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Fishing Reports for Local Area - Location |
    
Sandra Allen (Sandra_allen)
New member
Username: Sandra_allen
Post Number: 8
Registered: 3-2006
Rating: 
Votes: 2 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, April 01, 2008 - 5:26 am: | |
April means fishing!
Sandra Allen
Book Me A Charter Guide Service
Man, I Love My Job!
The spring fishing season is upon us and all the captains are like kids in a candy store. This is the month for fishing! The excitement is in the air (or should I say in the water) and we can hardly wait to go fishing everyday.
I'd also like to add March fishing has been fantastic as the photos below reflect.
We have been blessed this past month with some wonderful families who love to fish. We are so honored to have been chosen as their guides and look forward to many years of fishing together.
The term "fish on" has a new meaning for some of these fishing folks as they said it many times...
Inshore…. Early April fishing is typically pretty good, some days down right excellent. Bait fish are everywhere inside and outside the Apalachicola and St. Joe Bay. Spanish mackerel are in full swing following the bait pods through out the area waters. Speckled trout, redfish, flounder, sheepshead, pompano, tripletail and black drum are among the daily list of targeted inshore species. The terrible news is that the catfish are back in full swing too because of the recent rise in water temperatures and influx of bait fish.
Anyone that was fortunate enough to fish with us in the past when the spring fishing was on; knows exactly what we are talking about… Grab your hats and come on; it’s getting Very Fishy around here!
Want to try something unique, try a nighttime flounder gigging charter out of the Apalachicola Bay with our experienced native guides.
Our guides offer generations of knowledge of fishing in their back yard!
Offshore.... We have been offshore fishing several times in the past month and in general the fishing has been excellent in action, but hard to get away from the red snapper. Red Snapper season opens for state waters April 15th and Federal waters April 22nd. We are anxiously awaiting the opening of the red snapper season and pray that they (snapper) haven’t been reading the news of their impending fate. Now for grouper, triggerfish and rest of those bottom dwellers we so love to catch, it’s been pretty good too. Grouper when you’re able to get through the wall of red snapper to the bottom have been biting well.
Snapper season opens in state waters on April 15th and several of my boats are already booked for the week following that. I have a few boats still open, so call early to insure that you will be in on the first few days of snapper season opening or our wonderful inshore fishing for speckled trout, spanish mackerel, redfish, tripletail and a never ending list of fish species entering our bay waters daily.
We have had a boat load of calls and emails for snapper season opening as well as people checking available dates during their vacation, but we are not completely booked as of yet. That has a tendency to change as the word gets out about our excellent inshore and offshore fishing during this time of year. Don’t be the one setting on the dock waiting for a boat to come in or franticly calling around looking for just any captain on a days notice. Make your fishing arrangements early to insure you will have your preferred captain available to you during your vacation.
If you’re looking for experienced, family friendly, native guides give us a call 850-653-2622 or drop us an email info@BookMeACharter.com
We’d love to take you fishing in our back yard!
Sandra Allen
Book Me A Charter Guide Service
Apalachicola, FL
850-653-2622
web: www.BookMeACharter.com
email: info@BookMeACharter.com |
Sandra Allen (Sandra_allen)
New member
Username: Sandra_allen
Post Number: 7
Registered: 3-2006
Rating:
Votes: 5 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, December 07, 2007 - 10:18 am: | |
Seeing spots before your eyes?
If you've been fishing with us at Book Me A Charter you have!
By: Sandra Allen
Book Me A Charter
Apalachicola & St George Island Fishing
Just as we predicted, the Apalachicola Bay fishing this fall season has been FANTASTIC! We’ve been catching loads of speckled trout, black drum and some days some really nice bull reds. Of course every day’s a new day and as expected this time of year some days are better than others but in general, it has been a wonderful year for our fishing clientele…
Go ahead and Brag Guys, you've earned it!
November’s warmer than normal weather has extended our fall season and to date we are still catching nice fish in the Apalachicola Bay, River and the Gulf of Mexico when the weather will allow an offshore trip.
Feel free browse our photo album located on our website at www.BookMeACharter.com and look around, you will see many days stating “LIMITS CAUGHT”. Our Apalachicola native guides work hard to find fish (it also helps that our grandfathers fished the same waters that we fish daily) to say the least, it’s in our genes…
Now to the fishing predictions for December…
During December the temperatures do tend to vary from day to day or week to week with passing fronts. Normally our temperatures are between 40-50 degrees at night and 55-75 degrees during the day…
Dress in layers, it’s not unusual at all to have a few mid to high seventy degree days thrown in there too, just as a teaser, to remind you that spring is on the way.
December fishing should be on and off with the passing fronts- excellent when the temperatures are up and usually slower during a barometric change. On those good days when the weather and conditions are right, the warm temperatures and bright sun warms the water the fishing should be pretty good in the bay around the oyster bars, passes, cuts, flats and areas of the Apalachicola River.
Let’s not forget about the offshore fishing which can be pretty productive in the winter as well. The weather is always a big factor for offshore fishing but with enough advance notice and a keen eye on the weather it is possible to go out and drop a line or two for some nice grouper.
We would like to wish you and your family a Safe and Happy Holiday Season and a Very Merry Christmas!
If you’re looking for friendly, native guides give us a call!
We’d love to take you Fishing in Our Back Yard!
Sandra Allen
Book Me A Charter
Apalachicola, FL
850.653.2622
web: www.BookMeACharter.com
email: info@BookMeACharter.com |
Sandra Allen (Sandra_allen)
New member
Username: Sandra_allen
Post Number: 6
Registered: 3-2006
Rating:
Votes: 7 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, November 01, 2007 - 9:58 am: | |
Wonderful Fall Fishing!
By Sandra Allen
Book Me A Charter
The 44th annual Florida Seafood festival(the oldest in the state) will be held November 2nd and 3rd at Battery Park located in Apalachicola FL (at the foot of the Apalachicola Bridge). This year there will be live entertainment, a parade, food of all sorts, arts and craft venders. This years entertainer will be Sammy Kershaw!
For more information please visit the website http://www.floridaseafoodfestival.com
We would love to see you there!
Of course, we have boats available for those that would rather fish, than be amongst the crowd.
Now to the fishing report!
The Inshore fishing this time of year has been exactly as predicted-Excellent so far!
We expect the fishing to be wonderful through November and into December…
Remember, just because it’s getting cooler doesn’t mean that the fishing has cooled off. It simply means that the waters are cooling, the nights are getting longer and the fish are trying to feed up for the winter… Yes, even in the winter you can still catch fish in the Apalachicola Bay, they just seem to be a little slower to react to your bait…
So, if you want to get in on some excellent fall fishing before winter sets in, give us a call.
We do have boats open and ready to go!
Inshore and Offshore Report……
Inshore…. Grab your hats, call your buddies and come on down!
The fishing in general has been very good when the winds will slow down long enough to allow us to go "spot checking."
Speckled Trout and redfish action has been HOT! With the weather seeming to be 2-3 weeks behind schedule in temperature we are expecting the excellent fishing to continue into December with the right conditions... Of course cold fronts and wind patterns can create an occasional slow day, THAT'S FISHING! Water temps are just cooling off, which is what triggers inshore species to feed up(and redfish to spawn) for the upcoming winter season... We have also been catching some really nice flounder, blackdrum and sheepshead. Go to the Book Me A Charter photo album for a daily posting of the fish that we have been catching. You will notice that there are many photos that have “LIMIT CAUGHT” under the photo that would tell you one thing… The fishing has been fantastic inshore!
We will be offering Flounder gigging charters through out November-depending on the weather.
Offshore... We expect the offshore fishing to be fair to good in the fall for grouper, triggerfish and snapper (however note all red snapper have to be thrown back because of closed season.) We are able to keep other snapper such as lane, white and grey snapper. During the fall, the weather is a big factor for offshore fishing. The fall winds tend to blow for days then calm in a matter of hours, sometimes even though the winds have calmed, the waters may still be rough- it takes a while for the waters to calm after a few days of heavy winds and surf. On those days when the weather will allow us to venture offshore expect to catch a mixed bag of offshore dwellers.
If you’re looking for experienced, friendly, native guides give us a call 850-653-2622 or locate us on the web at
www.BookMeACharter.com
We’d love to take you fishing in our back yard!
Sandra Allen
Book Me A Charter
850-653-2622
web: www.BookMeACharter.com
email: info@BookMeACharter.com |
CaptainIDS (Captainids)
New member
Username: Captainids
Post Number: 23
Registered: 9-2007
Rating: 
Votes: 1 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, September 05, 2007 - 10:06 am: | |
Are you a Licensed Coast Guard Captain?
This is for you
http://www.captainids.com/ |
Sandra Allen (Sandra_allen)
New member
Username: Sandra_allen
Post Number: 5
Registered: 3-2006
Rating:
Votes: 11 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, May 02, 2007 - 7:03 am: | |
The waters are warmer and the fishing is hotter!
Sandra Allen
Book Me A Charter
Aprils cool beginning should have us fishing a longer spring season for inshore species of fish. Expect our Apalachicola area waters to slowly warm. As May temperatures start to heat up the bays and estuarial area waters expect the fishing in general to be good, some days excellent with the right conditions. <
Inshore… The inshore fishing was on fire during the month of April. We expect the “catching” trend to continue into May. Our target fish this month are Spanish Mackeral, Speckled trout, Redfish, Black Drum and Flounder just to name a few of the many species that we catch this time of year. If you’ve ever been out triple tail fishing and were able to snag one of those fighting rascals you know you have to go out and do it again. I’ve got great news for all you tripletail enthusiast- The tripletail are here! Expect May fishing to be good through out the month.
Speckled Trout, Tripletail, Redfish and Spanish Mackeral are the hot ticket for the inshore angler this month…
Don’t limit yourself to one species of fish guys, go for the slam!
We do offer FLOUNDER GIGGING charters for the Apalachicola area waters.
Offshore.... May and June are typically calm months for offshore fishing. Aprils offshore fishing was good, we expect the fishing to only get better in May and June as the gulf waters warm with our beautiful spring weather. Expect to catch Grouper, Snapper, Triggerfish, King Mackeral and Cobia for a mixed bag of reef dwellers while bottom fishing or flat lining our area reefs and wrecks.
We have been fishing a lot lately, feel free to browse around our website and look at our huge photo album with over 30 pages of fantastic fishing pictures (bragging rights) of our wonderful clients with their prize catch. We are located online at www.BookMeACharter.com.
We Know/Go fishing!
The weather predictions for this week are wonderful for both inshore and offshore fishing with offshore seas predicted at 1-2 ft wave heights the entire week. The great news for you is we do have boats open and captains ready to go fishing. If you are close by and are feeling sick(with fishing fever)call us and we can make arrangements.
Let’s go fishing while the weather predictions are calm.
If you’re looking for experienced, family friendly, native guides give us a call 850-653-2622.
We’d love to take you fishing in our backyard!
