Forgotten Coast Fishing Report
The kingfish bite has been really good this past week over hard bottom in 100 feet of water. Don’t overlook the wrecks and reefs they have been doing good as well. Trolling blue runners has been good. Artificial baits such as big spoons have been paying off as well. The vermilion snapper has been consistent in 130 to 180 feet of water, using squid and cigar minnows. Triggerfish have been producing well in 70 to 100 feet of water; squid and bonita are the baits to use. Don’t forget to have that flatline out in case pelagic shows up. For all you gag grouper fishermen out there, season opens Sept. 1 and runs through Sept. 15.
There have been some good bull reds being caught in the passes. Indian Pass using cut bait has been the top spot so far. We have been getting reports in for Bob Sikes Cut that redfish and tarpon have been good there. The flounder are still being caught in shallow waters and flats using Billy Bay ¾-ounce bottom and a bull minnow. Scallopers, don’t forget those dive flags. If you don’t bring a boat, remember a lot of our local fishing guides also do scallop charters. They’re out there every day, and local knowledge goes a long way.
With the river levels falling, fishing has been picking up. Bass fishing has been good in the morning using a lizard on a Carolina rig. The Shadow Rap by Rapala has been doing equally well. If you’re trying artificial for bluegill, give a Bitsy Minnow by KVD a shot. They were great on bass as well.
Until next week, don’t forget those life jackets and lanyards. Be safe and tight lines. Don’t forget to mark your calendars for our annual Labor Day sale, which starts Aug. 26 and runs through Sept. 10.
Tom Gannaway – BlueWater Outriggers
Meet the Editor
David Adlerstein, The Apalachicola Times’ digital editor, started with the news outlet in January 2002 as a reporter.
Prior to then, David Adlerstein began as a newspaperman with a small Boston weekly, after graduating magna cum laude from Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts. He later edited the weekly Bellville Times, and as business reporter for the daily Marion Star, both not far from his hometown of Columbus, Ohio.
In 1995, he moved to South Florida, and worked as a business reporter and editor of Medical Business newspaper. In Jan. 2002, he began with the Apalachicola Times, first as reporter and later as editor, and in Oct. 2020, also began editing the Port St. Joe Star.