| Fishing Guide / Author |
Fishing Reports for Local Area - Location |
    
CaptainIDS (Captainids)
New member
Username: Captainids
Post Number: 36
Registered: 9-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, September 05, 2007 - 10:13 am: | |
Are you a Licensed Coast Guard Captain?
This is for you
http://www.captainids.com/ |
Capt. Mike Winn
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, November 27, 2002 - 1:01 am: | |
Subject: Big Bend Fishing Report
Big Bend
Happy Turkey day! Well I have got some good news and I've got some bad news. The good news is that grouper fishing is about as good as it gets, and inshore anglers are finding outstanding numbers of trout and redfish in rivers and creeks. And as you might have guessed, the bad new is that the weather looks pretty poor from turkey day through Sunday.
Rivers and creeks containing deep holes and warmer water are attracting trout, redfish, and anglers. Homosassa, Crystal River, Wacassassa, Cedar Key, and Suwannee are all producing good to excellent catches. Several baits are working well; live shrimp, Tiny Trout series Mirrolures, Saltwater Assassin jigs in white and pink, root beer, and electric chicken. Shallower waters are not out of the question. The combination of an incoming tide and a sunny day can warm mud and oyster flats enough to lure trout and reds to the skinny water later into the day.
Other inshore species you might encounter are sheepshead, black drum, sand trout, or whiting. Sand trout and whiting have been holding on hard packed sand bottom in channels or cuts from Cedar Key and Suwannee. Crystal River, Homosassa and Cedar Key anglers have found a few black drum mixed in with redfish.
WOW! What a stretch of great weather and even better grouper digging. Why can't it always be this good? Grouper catches are great all over. The powerful bottom dwellers seem to be congregating on rock piles from 20- to 50-feet deep. Several 20 fish limits have been taken without ever pulling anchor! We were not lucky enough to find that may keepers in one spot, but were able to fill limits moving only a couple of times. Pinfish did the trick for us, but many boats are cleaning up using only frozen herring or sardines. Pinfish are still abundant, and you can put 100 in the live well in short order. You may want to up your leader material size, as many of these gags are big, and my usual 80-lb leader failed on more than one occasion. The pressure these large fish can exert is amazing, and while they rarely "cut" through a leader, oversize grouper can actually flatten out the leader to the point of failure. Offshore waters are pretty dingy right now so the 100- to 125- pound leader should not affect the willingness of fish to bite.
Oversize reds are keeping grouper company over select hard-bottom areas offshore resulting in some exciting catch-n-release fishing. The only problem is I don't know why the big reds pick the areas they do, and they don't stay in one place for long.
Hopefully this weather forecast is wrong and conditions will improve somewhat so we can go work off some of this turkey by putting the hurt on some big fish.
|
Capt. Miie
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, November 27, 2002 - 1:00 am: | |
Big Bend
Happy Turkey day! Well I have got some good news and I've got some bad news. The good news is that grouper fishing is about as good as it gets, and inshore anglers are finding outstanding numbers of trout and redfish in rivers and creeks. And as you might have guessed, the bad new is that the weather looks pretty poor from turkey day through Sunday.
Rivers and creeks containing deep holes and warmer water are attracting trout, redfish, and anglers. Homosassa, Crystal River, Wacassassa, Cedar Key, and Suwannee are all producing good to excellent catches. Several baits are working well; live shrimp, Tiny Trout series Mirrolures, Saltwater Assassin jigs in white and pink, root beer, and electric chicken. Shallower waters are not out of the question. The combination of an incoming tide and a sunny day can warm mud and oyster flats enough to lure trout and reds to the skinny water later into the day.
Other inshore species you might encounter are sheepshead, black drum, sand trout, or whiting. Sand trout and whiting have been holding on hard packed sand bottom in channels or cuts from Cedar Key and Suwannee. Crystal River, Homosassa and Cedar Key anglers have found a few black drum mixed in with redfish.
WOW! What a stretch of great weather and even better grouper digging. Why can't it always be this good? Grouper catches are great all over. The powerful bottom dwellers seem to be congregating on rock piles from 20- to 50-feet deep. Several 20 fish limits have been taken without ever pulling anchor! We were not lucky enough to find that may keepers in one spot, but were able to fill limits moving only a couple of times. Pinfish did the trick for us, but many boats are cleaning up using only frozen herring or sardines. Pinfish are still abundant, and you can put 100 in the live well in short order. You may want to up your leader material size, as many of these gags are big, and my usual 80-lb leader failed on more than one occasion. The pressure these large fish can exert is amazing, and while they rarely "cut" through a leader, oversize grouper can actually flatten out the leader to the point of failure. Offshore waters are pretty dingy right now so the 100- to 125- pound leader should not affect the willingness of fish to bite.
Oversize reds are keeping grouper company over select hard-bottom areas offshore resulting in some exciting catch-n-release fishing. The only problem is I don't know why the big reds pick the areas they do, and they don't stay in one place for long.
Hopefully this weather forecast is wrong and conditions will improve somewhat so we can go work off some of this turkey by putting the hurt on some big fish.
|
Capt. Mike Winn
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, October 24, 2002 - 2:42 pm: | |
Subject: Big Bend Report
BIG BEND
Aside from a few isolated showers, it looks like we are in for a fine weekend with seas likely less than two feet and winds five- to ten- knots through Sunday. Did I forget to mention the fish are biting? Outstanding reports of one type or another are coming from all Big Bend waters.
Suwannee and Cedar Key anglers report good redfish catches on grass lines and around islands. One Cedar Key angler reports releasing 18 redfish before catching one small enough to keep. Don’t you hate it when that happens? Unfortunately, this report is not typical since most redfish of spawning size have already started their journey offshore.
Sea trout are a good bet on grass flats and coming soon in creek mouths if these cool temperatures persist. Suwannee anglers are finding most of their fish north of the river’s mouth in four to six feet of water. Clear Homosassa flats have produced consistent trout catches for anglers fishing water around four feet deep. Most anything will work, from live shrimp to jigs, flies and top water plugs. Cedar Key fishers have found plenty of fish stalking shrimp and pinfish on grass flats from three to six feet deep. Live pinfish, shrimp, and jigs are all taking their share of fish.
Sand trout are still being taken on hard sand bottom in 10 to 12 feet of water. Small grub jigs and dead shrimp are the most productive baits. Deep channels are a good place to start. Pick a place that looks very flat with no vegetation.
Grouper diggers are having a fine time, some catching limits of hefty gags barely ten miles out in some places. Homosassa gags are hitting cast and trolled diving plugs in water from 12 to 25 feet deep. While trolling can be the most productive method for the next few months, conditions will not always allow you to troll and I you should be prepared to bottom fish with live or frozen bait. Grouper anglers out of Suwannee had a banner weekend with many boats bringing in near limits and limits of big fish from water 30- to 40- feet deep.
Spanish to 30 inches have been voracious on deep offshore grass a few miles off Cedar Key and Suwannee. Of course I am talking about Seahorse Reef and Spotty Bottom respectively. Spanish are also available grass flats inshore out of all Big Bend ports. Kingfish are taking slow trolled live baits, dead minnow/duster rigs and bottom baits from Suwannee to Crystal River.
Good fishing, see you next week!
|
Capt. Mike Winn
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, October 03, 2002 - 11:11 pm: | |
Subject: Big Bend Report
BIG BEND
A break in the weather last weekend allowed many anglers to take advantage of great fishing and flat seas, but Hurricane sure put a dent in the fishing this week. I hope I did not mislead too many of you with my weather forecast last week. Weather conditions change by the minute and by the time Saturday morning rolls around; my weather information is a day and a half old. I will continue to put in my two cents, but don’t take my word for it, ask NOAA before you decide to go, or not to go.
