend on the weather. Sheepshead are generally always on structure while the Flounder will move to the flats if it is warm out. Bass Pro Shops 850-402-6900

February 10, 2016

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – Things are slow in this area due to the weather. The Reds are thin right now and have moved up in the creeks. The deeper holes in the bay are also holding some decent sizes. The Trout (Seatrout, Spotted) have become lethargic in the cold and are quite difficult to find. Glow shad or white shad are working well to hook them.They start to heat up during the late afternoon bite and can be fairly consistent at this point. Pompano, Florida are biting but wouldn’t be considered on fire. The best bet is holes and structures where the fish are schooled up due to the cold. Bass Pro Shops 850-402-6900

February 4, 2016

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – There are still some Trout (Seatrout, Spotted) in the bay this week. The Reds (Drum, Red) have been stocked up in the river and will bite best at dawn and dusk. Sheepshead is pretty thick right now by bridge pylons and structure. There is some wind expected in the next few days which may mix up the water a bit and have the fish swimming lower over the weekend. Bass Pro Shops 850-402-6900

January 28, 2016

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – We are seeing lots of Reds (Drum, Red) and Trout (Seatrout, Spotted) in the creeks and rivers so far this week. They are hitting bouncing jigs on the bottom tipped with Shrimp. Color hasn’t seemed to make a difference. With the drop in temperature they will start to school up and become more difficult to find however when you do you should be able to catch a few. They will generally be clustered in the deeper holes or grassy areas. BAIT REPORT – In the canal by the lighthouse there is usually some bait you can stock up on. Bass Pro Shops 850-402-6900

January 22, 2016

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – There are both Trout (Seatrout, Spotted) and Reds (Drum, Red) biting this week however the Reds are far more plentiful and the target for most anglers. They are swimming all around St. Mark’s lighthouse where there are plenty of oyster bars, flats and channels for them to hold up in. The incoming tide will produce the best bet in the channel this week. Anglers are throwing DOA Shrimp and similar artificials as well as topwater plugs. They are absolutely everywhere this week and should provide some great fishing. Bass Pro Shops 850-402-6900

January 15, 2016

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – It’s windy! Anglers have been jig heading big shrimp or gulp to hit Grouper, Gag in 14 ft of water. They are not legal to keep however angler can find them on rock piles about a mile out for catch and release fishing. There are Reds (Drum, Red) swimming in the bay loving spoons or bomber in gold with an orange bottom. Gulp in white with chartreuse tails bounced on the bottom is the best technique too. The incoming tide has been the best time to hit the bite this week. They are plentiful this week and the target of most anglers. The low tide is really low with the North wind so during the incoming tide fish are very plentiful. Trolling with a long A, jerking at 2 or 3 knots will attract the fish. The Trout (Seatrout, Spotted) sizes have been medium and hit and miss. When you find them you will find a few but there may be hours between the bites. Pro Angler Team  

January 6, 2016

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – The bite is doing well in this area as of late. Lots of fish are swimming and turning up in great sizes. Reds (Drum, Red) as well as Trout (Seatrout, Spotted) are hitting live Shrimp or similar artificials such as DOAs or Vudu Shrimp. There have also been reports of Sheepshead now that the temperature has cooled a bit. As usual, they are loving live Fiddler Crabs. Flounder (Flounder, Gulf & Flounder, Southern) is also doing well. The sizes are great so far and the bite is expected to continue into the weekend. Jerry’s Bait & Tackle 850-421-3248

December 29, 2015

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – Reds(Drum, Red) and Trout (Seatrout, Spotted) have the best bite on paddle tails or jerkbaits. Top water has even produced so far this week. The outgoing tide has been the better time to fish on the oyster bars. Trolling slowly and casting right off the shore has been the most effective method of catching either species. They are fairly plentiful and are coming up in great sizes so far. Pro Angler Team  

December 21, 2015

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – The area is fairly quiet this week as weather conditions have not been favorable. There are a few anglers who have made it to the water though and they are reporting a steady Redfish (Drum, Red) bite along with some good sizes of Trout (Seatrout, Spotted) too. Trout are expected to increase in both size and numbers as the temperature continues to drop. Live Shrimp have been the key bait this week and seem to work extremely well for both fish. Anglers have been rigging them under a cajun thunder for the best results. Jerry’s Bait & Tackle 850-421-3248