Sandra Allen
Book Me A Charter
Apalachicola, FL
850-653-2622
www.BookMeACharter.com
email: info@BookMeACharter.com |
Gene Baldwin (Gbaldwin)
New member
Username: Gbaldwin
Post Number: 1
Registered: 10-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, October 23, 2006 - 12:05 pm: | |
Any info on reds around BS Cut? |
Sandra Allen (Sandra_allen)
New member
Username: Sandra_allen
Post Number: 3
Registered: 3-2006
Rating:
Votes: 8 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, September 15, 2006 - 7:15 am: | |
Book Me A Charter Fall Fishing Report…
By: Sandra Allen
When you think of fall do you think of- football?, hunting season?, changing colors of the leaves?, school back in session? Well let me add one more thing to the list of things to think of during the fall- that would have to be AWESOME FISHING!! Fall is one of the best times in the year to go fishing, the temperatures are cooler, bay and gulf waters are normally clearer and the beaches less frequented!
Last years fall fishing was fantastic, many days catching 40-50 redfish and/or limits on speckled trout, sheepshead and black drum in a day!
We expect the same excellent fall fishing this year!
Inshore….The cooling months of October and November are prime fall fishing months for schooling Redfish, Speckled Trout, Flounder and Black Drum. Fall fishing is always some of the best therefore one of the most requested fishing seasons in the year. Our nights are getting longer and cooler thus the water temperatures are slowly dropping. Anyone who knows fishing, knows that this combination is what triggers fish to “do their thing” which is feed to prepare for the cooler months of winter.
Offshore....In general the offshore fishing has been very good. We have been catching Red Snapper, Red and Gag Grouper, King Mackerel and Cobia. Our captains are reporting good offshore fishing in water 45-100 ft. in depth from 6-20 miles offshore. We expect good offshore fishing to continue through the fall season. Remember recreational Red Snapper season closes October 31, so if you would like to get in on the snapper fishing before the season closes- give us a call or drop us an email at info@BookMeACharter.com for more information or to book a charter.
Fair warning guys we are already booking trips for next year!
If you’re looking for experienced, friendly, native guides give us a call 850-653-2622.
We’d love to take you fishing in our back yard!
Locate us online at www.BookMeACharter.com |
gary r goodrich (Captain_gary_goodrich)
New member
Username: Captain_gary_goodrich
Post Number: 7
Registered: 8-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - 2:08 pm: | |
I didn’t expect to be catching the amount of fish we have this early in September , but I have never been one to complain . Fish on !! Wow I love those two words.
Port St Joe area has been holding good numbers of Trout even if there not gators they do cook up just as fair. The Redfish are holding tight to the school and there are plenty to be found . From Crooked Island Sound to the head of St Joe Bay you are sure to find the Redfish in the slot and over. Off/Near shore we have had lots of fun . We have landed good kings, Spanish, small Triggers , Black snapper and a ton of Dolphin.
Apalachicola area the Triple Tail are still there around structure and markers. We have landed many good ones with the largest ( my personal best ) coming in at 17 lbs. The Tarpon in west pass are still taking crabs and mullet although the hookups are getting fewer. The big Jacks are stacked up in the 40 foot holes . And you can expect them all over the 12 lbs range . Just fish a mullet on the bottom and hold on. Off/Near shore we have landed Black Snapper , Lady fish , Blue fish and the Spanish.
Dog Island Reef area still holding Trout , but the Flounder have slowed. If your that way the Redfish and Black Snapper are stacked in the pass at the shrimp boat. You will catch the Ladyfish and Spanish along the beach most anywhere..
Well that’s the areas I have hit this past week . I hope everyone gets in on the good September fishing have a Safe trip and I wish you all the best of Luck.
Captain Gary Goodrich
A Bay Charter 1-850-Bay-Fish
www.fishingportstjoe.com |
Sandra Allen (Sandra_allen)
New member
Username: Sandra_allen
Post Number: 2
Registered: 3-2006
Rating:
Votes: 8 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, June 21, 2006 - 5:34 am: | |
Fishing information for vacationers and visitors to St. George Island, Cape San Blas, Apalachicola and Port St. Joe areas in Northwest FL.
Hi Everyone,
We hope everyone had a wonderful Fathers Day! Even those that aren’t fathers, hopefully you were able to spend time on the phone or in person with your family and celebrate a wonderful day of appreciation.
The weather in general has been pretty good since our last fishing report. Light of a couple days of winds and rain during the tropical storm, everything is back to normal.
We have been doing a whole lot of fishing!
I know I’ve been hearing you guys say “where’s the fishing reports that you normally send out?” As you can tell from the fishing report pictures I have been VERY BUSY!
The phones have been ringing off the hook, the emails, the people who meet me at the store are asking about fishing. I haven’t been able to create them as frequently as I normally do, there just doesn’t seem to be enough time in the day. I do apologize, but if you need a daily or weekly report, just go to the photo album, I try to add photos as they are given to me. Feel free to call, you know I LOVE to talk about fishing.
Tarpon are starting to show up around the passes and outside beaches in the area. The tarpon numbers aren’t thick yet, but should be soon, if last year is an indication of things to come! Hopefully, in the next week or so they will be here in full force as they normally are every year about this time.
Inshore…. The fishing has been fair. The waters are warmer at 81-84 degrees, thus the fishing has been off and on. Spanish Mackerel are pretty much through out the bay. Redfish and trout are hit or miss at this time of year, someday doing well early in the morning and late in the evening. The captains are reporting excellent catch on shark fishing trips when the weather will allow them to venture to their normal shark holes.
Tarpon catches and sightings are starting to increase we expect the numbers to continue to increase with the warmer waters. Tripletails are here, the old timers are talking about this being one of the best years they have ever seen for the fighting beauties… If you’ve ever tried to catch a tripletail (also known as a sunfish), you know that they’re very hard to catch. It takes an accurate cast and a little bit of good luck to bring one to the boat. Congratulations to those who have been able to entice one off of a buoy to bite your bait.
Right now, Shark, Spanish mackerel, Redfish, Speckled Trout and Tripletail are the target fish…. Hopefully in a week or two you can add tarpon the list.
Offshore.... Snapper, snapper and more snapper. The more consistent catch at this time is red snapper. Many of our trips have limited out or came very close to legal limits on red snapper. We have been catching a lot of grouper, but most are an inch shy of legal, throw back numbers are high. We have caught some really nice grouper as evident in the photos, it really depends on what you want to target. As the gulf waters warm with the summer season close at hand expect the fishing to only get better offshore. Amberjack, kings and cobia are here and we’ve been catching a few but it’s hit or miss which is typical for this time of year. We expect an excellent year for fishing both inshore and offshore.
Our boats have been fishing a lot lately, and many of you have been very lucky to find an open day during your vacation… Some of you were told, “sorry we’re booked for the next two or three days” so you were unable to go fishing with us during your vacation because our schedules were full. Please book early to insure that this doesn’t happen to you. It’s as simple as a phone call or an email to insure that you have a boat waiting at the dock, gassed up, iced up and ready to go fishing. If the weathers bad the day you are scheduled we will do our best to reschedule you during your vacation.
We are family friendly, so bring the kids and let’s go fishing!
If you’re looking for experienced, friendly, native guides give us a call 850-653-2622 or send us an email info@BookMeACharter.com
We’d love to take you fishing in our back yard!
Sandra Allen
Book Me A Charter
Inshore and Offshore Fishing
www.BookMeACharter.com |
Sandra Allen (Sandra_allen)
New member
Username: Sandra_allen
Post Number: 1
Registered: 3-2006
Rating:
Votes: 15 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, March 10, 2006 - 6:38 am: | |
The weathers perfect!
Today’s temperatures are around 75 and a slight, easy breeze off the gulf. This is picture perfect weather for catching fish! Water temperatures are slowly starting to increase with all these beautiful sunny days. Now how more perfect can it get?
Inshore… If February’s fishing is an indication of the fishing to come, man we are all in for a treat. There were several days last month we went out and caught good fish which included speckled trout, redfish, sheepshead and black drum. We also had a couple days of slow to moderate fishing, but that’s normal for February and early March. As the water heats up this month with the warming weather, so will the fishing. This month the target fish are redfish, speckled trout, sheepshead and drum- pompano should be showing up around mid March.
Don’t forget, we also have flounder gigging charters available in the Apalachicola Bay!
Offshore... Last months weather has only allowed us to venture offshore a couple of days but on those days the fishing was fair to good. Snapper bite was great, of course all red snapper has to be thrown back until April 15th. Even though we did throw back the red snapper we were able to bring home some beautiful grouper, lane snapper and trigger fish for a large family dinner. We expect the fishing to only get better as the waters warm….
The target fish are grouper, snapper, triggerfish and a variety of reef dwelling fish. King mackerel and cobia should be here late in the month with their natural migration west...
Early-mid spring is the time to go fishing, the water’s warming the suns shining brighter and the fish are always hungry….
The emails and phone calls have been coming in for information and available dates for charters. We have been booking trips for the spring and summer season. All you guys waiting to get your schedules together, it’s time to firm up all those tentative dates.
For all you guys that want to go fishing and haven’t made a reservation yet. Don’t worry; we still have boats open at this time so feel free to give us a call and see what may be available.
If you’re looking for experienced, friendly native guides give us a call 850-653-2622 or drop us an email info@BookMeACharter.com
We’d love to take you fishing in our back yard! |
gary r goodrich (Captain_gary_goodrich)
New member
Username: Captain_gary_goodrich
Post Number: 1
Registered: 8-2005
Rating: 
Votes: 1 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, August 07, 2005 - 6:37 pm: | |
July is a good month for St Joe bay. We here at A Bay Charter 1-850-Bay-Fish have put a lot of fish in the boat along with many gallons of scallops. Soon after hurricane Dennis hit Pensacola we were out fishing. We did well all month long catching Tarpon, trout, red fish , Spanish, Blue fish and sharks. We haven’t fished for flounder but still have landed a few so we know they are there. One fish we have been catching and not expecting legal size has been grouper. A few have been keepers, and all were caught in the bay. The best live bait for July was pin fish and the best arttie was Capt Mikes gold spoon. We did land all the bigger fish on the gold spoon. All the shellfish have been taken at the head of the bay. We have made the limit each trip out. Hope to see you all on the water , have a safe trip Captain Goodrich |
Wendy Jackson (Wendyjackson)
New member
Username: Wendyjackson
Post Number: 2
Registered: 12-2004
Rating:
Votes: 6 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, January 10, 2005 - 4:43 am: | |
We have a rental property on Cape San Blas and I would love to provide our guests with more fishing information and contacts! If any of the Captains out there have a web site and would like to do a link exchange I would love to add you to our site. Would also love to get any input on our write up on fishing on our site...see "Our Favorite Activites" on www.TheCapeEscape.com!
Look forward to hearing back from you!
Wendy Jackson
www.TheCapeEscape.com |
fishermanman
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, November 21, 2002 - 1:15 am: | |
Subject: muah
what the heck
what what what |
Capt. Randy
Unregistered guest
Rating:
Votes: 1 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 22, 2002 - 6:00 pm: | |
Subject: Fishing Report of 10-22-02
Apalachicola, St. George Island to St. Marks, Florida -- Offshore
Finally, we are getting into true fall weather conditions.