Thanks to Sunday’s new moon we are looking at some pretty high tides over the next several days. Prime time to hit the flooded bars with your gold spoons and top-water plugs ready. Redfishing is not quite as hot as weeks past, but still a good bet just about anywhere in Big Bend waters. A pinfish or live shrimp stuck to a jig-head and fished under a popping cork or Cajun Thunder will entice both redfish and trout.
Trout catches are less than impressive, but the situation is only temporary. Look for better catches through the next few weeks if the storms leave us alone. Cleaner grass flats are accounting for the best catches.
Cobia are still roaming inshore and offshore waters. Not a lot of catches being reported, but it only takes one to make your day. Live or cut bait will do the job.
Spanish mackerel have rewarded fishers who made their way through high wind and seas to Seahorse Reef at Cedar Key and Spotty Bottom out of Suwannee. Anglers trolling silver Clarke Squid spoons and Floreo jigs faired well. More than a few fish in the four- to seven- pound range were boated over the weekend off Cedar Key and Suwannee. Unless you just enjoy replacing wire leaders every few minutes, use an Albright knot to attach 25- to 30- pound mono leader to your mainline above the wire.
For anglers able to make their way a little further offshore, good numbers of grouper await. Bottom fishers and trollers working depths from 25- to 40- feet have met with the most success. The strong tides should grab bottom fishers’ attention, and once the current and the bite slows around slack tide, break out the diving plugs and give trolling a try. Trolling is a great way to find new grouper spots as well as putting gags and kingfish in the box. You may want to use a wire leader in front of you plug. On your way offshore stop of on a grass flat and catch a few dozen pinfish. When the gags stop eating your frozen baits, you’ll be glad you have them. Don’t forget to put out a flat-line while you are bottom fishing. Kingfish, cobia and Spanish mackerel can all be suckers for free-lined live or dead bait.
If we are to get a fall king run this year, it should start any day now. Try slow trolling live baits, or dragging dead baits with a pink sea witch skirt. When using dead baits and a skirt you should troll fast enough to keep the baits just below the surface and/or skipping every now and then. If you move too slowly, the wary kings will get too good of a look at your bait.
Good fishing, see you next week!
|
Capt. Mike Winn
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, September 05, 2002 - 4:51 pm: | |
Subject: Cedar Key Report
BIG BEND
Finally, water temperatures are starting to go down instead of up. This is not going unnoticed by inshore species. Trout are starting to come around and redfish catches have been outstanding despite heavy boat traffic over the long weekend. Look for decreasing water temps to give grouper a kick in the tail and start to move them to rock piles within sight of land. This weekend’s weather is still up in the air as far as I am concerned. Tropical depression Edouard may be Tropical Storm Edouard again by Saturday after spending Friday in gulf waters. The forecast is for southeast wind 10 to 15 knots and seas two to four feet, but I think we just have to wait and see what happens.
With the shorter days, and water temperatures slowly dropping, grouper are starting to chase trolled plugs over near rock piles in water less than 35 feet deep. Mann’s Stretch 25’s and 30’s are by far the fisherman’s favorite lures, but the fish sometimes seem to prefer a Rebel Jawbreaker, Magnum Rapala, or Cisco Kid. Try a variety of sizes and colors until you hit upon on that works best. Don’t be surprised if you pick up oversize Spanish, kings or cobia while trolling for gags. Black-and-gold, black-and-silver, and orange are all good colors to start out with. Use the darker colors during overcast conditions and the brighter lures on sunny days with clear water. If you are fishing water over 25-feet deep, you may want to use a two-to four-ounce trolling weight six- to seven-feet in front of your plug. Most planers cannot be used with lipped plugs. Red grouper, while not known for chasing plugs, have been responding well to live pinfish and cut bait in water from 40- to 60-feet deep. While most fish are under the 20-inch minimum, fat reds to 15-pounds have been boated this week. The best grouper catches are coming from water 40 to 50 feet deep.
With the arrival of cooler water temperatures nearing the low 80’s, comes improved fishing for Spanish, kingfish, and trout. While large Spanish macks in greater numbers are beginning to show inshore and offshore, two- to four-pound bluefish seem to outnumber mackerel. Trollers will want to work deep grass or bait pods with Clarke or Kingspoons and hair jigs. Don’t be afraid to troll too fast. Start out at around five-knots and work your way up to seven until you find a speed that works for you. I like to keep at least one bait fairly close to the boat, less than 50-feet. When on person hooks up, have someone reel in the other spoon or jig as fast as possible. This will often result in a double hookup. Of course trolling is out of the question if there is too much grass floating around. In this case try anchoring up with a chum bag or drifting as casting jigs or free lining live or cut bait. Spro bucktail jigs are tops right now. Try ¼ to ¾ ounce jigs in white, green/white, or blue mackerel.
Although trout fishing is on the mend, redfish are still the best bet inshore. Everyone has their favorite bait, but live pinfish are tops right now. Large schools of oversize are being found around islands from Homosassa to Suwannee and most places in between. The word is one-hour before high tide is producing the best catches.
Cobia are still around and willing to take a live pinfish or jig. If you don’t mind wrestling with a few sharks, and you are the patient type, you should be able to pull a keeper off channel markers or out of deep water with grass flats nearby.
Good fishing, see you next week!
|
Capt. Mike Winn
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 28, 2002 - 6:04 pm: | |
Subject: Big Bend Report
BIG BEND
Well this is it. The long weekend devoted to the working folks, your reward for busting your butt all year. Although it has been very hot out there, you should be all right as long as you have a place to hide from the sun and bring plenty of water and Gatorade or other sports drink. Start drinking fluids in the morning and don’t stop. If you wait until you feel light-headed, it may be too late. This weekend’s tides won’t match the spring tides we saw last weekend, but hopefully we’ll see enough current for a repeat of last weekend’s great redfishing. Look for an east to southeast wind and seas two feet through Monday.
Inshore anglers from Suwannee to Homosassa are finding oversize redfish plentiful and hungry with legal size fish in slightly fewer numbers. Gold spoons and small pinfish floated on grassy points and shell bars around high tide are a top choice. Live shrimp, grub-tail jigs, and top-water plugs are also a good bet.
Water temperatures inshore are pushing 87-degrees, but despite this, some very impressive trout catches are coming to anglers working grass flats in as little as four feet of water. Fifteen to twenty fish limits are not uncommon. Live bait and artificials have been very effective. The Weekend Angler host Kevin Ray and friend boated 10 trout over 19 inches on top water plugs while drifting Cedar Key flats. The pair was using a fire tiger plug called a DJ Vamp produced by the Lureman, Capt. Dave Jefford. If you are not lucky enough to have any of Capt. Jefford’s plugs, try a floater/diver or something you can walk across the surface. Zara Spook, Mirrolure’s Top Dog, or a Yozuri Crystal Minnow should do the trick. Live shrimp and pinfish are taking plenty of fish also.
If you're looking for something bigger to stretch your line, sharks and cobia are still being hooked in inshore cuts and channels from Suwannee to Cedar Key. Get out there early if you are after cobia. Heavy boat traffic puts a stop to sight fishing in a hurry.
Spanish mackerel, bluefish, and ladyfish are still chasing jigs, spoons, and flies at Seahorse Reef, Spotty bottom, and Hedemon Reef. An abundance of grass and jellyfish has made for difficult trolling. Casting jigs and flies to bait pods has proven more successful. Large schools of 10 to 15 inch mangrove snapper are cooperating for anglers chumming and free-lining small pinfish, pilchards or chunks of fresh cut bait. A few feet of fluorocarbon leader may be necessary to get these tackle-wary slabs to bite.
The grouper bite is fair, but in most cases you will need a lot of bait to put legal fish in the box. There are tons of just short red and gag grouper, so take care when de-hooking and releasing short fish. Short gags and triggerfish can wreak havoc on a well stocked live well or frozen bait. Make sure you bring some frozen herring and squid for variety. Fresh cut bait can sometimes prove more effective than anything else. Half of a blue runner or fillet grunt work well and are harder for the smaller fish to steal. Dead bait drew just as many hits as live, but the live bait is accounting for more legal fish.