December 17, 2015

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – There has been a steady Redfish (Drum, Red) bite in the area lately along with some Seatrout, Spotted mixed in. The weather is expected to cool down soon so they will be moving to the mouth of the river. Anglers are throwing live bait as a first preference. Shrimp, Pinfish, Croaker and Mullet are all producing well. As an artificial alternative gulp Shrimp seems to be working well. BAIT REPORT – Anglers can net Shrimp, Pinfish and Mullet which are plentiful in the area this week. There should be no trouble stocking up. Pro Angler Team  

December 11, 2015

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – The focus has been completely on the inshore this week. The Trout (Seatrout, Spotted) and Reds (Drum, Red) have both been coming up in great numbers and sizes. They are both throughout the rivers and stacking up at the mouth. Neither have been picky for bait so far as they will hit live Shrimp, Vudu Shrimp, gulp or Cigar Minnows. Anything live is producing better results however there is still a good bite on artificials. Jerry’s Bait & Tackle 850-421-3248

December 3, 2015

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – There is quite a bit of action inshore this week. Seatrout, Spotted are nearshore along with Reds (Drum, Red) and Spanish (Mackerel, Spanish) all chasing a gulp bait this week. Live Shrimp and Pinfish are extremely effective as well. There is no preferred tide, most anglers are simply getting out when they can and staying tight to the creeks for a good bite. BAIT REPORT – Live baiters are continuing to see a spotty Pinfish run this week. Shrimp are continuing to do well and are productive for inshore fishing. Sea Hag Marina 352-498-3008 www.seahag.com

November 26, 2015

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – With the recent cold front conditions are expected to change in the next few days however at this point our sources expect that Reds (Drum, Red) will be moving into the mouth and the rivers from the flats. Live or natural bait is working best for them. Mullet, Shrimp and Blue Crab are all great choices this week. Alternatively gulp, gold spoons and topwater lures are great artificials. Trout (Seatrout, Spotted) should be following right behind them. They haven’t had a great bite this year however the best fishing for them will be on the bay in the brackish water. OFFSHORE – There is not a whole lot of action in the deep water, especially with the wind. Grouper, Gag continue to bite however they are pretty far out, almost in state water and are almost closed. Should anglers decide to head out on the water for the holiday they can always check out our Tips feature which provides additional information and suggestions that could help improve the catch. BAIT REPORT – Pinfish are still running this week and can be caught on a Sabiki rig fairly easily for inshore fish. Pro Angler Team  

November 20, 2015

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – There is not a lot of action in this area lately. There are reports of some really big Sheepshead being reeled in along with Reds (Drum, Red) and Trout (Seatrout, Spotted) all on live Shrimp. OFFSHORE – There have been no reports of offshore fishing lately. Fishermen who decide to head out in the next few days you can always consult our Tips feature that provides more information and suggestions. They can also follow up with Jerry’s Bait & Tackle for an up to the minute fishing report. BAIT REPORT – Pinfish are running and can be caught on a Sabiki rig fairly easily. Jerry’s Bait & Tackle 850-421-3248

November 13, 2015

Apalachee Bay

INSHORE – Redfish (Drum, Red) are on fire in this area lately. This is good news since there has not been reports of many other species biting this week. They are chasing live Shrimp, Pinfish or a gulp on a jig. There has been no Seatrout, Spotted bite reported this week. OFFSHORE – There have been no reports of offshore fishing lately. Fishermen who decide to head out in the next few days you can always consult our Tips feature that provides more information and suggestions. BAIT REPORT – Pinfish are running and can be caught on a Sabiki rig fairly easily. Bass Pro Shops  

November 6, 2015

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

INSHORE – There are plenty of Reds (Drum, Red) in the shallow areas as Seatrout, Spotted have become scarce. They are hitting spoons and popping corks with cut bait or live Shrimp. Anglers can use a gulp as an artificial alternative. There are some Flounder, Gulf for anglers throwing a jig head around the docks. Two hours before and after high tide is the ideal time to be out on the water right now. OFFSHORE – There have been no reports of offshore fishing lately. Anglers suspect there are bigger Seatrout, Spotted on the reefs however nothing specific. If you do decide to head out in the next few days you can always consult our Tips feature that provides more information and suggestions. Bass Pro Shops  

October 28, 2015

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

OFFSHORE – Heavy seas and high winds have produced conditions that have not been ideal for boaters to head out into the deep water. We are expecting results to pick up once the weather lies down. If you decide to head out this weekend you can feel free to check out our Tips feature which provides additional information on the fish of your choice.