Nice crisp mornings, beautiful sunrises over the Gulf as we go offshore, and the water is cooling down a little. The surface temps are still in the high 70s though, and we would prefer them to be a little lower at this time of year.
Our fish are trying to get into the fall spirit, but they are still confused and somewhat scattered. The waters are still a little turbid, but are continuing to clear.
The baby grouper, especially the reds, aren’t confused in the least. On the 4 trips we were able to take offshore this last week we averaged catching and releasing better than 90 small grouper per trip. I believe we only had 2 fish die on us out of all the ones we released. I can say for sure that we have been feeding the babies to the utmost and they should be fat and sassy next year.
On the 17th our long time clients, Tom Gross, Sr. and Jr. brought Shelton and Marc Floyd and Jerry Cook down from up around Atlanta to fish with Debo and I.
One of the fellows brought a bag of artificial lures he wanted to try out on our grouper, but it was the next to last stop before we remembered to try them. I rigged one up for him and he dropped it down. BANG! The largest fish of the day jumped all over that thing. A red grouper at about 17#! I was shocked.
I have tried a whole gaggle of artificials over the years with zip results on all. The results with that little lure was refreshing, to say the least.
He continued to fish with the lure and caught a couple of more keepers on it before we had to head back to the hill. He left a couple with me to try on the next day’s fishing trip and I was looking forward to trying out this possible new secret weapon.
I found that if you have got the fish in a feeding frenzy, the lure works fine. But, then again, most anything works fine when they are in that mode. Chicken gizzards, hot dogs, bubble gum, and I suspect that if I were down there with them they would try to nibble on me. Thanks fellows for bringing that lure with you.
I haven’t given up on it in the least and have purchased a few more to give it a fair try.
Oh, yea. We had a very good day. Another 13 nice grouper and 17 red snapper were added to the ones produced by the lure and I’m going to try to get the picture Tom, Jr. sent me up on the site this week.
Back in July, Billy Westmoreland brought a bunch of his buddies down from up in South Carolina to fish with us. We had a banner day getting our limit of 30 big ole bubba grouper by 10:30 that morning and Billy promptly booked us for two days back to back this past 18th and 19th. What a difference a couple of hurricanes and fickle fish can make.
Billy, Roy Baykin, Rodney Bolen, Harold Still, C.A. Palmer and L.K. Young all fished as hard as anyone could have on both days. But, our fishy friends decided to play hard to get. The two day total was 21 grouper to 17#, 11 snapper to 8# and a spanish mack that decided to nibble on left over cut bait on one of the fellows retrieve.
Not a bad catch at all, but we had all hoped for better.
And, Thanks Billy, for our ration of fine deer meat again. We had some of the cubed steak last night and it was wonderful.
Our long time client, Wayne Lay brought Sam Higdon, Ed Fannin, Jeff Starling and Sean Myers down from Tallahassee to fish with us on Sunday the 20th.
The day started off a little bouncy as we had to motor bow on into a 4’ sea to get to the area I wanted to fish. It calmed down some towards lunchtime making for an all and all fairly comfortable day offshore.
The fish continued to be a little snooty, but we still managed a fair catch of 9 nice grouper to 14#, a red snapper at about 6#, a lane snapper and 2 nice king macks at about 40” each.
The kings are fairly thick out there right now. Shoot, we may even try trolling for some this coming week.
Take those kids fishing
&
Catch Em’ Up!
Capt. Randy
|
Robinson Brothers
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, October 18, 2002 - 2:36 pm: | |
Subject: The Best Week of the Season
Weather permitting , this weekend and next week are historically the best days in October for Trout & Redfish-ing. The tides look pretty good too! AND we finally had our first cold front come through yesterday & today - this is a good thing for the redfish. You’re in luck if you can get here - your favorite guide is open & waiting to fish with you. OK, enough with the commercials.
Tommy’s last eight days of sight fishing redfish were pretty spectacular and 3 of those days he counted in his top twenty best days of Redfishing - and he has been fishing professionally for over 22 years. Mark Goodwin, Flinn Maxwell, Greg Marrett, Jim Brown & Karen Ventimiglia, and Scott Finkler were some of those fortunate enough to have hooked up with Capt. Tommy. The Redfish haven't been huge but they are plentiful.
Parker Electric Company had their company-wide fishing trip here October 5th, fishing out of 8 Bay boats & 2 Flats skiffs. The biggest fish caught was a 22lb Cobia. They also caught a 5lb tripletail and their limits of Reds and Trout. Thanks to the Red Top Café for arranging for their breakfasts & box lunch and to Papa Joe’s Restaurant for preparing their fresh fish and outstanding service. Bayfishing trips over the past 2 weeks have been very successful, with most of the action early and tapering off mid-day. I haven’t booked any offshore trips recently, but Capt. Charles Wilson has reported some excellent fishing & large catches on calm water.
Looking forward to some cooler weather & a great fall!
(PS - Logo caps are back!) |
Capt. Randy Craft
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 15, 2002 - 1:22 am: | |
Subject: Fishing Report of 10-14-02
Apalachicola, ST. George Island to St. Marks, Florida -- Offshore
Our waters are clearing up, slowly but surely. The fish are obtaining a better attitude, slowly but surely.
We’ve been able to pick up some live pin and pig fish for baits and the fish are more inclined to take them. And, along with the live bait our frozen baits are still producing nicely……when our fishy friends are in the mood to feed.
The little baby grouper are certainly in the mood it seems. I don’t think I can remember catching and releasing so many little red grouper as we have done in the last few trips. The last three trips we have averaged releasing more than 90 fish per day. And, of the 90 we only lost 3 or possibly 4. Two were taken by cudas and the other two were just too badly hooked to be saved.
Those little fish are EVERYWHERE! From 28’ on out to better than 100’ they are thicker than fleas on a fat dog. It’s a good indicator to me that our grouper population is in fine shape and should continue to be on into the future.
We had three nice, super fun trips over the past weekend. Mother Nature was doing her best to see that the sea conditions were as favorable as they ever get.
All three trips out to our beautiful Gulf were in 1’ to 2’ seas or just downright slick.
On the 11th Steve and Cathy Russo brought their close friends, Rog and Barbara and Pete and LaShaw Paine down from up around Douglasville, Georgia to enjoy an encore of their earlier trip of this year. We didn’t catch quite as many fish on this trip as on the previous one, but it was a better mix of fish and everyone had a great time.
This fine group of folks worked hard and took 10 grouper to 19# and 16 red snapper to 11# making up a very respectable catch at the end of the day. The trip was a first for the ladies and I don’t think the guys will be able to leave them home in the future. I say worked hard and I mean it. Remember that in addition to the keepers, they caught and released more than 90 smaller fish.
Gary and Shane Bennett and Steve Laboda and Chad Haney came down from the Alpharetta / Lawrenceville, Georgia area to fish with us on the 12th.
The baby grouper were still pretty active, but the big guys decided they had watched the babies feed long enough. We were very busy on every stop and at about 1:00 we had our limit of 20 fine grouper to 18#. We went in search of snapper and were able to take 4 black snapper to 6# and 1 red snapper at about 6# before the grouper started rising off the bottom to take our baits. What a great problem to have! We released several keeper grouper unharmed to fight another day.
“Big Daddy” Roger Croft brought his buds, Ben and Don Galloway, A.D. Holt, and Winsel Love over from Valdosta, Georgia to enjoy some fishy business with us on Sunday.
We had great hopes that the big guys would continue their frenzied feeding as they had done on Saturday, but the big un’s held back and let the babies absolutely tear us up. I know we caught and released better than 100 baby grouper……….mostly red.
We did manage to take 12 keeper grouper to 12# and 3 black snapper and 2 red snapper all going in the 6# range before the babies could cover us up. It was a fun day and we surely caught a bunch of fish.
Take those kids fishing & Catch Em’ Up!
Capt. Randy
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Capt. Randy
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, October 09, 2002 - 5:00 pm: | |
Subject: Fishing Report of 10-09-02
Apalachicola, St. George Island to St. Marks, Florida -- Offshore
As I mentioned in my last report, passing hurricanes can be a blessing or a bane or most anything in between for our offshore fishing efforts.
For the last couple of trips we have most recently run, conditions have leaned more toward the latter. This past Saturday, the bay was so muddy that catching pin fish for our live baits was not an option. We tried, but were greeted with hordes of hungry hard head cats. Yesterday, we didn’t even try for them. Suffice it to say, the adverse conditions are not only affecting our efforts as all our charter captain buddies are doing the same groan and moan.
On the plus side, the murkiness of the waters offshore is improving quickly. Saturdays trip showed improving clarity starting about 16 miles offshore. Yesterday, the waters began clearing at about 9 miles. Hopefully by this coming weekend our waters will be back to their normal pristine conditions.
This past Saturday we had the Ethridge clan down from Doerun, Georgia to fish with us. Dad Gary brought Gary M., Brenda Joyce, Sarah and Rachel along to have a go at our upset and displaced fishy friends.
We fished far and wide, shallow and deep and about as hard as you can imagine and finished a calm, sunny day with a pretty good catch, considerin’.
8 good grouper to 14# and 4 nice red snapper to 8# made the trip back home with us. Back at the dock, Gary was looking around for a large angle lens for his camera to make the catch hung on the fish board look a little bit bigger. Still, everyone had a great time. There was no shortage of grins at the end of the day, and that’s the real bottom line.
Yesterday, Ernie Rezendes brought his extended family and good friends in from just about all over the world to fish with us. I say just about, because his son Scott, who is just back from a tour in Afghanistan was to fish with us. Scott’s son, (and I’m sorry I didn’t get his name) who turned 6 yesterday had a man to man talk with dad persuading him to spend the day with him. Though we missed Scott’s presence, it was the capital thing to do. In another couple of years we will have both of them on the boat and have a sure nuff’ fine day!
Along with Ernie, the crew consisted of Debbie and Ryan Lovell, Mary Birt and the retired sheriff of our fair Franklin County, Warren Roddenberry.
Last year, at about this time, Ernie and a bunch of his buddies from Tallahassee fished with us and we absolutely slayed the fish. We had a limit of bubba class grouper early on in the day and 6 tired but happy fishermen. What a difference a year and changing sea conditions can make.
The morning produced 4 nice frisky grouper for us and I had high hopes for the rest of the day in spite of the 20 or 30 catch and release little guys we sent back down unharmed. But, alas, though we were on large concentrations of big fish the rest of the day, we could only entice 2 more grouper and 1 nice red snapper to bite. At about lunchtime all the fish got lockjaw and we couldn’t buy a bite for the rest of the day.
Yep, here of late, fishing has been tough and the catching part has been somewhat tougher. Things will get better though. Conditions will improve and our fishy friends will get back into the swing of things. I hope it’s soon, cause’ there may be a crew down the road that will want this captain to walk back.
Take those kids fishing & Catch Em’ Up!
Capt. Randy |
Capt. Randy
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 01, 2002 - 6:12 pm: | |
Subject: Fishing Report of 10-01-02
Apalachicola, St. George Island to St. Marks, Florida -- Offshore
For the last few weeks, since the 11th of September, we have been pretty much laying low and dodging hurricanes as best we can.