Good fishing, see you next week!
|
Capt. Mike Winn
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 15, 2002 - 3:36 pm: | |
Subject: Big Bend Report
BIG BEND
It looks like we can look forward to decent weather this weekend with an east wind ten knots and seas two feet. Your best bet will be to fish the late morning outgoing tide. Thunderstorms and lightning are still a major threat so use common sense when deciding to stay or go.
If you happen to be near a TV on Saturday at 12:30 pm, and you get the Outdoor Life Network, check out Csonka Outdoors. I took Larry and Smokey Joe out of Cedar Key in May. I have not seen the show yet, but at the very least you should get to see Larry pull in some Big Bend gags, red grouper and amberjack.
Redfish are still your best bet inshore with equal numbers coming from oyster bars and inshore grass lines. Anglers using grub-tail jigs, gold spoons, live shrimp and pinfish are producing the top catches. Clouser minnows and small poppers are producing for fly fishers working flooded bars at high tide. Many fish are within the 18- to 27-inch slot size. Crystal River and Homossassa anglers are finding many reds are over the slot size.
Fishers targeting temperature sensitive trout are working hard to find keeper-size fish in near shore waters. With the exception of a few closely guarded areas inshore, most larger fish are still coming from deep grass located further offshore. With pinfish being so numerous right now, grub-tail jigs, cut bait, or medium-size pinfish will produce the most strikes. Saltwater Assassin jig tails fished under a Cajun Thunder rattling float is a tough combination to beat for spotted sea trout. Free lined pinfish or pigfish are also producing some nice trout, Spanish mackerel and bluefish.
Spanish mackerel and a few kings are slashing through bait schools offshore. There is so much grass floating around offshore that trolling for mackerel is just about impossible. This goes for dragging diving plugs as well. Your best bet is free lining live or cut bait in a chum line, or drifting and casting jigs.
Grouper fishing is inconsistent at best. A good day of a near limit catch is followed by a dismal day with one or two keepers. There are lots of short red and gag grouper in 50-feet of water. Keeper gags, triggerfish, and grunts seem to be a bit more abundant in 40- to 45-feet of water. Homosassa and Suwannee anglers report better catches in 50- to 65-feet of water. Live pinfish or threadfin herring have accounted for most of our fish over 22 inches, but many anglers swear frozen baits work just as well.
Some impressive catches of sharks and cobia have been made over the last week. Tiger sharks from four to ten feet long have been caught, as well as countless acrobatic blacktip, sand and Atlantic sharpnose sharks. Cobia to 62 pounds have been boated inshore and offshore. Surprisingly, cut bait has accounted for the largest fish.
Good fishing, see you next week!
|
Capt. Mike Winn
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 08, 2002 - 10:40 am: | |
Subject: Big Bend Report
BIG BEND
How about this cold front? I think it hit 68 degrees this morning. The only problem is that higher wind and seas accompany this cooler weather. Look for an east wind 10 to 15 knots and gusty with seas two to four feet through Sunday.
Redfish catches remain pretty good throughout the Big Bend. Homosassa anglers are taking big reds off the many keys located at the river’s mouth. Live pinfish or cut bait fished under a popping cork or on the bottom account for the best catches. Suwannee anglers have also experienced good catches of reds on flooded bars and grassy points.
Trout fishing has been less spectacular. A few fish are being taken on deeper grass flats from 6- to 12-feet deep. Live pinfish or shrimp fished with or without a float, or jigs worked slow and tight to the bottom are the best ways to fish the deep grass. A slip float is preferable to a popping cork over the deeper grass.
Cedar Key and Suwannee anglers are finding decent numbers of Spanish mackerel and bluefish on deep grass offshore. Spanish are also scattered over hard bottom. Casting or trolling jigs or spoons will take a few fish, but free lining live or cut bait is working best. Live Pilchards or threadfin herring are taking the biggest fish with many in the four to six pound range. Free lining small pinfish or pigfish will give you a shot at some nice size trout as the baits make a run for the grass.
Grouper fishing has been downright slow. If you are putting four or five keepers in the box, you are doing better than most right now. Near shore grouper diggers working water 35 to 45 feet deep are doing just as good as those running much farther offshore. Frozen bait and live baits are taking fish, but those taking the time to catch live baits are doing a bit better. Trolling may be an option, if you can stay clear floating grass that can turn fishing into a chore.
Sharks, tarpon and cobia should be roaming inshore waters looking for a fight. I said SHOULD BE, because cobia and tarpon catches have never really materialized this year. If you are feeling lucky, fish live or dead baits in deep cuts or channels. If you sight rolling tarpon, cast live pinfish, menhaden, mullet, or plugs in their path. Circle hooks will greatly increase your hookup ratio for poons. Just leave the rod in the holder the first few seconds and the tarpon will hook itself.
Good fishing, see you next week!
|
Capt. Mike Winn
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, July 29, 2002 - 7:21 pm: | |
Subject: Cedar Key Report
BIG BEND
This week’s full moon means high tides and a very strong current for those of you fishing late into the day. Severe storms lasting into late morning have kept many anglers sitting home watching the radar. Hopefully these storms will be less of a factor for the coming weekend. Look for a south wind five to ten knots and seas less than two feet with scattered afternoon and evening thunderstorms.
Inshore catches have been pretty slow, unless you count sharks and pinfish. While a few keeper trout are being caught in four to six feet of water, most are hanging on the grass 8 to 14 feet deep seeking cooler water than what’s available inshore. Slow fished jigs or free-lined pinfish or pigfish are the ticket. Live shrimp are still pretty hard to come by.
Redfish catches are still pretty good from Homosassa, Crystal River, Wacassassa, and Cedar Key. Oversize reds are starting to thrill Homosassa anglers with the best fishing still a month away. Most fish are being taken just inside the river’s mouth. Cedar Key and Wacassassa angers are finding fish around grassy points and shell bars on or around high tide. Topwater plugs and gold spoons are perfect for fishing flooded bars. Live pinfish are still hard to beat. Not too much happening inshore out of Suwannee.
Spanish mackerel are hanging tough despite water temps well above their preferred range. Keeping the speedy macks company are bluefish, ladyfish, jack crevalle and little tunny. While most fish are on deeper grass, a few stubborn mackerel are slashing baits on inshore flats as well. Bait schools are abundant, and just about anything that swims are chasing them.
Grouper catches are good but most fish are not big enough to make the trip home. Red grouper dominate the catch right now, and you might find one fish out of 25 that measures up. Your best bet is to get away from the reds and find some gag grouper. If you are having trouble finding them, trolling may be the way to go. Try working some of these bait schools offshore with diving plugs of large jigs on a downrigger. I think if I was a grouper, those big schools of bait might be hard to resist.
There is still not much happening in the way of tarpon of cobia, although a few tarpon are being hooked and caught in the Homosassa River.
Good fishing, see you next week!
|
Capt Mike Winn
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, July 17, 2002 - 9:39 pm: | |
Subject: Cedar Key Florida Report
BIG BEND
If you don’t mind the heat, this weekend’s weather should put a smile on your face. We can expect a southwest wind from five to ten knots and seas two feet or less through Sunday. A welcome change from the windy conditions we had last weekend. You’ll still need to keep an eye out for water spouts, thunderheads and lightning, and keep in mind that lightning strikes can appear many miles from the nearest clouds. It’s scary stuff, so be careful.
Despite very warm water temperatures inshore and less than ideal water clarity, grass flats in as little as three feet of water are giving up some impressive trout. Why are the specks putting up with 86-degree water? Well I don’t know for sure, but I would guess that the abundance of bait inshore might have something to do with it. Live shrimp will work if you can get them. Otherwise jigs worked near the bottom or under a popping or rattling cork will do the job. Small pinfish or cut pinfish are a good option as well. OK just about anything will work if your in the right place at the right time.
