Happy Fishing! Check out this week's Big Bend fishing report
Wayne McGahee III2020 is the start of my 7th decade of fishing and outdoors. Many, like myself have an obsession that burns from inside. Even bad days turn into good days once they’re past. These are used to learn from.
They say 10% of the fishermen catch 90% of the fish. I believe that. I also believe in beginners luck. This doesn’t mean the first time they ever go they catch a trophy although I’ve seen it happen. That particular day ended with money in my pocket.
Five or six years ago there was a local tournament on Lake Jackson. It was held in March, one of the best times to not only catch lots of fish but big ones too. All the components were active. Water temperature, moon phase, wind and I just so happened to find a large pile of big male bass the day before.
Julie Happersett was my Guinee pig. A 45year old mother of three, she grew up in Farmville, Indiana chasing crappie and bream with her grandma. She told me stories of baiting her hook with bee moths, worms and minnows, something few females will do. She could cast a spinning rod but not a lot of accuracy. Matter of fact she was so new to the bass scene, the bass would run half a mile before she realized she was getting a bite.
Morning of the tournament, conditions were turning into the perfect storm for catching. High 60’s as the sun rose, light winds and no one in my spot.
Didn’t take long for the bites to begin. Third or fourth cast and we had a 4 pounder in the boat. A few casts later and another 3pounder.
Using the tournament day as more of a chance to get out and hang with the guys, there was no net. No expectations. Just an opportunity to introduce another into the world of fishing at the next level. Julie got her first bite around 8am, I watched her line run and let her know. She got this one, the fourth keeper of the morning right around 2lbs. Then something amazing happened. The fish gods touched my line after my next cast and the fight was on! Back and forth, run a little drag then under the boat. As the fish flashed then jumped Julie screamed “OMG”, my instructions as I brought the big mama closer only included “grab her by the lip”. I guess during my excitement I forgot to tell her which one. In case you’re wondering, no you cannot grab a nine pound bass by the top lip with your thumb. Staying calm was difficult as a former professional angler. I found composure, wore the big girl out and she wrestled it into the boat with both hands. WOW! How cool is this. First hour of the morning and already have five beautiful bass in the boat.
As we continued down the bank every other cast turned into a bite. Not always a fish but a bite.
By noon we had five fish in the live well that weighed over 20 pounds. If you’ve never fished a tournament that’s really good. As we moved around looking for more good areas we talked about how and why the bass were biting. She picked it up quickly, commenting on new areas we came upon and how the vegetation and bottom were similar to where we started.
March is a great month to search for spawning bass. Another stop led to another area full of spawning bass. Continuing her educational day, we worked on her cast presentation and awareness. I stood to take a break and felt the boat jerk. “Got one”, said Julie. This is where the beginners luck thing comes in. The more we fish the more we learn NOT to reel while the fish is running, for obvious reasons. “Don’t reel till I tell you, keep your rod tip up, put your rod down when they jump, loosen your drag”. One command after another came out of my mouth, no doubt the most confusing time she’s ever had fishing. Her bass made one last run and it was over. In the boat came another 9pounder.
Next words out of her mouth were “mine’s bigger”! Not thank you, or how cool is this or I feel awesome. (Typical I believe for someone in that position).
At the weigh in our total weight was just under 30lbs for the day. That’s a five bass total. With that comes cash and more important for local tournaments are bragging rights.
On the drive back I explained how beginners luck played into our day. ANY tournament angler would tell you the same thing. I couldn’t stress enough what an incredible gift the fishing gods bestowed on us. Since, reality settled in and many tournaments came and went without another Florida Trophy. Through hard work and more time on the water Julie has become an accomplished angler, winning other tournaments both fresh and saltwater. This story is proof of not only beginners luck, but how someone can get “hooked” on fishing, given an opportunity.
Last week tip was about electronics. Let’s keep along those lines and talk trolling motors. For many years there were two companies, and two different styles of trolling motors that dominated the bow mount industry. Hand control and foot control.