It’s most fortunate for us that the brunt of the last couple of blows have come ashore to the west of us and caused no damage in our area.
The storms have of course, played havoc with our fishing schedules. We are only allowed to fish at Mother Nature’s behest. Man’s plans, vacations, bank notes due, etc. are certainly secondary to her whims.
Normally, after a hurricane or two our waters are churned up some and the bottom changes offshore. It can be a mixed blessing. It can displace a bunch of hungry fish, move them to us or it can scatter our home boys making them a little more difficult to locate.
The 11th of September was the last opportunity we have had to fish up until this past Sunday, the 29th. We have had 8 groups of folks who have had to re schedule their trips making the later three months of our season busy indeed.
On Sunday, Fran and Len Reynolds, Beth and Butch Yarbrough, Fran Trulock and Richard Smith came down from the Camilla and Bainbridge area of Georgia to try their luck at fishing with us.
The trip turned into a scouting expedition early on. Yep, our home boys have been scattered. I went west to some very productive spots only to find nothing.
I worked south and found a few fish that were a little out of sorts and not really interested in feeding. We worked our way over to the east side to really beautiful bottom only to find more fickle fish.
We fished hard all day and hit almost twice the number of spots that I would normally try. I extended the trip by an hour or so to make sure that we gave the fish a good try, but we never could get the big boys fired up when I did find them. We ended a fun and beautifully calm day with 6 grouper to 12#, 1 nice black snapper at about 8# and a good mess of black sea bass.
I think the slow bite was a timing thing. It’s possible to fish too soon after a blow as it sometimes takes a few days for the bottom and the fish to settle down.
We were to have fished today, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, but it appears that Mother Nature has different ideas for us again. I’ll be back in touch when she decides to give us a break.
Take those kids fishing & Catch Em’ Up!
Capt. Randy
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Capt. Randy
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, September 17, 2002 - 7:08 am: | |
Subject: Fishing Report of 9-16-02
Apalachicola, St. George Island to St. Marks, Florida -- Offshore
We have had a minor blow from Mother Nature this past week that supplied only much needed rain……..thanks goodness.
The down side was that three of our groups of fisherfolk had to reschedule for later on in the fall and hopefully we will be able to get out then.
We were able to get out on the 10th with Billy and Frances Chain, Harold and Minnie Livingston and Tim and Darnell Livingston. These fine folks hail from Monticello, Florida, Steens, Mississippi and Ethelsville, Alabama.
As we rounded Dog Island at the east past it was a pleasure to be greeted by the calmest day we have experienced in quite a while. The 1’ to 2’ seas were out of the southeast and a nice sun was just beginning to rub the sleep from it’s eyes to look over our beautiful Gulf.
We had stopped to catch a few pin fish for the day’s action, just in case the grouper and snaps had a change in taste. And, they did, a little.
And they bit, a little.
Our live baits accounted for about half our catch of 7 good grouper to 14#, with the rest of the fish including some nice black sea bass taking our frozen baits.
It was a fun trip in spite of the slow bite and the crew thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
The 11th brought Beth Puckett, Rebekah Van Horn, Tricia Grimes, Carolyn Derr, Sherrie Lovell and Becky Ulmer all down from up in Arkansas to form up my first all ladies crew.
All these gals were up for a fun day of fishing and were not disappointed.
Debo and I really enjoyed working with the ladies in showing them the finer points of grouper and snapper digin’. And, they did just fine.
We ended the day with a nice catch of 8 grouper to 23#, 1 red snapper and 1 black snapper that went about 8# each and six ladies grinning ear to ear. They were taking pictures all day to show to their spouses. I’ll bet the guys decide to go next year, too.
Take those kids fishing & Catch Em’ Up!
Capt. Randy
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Capt. Randy
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, September 08, 2002 - 10:54 am: | |
Subject: Fishing Report of 9-08-02
Apalachicola, St. George Island to St. Marks, Florida -- Offshore
Man, is it blowing!
We were to have been fishing this past Friday, Saturday and today, but Mother Nature decided we should stay home and continue to do remodeling work. Most of the cancelled trips have been able to reschedule with us at later dates.
Hopefully, we will be able to fish next week as we have 4 groups of folks that are just itching to get involved in some good fish fights.
We were fortunate in being able to get offshore on 4 occasions since my 8-27-02 report and on most of the trips we had fine catches, indeed.
We were to have taken long time clients, Rodney and Elaine Easler fishing on the 30th, but that was about the time the weather started turning sour so they rescheduled for the 14th of September, the 30th of November and the 7th of December. Maybe, just maybe, Mother Nature will cooperate on all those dates or at least on a couple of them.
We are taking live baits to our fishy friends and on some occasions we are actually catching fish with them. But still, the frozen baits are producing the most and largest fish. More gag grouper are showing up on my spots in anticipation of their winter spawn and with the water temperatures dropping, both the gag and the red grouper are getting friskier.
Charlie and Mary Skinner fished with us for a half day again this year on the 1st of September. They brought their friends Tony Everson and Joseph, Ronald and Janice Hall along from up around Cairo, Georgia to help enjoy the fish fights.
It was just as well that they elected to do only a half day this year. It blew pretty hard producing up to 5’ seas after we got offshore and we felt fortunate in boating 5 grouper to 14#.
Bill Brackett from up in Norcross, Georgia brought his clan in the persons of Tim and Cheryl Brackett and Bryan and Debbie Johnson down on the 2nd for a repeat of his trip last month. The seas were somewhat rougher at 2’ to 4’ than was the case on his last trip. We did managed a near limit catch of 20 very nice grouper to 24# before the decision was made by the crew to call it an early day due to building seas. We were back at the dock at about 1:30 grinning and taking pictures as the seas built on up to 6’ or better that afternoon.
On the 3rd the seas had laid back down overnight enough to allow us to take the King clan for a full day of fishing. Kenneth, Brenda, Patrice and Tom King brought their buddies Dranna and Greg Gaddis along to enjoy a good day of fishing on our beautiful Gulf. Most all these folks hail from Scottsburg, Indiana and had been looking forward to the trip with us for a long time.
We ended a respectable day with 15 nice grouper to 18# and one black snapper at about 8# in spite of a slow bite.
On the 4th, Brian Frantz from up in Suwanee, Georgia brought his buds Jason Layne, Bob, Jason, Jeff and Chase Veal (10 ) to enjoy some good fish fights with us. The whole crew was up for the trip, especially The Chase Man.
It was tit for tat and toe to toe fish fights on a couple of spots in particular. Chase did an excellent job of taking his share of nice grouper and I’ll bet is just itching for another shot at em’ next year. Our calmest day of the week was ended with a near limit of 25 very nice grouper to 23#.
Black sea bass was requested and we did catch one nice one, but with the grouper feeding as they were the sea bass wisely decided to keep out of harms way. Maybe next trip.
Take those kids fishing & Catch Em’ Up!
Capt. Randy
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Capt. Randy
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, September 08, 2002 - 10:54 am: | |
Subject: Fishing Report of 8-27-02
Apalachicola, St. George Island to St. Marks, Florida -- Offshore
Our fish still seem to be a little on the lethargic side since my last report to you.
They continue to turn their noses up at our live bait offerings, but more than make up for their snootiness when we send our frozen and cut baits down to them.
As schools around the country get going again we have a little lull in the number of trips we run this time of year and it gives us the opportunity to rest up some for the coming fall season. Fall is an excellent time to fish here on “The Forgotten Coast”. The waters are cooler and our fishy friends get frisky and hungrier in anticipation of their winter spawn.
Most of our long-time clients are aware of this fact and many make sure they have a day reserved with us for our version of a fall festival. It could be considered a little on the mid-evil side with all the fish fights and such going on.
The plus side is that the guys don’t have to don armor nor are the ladies required to dress in their long flowing gowns to be able to participate in the festivities. It’s, come-as-you-are. The fish are going to pick on you just the same.
The 22nd saw John Hallmark and his sons Josh and Jason along with their friends Mike Henshaw and Jesse Edmunds fish with us again this year.
We had a great day going with 6 nice grouper in the box by about 11:30 when a $1.50 bolt gave up in DEBO TOO’s raw water pump forcing a full day charter to be changed into a half day charter. Yep, even a vessel as well maintained as DEBO TOO can have a problem. It’s a first for her though, and we will continue to strive to keep unexpected down time to a minimum.
We trolled as we were being towed back to the hill and managed to pick up a nice spanish in the process.
Luckily, we had no charter on the 23rd, which allowed repairs to be made and we were good to go by that afternoon.
Wayne and G.W. Stone brought their friends, Marc and Wes Shannon and Mike Keeler down from Tifton, Georgia to enjoy a day of fishing with Debo and I on the 24th. It was my birthday and I was in high hopes the fish would join in my little celebration. And, they did. 12 nice grouper and one lane snapper thought my cake looked pretty good.
Captain Bill and his lovely lady Captain DeDe Conn from up in Hotlanta, GA invited their friend Rance Cain from Cummin, Georgia down to enjoy another great day of fishing with Debo and I. Capt. Bill and DeDe own a super nice Grand Banks trawler “Snowbanks” and we met them as they moored next to us as transients year before last at the Moorings Marina, our home port.
They missed fishing with us last year due to a host of reasons, but were looking forward to getting back into the swing of things on this day. I think our fishy friends missed them too because they jumped all over us!
We had our limit of 15 near bubba category grouper to 23# by 11:00 and we left them biting on that little spot as we went in search of snapper.
The snapper proved hard to find in a feeding mood so the crew elected to troll back in for pot luck. We did pick up a nice spanish for our efforts and a great day was ended with bo-ku grins back at the dock.
Take those kids fishing & Catch Em’ Up!
Capt. Randy
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Capt. Randy Craft
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 20, 2002 - 9:17 am: | |
Subject: Fishing Report 8-19-02
Apalachicola, St. George Island to St. Marks, Florida - Offshore
We have had 7 nice offshore trips since my last report. Lots of really nice folks who enjoy good fish fights and the large plus of just being able to get out into our beautiful Gulf for the opportunity to tangle with our respectable quarry.
Our waters have begun to cool down a little and that fact alone should go a good ways to improve our fishy friends participation. The bite has been off and on for the last week or so. We have had extremely productive days and some days when the fish couldn’t be less interested in our offerings.
A couple of things that are a little strange this time of year is that the fish are still not too interested in our live baits and all our good catches have been in relatively shallow waters on our frozen and cut baits. Normally, I go deep and live bait is paramount this time of year. It’s been just the opposite for the last month or so.
Yep, just when you think you may have them figured out a little, they throw you a curve ball. It tends to keep you on your toes.
Steve Norris brought his fine crew, Travis Kitts, Mike Lewis, Cory Blanton, Krista Payne and Kendal Norris down from up in Tennessee to fish with us on the 6th of August.
It was a day when our fishy friends wanted to lay up and snooze in the shade, but we still managed to get 10 nice grouper to 23# and an outstanding red snapper at about 20#. Our crew had a great time and those fish will make a nice meal for a goodly sized group of folks up in the mountains.