Trout are keeping Spanish mackerel, bluefish, small sharks and jack crevalle company on deeper grass as well. All the same baits mentioned for trout will work. Try drifting areas like Seahorse Reef, Spotty Bottom, and Hedemon Reef for any and all of these species. Pinfish, threadfins, pilchards, blue runners and ballyhoo are abundant, and can become a nuisance once your livewell is full. Trolling and anchoring seem to be equally effective right now as long as you can stay away from floating grass.
Just sub-legal red grouper continue to ravage live and frozen baits all along the Big Bend. If you want to have any bait left when the gags get hungry, you better double up on livies or frozen herring or sardines or you may be sorry. We’ve got to be extra careful when catching so many shorts to make sure they are released in good shape. Maybe we’ll have a chance to catch them again after they grow up and before the commercial guys get their hooks into them. Anglers fishing 45 to 65 feet of water have made some fine gag grouper catches as of late. Frozen bait will catch them, but live bait will catch them quicker.
While trolling for gags is hot in winter and spring, it is not usually the most productive tactic for middle-of-summer grouper fishing. It can however weed out the smaller fish for anglers limited to fishing closer in. The largest grouper in a given area are usually the first to chase down a trolled plug. The odd king, oversize Spanish mackerel, or cobia might also be your reward when employing this method. Mann’s Stretch 30, Rebel Jawbreaker, Cisco Kid, and Magnum Rapala are all worth a try.
Good fishing, see you next week!
|
Philippe Tisseaux
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, June 25, 2002 - 9:58 pm: | |
Subject: FISHING and ADVENTURES in NICARAGUA
Fishing report # 35 of our trip with Frank from Houston Texas ( May 2002 ) A San Juan River GRAN SLAM for Frank:Tarpon, Snook, Rainbow bass.... Only missing a Gar for our Super Gran Slam....
About this trip Frank did Email me:
Philippe, Paul and Augusto,
I want to thank you guys for all your exceptional efforts in making my recent fishing trip with you to the remote regions of southern Nicaragua a truly exotic and wonderfully exciting and safe adventure. You took me to some of the most beautiful, unspoiled and incredibly fruitful fishing grounds I have ever seen. Your custom approach to making my fishing trip a unique and memorable experience was greatly appreciated. I especially enjoyed the delicious dinners we shared that always included our fresh caught fish then sitting around remembering the day and discussing where we would fish and stay the next day. What an adventure! You guys are really good fishermen and you love what you are doing and it shows. I want to thank you for everything especially putting me on to that big Snook that I so desperately wanted even though they were out of season. Your custom and flexible approach to making a fishing trip fun sure beets the heck out of some of those other guys “cookie cutter” fishing trips. I would like to advise anyone considering booking with you to be prepared for some simple basic lodging, but, everywhere we went the food was very good the people were honest and friendly and the fishing was absolutely incredible. I am pleased to say that I never got sick eating any of the food and, surprisingly, I never applied any bug spray the entire trip.
I do look forward to booking another fishing adventure with you again real soon.
Again, thanks for everything,
Frank Yerich Frank@yerich.com www.yerich.com
My report: I received Frank coming from Houston at Juan Santamaria International airport in San Jose costa Rica, ( For this first trip with us franck did choose my option via San Jose I hope next time ...in order to change he will come via Managua, so discover the so beautifull city of Granada ) . My friend Paul from Florida ,was also in Costa Rica he joined the party...( It is always a great pleasure to have such an experienced fisherman as Paul aboard... as Frank is also a real Aficionado we really had a good team..) .
We went by car to Los chiles via the mountains of Costa Rica Cordillera Central..( cofe, Sugar cane, Orange plantation and Arenal Volcano..) as Fishing is actually closed in Rio Frio and Cano Negro in Costa Rica we directly entered Nicaragua aboard our boat Julia Brava via the border located on the jungle River of Rio Frio., a real Adventure, no car for Five days , all transfert in our boat Julia Brava.....( Captain and Fishing guide the now famous Augusto, Mate Abraham..) Five day fishing in unique Jungle Scenery , going from spot to spot according to fish Frank wanted to catch..... We used several Hotel all offering reasonable accomodation for Anglers.....Good meals also..... On San Juan River we went down to El Castillo , On Nicaragua Lake to the Solentiname Archipelago where we enjoyed the Hospitality of the Community founded by Ernesto Cardenal Frank did bought some Paintings and hand wood carved Arts.
Fishing has been great, San Juan River is really full of tarpon...we also caught our usual snooks around Saballo and Rainbow bass in Solentiname so a Gran Slam for Franck...
My expeditions are made of all of that , World Class Fishing but also a lot of discovery: Rain forest, wild life, First class bird watching, History: San Juan River has been describe by Mark Twain , at the end of 19th century it was the Gold Rush road, more than 100 000 Pioners pass there Going from New York to California aboard the boats of Mr Vanderbilt “( so much to write about that..), The fortress of El Castillo with it’s museum is worth the trip for itself... . Art is also part of our trips with the Famous Painters and Wood carver in so peacefull Solentiname...
Really a lot of fun with Paul , Augusto and a new friend Frank....
If you are interested in a new fishing destination really “ off the beaten track “
please be in touch with me via E mail at sanjuan@racsa.co.cr It will also be my pleasure to comunicate the E mail adress of Frank or other recent guests so you can talk directly with them concerning the quality of my fishing, Our organisation, and PLEASE TALK about safety in Nicaragua
( This is the question 90% of people wishing to come ask me...as they worry ...I perfectly understand than due to history people worry about Nicaragua but bad days are over and my answer is: Definitely nothing to fear, Nicaragua is nowdays a very peacefull country , slowly it open to tourism, there are very few places in the world where people are so nice with tourists ...)
I sugest you talk about all of that with Guests who did share our Fishing Adventures they are our best reference...
Philippe Tisseaux.
Email sanjuan@racsa.co.cr
Web site in English: http://www.marine-electronics.net/tropicalfishing/
Fishing reports at: http://pub25.ezboard.com/btarpon
New Web site in French: http://solentiname1.tripod.com/ |
Capt. Mike Winn
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, June 14, 2002 - 5:56 pm: | |
Subject: Big Bend Report
BIG BEND
Well it seems like summer is really here and fish, as well as fisherman are taking notice. Anglers should double up on the amount of water and ice they normally bring. There is no excuse for getting caught out there without plenty of water, and don’t just look at it, drink alot.
Higher water temperatures have most species seeking cooler deeper water trying to find their comfort zone. For trout that zone is not much over 80 degrees and redfish prefer water less than 85 degrees. Inshore fish take advantage of the cooler water temps from dawn until the sun gets up, and so should you. Early morning is prime time to break out your top water baits. Mirrolure’s Top Dog, Zara Spook, and floater/divers like Rapalas all work well for redfish, sea trout, Spanish mackerel, bluefish, and most other inshore game fish.
King and Spanish mackerel are still roaming Big Bend waters. Both are hit-and-miss, but kingfish are more so. Seahorse Reef and Spotty Bottom are giving up decent numbers of Spanish, as well as bluefish, trout and plenty of bait. Try anchoring and free lining, or trolling spoons and jigs. Kings are scattered over live-bottom from 35 feet on out. Cobia and sharks are also prowling the deep grass and hard-bottom in search or an easy meal.
Tarpon, cobia and sharks are a likely inshore encounter, with sharks topping the list. By now cobia are pretty tired of being pelted in the head with jigs and such, and are more likely to be found using a chum bag and live pinfish or pilchards fished on the bottom. Find an area with healthy grass coming up to a drop off or cut and anchor just off the edge of the grass. Tarpon can also be found in these same areas. Circle hooks will greatly increase the length of time a tarpon stays hooked, but I have found cobia can be difficult to hook on anything but a J-hook.