Foot control has been the more popular of the two as hands free fishing is way better, especially for freshwater. Awesome 360 degrees maneuverability, comes in variable speeds in multiple powers according the amount of voltage it will take. 12volt is the smallest, using only one battery for power. 24volt will use two batteries wired opposite and they even make one tournament anglers take advantage of in 36volts. This requires extra large storage capacity to store the third battery.
Saltwater anglers seem to prefer the hand control. Even as a lifelong freshwater angler I’ve always preferred it too. It’s versatility and simplistic design was conducive to the different species I chased. Many have reverse, which in emergency situations like current or wind will help keep you from running into a dock, boat, rock or other obstruction. There’s no bulky foot pedal or recessed deck space needed or cable to get tangled. They serve as stability when fishing rough water. You can also fish hands free in certain cases, especially when moving slowly in one general direction. I fish lots of shallow water, fresh or salt doesn’t matter. I keep my base “unlocked” for those sudden encounters with logs, stumps, oyster bars or rocks. I also use the unlocked method when fishing really grassy areas. I’m able to run just the prop, enabling me to get through the really thick vegetation in lakes like Jackson or Seminole.
Next week we’ll talk about the industry and how they’ve created trolling motors that will operate in conjunction with a GPS unit to keep you stationary in wind or current. flpanhandleoutdoors@yahoo.com. Cliff “JR” Mundinger
Until next week, be safe have fun, practice “social fishdancing” and ALWAYS wear a life jacket while boating!
APALACHEE BAY
Otto Hough (myhometownfishing.com) says, “Ma Nature sure was fickle this past weekend on into midweek. First came small windows of opportunity between slow moving overnight storms followed by early arriving midday boomers Saturday and Sunday. During the brief periods without wet stuff, a number of anglers fishing east of the Lighthouse found both trout and reds. The two interlopers that appeared over western Gulf waters at the end of the weekend made it safe for the fish up through Wednesday.
Fortunately, conditions should be much improved over the three day stretch ahead. Light seas with tidal flows again beginning to increase ought to help stimulate the summertime bite a bit. High tides will be happening near midday before lots of water falls out into the early evening lows.
Lately, any oyster along the Forgotten Coastline that is showing actively feeding mullet has been holding trout and reds that are feasting on those mullet. There have been a number of gator trout pigging out on the mullet. Early morning and late evening, the One Knockers, Super Spooks, Skitterwalks and Yo-zuri Hydro-Pencil ( all in bone patterns) have been producing some fine topwater excitement from both species. Later in the day with the heat, working down in the water column with a Mirrolure Heavy Dine or 1/8th ounce jig tipped with a Z-man Trout Trick or Swimming Trick in the Fried Chicken color scheme have both produced well. And it can't go without mention from me, but my favorite "trout killer", aka Saltwater Assassin five inch jerk shad has been snookering more than a handful of 20 inch plus trout.
Outside, not a whole lot to report as storm related swells and higher than normal waves as a peripheral result of the two storms passing to the west limited the number of anglers getting out. Conditions outside will hopefully be much improved with calmer seas along with diminishing winds as the weekend eases along. Remember, when next Tuesday rolls around, gag grouper season will open in State waters of the Big Bend four county area. Then, the run outside will become considerably shorter to find a limit of gags.
Wherever the boat may go, be aware of the increased weekend boat traffic. Lots of anglers and scallopers will be out there plying the waters of the Big Bend. Yes, I'm still sounding like a stuck record as I continue to urge all to wear an auto-inflatable PFD. To some degree, my words must be working as I got word from three seperate anglers that they were acquiring their first ever auto-inflatable. Super. Now, just FISH, safely!
ST GEORGE ISLAND
Captain Russ Knapp (850-653-5072) reports, “Well folks, we made the world's worst weather -- 9.93" of rain in 24 hours.
If the "honey do " jar is getting full this seems to be a good weekend to stay home and thin it out a bit. Last Sunday Apalachicola received an astounding 9.93 inches of rain which made the paper as the World’s Worst Weather for the day and has flooded the bay with fresh water. Needless to say fishing will not be great until things settle down a bit but on the bright side when it does there should be some hungry fish around for you to catch.