Pete North with A.B.F. Freight Lines brought a group of his buddies over from the Tifton, Vidalia and Hazelhurst, Georgia area to fish with us again this year. Their day, the 10th, was to turn out a good bit rougher than the N.O.A.A. forecast of 2' to 3'. I made a courtesy stop just off Dog Island so that the crew could have the option of rescheduling the trip or trying to tough it out. The decision was a go and that we did. Pete, Bart Thompson, Dan Russell, Tony McCabe, Eddie Gordon and Gerald Smith are all fine, tough fellows who despite the 6’ seas made a nice showing just the same. We were able to coax 13 good grouper to 17# to our fish box without too much ill effects to the crew. The 12th saw another pretty, but a little rougher day than predicted greet us as we rounded The Dog with Bill and Doris Brackett and their buddy Gregg (Sparky) Sparks from up in the Norcross, Georgia area.
These fine folks hung tough all day and caught 10 good grouper to 16# and a lane snapper at about 4#. We look forward to Bill and Doris returning with their son to fish with us on Labor Day. Hopefully, the seas will be a little calmer and the fish a little hungrier. Lenny Snow from Trenton, Georgia brought his two buds Cal Haygood and Scott Hill down from up in Rising Fawn, Georgia to enjoy a day of good fishing with us on the 13th. The seas were thankfully, calmer and the grouper were waiting in ambush for us. We had massive strikes from big bruiser bubba grouper on our 2nd and 3rd stops that morning producing a limit of 15 big boys to 25# by 11:15. Big time fun city! The decision to troll back in produced 2 nice outsized Spanish mackerel at about 10# each to add to an already outstanding catch. A fine day with fine fisherfolks and Debo. I can’t ask for more. Another fine day dawned on the 14th as Darry Elliott brought the whole clan down from Little Rock, Arkansas and Greenville and Simpsonville, South Carolina for a great day of offshore fun. Linda, Will, Jason and John Elliott along with Bill Coffey were all up and ready for fish fights. And, the fish were ready for them. We had two nice keepers on the first stop, one on the second stop and WHAM!, 23 bruisers jumped us on the third stop. Again that was at about 11:00 that morning and we fished on the rest of the day getting our 30 grouper limit by about 1:00. 2 of those bubbas went to 25# or better and 3 more were all over 20# each. Debo and I were doing some sure nuff deck dancing keeping up with all the fish these fine folks were bringing onboard. My favorite son-in-law, Steve Ackerman brought my grand boy, Andy and my daughter Jodi down from their home up in Greenville, South Carolina so that we could participate in Andy’s 1st birthday. Debo and I took the 14th off so that we could be with that fine boy and his mom and dad on that very special day. We had a great time! Now, Steve and Jodi are really good fisherfolk. It’s just that they are so busy building a great life together up in Greenville it’s seldom they get to come down to visit and go fishing. Steve graciously offered to pull first mate for Debo for our scheduled 16th trip with long time clients Mike and Kim Freeman from up in Jersey, Georgia. Steve loves to be on the Gulf and is a pretty darn good first mate. Jane Nesmith and Rod Ayers from up in Conyers, Georgia and Lonnie Ryder and JoAnne Brown from Tallahassee, Florida accompanied Mike and Kim on this trip on our beautiful Gulf.
Take those kids fishing! & Catch Em Up! |
Robinson Brothers
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, July 18, 2002 - 1:07 pm: | |
Subject: Summer Recap, August Forecast
What a summer we have had so far!! Capt. Chris Robinson made the Greatest Catch on June 27th when his wife Jennifer delivered their daughter Alyssa Brooke (whom I lovingly refer to as Little Trout). He didn’t even have to take a day off from fishing! The entire family is thrilled for them, especially big brother Zachary.
Our tarpon season, which began in earnest about the first of May, really heated up by mid July, along with the temperatures. If you can stand the heat (up to 110-degree heat index) get out of the kitchen & hook up! Flies, plugs, bait, whatever! We anticipate having them hang around into September. On days that weren’t fishable for tarpon, too windy from the wrong direction, muddy water, etc., Chris has had some super Redfishing in shallow water. While this is more of a game of skill Vs a numbers game, 40 redfish caught & released is sizeable. Tommy has had skilled angler’s catch huge Black Drum 40+ pounds on a 6-weight fly rod and smaller ones on an 8 weight.
August fishing in Apalachicola Bay can reel in a mixed bag, anything from Tripletail and Mackerel to our usual Trout & Redfish. Hooking up on a Cobia is a real possibility and Pompano are here off & on all summer. If you want to avoid the crowds at the boat ramp, the last 2 weeks of August and the first 2 weeks of September are your best bet as families with children head back to school, but we still enjoy the summer-time fishing. The Fall fishing season commences about the middle of September when we switch gears on the flats for Redfish, Jack Crevalle, Tripletail, and others. (Advance reservations are suggested, as this is a popular time for our regular anglers to fish)
We would like to thank the Franklin County Commissioners for their careful consideration of a recent issue brought before them concerning a proposed development on Alligator Harbor. As members of the Florida Guides Association we are for the conservation, preservation and wise use of our natural resources and we sincerely hope that any development done in ecologically sensitive areas like this is done with wisdom and forethought for the future health of these non-renewable resources.
AND, my answer to the man who asked what we do in this heat…we drink plenty of cold water and we GO FISHING! Except for me, that is. I’ll be inside in the air-conditioning, next to the telephone.
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mike
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, May 07, 2002 - 8:22 pm: | |
Subject: sunvisors
I am looking for a sunvisors with a print of a redfish on it for my dad for fathers day. If anyone has any info email me.Thank You |
Kathy Robinson
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, April 17, 2002 - 5:27 pm: | |
Subject: Apalachicola Fishing Report 4/17/02
Capt. Tommy’s finally back in town from his 2.5-month stint in South Florida (Chris too!) and he’s extraordinarily proud of his exceptional timing. The water here is crystal clear, the weather is nearly perfect and as Nathan advised him "Just stop the boat & start poling - you’re gonna catch fish." Sounds too simple doesn’t it? Everyone who doesn’t want to catch 25 to 30 Redfish in a day spent on the flats, raise your hand! (Results will vary accordingly)
This time of year (April & May) are our favorite months to fish here in Apalachicola - so much so that whenever they are not booked to fish with paying clients, these guides are fired up to be out fishing anyway. It doesn’t matter if you are casting a fly, throwing lures with light spinning tackle, baiting a hook in the bay or dropping a line in deep water, you are going to hook up and reel in and it could be something different every other cast. If you can imagine a species of Northern Gulf Saltwater fish, you can probably catch it here now, including some Big Bull Reds & Gator Trout.
The Pompano are turned back on after a few days of windy weather the first weekend of April, which muddied up the water a bit & made them harder to get to. The trout fishing is more HIT than miss now with some Spanish mackerel, jack crevalle, flounder, ladyfish, bluefish & sharks added to the mix. Everybody is catching Redfish and yesterday Capt. Scott Fain hooked up (and caught) a 20 lb Cobia that was a bit longer than his ruler - 37" or 38" long. The bay is corroded with fish (Chris' word) and they haven't even been over to St. Joe yet this season. Guess I'll go fix Tommy's welcome home Pompano for supper. FYI - the next 2 and a half weeks look great weather, tide and availability-wise if you can break away for a trip.
Kathy Robinson
Robinson Brothers Guide Service
152 17th St. ~ Apalachicola, FL 32320
850-653-8896
www.FloridaRedfish.com
Robinson@FlaRedfish.com
Member Florida Guides Assn. |
Robinson Brothers Guide
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, March 30, 2002 - 1:16 am: | |
The Bite IS ON!
Redfish - YES! The Lockjaw epidemic is over.
Pompano - YES! They’re Finally here.
Speckled Trout - YES! As many as you can catch.
In the past 2 weeks the weather has straightened out, the water temperature has gone up and the fish are FINALLY starting to act right. We fished a total of 32 trips here locally - 13 Flats, 19 Bay and a couple of Offshore. It looks like Spring is here with the fishing to show it.
Miss Ginny Blair (age 13) cast tirelessly at Redfish on the flats with Capt. Scott Fain & her dad Billy on Tuesday. She caught 15! Scott was really impressed with her. Capt. Chad says the Reds are in the 3lb to 7lb range right now. Junior is too busy catching fish to waste time talking about it.
The first official Pompano hook-up this year was March 19th - Capt. Scott caught a couple of 2 pounders. Tried to catch up with Capt. Nathan today but he was either fishing for Pompano or else going to get sand fleas to catch them with and I’m pretty sure Jason was with him.
I’m headed to the Glades for a couple of days "visitation" with Tommy. While I’m there I’ll get caught up on all of the Everglades fishing reports and pick up the latest film to be developed. I do know that they are jumping tarpon all over the place ("Thick as Flies" per Tommy) and catching snook - one of which is held by Tina Scarpa in the above photo, proof that she has once again outfished her husband Bill. Yesterday Chris had a hundred pound Tarpon Free-Jump right through his boat, leaving belly scales on his console. Good thing his anglers were fishing & not resting on the seat - they would have been knocked out!
Have a Happy Easter weekend!
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Kathy Robinson
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, February 02, 2002 - 12:21 am: | |
Subject: The Last Fishing Report...
The Last Fishing Report...
...in January! You didn't think I would cut you off like that, did you? I've been scurrying around packing up my office for the temporary move to the Keys and it hit me like a flying Pompano (they hurt if you get in the way when they are skipping across the water) that I had to get one last report out before I leave.
Until about the middle of last week the fishing here this month was pretty great for January. Too bad the only ones out fishing were the guides - keeping their skills honed & their secret spots secret I imagine. Lots of Redfish & Trout and the water has been clear. Then we had a gully-washer and after that we got socked in by fog, typical for this time of year. Nathan has been trying for over a week to get one favorite client out on the water and Tommy had to postpone his trip on Tuesday. Now this morning the sun has finally decided to grace us and has done an admirable job of burning off the fog.
For the month of February if you need to get in touch with us please continue by email or leave a voice mail on our regular number. You can also contact us directly at 305-515-0189. We'll be fishing most days - we hear the Permit & Bonefish are pretty numerous now - in order to make this a yearly trip for our clients. Let me know if you might be interested in 2003!
Kathy Robinson
Robinson Brothers Guide Service
152 17th St. ~ Apalachicola, FL 32320
850-653-8896
www.FloridaRedfish.com
Robinson@FlaRedfish.com
Member Florida Guides Assn. |
Kathy Robinson
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 17, 2002 - 11:47 pm: | |
Subject: Apalachicola Fishing Report 1/17/02
They say that January and February are not the best time of year to fish the Northern Gulf of Mexico but I am here to ask you, who are "They"? According to my records going back to 1999, with the exception of a few days per month that weren’t fishable weather-wise, this is actually a pretty darn good time of year to catch fish. Could it be that "They" are allergic to chilly temperatures? Well, maybe I have to agree with them there but I’m looking out my window on January 17th and it is at least 70 degrees, sunny and calm, if there IS any wind it is out of the north so the bay is completely flat and THE REDFISH ARE BITING! Chris caught 7 on fly yesterday in just a couple of hours and as I mentioned in an earlier email, on an average day of flats fishing you might hook up 10 - 15 nice sized fish. If the number of Bayfishing boats I saw leaving the mouth of the Apalachicola River this morning on my daily walk is any indication, the speckled trout must be biting well too. Capt. Adam Teat has been offshore several times recently and is well pleased with the grouper catch.