Grouper action has been great, but the quality of the fish could be better with only about one in ten fish large enough to keep. With so much of our catch too short to keep it becomes crucial for us to be careful when releasing those short grouper. The shorts we throw back today are the keepers of tomorrow. Well maybe not tomorrow, but you know what I mean. Lets make sure they survive after we let them go. If you can’t safely remove the hook, don’t! Cut the leader as short as possible. Try to handle the fish as little as possible, with a wet glove or towel if you can. With a good de-hooker, you don’t even have to touch the hook or the fish.
Live bait, cut bait, or jigs are the top baits right now. Blue/white bucktail jigs tipped or not tipped are fooling gags in water over 40 feet deep. Amberjack are also suckers for jigs; just make sure you and your tackle are up to the task. The best grouper and amberjack catches are still in water over 50 feet deep. That does not mean they are not being caught closer in, I’m just not hearing about it. So if you have some recent hot bites or impressive catches you are willing to share, I would love to hear from you. Shoot me an email and let me know how you’re doing.
|
Capt. Mike Winn
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, June 06, 2002 - 9:08 pm: | |
Subject: Big Bend Report
BIG BEND
The predicted cold front never materialized this week so wind and seas have remained mild and conditions offshore near perfect. We have decent tides this weekend with about a two-foot difference between the morning low and midday high. Saturday, look for an east wind ten knots and seas two feet, and 10 to 15 knots Sunday with seas two to three feet.
Near-shore grass flats and shallows are holding good numbers of, redfish, Spanish mackerel, ladyfish, jack crevalle, and sharks. Trout reports are down for this time of year. The best trout catches are coming from Horseshoe, Suwannee, and Cedar Key. Seahorse Reef and Spotty Bottom are yielding decent trout catches. Yozuri minnows, Long A’s, gold spoons and Saltwater Assassin jigs are taking the most fish as artificial baits go. Live shrimp or pinfish under a Flats Equalizer is a hard bait to beat for any of the previously mentioned species. Redfish are taking live shrimp and gold spoons in near shore shallows. Keep a rod ready for tossing a live pinfish or jig to cruising cobia.
To increase your chances of hooking up with a cobia, check out your favorite channel markers for cobes hanging out at the surface around the pole. Don’t give up just because you don’t see a cobia lazing at the surface. He may be there, and if you are patient, you’ll get up close and personal. Anchor up current from the marker, put out a chum bag and put your baits on the bottom and under a float. If your bait is pretty clear of the marker, leave your drag loose for the cobia’s initial run to give him a chance to eat the bait. Of course if your fish is heading for the marker, put the brakes on as much as possible. It’s a good idea to rig your anchor with a buoy so you can get moving quickly and go back for it later since you may have to chase your cobia around the marker to keep from breaking off.
Cedar Key’s Seahorse Reef is still giving up plenty of Spanish mackerel, as well as some impressive trout, bluefish, cobia and sharks. Pompano have also made an appearance at the reef. Hernando Beach, Homosassa, and Crystal River anglers are also finding cooperative Spanish mackerel on deep grass and cuts. Most limits are coming to anglers at anchor casting jigs or free-lining live shrimp or cut bait in a chum slick. Don’t expect to catch fish immediately, but within 15- to 20- minutes you should begin to see baitfish behind the boat followed by bigger fish. If you don’t start to see bait after a few minutes, you should probably move to another area.
King mackerel have been surprisingly abundant off Suwannee and Cedar Key in water from 25 to 50 feet deep. Schools fairly numerous from 20 to 60 feet, and are easy to find when seas aren’t too rough. Lucky bottom fishers have scored as many kingfish catches as anglers actually targeting the toothy torpedoes. As with Spanish mackerel a chum or menhaden oil slick will improve your chances.
Gag and red grouper are bashing bottom baits on live bottom from 25 to 65 feet deep. The best catches however, are coming from water over 45 feet deep. Live bait is killing them, but frozen will work. Goliath grouper are making easy meals of prime grouper baits and other grouper. Only the heaviest tackle will do for this catch-and-release fishing. Amberjack are abundant on wrecks and reefs all along the Big Bend. The phrase “big baits catch big fish” was never truer. Go big.
Good fishing. See you next week!
Capt Mike Winn
|
Capt. MIke Winn
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, May 23, 2002 - 3:25 pm: | |
Subject: Big Bend Report
Big Bend
Well friends, I don’t know about you, but I have had just about enough of the wind and seas we’ve had the last couple of weeks. So far this month, I have only been able to fish five days, and the rest of the month doesn’t look much different. Again for this weekend we are looking at a northeast to east wind from 15 to 25 knots and seas four to seven feet through the Memorial Day weekend. I would guess that forecast will eliminate 99% of offshore trips including me. This steady northeast wind is playing havoc with the tides; so don’t count on water heights to match up with the tidal charts.
Despite all the rough weather there are still some clean waters around that are producing decent trout catches as well as a few Spanish mackerel. There are a lot of short fish, but it sure beats sitting at home. Jigs fished under a Cajun Thunder rattling cork are your best bet. Some of the more productive jigs include; Salt Water Assassin’s Electric Chicken and Fire Tiger, Hurricane Cedar Key Tournament Series Sandcrab, and Rip Tide New Penny Swim Fin. The old stand by pink and white did not make the list this time.
If you just can’t find any clean water, sharks are still out there ready to stretch you line and they don’t seem to care how dirty the water is. If you are able to anchor on the edge of some deep water and are persistent, you may find cobia in addition to sharks. A chum bag and live bait is your best bet. Put a pinfish or similar bait under a cork and one on the bottom.
If the wind will let up enough to let the tide run in, reds should be biting on bars and grassy points on a high tide. Live shrimp, pinfish and gold spoons are top baits. Some say the reds bite better when inshore waters are rough. Let me know how you do if you make it out.
Don’t know of anyone that made it offshore over the last week. I am hoping that this fall-like weather we have been having will extend the stay of our toothy friends, Spanish and king mackerel. Likewise the cooler water temps may delay the need to run very far offshore for grouper. Something good has to come from this weather.
Good fishing. See you next week!
Capt. Mike Winn
|
Capt. Mike Winn
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, May 16, 2002 - 4:12 pm: | |
Subject: Big Bend Report
Big Bend
I hope some of you were able to go to the Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Management Council in Destin this week. On the agenda for the meeting was the proposed four-month closure for gag and red grouper as part of the red grouper rebuilding plan. I don’t know about you, but red grouper make up less that 5% of my catch (legal fish), and don’t feel like a recreational closure is warranted. I was unable to get away from town due to an illness in the family, but I plan on attending the July meeting in Sarasota, and I urge you to do the same. We cannot let these proposed closures go unchallenged.
Prime fishing time is here. Unfortunately, prime weather is not. The wind has been blowing steadily 10 to 18 knots through most of the last week, and if you can believe the weather forecast we will see continued high winds through the weekend accompanied by three to five foot seas. Yuck!!
Well as you might have guessed, there have not been many anglers making the trip offshore this week. When seas do subside, expect good grouper catches from 40 feet on out. Nearshore grouper spots normally see increased fishing pressure when seas are up, and mid-May is usually a good time to find gags in their shallow water haunts. So if you just have to grouper fish this weekend, you may want to try rock piles in 18 to 25 feet of water that have produced fish in the past.
King mackerel catches remain strong off Cedar Key and Suwannee. Slow trolled live baits are very effective if you are confident there are fish in the area, but you can’t cover much water when crawling along at one knot or less. Dusters are a better choice if you are searching for fish. Obviously you will cover a lot more water when trolling at five or six knots. Ballyhoo, mullet, sardines or cigar minnows are great duster baits. The more streamlined the bait the better. Herring are less desirable for fast trolling because of their shape. Find birds or bait before putting lines out.
