Rick Davidson (grassflats2@yahoo.com), Editor
How Big Was It, Rick?
May has been a fine fishing month in Steinhatchee, in spite of windy conditions. The month began with the Perry Optimist Club Tournament. The complete results can be found in the Dock Talk section of our website, but the highlights were a winning grouper of 14.05 pounds by Andy Lawrence, a 6.25 pound trout caught by Bobby Joe Wood, and a tie for the first place redfish at 6.95 pounds by Joey Landreneau and Kyle Welsh. I fished with Capt. Tommy Thompson and finished in a tie for fourth with a 6.75 pound redfish. I managed to catch a 34-inch 12-pound redfish shown below, but of course I was dissuaded from entering it by the two FWC officers who were at the weigh-in. It was a great tournament, with lots of entrants. Near the end of the month, the Doug Johnson/Donnie Young Reeling for Kids tournament, also based at the Sea Hag Marina, provided a venue for 80 boat entrants and raised over $100,000 for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Alachua County and the Steinhatchee School . Below is a picture of our own Danielle Norwood with the winning kingfish, caught by the Warrior Fishing Team.
The inshore fishing was excellent during May, with lots of big redfish available, and the larger trout made themselves more available later in the month over spotty bottom in 4 to 6 feet. The grouper bite has been excellent as well, with the cleaning tables packed with nice gags and reds. Large cobia are coming in every day now as well.
And don't forget that June 1 marks the day you MUST have fish dehookers and venting tools aboard your offshore boat. Also, circle hooks are now required for all reef species. If you're confused, stop by the Ship's Store for more information!
Here are some reports from our guides:
Captain Steve Rassell, www.lastcastrass.com
With the water temps staying in the low 80's the trout bite is still very good. The fishing south from the river seems to be a little bit better than north in the deeper water but to the north it is better shallow. . The new Bass Assassin plastic baits in the shrimp design are working best. Redfish continue to be schooled up so when you find them you really have some great action. Thanks for a great May. I still have a few days open for trout and reds in June, and don't forget that scallop season opens July 1. We can handle small or large groups.
Captain Brian Smith, www.bigbendcharters.com
Kingfish have been readily available: Trolled grouper plugs and free-lined baits off stern while bottom fishing have been very productive for fish up to 30 pounds. For grouper, trolling in fifty to seventy feet is producing some nice fish; however bottom fishing in 50-65 feet using frozen or live bait is better. The larger the live bait the better the result.
Cobia are being caught on the markers, inshore sloughs, large rock piles and wrecks using free-lined or live bait floated under a cork. Florida snapper and sea bass have been providing lots of action. A chunk of squid dropped on hard bottom 40-45 feet will result in a stupendous fish fry. Some of the Florida snapper are running large; two pounds! For some real exercise, try for some amberjack: Fish offshore wrecks by free lining hand-sized live baits or bigger, white buck-tails, shallow running darting plugs and large top water lures. These AJ's will wear out the most zealous fishermen even if most of the fish are short of the 28 inch minimum.
Captain Wiley Horton, www.tunersportfishing.com
This is the summer of our discontent. Virtually all data points toward vastly decreased fishing effort and release mortality--yet NMFS and the Gulf Council are still considering a three fish limit and closed seasons on gag grouper. The bet here is the evidence is good enough to overwhelm the even the savage indifference of a derelict Federal agency.
Offshore action continues to be good with nice catches of grouper coming in. Kingfish are around in numbers, cobia are getting bigger and red snapper season is upon us. Let's go fishin…..
Captain Tommy Thompson, www.flanaturecoast.com/capttommy
Yep...everyone who fished with me this month had a great time....and most caught fish--except the two blondes who got so carried away with their champagne that they forgot about fishing!
So, if it's light tackle backwater fishing with artificial baits you're interested in, give me a shout! June will be a great time to beat the heat--and the scallopers!
Captain Steve Hart, www.legallimitscharters.com
Captain Walt Carlson, www.captainwalt.com
The fishing has been great! Everyone is catching fish. Offshore is producing lots of grouper with a few kings. With the water heating up, you need to think about going now as the fishing will slow with the warmer water. Bait remains the same, using squid and threadfin herring as cut bait and of course live pinfish are always a great choice. Inshore for trout and reds has been good using Gulp baits under an Equalizer in various depths -shallow in the morning and 4-6 foot depths later on in the day. Some reds are still being caught up creeks, using mud minnows and small pin fish. Get out and go fishing!!
JUNE 2008 FISHING FORECAST
Inshore fishing will continue to provide lots of fine table fare, as trout will be available on the flats to the south of the river, and in other good flats with spotty bottom, such as near the bird rack to the north of the river. Redfish action will continue but will wane a bit as temperatures rise. Some of the larger fish will head offshore for spawning. The cobia and kingfish bite will diminish a bit as the fish migrate to the north. With warming temperatures, the grouper bite will continue to be excellent, but you'll have to go further to find them….into 50 to 60 feet of water. This is the last month of relative solitude before scallop season comes roaring in on the first of July. We've seen plenty of small scallops in the grass already, so make your reservations now for the season.