From the Fishing Report Archives -
February 1999 - "Due to an extremely mild winter so far, the fishing out of Apalachicola has been exceptional." (I wrote that!) Trout in the 2-5 pound range on Top Dog Mirrolures, excellent sight fishing for Redfish - comparable to the prime time of September - November. Stripers have begun to move back up the river. In the potholes on clear water flats we were catching Pompano and Ladyfish up to 3 lbs.
February 2000 - Matt Bennett & his dad had a Winter Slam (Redfish, Trout & Flounder) hooking up 43 Redfish & boating 38 of them. Scott Blackstock caught his first Red on Fly, one of a total of 154 caught for the week (no, he didn’t catch them all) and I enjoyed my Valentines day trip with Capt. Tommy catching Silver Perch. The Bluefish began moving in and Tommy & Chris had a nice catch of grouper & snapper offshore.
February 2001 - As pretty as it gets! Calm sunny days, clear water, Gator Trout & Redfish. Bayfishing trips focus on Reds, Black Drum, Flounder & Sheepshead (Speckled Trout is closed in February) Schools of 200 or more Redfish to sight fish - using a 6 weight fly rod can be very challenging. Tommy got his new Hells Bay 18 wet!
February Fishing Forecast - Daily temperatures can range from 35 to 80 degrees, sometimes in the same day (makes it a little hard to figure out what to wear) and the water temperatures begin to reflect the upward trend. Depending on how quickly the water warms, we will begin to see schools of Spanish Mackerel move in with the bait schools and Pompano will begin to appear on the front beaches and at the cut. We will start seeing Redfish & Trout in larger numbers along with Black Drum, Flounder & Sheepshead. Good time to Grouper fish Offshore. Time to come in from the woods & go fishing! What are you waiting for?
Sorry if you missed the Birmingham fishing Expo last weekend. Bill Mudd & Co. have such a nice facility in B&A Warehouse and they did a nice job of it. The food was great and the music was toe-tapping good. We didn't win the canoe, but many many tickets were sold by the "Bud Girls". I finally got to put faces to several names & voices and Tommy, Chris & Charles' speech was informative and funny.
[April dates are starting to book up and Tarpon dates are still available. Had a cancellation in the Everglades - Tommy is available March 27 & 28, Chris is open March 30, 31 & April 1st (Easter Weekend). If you can make it we have to act fast. ]
Kathy Robinson
Robinson Brothers Guide Service
152 17th St. ~ Apalachicola, FL 32320
850-653-8896
www.FloridaRedfish.com
Robinson@FlaRedfish.com
Member Florida Guides Assn. |
Kathy Robinson
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 17, 2002 - 11:44 pm: | |
Subject: Man in Orange Shirt With Redfish
Man in Orange Shirt With Redfish
Have you ever thrown a party and no one came? You sent out the invitations in a timely manner, you had the best gourmet food catered, the house was spotless, the music upbeat & trendy, the setting and the weather was perfect, you were wearing a new outfit and you looked like a million bucks and still NO ONE BOTHERED TO SHOW UP. Well, that didn’t happen, primarily because I don’t really like to entertain, but it feels that way. I have that same "You should have been here" feeling because "You don’t know what you missed". If only we could have bottled the weather and the fishing conditions over the past 4 weeks Tommy & I could both retire. To be perfectly honest, I don’t think the lack of interest in fishing recently has hurt anybody’s feelings as most of the fishing guides around here would rather be hunting.
Tommy came out of the woods long enough to put Judd Lisenby and his wife Nicole (Ozark, AL) on some Redfish last Saturday. Judd was concerned that Nicole may not exactly take to fishing and was prepared for a short day on the water. But, as luck (and Tommy Robinson) will have it, we think Nicole may be hooked on flats fishing. Jason proved to Chris Coile from Stevensville, MD that our fall fly-fishing is worthy. Chris, who fly fishes all over the country, had no complaints with the dozen or so Reds he landed on December 1st. Rob Atkins & his wife Julie enjoyed their Bay-fishing trip with Capt. Chad on the same day, catching a boatload of speckled trout.
Our online store is up and running. Check it out and let me know what you think. So far, the only item for sale is our Logo hat but there may be more to come, so stay tuned. The Winter/Spring issue of The Robinson Brothers Newsletter went in the mail last Friday. If you don’t get yours, it may be due to an address change I missed. I’ll be glad to update or add you to the list. Be sure to call me if you are thinking about fishing during the coming holidays, we have plenty of availability. If we don’t see you here, have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Kathy Robinson
Robinson Brothers Guide Service
152 17th St. ~ Apalachicola, FL 32320
850-653-8896
www.FloridaRedfish.com
Robinson@FlaRedfish.com
Member Florida Guides Assn. |
Robinson Brothers
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, November 23, 2001 - 6:22 pm: | |
Subject: Apalachicola Pre-Thanksgiving Report
Scott Leysath (Folsom, CA) hauled in this 31 pound bull Red on November 11 while Bay fishing with Capt. Chad Zingarelli, Henry Lowe & his son Edward and Harold Causey (Macon, GA). You may already be familiar with Scott "The Sporting Chef" and some of his outstanding wildlife recipes. Check out his website www.TheSportingChef.com. You can view more of their fishing success in our photo gallery. Capt. Chad’s group this past Friday went instead for the Speckled Trout and caught at least 80. (FYI - all fish over FL limits are released) Capt. Junior Holland’s anglers on Sunday were bringing them in 2 at a time.
Tommy, Chris & Jason fished Veteran’s day weekend with "The Judge’s" on their annual outing. These influential decision makers hit pay dirt on the Redfish flats (they caught lots & lots of fish) and I heard they had a good time offshore with their host, Mike Doyle where the Gulf was like a big flat lake.
Have you noticed the great weather we have been having? Most of the days the past two months have been calm, mild & dry and conducive to really good Trout & Redfishing (with the exception of a couple of off days). Spin fishing with gold spoons from a flats skiff has been best for the Reds while anglers on Bay boats have been reeling in the Speckled & White Trout. We’ll probably end up paying for our good fortune in the long run, but hopefully it will hold off until it is too cold to want to be on the water. Tommy & Chris are in the woods & in New Mexico for the next 2 weeks, but Jason, Nathan, Scott, Chad, Adam & Junior are rigged up & ready to go!
I went to Tampa over the weekend to attend the Shallow Water Fishing Expo. The weather there seemed to entice many more people out on the water to fish than to spend their time inside talking about it (who could blame them) but there was a pretty good turnout never the less, especially at the Florida Guide Assn. booth. My general impression is that people who fish are pretty nice! And the new Hell's Bay boats are pretty awesome!
Kathy Robinson
Robinson Brothers Guide Service
Apalachicola, FL
850-653-8896
www.FloridaRedfish.com |
Robinson Brothers
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, November 12, 2001 - 5:30 pm: | |
Subject: November in Apalachicola
We have stayed in Ma Nature’s good graces for a few weeks now, and the fishing has been fantastic. Every caller the last week or so has started the conversation, "How’s the fishing and how much longer will it last?" The only reply I can give is "The fishing is Great and should be as long as the weather holds and we DO have Flats & Bay guides open to take you fishing." Don’t tell them I told you, but Tommy & Chris are even open the week before Thanksgiving, which is also the beginning of Alabama Gun season. Shhhh!
Tommy Newell (The Osprey - Chattanooga, TN) had some "Magical" Redfishing with his Fly Rod in very shallow water with Capt. Tommy the weekend before Halloween. He is also booked to fish with us in the Keys in February & the Everglades in March. John Mears said he will be emailing his Redfish photos from his 3 days & 60 Redfish, on Spin w/gold spoons, with both Tommy & Chris and he has already put in for the same dates next year. I’ll have to check my reports, but I think that beats his personal best record from last fall. Jeff Baker had his group of fishing buddies here Seafood Festival weekend for their yearly trip - I’m assuming that no news it good news but I would love to hear their side of the "Adventure Cruise" Tommy took them on. Capt. Scott Fain called me from his boat phone while he was fishing Saturday with Dr. Rob Bartosh to tell me that the Redfish are "Kickin’ like Jackie Chan" on the outside beaches. I’m just enjoying the mild, sunny days we have been enjoying. So far it hasn’t even gotten cold enough for a fire at night or the down comforter.
Capt. Chad reports that the Bayfishing has been just as productive as the flats fishing but they have been targeting Trout and releasing at least a hundred or so a trip. Yesterday they caught 7 Bull Reds over 30 lbs. in addition. Capt. Junior Holland’s hands were all torn up the other day after releasing so many Trout plus Flounder. Conditions have been a bit off (Windy) for Offshore fishing but Sunday was like a sheet of glass, making the Grouper fishing incredible.
I’ve added a few new photos to our website photo gallery, which you can access directly by clicking on this link. http://www.FlaRedfish.com/photogallery.cfm If you have photos of your recent fishing trip we’d love to see & share them!
We have so much to be thankful for these days and I would especially like to thank you all for being a part of our daily lives.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Kathy Robinson
Robinson Brothers Guide Service
152 17th St. ~ Apalachicola, FL 32320
850-653-8896
www.FloridaRedfish.com
Robinson@FlaRedfish.com
Member Florida Guide Assn.
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Robinson Brothers
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, October 29, 2001 - 4:16 pm: | |
Subject: October Redfishing
Capt. Nathan Donahoe called me from the water over the weekend for an on the spot fishing report. He said "Just write the word REDFISH! 300 times and sign your name because it is HAPPENING out there!" If you have fished with Nathan you know how enthused he gets, especially since October happens to be his favorite month, and many people agree with him. Tommy describes the bay right now as being "Carpeted with Redfish, probably the best Red-fishing anywhere in the world right now." Of course, that’s just his opinion.
Matthew Whiting & Callum McGregor fished with Tommy in windy/rainy conditions October 12th (a week ago Friday). Together they caught 31 Redfish and one of their "Double-Redders" is pictured. Taylor Hood (Destin) got married here this Saturday! Congratulations Taylor & Laurie. Friday was the grooms fishing trip - at least 16 of their wedding party & guests enjoyed stellar fishing with us out of 6 boats. Nathan even had his angler wading! What a perfectly beautiful weekend for a fishing trip - AND a wedding!
For the past 2 days Steven McCarthy (Alpharetta, GA) & Joe Drago (Jamestown, RI) fished with Chris & Tommy, respectively. Today Joe caught 35 Redfish on gold spoons and Steven made his trip with the 21-pound Bull Red he caught on a fly in 5 inches of water off Chris’ skiff. This time of year Tommy & Chris are fishing out of their 16’ Hells Bay Watermen and getting into some pretty skinny water. Nathan & Jason are alternating between their Jonboats & their skiffs, getting into shallower water in the Jons.