Good Spanish mackerel catches are coming from inshore and on deep grass offshore. Catches of 50 fish or more are not uncommon for anglers anchored up using chum and free lined baits. Trolling may be the most popular method of targeting the speedy macks. Number one or 00 size Clarke Spoons or King Spoons are top baits as are small hair jigs. I usually troll five to six knots, but vary your speed until you find one that works. Sometimes putting a small trolling weight ahead of your spoon will make the difference. Many of the Spanish we have caught lately were scarred with cuts or chunks missing, signaling the presence of larger gamefish nearby.
Rough water and wind has inshore waters pretty stirred up. Cleaner water will yield better trout catches. If you start picking up catfish, its time to find better water. Homosassa and Crystal River anglers are finding big trout in water four to six feet deep. Live shrimp, jigs and twitch baits are all fooling big trout.
Homosassa and Crystal River is also giving up the best redfish catches. Large schools of fish are showing up around the St. Martins Keys, and around the spoil banks on the barge canal. Small live pinfish, jigs and gold spoons are the best baits.
Thank goodness for cobia, sharks and tarpon. All of these species are available to inshore anglers throughout the Big Bend. Tarpon are still making their way northward, but significant numbers of fish are being seen as far north as Cedar Key. Cobia and sharks are being caught from all ports.
Good fishing. See you next week!
Capt. Mike Winn
|
Capt. Mike Winn
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, May 02, 2002 - 12:01 pm: | |
Subject: Big Bend Report
Big Bend
If you can believe the weather forecast for this weekend, we ought to be in great shape. The trouble is, actual wind and seas this week have not quite matched up with the NOAA forecast conditions. Five to ten knots and two feet have turned out to be 10 to 20 knots and three to four foot seas. So the “forecast” is for a southwest wind ten knots and seas two feet. Tides this weekend are less than impressive, with the morning incoming providing the best tidal flow.
For the most part, inshore fishing has been inconsistent and sometimes downright slow. From Homossassa to Suwannee, trout fishing has really dropped off. The fish are really scattered right now, so make sure you explore different areas and depths. The best catches are coming from water over six feet deep. Of course there are always exceptions to the norm, and a few outstanding trout catches have been reported from anglers fishing deeper flats off Cedar Key. Salt Water Assassin, Electric Chicken jig tails are tough to beat.
Redfish catches are a little better than trout. Reds are more resistant to the dirty water and choppy conditions predominant inshore right now. Live shrimp, live pinfish or cut bait fished under a cork or on the bottom is working best right now. Fish grass lines, shell bars and points on and around a high tide.
Areas like Spotty Bottom and Seahorse reef are well know for producing outstanding Spanish mackerel catches, and this year is no exception. Look for bait and/or birds, and mackerel, bluefish; ladyfish or jacks should be close by. You can troll spoons, jigs or small plugs, you can drift while casting lures or natural baits, or you can anchor up and chum the fish to you. Sometimes all methods work equally well, but usually one is better than the other. As the inshore waters begin to heat up, look for seatrout and sand trout to move out to these deep grass areas in search of cooler water
Kingfish are being caught from Homossassa to Suwannee, but Cedar Key is producing the most consistent catches. Kings are feeding from the Kingfish Hole on out to 70 feet of water, with free-lined or slow trolled live baits working best, but a dead bait and duster will fool the speedy kings as well. If you decide to slow troll baits, put one of your crew in the bow with a jig and strip combination. Have him/her cast in the direction the boat is moving, let the jig sink to the bottom, and work it to the surface until the boat is almost over the bait. With a little practice you’ll catch fish you might otherwise miss.
Nearshore grouper catches continue to improve. Although not as good as we would expect this time of year, decent fish are coming from water as shallow as 20 feet deep. Live bait or larger cut baits will increase your chances of putting keepers in the boat.
Cobia and sharks are stretching lines from Chassahowitzka to Horseshoe Beach. The great thing about cobia is you don’t need a big boat to catch a big fish. They are just as numerous inshore as offshore. Find a cut or channel with a healthy grass flat nearby and anchor on the edge of the flat. Put out a chum bag, and put live bait under a cork and one on the bottom. Keep an eye on that chum bag too because cobia have habit of sitting right behind chum bag. Keep another rod ready to cast to sighted fish.
|
Capt. Mike Winn
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, March 28, 2002 - 4:38 pm: | |
Subject: Big Bend Fishing Report
BIG BEND
Big Bend waters are getting more interesting every day as new species arrive and resident species such as spotted sea trout, redfish, and grouper have caught on to the fact that spring is here. Cobia is the latest species to hit Big Bend waters, although I have not heard of any catches yet. Wind and seas are looking good through the weekend, and the tides should be top notch thanks to this week’s full moon. Look for a southeast wind 10 to 15 knots and seas two to three feet.
Grouper catches were pretty good last week, with some outstanding catches coming off Suwannee in water from 40 to 90 feet deep. Frozen bait and then trolling seemed to produce best. Cedar Key anglers have also had good success in water from 25 to 60 feet deep. While a lot of keepers have been boated on frozen bait, if you’re not careful you will end up just feeding them. The fish have been biting very light. Even while trolling, you can watch the line slowly tighten up, and even some times go slack, instead of the violent strikes we associate with grouper. Further south from Hernando Beach, Crystal River, and Homosassa fishing has been slower, with most successful anglers going at least 50 feet deep.
There is a lot more than trout roaming the grass flats right now. If you’re targeting trout, you are likely run into just about anything. In addition to fine trout catches, flats fishers are snagging Spanish mackerel, blacktip sharks and seeing at least a few cobia. Live shrimp and jigs should get you some action. You can fish the live shrimp under a popping cork or you can free-line it while casting and/or drifting. The jigs can also be fished under a popping or rattling cork, or cast with or without tipping. Homosassa anglers are catching larger trout over shallow rocks in about three feet of water, Cedar Key trout seem to prefer four to six feet, and Suwannee trout deeper still, with the best catches coming from eight to nine feet deep.
While trout are your best bet inshore right now, redfish catches are finally improving to the point that taking home more than one keeper red per boat is not out of the question. Surprisingly, Cedar Key bridges are giving up there share of keeper reds, but the majority are coming from outer islands and bars at or around high tide. Live shrimp and pinfish are tops right now for reds.
Spanish mackerel, along with a few kingfish are hitting trolled baits on Seahorse Reef. Anchoring or drifting can also be very effecting. Try different methods and baits until you hit upon a combination that works. Some days they all work. Free lined live baits, cast jigs and spoons, or trolled live bait, jigs or spoons and all worthwhile combinations.
Since everyone wants to catch a cobia, make sure you are prepared when you see one cruising by or hovering around a channel marker. Keep a 20-30 pound casting or spinning outfit rigged and ready to go for live bait or with a heavy (two ounce) jig/tail rig. I use about four feet of 80-pound mono leader.
Good fishing. See you next week!
Capt. Mike Winn
|
Capt. Mike Winn
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, March 13, 2002 - 5:12 pm: | |
Subject: Big Bend Report
BIG BEND
With the exception of Sunday and Wednesday, our weather has been darn nice this week, and I am proud to say that all looks well through Monday. Look for winds mainly out of the south at five to ten knots and seas two feet or less. Wednesday’s new moon will make for fairly strong tides through the weekend.
I know there was a pile of you out there at Cedar Key looking for grouper last weekend. In order to forgo the anticipated ramp madness, we left early, and had a livewell full of bait by 6:45. Unfortunately, most of those beautiful pinfish ended up in my freezer, as we couldn’t find many hungry grouper on the bottom. We were forced to troll for them and are glad we did. From the sounds of the radio traffic, we were not alone. Still can’t figure out why a hungry gag would pass up a frisky pinfish sitting on the bottom with one hook in it, for a big hunk of plastic full of hooks. Anyway, the Mann’s Stretch 30 in green/chartreuse fire tiger, and one in Spanish sardine/hologram worked equally well, with each taking four nice gags.