INSHORE – The Trout (Seatrout, Spotted) bite has continued to do well this week on the incoming tide. The rivers and creeks are great spots to find good sizes as the weather cools down. Redfish (Drum, Red) is fairly plentiful as well. They are both hitting Live or dead Shrimp if you can find some in the water or in store.

BAIT REPORT – Pinfish are running well right now.

Jerry’s Bait & Tackle
664 Woodville Hwy
Crawfordville, FL
850-421-3248

October 23, 2015

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

OFFSHORE – Due to weather conditions today is the first day anglers have made their way offshore. As they have not yet returned at this point we have no reports however if you are planning to make your way out this weekend and take advantage of the nicer weather keep in mind you can always rely on our Tips section of the app where by selecting the fish of your choice you can find suggestions, baits and ‘how to’s.

INSHORE – There is a lot more action inshore if you search the mouth of the rivers as well as the creeks. We are seeing good sized Trout and Redfish turning up on the incoming tide. Rigged Shrimp is working well right now for both Trout and Redfish.

BAIT REPORT – Shrimp are running well and do not seem to have been affected by the weather. There are no shortage of these so it is a great idea to try and net some on your way out this weekend.

Jerry’s Bait & Tackle
664 Woodville Hwy
Crawfordville, FL
850-421-3248

August 21, 2015

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

OFFSHORE – It has been really hot the last little while and not many people are going way offshore. Especially since there is plenty of fish inshore to catch. There is going to be your usual catch of snapper and grouper out there, but if you are looking for a good time and good eating then you can probably save yourself the gas and stay inshore.

INSHORE – The main catch inshore are Trout and Redfish. Shrimp is the best bait for both of them, especially if it is live. I have been hearing good stuff about FishBites closer to St. Joe, and I have a hunch that they will work well up here; it’s an organic bait that is really just Shrimp and Clam smashed together. Give it a try, if not stick with the live Shrimp. The grass flats are going to be your go to spot for these fish.

BAIT REPORT – Shrimp, Alewives, and Squid are plentiful, and Jerry’s Bait & Tackle sells a lot of these local baits, so if you want to save yourself the time stop on by.

Jerry’s Bait & Tackle carries both Salt and Freshwater stuff, inshore, offshore, you name it really.

Jerry’s Bait & Tackle
664 Woodville Hwy, Crawfordville
850-421-3248

July 31, 2015

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

OFFSHORE – Our friends in Apalachee bay haven’t really heard much about the offshore fishing. We have plenty of reports for blue water fishing in the gulf from surrounding areas, and you are more than welcome to check them out, they go as far as Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana, while the general tips would be true here in Apalachee Bay, it wouldn’t be right to generalize them across the whole gulf.

INSHORE – Michelle at Jerry’s Bait and Tackle has heard more about the inshore fishing. It has slowed down over the last little while because it is so hot out. People are still catching the usual stuff, but fishing has been limited to the cooler times of day. Try going early in the morning or late at night, and avoid the midday heat. There are still big fish inshore, just the other day Michelle was talking to a guy who caught a huge Tarpon on 15 pound test line. He was right on the beach and waded out about waist deep. He used a Cajun Thunder lure baited with a live shrimp. She isn’t sure how many pounds it was but it was a big fish.

BAIT REPORT – Michelle hasn’t been able to get her hands on much in the way of bait fish but they have plenty of frozen mullet in store.

Feel free to swing by Jerry’s bait and tackle – they are known for their live shrimp.

Michelle (Inshore)
Jerry’s Bait & Tackle
1-850-421-3248

July 23, 2015

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

OFFSHORE – Fishing has been slow both inshore and offshore. Jerry’s Bait and Tackle hasn’t heard anything recently from the offshore fishermen.

INSHORE – According to our friends over at Jerry’s Bait and Tackle there isn’t a whole lot of fishing going on. A lot of people are scalloping instead because the fishing is not that good right now. Partly because it is so hot out. That being said, it is the season for Trout and Redfish and you can be sure to find some, your best bet is to go early or late when it is cool and the water is moving. Shrimp is your go to bait.