According to Capt. Jimmy Maxwell, the freshwater fly fishing for panfish (bream) is winding up for the season and bottom fishing is picking up. Colder weather causes the fish to head to holes in deeper water. October 16th Randall Stiles from Sparta, TN, who only likes to fish the fresh water, caught 36 bream with Capt. Maxwell. Tony Bloodworth’s crew caught 68 "Head" of Specks & Reds on Oct. 12th fishing with Jimmy too. Bob Kesterton from Atlanta stopped by the house after his Bayfishing trip with Capt. Junior Holland just to tell me what a great time they had with him on October 17th and to make sure they had our number to share with others. Capt. Chad is fishing every day & hunting every evening - I know he has had some great trips recently but I haven’t laid eyes on him in about 2 weeks. Capt. Allen "Wood Duck" Richards turned down a fishing trip today - I had tried to book him for the opening day of Duck Season! He had a good day today catching 15 Speckled trout 18-20 lbs, 4 Bull Reds up to 24 lbs, along with some assorted Blue fish and Mackerel.
Before I forget, anyone in the vicinity of Birmingham, Alabama, please put January 12th. 2002 on your calendar. That is the date of the Birmingham Fishing Expo at the B&A Warehouse. Charles Gaines, Jimbo Meador, Tommy & Chris Robinson and others will be there to speak & mingle. More details will follow as the organizer Bill Mudd (the Invisible Fisherman) shares them with me.
If you have any question at all how the terrorist attacks have affected the fishing/travel industry, The October issue of The Angling Report has a most appropriate answer. Please check out the special report written by their President/Publisher Don Causey on their website www.AnglingReport.com .
Kathy Robinson
Robinson Brothers Guide Service
152 17th St. ~ Apalachicola, FL 32320
850-653-8896
www.FloridaRedfish.com
Robinson@FlaRedfish.com
Member Florida Guide Assn.
PS - Robinson Brothers Guide Service hats are now available! Please call or email for details.
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Kathy Robinson
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, October 11, 2001 - 5:52 pm: | |
Subject: A Correction To My Last Fishing Report!
That's Ben Garrison from Eufaula in the photo. The fish is 8.5 pounds caught in East Bay the day after the first big cold front of the year came through. I had doubts we would catch any because of the drastic temp drop, but we caught 7 redfish (several fours and a six), a largemouth bass, and a flounder. It was a good effort by Chris to find fish willing to eat so soon after the front.
Joel Smith
(Just so you don't think I'M telling fish tales)
Kathy Robinson
Robinson Brothers Guide Service
152 17th St. ~ Apalachicola, FL 32320
850-653-8896
www.FloridaRedfish.com
Robinson@FlaRedfish.com |
Kathy Robinson
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, October 10, 2001 - 12:10 am: | |
Subject: Apalachicola Fishing Report 10/10/01
Capt. Scott Fain told me yesterday that you can’t throw a lure in the bay right now without hitting a Redfish between the eyes. Now, based on previous experience with fish stories told by fishing guides, I would imagine that is a slight exaggeration, but then again it may not be too far off. This is the time of year we look forward to all summer. Clear sunny days with little to no humidity, temperatures getting anywhere from the mid 70’s to mid 80’s in the afternoon, and great sleeping weather at night in the mid to upper 50’s. You may need a jacket on the run out to your first fishing spot in the morning but for trout & redfish as far as you can see, it may well be worth it.
Joel Smith from Eufala Alabama fished Sunday with Capt. Chris. One of the Redfish he caught is shown above. (Do these shoes have white soles?) Generally speaking, we don’t keep and eat Redfish as a personal preference but last Tuesday & Wednesday when Dotty & Fitz (visiting from Montana) caught quite a few fishing with Capt. Tommy, I decided to try my hand at making Redfish Fillets edible in some way other than blackening. Success! Tommy named my creation "Redfish Done Good". Dotty ate hers with gusto then eyed Fitz’s covetously. You will have to go to the website photo gallery to see Dotty’s Redfish and check out my secret recipe.
Chris Bentley from Tallahassee fished with Tommy on Sunday and Monday. In spite of the east wind they sight fished lots of 4 & 5 pound Redfish and caught 18 inch to 20 inch trout on topwaters. Oh, and at least one flounder (with caper sauce!) They observed a whole lot of shrimp and bait in the bay, so even if you aren’t planning on fishing with a guide, this is a good time to fish here. Bay fishing trips have been pretty productive the past 2 weeks, some days upwards of 75 to 80 "Head" of fish - mostly trout. Don’t be afraid to call and check with me if you DO want a guide to take you fishing this month or next. There are always plenty of local guides ready and willing to show you a good time and I would be glad to arrange the trip.
As for lunches - Kathy’s Kitchen is still closed for business. I know it is a nice idea but according to some of the comments I received, everything from "Providing lunch would be a nice convenience for your customers" to "I think you have lost your everloving mind" we need to put some more thought & planning into it. Thanks for your entertaining reply’s, by the way.
Please take a moment to check our website photo gallery www.FloridaRedfish.com. I am in the process of adding photos of Tommy & Jason’s trip to Cocodrie, LA, the Wenzel’s trip with Capt. Jimmy Maxwell, Bill Scarpa’s Houndfish (kidding!) and several others including both Dell & Jean Bush who fished with Chris in early Sept. I am hoping someone can identify the angler in the photo titled "Mustache Redfish" and can give me some specifics. You’ll have to come over to our house to see our Montana Vacation photos.
We are still thinking of December Everglades trips, if anyone is interested. I am also trying to get the letters sent out this week verifying trips for 2002. If you fished with us this year, are thinking of fishing next year and haven’t spoken up yet, this would be a good time to do so, as things are starting to fill up. Next up - November Fishing Forecast!
Kathy Robinson
Robinson Brothers Guide Service
152 17th St. ~ Apalachicola, FL 32320
850-653-8896
www.FloridaRedfish.com
Robinson@FlaRedfish.com
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Kathy Robinson
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, October 03, 2001 - 11:34 pm: | |
Subject: We're Back & the fishing is GREAT
Hi Y'all!
Tommy & I returned yesterday from a couple of weeks in Montana to the best Redfishing of the year. Chris is just now looking over my shoulder telling me to be sure to mention that the Reds are tailing in a couple inches of water and they are all 4 to 6 lbs. He & Ward were fishing today and caught 18 on fly in the first 2 hours this morning. Tommy & his guest had at least a dozen on fly from noon to four. The anglers fishing with our Bay fishing guides are catching 75 to 80 Speckled & White Trout a day. Adam is bringing me photos of his recent offshore trips for my next report. The weather forecast is dry, calm winds, upper 50's at night, up to 80 during the day, low humidity and no bugs!
We realize that many people within driving distance of Apalachicola may recently have had to cancel flights to other destinations - so if you can switch gears and head our way, this would be the time to do it.
We are currently tossing around a couple of ideas and would love some feed back from you. Please reply to the following queries.
1. December Everglades Trips - We have to face the fact that as good as the fishing is from now until probably Thanksgiving or so, December fishing is just not as consistent here in Apalachicola. If you could conceivably do a 3 day trip in the Everglades in December with Tommy or Chris, please let me know.
2. Lunches - I have been asked many, many times whether we provide lunch for our guests, and I knew that if anyone were to make the traditional "Fisherman's Box Lunch" in Apalachicola that I would have to be the one to do it. I give in! If you have any interest in being able to order your lunch when you book your fishing trip and having it delivered to you (in my PT Cruiser!) I would love to hear your feedback regarding content, cost, good idea, bad idea, etc. (Yes, it would have to cost more than 50 cents.)
Thanks for your input! Hope to see you soon.
Kathy Robinson
Robinson Brothers Guide Service
152 17th St. ~ Apalachicola, FL 32320
850-653-8896
www.FloridaRedfish.com
Robinson@FlaRedfish.com |
Kathy Robinson
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 08, 2001 - 12:33 am: | |
Subject: My Favorite Fishing Guide!
My Favorite Fishing Guide!
Thankfully, July has only sent us weather so far that doesn’t merit a first name. Downpours, wind, a cold front (in July?) have mildly hampered our fishing efforts, but it hasn’t shut the fish completely down. Granted there are some days when a fishing guide should just give up & head for the hill, but our repeat anglers are mostly pretty hard core and rise to the challenge.
Our Flats fishing guide’s -Tommy, Chris, Jason, Nathan plus sometimes Anthony & Scott - have had a great season so far this summer with plenty of hookups as well as jumped & "boated" fish (released alongside the boat - which is why I don’t have photos). The majority of tarpon have been caught on fly by those anglers skilled & lucky enough to get the fly in "The Zone". I would love to tell you where each and every fish has been caught, but that would be the death of me-literally! The main concern this season hasn’t been the weather but that pesky critter commonly known as the *"Spot-Hog". This pest causes general mayhem in the fishing community with his refusal to respect not only other anglers, but also those hard working guys trying to make a living entertaining anglers on the water. August dates are still available.
Bayfishing & Offshore trips have been productive for the most part as well, again weather being a factor. In the shallower water you can expect to find Seatrout, Redfish, Flounder, Tripletail, Sharks, Jack Crevalle etc, while offshore Grouper & Snapper are the targets. August is generally more of the same with some species moving to deeper, cooler water. Please check the website for Bay & Offshore photos.
Now is the time to make your fall fishing plans, whether you are hiring a guide or heading out on your own. From about the middle of September through Thanksgiving time the fishing in the Apalachicola Bay area shouldn’t be missed.
Attention: For those of you who fished with Tommy or Chris in the Everglades and want 2002 dates and for you Tarpon fishermen who have just fished and would like first refusal on your dates for next year, please contact me soon. I am trying to get started on next years calendar and need your input.
*Spot-Hog - A private angler who follows a professional fishing guide from spot to spot in his own boat, watching their every move with binoculars, then marking the spots with their GPS with the intention of beating the guide to that same spot the next morning, sometimes even sleeping anchored up in their boat while waiting for the sun to rise. (Not content to enjoy the whole fishing experience, but focused only on the catch.) The "Sneaky Spot-Hog" hires a guide to take him fishing, then magically appears the next day in the same places.
Kathy Robinson
Robinson Brothers Guide Service
152 17th St. ~ Apalachicola, FL 32320
850-653-8896
www.FloridaRedfish.com
Robinson@FlaRedfish.com |
Kathy Robinson
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, June 26, 2001 - 12:05 am: | |
Subject: Apalachicola Fishing Report 6/19/01
"Wanted to thank you guys for a wonderful trip last week. My buddy Tom McArdle will be sending on some pix from our trip with Chris. I guess he told you that we tore 'em up (although most had Boga-phobia, we boated 77 over two days not including the dozen or so that Chris himself caught). We caught them on everything from jigged shrimp to topwater - eventually
resulting in Top Dog Arm and a reversion to jigs. A fine christening for the new Hell's Bay skiff.
And, although Chris was reluctant to promise us 77 fish on the next trip, we'll definitely be back down. Randy Woodhead"
(See Photo)
After the storm…
Everything is as it should be. We did have to cancel a couple of days early last week due to unfishable windy & rainy conditions, however since then it hasn’t affected the fishing negatively at all. I have to admit that the rain was welcome here, not only to save our grass but the fresh water helps to keep our estuary healthy (and the tarpon happy). Luckily our area didn’t get flooded like some of our neighbors on the Gulf Coast. Be sure to check out the waterspout photo on the website!