The offshore fish have had to deal with two hurricanes and while neither came close the seas have been on the large size and have caused the fish to stack up and lock up their mouths. That said Sept 1 is the opening day of Gag Grouper season so get ready to head out next weekend and bring home some tasty fillets for dinner. Please don't forget to register with Gulf Reef Fish Angler @ GoOutdoorsFlorida.com if your planning on doing your fishing offshore.
For the tip of the week if you are in the market for a kayak remember they are difficult to see on a choppy day and having a brightly colored boat really helps make you visible to other marine traffic. Oranges and reds are my favorite kayak colors and matching your paddle color to the boat is a major plus for helping visibility.
The COVID 19 count for Franklin County stands at 522 with most of the active cases located in the local prison but don't let your guard down and please wear your mask and social distance. Things look much better for next week so take a week off and come on down then.
KEATON BEACH
Captain Pat McGriff http://www.onemorecast.net (850-838-7541) says “My last charter before the monsoons was Thursday of last week and we had a Great Day on the water, despite a shortened trip of only five hours.
We began drifting in 4.5 – 5.0 feet of water and caught ten trout to 24” on live pinfish and pigfish rigged under Back Bay Thunders. We were done
in three hours so we moved in to 3.5 – 4.0 ft. and caught two keeper reds and released 7 keeper trout as well. The rain ran us in before we could secure a third redfish.
I would expect to see similar trends and the 6-8 inches of rain may move the redfish back offshore a ways but this next week will tell.
MEXICO BEACH
Captain Kevin Lanier (KC Sportfishing.com) 850-933-8804 says “weather is the biggest factor for us this week in the Gulf. With 2 storms churning up the water it looks as if we will be tied to the dock into the weekend. Fishing was really good this week leading up to the weather’s arrival.
Mahi Mahi were our biggest surprise really close in. We got 2 nice “Gaffers” 4 miles out of the canal in the buoy line. These 2 were in the 10-pound range. We were trolling for Kings with Duster rigs when the first Mahi, the second hit a pink feather while fighting the first fish. When trolling for these I travel at about 7 knots and shiny spoons or bright colored feather work well
Vermillion Snapper fishing is very good. 80 feet of water or more. We are catching them using squid and cut bait. Pay attention to your depth sounder. Most of these fish are midway in the water column. 2 hook rigs work great for these. I try to stay with a 4 oz or less sinker
Amberjack have been a little tougher to find. We are fishing around structures with Live bait or vertical jigging. I use vertical jigs from Silver Horde/ Goldstar lures. Pink and white is my favorite. These are available at the Marina store in Mexico Beach or on line thru Silver Horde.
Until next time, Good Fishing
LAKE JACKSON
Each morning I drive North on Monroe street and pass the newer landing on 27. Each day my hopes and dreams for the return of Lake Jackson diminish as more and more grass takes over the surface. Where I used to see baitfish “sprinkle” it’s been replaced with thick, matted vegetation, thick enough for small birds to walk on.
Recent hurricanes passed us by without a glimpse. A short shower or two, did more for the temperature than the water table.
Believe it or not there’s still boats that can be seen a little further out. Though small, they fit the current situation well. No doubt catching monster bass, one of Lake Jackson’s most famous attractions.
Last time Lake Jackson got this low I remember running into a boat with out of state plates at the local gas station. They saw my truck, decorated with fishin decals and asked the current status of our famed jewel. He must have noticed the drop in my jaw, before I could say anything, he said “I should have called first huh”. “Yup” I replied. I pointed them in the direction of Lake Talquin and Lake Iamonia. Today those would be my recommendation too.
Until next week, be safe have fun and ALWAYS wear a life jacket while boating.Facebook@flpanhandleoutdoors. Email fishtallahassee@yahoo.com. Cliff “JR Mundinger 850-296-4071