BAIT REPORT – There isn’t a lot of bait fish around right now – another reason why the fishing isn’t that great.

Jerry’s Bait and Tackle
1-850-421-3248

July 3rd, 2015

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

OFFSHORE – TJ at AMS Bait Shop has heard the usual fish are biting. There are Grouper and Snapper out there. The Snapper are particularly thick right now. You want to be bottom fishing for these guys with live bait. Not many people are out trolling right now because gas is expensive and TJ hasn’t heard of anyone targeting the Mahi.

INSHORE – TJ assures me that everything is biting. The Redfish and Trout are absolutely going crazy right now. The Tarpon are running too and with this combination of resident fish it makes sense that the best bait is going to be Shrimp – the only problem is following them. If you can’t find live bait for shrimp then what you should do is try to imitate the Shrimp with a Gulp, or perhaps Berkeley. One of the best places to fish is near St. Marks at the mouth of the river where the lighthouse is. Watch for the oyster bars and rocks though, if you aren’t familiar with the area it is really easy to run aground.

BAIT REPORT – There is a good number of bait around mostly Pinfish and Mullet. The Pinfish are on the grass flats and the mullet stick to the grass lines.

TJ
AMS Bait Shop
3026 Coastal Hwy, Crawfordville, FL
850-962-1162

June 26th, 2015

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

OFFSHORE / INSHORE – Around this time of year the Redfish, Flounder, and Mackerel are all going to be biting inshore and offshore. Because our bay is quite shallow, you should expect to find the same fish offshore. Right now there preferred bait is shrimp or anything that imitates a shrimp – Gulp makes some great artificial baits that you might want to try. Try fishing around the bait pods.

BAIT REPORT – Our friends over at Jerry’s Bait and Tackle report that they have been seeing a ton of assorted bait; most people are chumming and scooping them up with a cast net. 

Jerry’s Bait and Tackle 
1-850-421-3248 

June 19,2015 

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

OFFSHORE – Bottom fish the wrecks reefs and hard bottoms if you want to catch some Grouper. You are going to want to drop live bait when you can get it, but most of the stuff at Jerry’s Bait & Tackle is frozen right now. They should have more bait soon. There is Pinfish just off the shore that you can catch and try to use.

INSHORE – A loyal customer over at Jerry’s Bait and Tackle recently brought in two of the biggest Trout our source Michelle had ever seen. Though they aren’t all prizes there are lot of Redfish, Trout, Grouper and Flounder out there. Frozen Shrimp and Fiddler Crab work great for these fish. Otherwise you can try Alewives, Squid, chum, Mackerel and Mullet.

BAIT REPORT – Pinfish are around and people are catching them in cast nets on the shore.

Michelle
Jerry’s Bait & Tackle
1-850-421-3248

June 11th, 2015

Apalachee Bay Fishing Report

OFFSHORE –  King Mackerel, Grouper, and the odd Cobia are out offshore. Theresa over at Jerry’s Bait & Tackle says she will fish between 20-30 feet for these fish. The Grouper are biting nicely on live Sardines, Cigar Minnows, and Stretch 30 while trolling.

INSHORE – Michelle from Jerry’s Bait and Tackle says the Reds, Trout, Sheephead and Flounder have been biting well. They love Shrimp, Fiddler Crabs, Alewives and Cigar Minnows. The tide rules all here, so make sure it is moving. Michelle personally prefers high tide.

BAIT REPORT – You’ll find Pinfish that you can catch with a cast net around Wakulla Beach or in St Marks.

Michelle
Jerry’s Bait & Tackle
664 Woodville Highway, Crawfordville, FL
1-850-421-3248










DISCLAIMER:
Since fishing conditions change from minute to minute we try to keep our reports as updated as possible. Unfortunately, Florida is a large state, so we try to keep our Apalachee Bay Fishing Report updated once a week. If you would like to contribute to the Apalachee Bay Fishing Report, feel free to email your fishing tips to mike@proangler.us. We rely on even small contributions to inform us that fishing conditions have changed so we can update the Apalachee Bay Fishing Report.

The Apalachee Bay Fishing Report is brought to you by the ProAngler team and many, many, highly skilled Captains and bait shop owners.