Tommy went out early last Wednesday morning to do some scouting - after the rain let up mid morning he caught 2 Tarpon on fly by himself, something he couldn’t remember doing in recent history. Our anglers have had a pretty good showing this past week tarpon-wise, jumping a couple a day and usually catching at least one. Better eat your wheaties if you are booked to fish this summer, as early departures are the rule. And, August trips are still available!
Bayfishing trips have been especially successful. Capt.’s. Chad, Adam & Junior have been fishing nearly every day and according to the glowing reports from people like Pat Pennington they are doing a fine job of it. Recent catches include Trout, Redfish, Tripletail, Sharks, etc. If you do get a chance to fish with our Bay guides out of Scipio Creek Marina, be sure to stop in at "Papa Joe’s Oyster Bar" right there on the water.
Kathy Robinson
Robinson Brothers Guide Service
152 17th St. ~ Apalachicola, FL 32320
850-653-8896
www.FloridaRedfish.com
Robinson@FlaRedfish.com
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Robinson Brothers
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, June 08, 2001 - 1:34 pm: | |
Subject: Apalachicola Fishing Report 6/8/01
It’s beginning to feel a lot like Tarpon! Yesterday it was 91 degrees by 8:15 am with the heat index soaring. When you walk out your door at 5:00am & it feels like stepping into a hair dryer, then conditions are just about right. And now, what you have been waiting weeks to hear - YES Tarpon HAVE been sighted here and our Fly-fishing guides (Tommy, Chris, Jason & Nathan and sometimes Anthony) have all been Tarpon fishing the last couple of weeks with mixed results. I believe the first "Guide Service Hook-up" was the 2nd week of May. In years past Tarpon season officially opened about the middle of June but every year has been different. We expect them to remain in our neighborhood into the middle of September. For those of you with confirmed reservations - better start practicing your double-haul (you know who you are!) So far the big silver fish haven’t quite moved up into the plug fishing areas but have been spotted heading that way.
Here’s a recap for the month of May:
Flats - While the focus has been primarily on Tarpon for the last 3 weeks, we have had some super days of Redfish & Trout fishing mixed with Ladyfish & Bluefish, Jack Crevalle & Cobia, then maybe checking the buoys for Tripletail on the way in. The wind has been a factor nearly every day making everything just a bit tougher on everybody.
Bay - Every day is a good day! They’ve limited out on Trout & Redfish, caught double-digit Tripletail (numbers & pounds) plus some of everything else which May & June are famous for. If repeat business is truly an indication of customer satisfaction then Chad, Adam, Jimmy & Junior are doing a GREAT job.
Offshore - Tony Garcia sent me a photo of their Offshore catch with Adam on 5/25 (still trying to put it up on the website) and I personally have seen some beautiful Red Snapper & Amberjack at the dock.
Something new for Tarpon fishermen! How does Deep water bait fishing for Tarpon sound to you? Several of our Bay-fishing guides are rigged & ready to hook you up this summer. A six-hour Tarpon trip for up to 4 anglers will be $400 with your choice of morning or evening trips.
Kathy Robinson
Robinson Brothers Guide Service
152 17th St. ~ Apalachicola, FL 32320
850-653-8896
www.FloridaRedfish.com
Robinson@FlaRedfish.com
Please accept my apologies for the amount of time that has elapsed since my last report (due to technical difficulties). Every time in the last 2 weeks that I have tried to send my report or upload photos to the website I have been kicked off-line. If I get through this with all my hair on my head it will be a surprise. Computer illiteracy is looking mighty attractive these days. |
Kathy Robinson
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, May 09, 2001 - 11:52 pm: | |
Subject: Apalachicola Fishing Report May 8, 2001
Yesterday Capt. Chad’s anglers caught "some of everything there was to catch", in spite of the 20 kt. wind. The wind has been a deciding factor the past couple of weeks for Fly-fishing trips but not so much as to cause any cancellations. Tommy & Chris have had plenty of success catching Redfish 6-10 lbs. (up to 10 a day) and Seatrout, Spanish Mackerel & fun with Ladyfish. Chris has had Cobia on board and Jason & Nathan have been catching Jack Crevalle. No official Robinson angler hook-ups yet on Tarpon but we have been hearing rumors that a few fish have started sneaking in. (Check your pulse!) Hopefully any day now!
Fishing the flats in May, June & July is pretty much of a sure thing here - so much so that with the exception of a few days, our regular Flats guides are heavily booked. Please call me if you are still thinking of Tarpon on fly. The good news is that we have plenty of Bay guides rigged up & ready to take you fishing for the same species as on the flats, you just go about the catching part a little bit differently. Light tackle with bait or shrimp (and sometimes artificial lures) can even be more successful numbers-wise. Heck, if you bring your own rod & flys, Chad has experience guiding flyfishermen off his boat. And if shallow water isn’t exactly your thing, we can arrange your Offshore trips as well. Sorry if that sounded like a commercial.
Atlanta area readers might be interested to learn that Anchor Realty of St. George Island is introducing a new service - a direct flight from Atlanta to Apalachicola aboard a Beechjet 400A beginning May 24th. Seats 8 comfortably. Flights leaving Thursday through Monday. Pick up & delivery service is included in the $500/one way flight that leaves from Peachtree/Dekalb. For more information and reservations please call Lindsey Dickey at 800-824-0416 or you can click on their link off our website.
Kathy Robinson
Robinson Brothers Guide Service
152 17th St. ~ Apalachicola, FL 32320
850-653-8896
www.FloridaRedfish.com
Robinson@FlaRedfish.com |
Kathy Robinson
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, April 30, 2001 - 12:54 am: | |
Subject: Apalachicola Fishing Report 4/26
Since the day after Charlie Croft caught this 4 foot long, 46 pound Redfish, the fishing has gone slightly downhill but that doesn’t stop Capt. Tommy from telling everyone who will listen about the biggest Redfish he has ever seen in over 20 years of guiding. Charlie & Dennis Sutton had what Charlie (teasingly) called a slow day of fishing with 9 Reds over 30 pounds and a few Jack Crevalle thrown in for good measure.
I’ve added some nice photos to the website photo gallery in the last couple of days. Be sure to check out the Father-Daughter photos of Charles Walter & his fly-fishing offspring. Her 27-inch, 6lb Trout sight fished on Fly last week with Capt. Chris looks a little more impressive than his Redfish, but you be the judge. Lewis Monroe was onboard 4/19 with Chris and made a good show of it also.
Joe Wenzel took Capt. Jimmy up on his Riverboat trip last weekend. He enjoyed the tour of the Apalachicola River, Capt. Jimmy AND the panfish they caught so much he booked him for his August trip. Capt. Junior Holland’s clients caught 57 legal sized Specks by 10am last Thursday - he wanted me to tell you that he will be booking the majority of his trips through us in the future. Our Bay Guides (catch & eat!) Chad, Adam, Jimmy & Junior have all had quite a few successful trips in the past couple weeks & we are just really getting into our "Season". Have a great weekend & call me if you want to come fishing!
(FYI-Except for the instance of named storms, our guides do not cancel fishing trips in advance of the agreed upon meeting time, especially not based upon the reports of the Weather Channel. If you have a trip booked with us, PLAN on fishing and plan on having a good time.)
Kathy Robinson
Robinson Brothers Guide Service
152 17th St. ~ Apalachicola, FL 32320
850-653-8896
www.FloridaRedfish.com
Robinson@FlaRedfish.com
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Kathy Robinson
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, April 15, 2001 - 11:05 pm: | |
Subject: Apalachicola Fishing Report 4-13-01
(This "Red" Redfish (see photo) was caught by Clint Robinson while fishing in the Everglades with Capt. Chris last month. Wonder what happened to its spot?)
As soon as the water temperature hits about 72 degrees everything breaks loose around here. Deciding where to fish and what to fish for can almost be a problem. (Almost!) Should you go catch your limit of Pompano with Chad & Nathan? Are you into hooking up some big Jack Crevalle (they’re everywhere) with Jason? How about sight fishing 12 pound Redfish with Chris or releasing oversized Speckled Trout with Tommy? The Spanish Mackerel are airing it out and we are still catching Sheepshead, Black Drum & Flounder. Next to show up should be Cobia, Bluefish & Ladyfish. When they are all in place and the conditions are right Tarpon will begin their cruise into our waters. Oh Boy!
Tommy took me fishing last Sunday - mostly we just took in the sights. (Hey, he just got back home after 7 weeks in the Glades!) While I did spend some time casting at a couple of Redfish and some Spanish Mackerel we took particular notice of the local conditions in Apalachicola Bay and St. George Sound. The water is beginning to clear up a bit after March's deluge, although it is a bit more tannic than we are used to, and the fish are becoming quite a bit more active than they had been even a week prior. Judging by the reports our guides give me, they are pleased with what's been happening. Chris told me all I should write in my report is "IT IS HOT!" period.
Most of the time I am full of (true) stories about all the excellent saltwater fishing opportunities our area affords us but it seems that I have been leaving out a huge chunk of it - the whole Apalachicola River System! All those Shellcrackers & Bream & Bass just waiting their turn and lots of anglers who would rather catch a mess of panfish as look at salt water. Good News! Capt. Jimmy Maxwell (of Backwater Guide Service & Robinson Brothers Guide Service) has his 17-foot riverboat "The Blue Goose" up and running now. Just this morning he was telling me about the pile of nice Shellcrackers they caught the other day - 9 were so big they had to be filleted. He can take up to 2 freshwater anglers upriver at a time, and he is even willing to take along a fly fisherman if they bring their own rod.
Fishing Forecast
May is such an excellent time to fish the Forgotten Coast. Most of the month our tourist population wanes a bit before the summer rush so the boat traffic is lighter, there are more rooms available, and the restaurants are not as crowded as they will be during & after Memorial Day. All that plus May is the EVERYTHING month. Virtually every species of game (and eating) fish that ever grace our waters are available to us now. You practically can’t miss - the proverbial fish in a barrel. Hope you get a chance to get out & bend a rod!
Kathy Robinson
Robinson Brothers Guide Service
152 17th St. ~ Apalachicola, FL 32320
850-653-8896
www.FloridaRedfish.com
Robinson@FlaRedfish.com
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Kathy Robinson
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, April 07, 2001 - 7:58 pm: | |
Subject: ESPN-2 Orvis Outdoors
I promised y'all I would give you a heads up when the ESPN Outdoors segment that was filmed here last November would air. Well, some of you saw it last weekend already but I'll be watching Sunday morning at 7:30 am eastern time. Jimbo Meador, Rick Ruoff & Capt. Tommy Robinson are some of the "Stars" of the 1/2 hour show. That said, I sure hope the schedule at ESPN.com was right! Enjoy & have a great weekend.
Kathy Robinson
Robinson Brothers Guide Service
152 17th St. ~ Apalachicola, FL 32320
850-653-8896
www.FloridaRedfish.com
Robinson@FlaRedfish.com |
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