Large black sea bass and some oversize grunts dominated most of my bottom fishing spots from 40 to 60 feet deep where the water temperature was sitting stubbornly at 58 degrees all day long. As I already mentioned most Cedar Key managed to catch a few keepers by trolling, but all in all the grouper bite was slow. Further south off Homosassa and Crystal River it was a different story. Good grouper catches and several limits were taken in water from 20 to 35 feet deep with most fish running 8 to 12 pounds. Live and frozen bait fished on the bottom accounted for the best catches.
Based on outstanding catches last week, sheepshead should again demand angler’s attention this weekend. Sheepshead catches increased noticeably this week, with limits coming from Cedar Key and Suwannee. Despite the removal of Suwannee’s Offshore Channel Marker Number 14, sheepshead are plentiful at the long-time spawning grounds, with some fish pushing 11 pounds. Cedar Key’s steel towers on Seahorse Reef and nearby artificial reefs are holding plenty of sheepies if you can get them to bite. Small pieces of fresh shrimp, sand fleas, fiddlers or clams are favorite baits. Smashed up oysters make a great chum and can help get the sheepshead in a feeding mood.
Not quite sure what is going on with the redfish bite lately. A few are being caught from all areas of the Big Bend but no one area stands out. Anglers are having to work mighty hard to get them, and aren’t really sharing too much information. Perhaps the best bite I have heard of was in the Ozello area, but if you aren’t familiar with these waters, I can’t recommend it, unless you don’t mind knocking holes in your boat and replacing your lower unit and/or prop every other trip. Corrigan’s Reef between Cedar Key and Wacassassa has given up a few keepers this week to anglers tossing gold spoons, but again, nothing to brag about.
Trout catches are way up off Crystal River and Homosassa as fish continue to make their way to nearshore grass flats. The St. Martins Keys seem to be giving up the best catches with limits of two to three pound fish coming to anglers fishing live shrimp under a Cajun Thunder Rattling cork. Cedar Key and Suwannee anglers have not been as fortunate. Fishing has been tough, with trout yet to establish themselves on grass flats in decent numbers. Catches should improve dramatically over the next couple of weeks provided we don’t see another freeze. Sand trout and whiting, stacked up in deep cuts and channels, saved the day for many inshore anglers, by gobbling up shrimp or cut bait tight lined on the bottom.
Good fishing. See you next week!
Capt. Mike Winn
|
Capt. Mike Winn
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, March 07, 2002 - 4:21 pm: | |
Subject: Big Bend Fishing Report
BIG BEND
Well, we have some good news and we have some bad news. The bad news is not many people have been fishing the last couple of weeks so reports are still running pretty thin, the good new is that not many people have been fishing the last couple of weeks so fishing pressure has been very light. The rest of the good news is that better weather, and better fishing is not far off. Saturday, look for wind out of the southeast at 10 knots and two-foot seas, and a north wind increasing to 20 knot and seas four to six feet for Sunday.
With only two, barely fishable days since March 1, very few anglers have been able to take advantage of the opening of speckled trout season. In those two days, trout were boated in good numbers from Suwannee to Homosassa. The best catches came from the mouth of the Suwannee River. Redfish activity has been spotty at best.
A bit further from shore, big spawning sheepshead are holding on man-made structures and natural structures. Live shrimp are the most readily available bait, but clams, fiddler crabs and barnacles are top baits. Use just enough lead to keep a tight line and a small, very sharp hook. Jig heads are also a popular alternative.
Anglers targeting grouper with bottom rigs are taking their share of gags and red grouper on threadfin herring and squid. Water from 45-to 70 feet deep is still producing the most fish. On a rare fishable day last week, an adventurous crew headed out to 90 feet of water off of Suwannee. They were amply rewarded with a 30 fish limit of beautiful gags from 15 to 25 pounds. All were caught on cut frozen bait.
Let’s take a look ahead at things to come as water temperatures rise. Very soon, trout return to the grass flats in force, and reds will be around the islands and nearshore bars and grass lines, both suckers for jigs, live shrimp, plugs and flies. Once water temps hit the upper sixties, Spanish mackerel will join the trout on grass flats and deeper grass and hard bottom a bit further offshore. Then with water in the 68 to 70 degree mark, king mackerel should be in good supply with cobia close behind. Now might be a good time to make up your wire leaders and dusters rigs, and stock up on Clarke spoons and jigs. You will want to be ready when they are.
Good fishing. See you next week!
Capt. Mike Winn
WinnJammerCharters.com
|
Capt. Mike Winn
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, February 21, 2002 - 5:06 pm: | |
Subject: Big Bend Fishing Report
BIG BEND
One cool front on top of another has made for windy, sloppy conditions on the water. As a result, most anglers have stayed home this week just wishing they were fishing. If there is a bright spot this weekend, it will be Sunday, as the forecast is calling for a northeast wind 5 to 10 knots and seas two feet or less. Saturday looks downright nasty with 20-knot winds and five to seven foot seas.
Fishing inshore has been downright slow for most anglers. Since trout season is closed for another week, most fishers have been focusing on redfish, black drum and sheepshead. Coastal creeks hold all of these species in varying degrees. Homosassa and Crystal River anglers are finding short trout on the flats, redfish and slightly larger trout just inside the river mouth.
Cedar Key, Suwannee and Horseshoe Beach trout continue to slowly trickle out to nearby grass flats, where some anglers have enjoyed fast catch and release fishing. Live shrimp or pink and white jig tails fished under a Cajun Thunder rattling cork or popping cork are taking the most fish.
Redfish have been most uncooperative the last couple of weeks. Sometimes it seems like they just aren’t hungry, and that’s all I have to say about that.
There is no lack of sheepshead on offshore artificial and natural reefs. The trouble has been finding fish willing to eat. I suppose it’s all about timing. If you show up at a time when spawning is more important than eating, you are just out of luck. If, on the other hand, you show up after a prolonged “love” session, then those amorous sheepies are probably pretty hungry and you are in luck. Fish small live shrimp or pieces of fresh shrimp on a bare jig head. Just vary the weight of the head depending on depth and current conditions.
You can be sure that once this weather subsides there will be a rush of grouper-hungry anglers to offshore waters in search of hungry grouper. During the last piece of decent offshore weather, fishers reported good catches from Homosassa to Suwannee in water from 30 feet deep on out, and in some cases keepers were coming from water only 10 feet deep. The best catches are still coming from deeper waters, but it sure is nice to know you can boat a few closer in. For the most part, trolling has been a bust, and bottom fishing is the way to go. Frozen herring or sardines are taking the most fish.
|
Capt. Mike Winn
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, February 07, 2002 - 5:46 pm: | |
Subject: Big Bend Fishing Report
BIG BEND
As you have probably noticed, fishing conditions have been less than ideal over the last several days. It looks like we might get a break Saturday, with things turning ugly again on Sunday. The AM incoming tide will be your best bet while fishing inshore or offshore.
Although trout season is closed for the remainder of February, some anglers are enjoying good catch-and-release fishing. If you choose to fish trout during the closed season, make sure you pinch down the barb on your hook, and stay away from multi-hook rigs or lures. Trout are fairly delicate compared to other species, and the less you handle them the better their chance of survival. Most fish are being caught off river mouths or nearby grass flats.
Redfish season remains open all year, and are receiving full attention from many would-be trout anglers. Unfortunately, many areas are short on keepers, or the fish are so shallow, you can’t get within casting range without spooking them. Large schools of fish have been sighted in water from six to ten inches deep off Chassahowitzka, Homosassa, Ozello, and Crystal River, but as I said good luck getting a shot at them. Cedar Key reds are moving in and out of North, Seahorse and Snake Keys. Further north, small reds are holding on nearshore bars. Live shrimp are best.
