    
Capt. Mike Winn
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 | | Posted on Thursday, August 08, 2002 - 10:40 am: | |
Subject: Big Bend Report
BIG BEND
How about this cold front? I think it hit 68 degrees this morning. The only problem is that higher wind and seas accompany this cooler weather. Look for an east wind 10 to 15 knots and gusty with seas two to four feet through Sunday.
Redfish catches remain pretty good throughout the Big Bend. Homosassa anglers are taking big reds off the many keys located at the river’s mouth. Live pinfish or cut bait fished under a popping cork or on the bottom account for the best catches. Suwannee anglers have also experienced good catches of reds on flooded bars and grassy points.
Trout fishing has been less spectacular. A few fish are being taken on deeper grass flats from 6- to 12-feet deep. Live pinfish or shrimp fished with or without a float, or jigs worked slow and tight to the bottom are the best ways to fish the deep grass. A slip float is preferable to a popping cork over the deeper grass.
Cedar Key and Suwannee anglers are finding decent numbers of Spanish mackerel and bluefish on deep grass offshore. Spanish are also scattered over hard bottom. Casting or trolling jigs or spoons will take a few fish, but free lining live or cut bait is working best. Live Pilchards or threadfin herring are taking the biggest fish with many in the four to six pound range. Free lining small pinfish or pigfish will give you a shot at some nice size trout as the baits make a run for the grass.
Grouper fishing has been downright slow. If you are putting four or five keepers in the box, you are doing better than most right now. Near shore grouper diggers working water 35 to 45 feet deep are doing just as good as those running much farther offshore. Frozen bait and live baits are taking fish, but those taking the time to catch live baits are doing a bit better. Trolling may be an option, if you can stay clear floating grass that can turn fishing into a chore.
Sharks, tarpon and cobia should be roaming inshore waters looking for a fight. I said SHOULD BE, because cobia and tarpon catches have never really materialized this year. If you are feeling lucky, fish live or dead baits in deep cuts or channels. If you sight rolling tarpon, cast live pinfish, menhaden, mullet, or plugs in their path. Circle hooks will greatly increase your hookup ratio for poons. Just leave the rod in the holder the first few seconds and the tarpon will hook itself.
Good fishing, see you next week!
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