Forgotten Coast Fishing Report

We finally got some good days to head offshore, and see what’s going on. Just as expected it seemed like the fish were waiting! Although not in season, there were impressive grouper and snapper caught and released around 16 to 20 miles out. However, it seemed as if the dolphins were waiting for someone to play with too, as they wreaked havoc on several good drops. Shane White and son Wade White were able to sneak a few through the dolphins for a good photo op. Bluewater’s Jake Harpe made it out there a long way in the 200-300 depth range and picked up some incredible Vermillion snapper along with some red grouper. He can be seen above with one of his monster beeliners. 

It’s “go time” when it comes to inshore fishing right now. The weather has been perfect, and the fish are biting. I’ve seen some nice reds being hauled in from folks down at the boat ramp along with decent trout. Just as last week, the flounder are continuing to bite and their size is remaining in that 14-to-16-inch range, with a few pushing the “impressive” size. The intracoastal bridge is as always a good spot producing a mixed bag of species including flounder, trout, black drum, reds and I even caught a few Spanish mackerel there this last week. Speaking of Spanish they are still possible to catch off the seawall. I hung one while fishing for mangroves just the other evening. While I wouldn’t say the mangroves are a “free for all” right now, they are biting; you just have to target them and be willing to be a little risky by throwing your line dangerously close to the rocks. This isn’t always the case, but I’ve found it to be true last week because we’ve been dealing with some seriously low tides in the evening. 

And while we’re on the subject, let’s talk about rigging for optimal catches while fishing for these delicious little powerhouses. You should never need more than a half-ounce weight off the wall. You only need enough to get your line over to the rocks. Make your rig Carolina style so that the weight will sink your bait into the rock crevices. Give yourself about two feet of leader (I prefer 12-pound test) and a small hook. Remember, mangroves only have to be 10 inches to keep and you want a hook that will not only fit easily in their mouths but will also have a low profile when attached to your bait. Try a #6 circle hook by Owner. When it comes to mangroves you want live bait. Shrimp are excellent, but as we all know, sometimes they are not available.

If you can’t get the live shrimp, take advantage of the millions of tiny minnows you can find anywhere right now. Most people will overlook them because they think they are too small, but you’d be amazed what will hit a minnow no bigger than your thumbnail.

Time after time I see folks rigging too heavy. Don’t be the guy fishing a nine-foot rod, the diameter of a Louisville Slugger with a 4/0 conventional reel (clicker on) slinging cannonball size weights attached to a 40-pound double drop leader with pompano floats wondering why your ice chest is empty and mine isn’t. If you’re thinking to yourself, “I might be that guy,” it’s OK; Don’t panic; drop into Bluewater and find me and we’ll discreetly get you a good setup. 

The freshwater bite is on, and the crappie minnows are flying out of the tank. I’ve seen impressive pictures of panfish hauls and just check out this cat caught by Parker Wheeless on the Dead Lakes. That thing is a monster, congratulations Parker! That about sums it up for this week folks. Good luck and I hope to see you out there. Jeremiah Beasley