Sheepshead action has picked up on offshore artificial reefs or other structures. The hardest part is finding a spot where the fish can’t see you first. I suspect after this rough weather we have had this week that visibility won’t be nearly as good and the fishing should get better. Bring along a bucket of oysters with you to get them chummed up and ready to eat.
Grouper remain abundant in depths from 18 feet on out. However, the best catches are coming from anglers going at out at least 25 miles. Those shallow water fish should be easier to catch due to the freshly stirred up water. Sea bass continue to be a nuisance to grouper fishers. Remember, if you start catching sub-legal black sea bass, just move. Sometimes moving 200 yards is enough, sometimes a couple of miles is not enough, but you’ve got to get away from the little ones of you want to catch keeper grouper. Frozen baits are working pretty well, but cut grunts are accounting for the biggest fish. With water temperatures where they are, it probably would not hurt to spend a few minutes looking for live baits. Trollers are catching fish, but not more legal ones than bottom fishers.
|
Philippe TISSEAUX
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, February 05, 2002 - 4:00 pm: | |
Subject: Ten Anglers from texas fishing in Nicaragua ,
San Carlos Sportfishing
Fishing report # 25,. 30 th of January 2002
MORE THAN A 1000 FISH ( 10 ANGLERS , 5 DAYS...)
Report From Philippe Tisseaux E mail: sanjuan@sol.racsa.co.cr
Web page: http://www.nicaraguafishing
Preceding fishing reports ( 24 of them ) at: http://pub25.ezboard.com/btarpon
After several sucessfull trips in January for tarpon , Snook, and Rainbow bass with guests from USA, ( Report #23 and # 24 )I spend two days relaxing and enjoying the so beautiful Granada and Hotel COLONIAL before the coming of this group...Granada is really a very very nice city , a lot of History, a lot of places to have fun and still a very few tourist...The hotel COLONIAL is a great place to stay...and also Guests do enjoy the great hospitality of Etienne its owner...
The Hal group of Anglers ( Ten expert fishermen from Texas ) did arive on the 19th Mid day at Managua Airport...with a lot of luggages..really a lot of Fishing equipment..no way to have everybody and luggages in the van of Hotel Colonial ..I had to hire an extra taxi... we went to Granada , and spend a part of the day at Massaia at the artisanal market... Dinner in a very nice restaurant in town in Granada, and discussion about Fishing..and equipment...
Early morning everybody had a nice breakfast in the patio of COLONIAL , a walk in town.. a transfert to the airport in the van ( this time I did had a big trailer for the luggage..) COSTENA Airline did give us an entire airplane for the 50mn fly over the Lake to reach San Carlos...A very interesting landing according to some of our guests...( 4 of the guests are expert pilots ). Augusto was waiting at the local Airport with an army of taxi ( Some old Russian made Jeeps ) and a part of our crew.. a quich lunch fixed by Dona Juanita and La doctora ...At night we had our traditional River scrimp dinner , each of the scimp is around 1lb..and have a unique flavour... Night has been at Cabinas Leyjos...,
Well fishing did start around 1 pm on that day, after Control of equipment.etc....Every body aboard the boat...5 boats, 2 angler per boat.2 guides in each boat.....I do not remember who caught the first Tarpon and how many we got this first half day...but many...
In the folowing days Fishing has been the same and very important for us “ all guest did have tarpon..” .How many Sincerely I do not know, probably around 30 release to the boat, 60 on line , 150 /200 hits....and all big around 150lb till 200lb...and released in a clean way...We also did break several lines...During these fishing days around San Carlos some lunch has been in Medio quesso, another very special place in the “ real Jungle “ where my groups are welcome... guests did specifically enjoy this place....
We then went to Solentiname Island to relax and change our style of fishing...We went for Mojarra, Machaca, and our now famous Rainbow bass ( 5lb/8lb in that trip..) we did brake many lines...Not so easy as it seem to get a 10lb rainbow bass even on 12lb ecen for an expert Bass fisherman....One of my guide made a “ scrupulous but unofficial counting “ in two days of fishing we had all together more than a Thousand fish..on light tackles....than we released with the exception of some Rainbow than we had for lunch or Dinner ..absolutely delicious according to our guests wether cooked in the French way ( I made the chief sometimes ) or in the expert local way done by Bertha..( a great person ) .I like to point out the great hospitality than we enjoy in Solentiname...the place , a comunity has been created by Ernesto Cardenal...a very famous priest in Nicaragua his fame come from his poems, he did Publish many books...internationaly known...Really the place is Unique with the paintings, the wood carver , the Thousands of birds...and NO TOURIST, NO CAR..., No doubts a Must see and so great fishing...
So many fish...to many fish... we decided for a last morning of Tarpon fishing in front San Carlos ...and at a time the five boats where with Tarpon on...The radios were screaming everywhere Fish on!!!
On the same day we did enter Costa Rica via Rio Frio a nice dinner, a night at Ecodirecta Lodge...Folowing day has been a relax day first an ecological tour ion Rio Frio and Cano negro then atransfer to the Arenal area.., the volcano...and a lunch in the so nice place of my friend Carlos with his 400 hundred big wild Iguanas...the day did end in another of my special places in the mountains with typical meals and a Birtday party with Candle Cake and Pinata..as it was the birthday of one of the guest...a lot of fun...Night has been in so beautiful bed and Breakfast of DON BETO in Sarcero...than I did hire for the group....
Folowing morning the group did left for USA from San Jose Airport.
I like to make some additional coments about this trip...It has been an event for us as it is the first time we had such a big group, usually we receive, two to six Anglers...It is not the same to have an expedition with 20 persons involved...it do need a lot of work
So First a big thanks to all my staff ( more than 20 persons ) who really did a great job with a special mention for Augusto...., Augusto Cesar you are a great Captain/fishing guide but also a great organisator...
Then a special thank to this so nice and sympatical group of Texas...really you are all great persons....and very very good Anglers...This was your first experience with tarpon you did it very well.. ( .next time I will try to fish with Popper for Rainbow bass with you )
Then when I read what i did wrote above ...I think many readers will think than this is exagerated..It is not and I will be glad to forward the e-mail adress of some person of the group to any Suspicious reader...
I took a few days break in my fishing ( I have a very nice family to take care of : Carmen and my two little boys ) I am now in San Jose Costa Rica ( 4th of February ) to check my mail and write my reports... Augusto is fishing in Nicaragua with a group...I called a few minutes ago ...they again had big tarpons, .to morow they will fish Solentiname..will release a lot of fish but will have one or two of them for dinner...Well .this will be the subject of a coming report.
I am going to morow night to fish with two groups....people coming from France and USA...I also will write reports when I get a chance...
Concerning my booking I am full till the 17th of February but do have open weeks after and during the folowing months.. Fishing and Hospitality will be the same....Please be in touch by Email at:
sanjuan@racsa.co.cr
or put a message on my cellular phone at 506 395 50 53 ( Costa Rica ) if you wish to come fishing with us... WE RECEIVE GROUPS FROM 1 TO 10 ANGLERS.
In January we also do received several other group, Domenico For Tarpon and Snook , Andy and Andrea for Fishing, Ecology, discovery..... Fishing has been good, for them also, the fishing reports are at: http://pub25.ezboard.com/btarpon
Philippe Tisseaux
Email cecnasa@racsa.co.cr
Web page: http://www.nicaraguafishing.com
http://www.marine-electronics.net/tropicalfishing/
Preceding fishing reports ( 24 of them ) at: http://pub25.ezboard.com/btarpon |
Capt. Mike Winn
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 31, 2002 - 2:43 pm: | |
Subject: Big Bend Report
BIG BEND
What a stretch of great weather we’ve had this week. If there is one thing this weather teaches us is to remain flexible. It looks like things will cool down just a bit for the weekend, but not enough to alter the current fis | |
