Rick Davidson (grassflats2@yahoo.com), Editor
Just How Big Was It, Rick?
The season has arrived and the Sea Hag Marina and Ship's Store are crowded, even during the week. This has been a banner scallop season so far, with most boats finding their limits within two hours or less. The initial crowds were to the south of the river, in the area from Hardy Point, all the way south to Tater Island . While the tasty bivalves have been found in any depth, most people are putting out their dive flags in 3 to 7- feet. Scallopers from Horseshoe Beach and from Steinhatchee have been filling their coolers around Pepperfish Keys as well. Later in the month, some boats began moving northward. During the last weekend, a large collection of boats were doing well just a mile south of Marker 1 on the 3-foot flats. Fewer boats have been to the north, in the Bird Rack and Big Grass Island areas that have held most of the scallops in past years. Regardless, there are plenty of scallops to be found. Here are a few pictures of the action. First, one of the Sea Hag fleet of new rental boats with some relaxing scallopers. What to do with the bounty, this fine bucket of scallops? Jessica and Melanie, from Windermere, just north of Orlando, are excited about learning to clean scallops. Note this fine group of scallops, right off the ice, which makes their shells open for easy cleaning, along with the finest in liquid refreshment that makes cleaning scallops a pleasure. Next, these scallops have had their tops taken off and are ready for the white meat to be scooped out with a special spoon or scallop knife. Of course, for those less adventurous, our fine group of scallop-cleaning staff will be glad to clean your catch for you. Remember that the season ends September 10th, so if you don't have reservations yet, you better move fast as accommodations are always tight during a great scallop season like this one.
Now, on to fishing: July is always a challenging month both offshore and inshore, not because of the large number of scallopers, but more because of the high water temperatures and abundant bait that keeps the grouper from developing a vigorous hunger. Successful offshore fishing for grouper or red snapper will require long offshore runs. However, there are plenty of fine eating fish in terms of large black sea bass and Florida snapper that can fill your cooler and will give you a fantastic fish fry. This time of year, offshore trolling is generally not successful as fish lack the motivation to chase down trolled lures, so live and dead bait fished on the bottom is the standard. Near the end of the month, kingfish were still present in depths of 40 to 50 feet. James Flowers from Valdosta and Larry Stewart from Steinhatchee found three fine 25 pound kingfish out 35 miles, caught on live bait and jigs, fishing around schools of baitfish, which are plentiful.
Inshore fishing has been a challenge as well. Early in the month, there was abundant floating grass which made fishing difficult with topwaters and anything with treble hooks. Additionally, boat traffic moved trout out of their usual 3 foot depths to the south. Later on in the month, we took several trips that were successful. On one trip, we targeted cobia, which are still present in good numbers. We went to some deep cuts outside of Dallus Creek, and set up a chum line, fishing with live pinfish. We got a hookup quickly, only to get the fish close to the boat and discovered another cobia following him. Capt. Tommy Thompson immediately threw a D.O.A. BFL lure in front of him, and the second cobia was quickly hooked up. So there were two agility-challenged old guys with two fresh cobia hooked up in a flats boat. After some creative rod-handling, we managed to get both fish to the boat. Another trip took us to the north once again, where we targeted trout in somewhat deeper water, specifically 5 to 8 feet. We fished a variety of lures, including D.O.A. CAL jigheads and tails, D.O.A. shrimp, and GULP! shrimp in a variety of colors. All were successful in providing us with good limits of keeper trout. We specifically targeted areas of mixed sand and grass. That same morning we saw more tarpon than I've ever seen in one place, with the schools currently migrating and taking some time to eat at some of the cuts on the flats. They were crashing schools of mullet, with some fish looking to be on the upside of 200 pounds, although most were in the 90 pound range. We had a pair swim within 20 feet of my boat, causing a variety of on-hand lures to be immediately thrown their way, but nobody was interested in lunch. Fishing a week later with Doug Barrett, we located some fish by finding schools of whitebait in 5 to 8 foot depths, and fishing artificial shrimp and topwater plugs when the grass allowed. There were schools of smaller bluefish, such as the one that Doug is holding, that kept us well occupied for a while. Our bite seemed better with good tidal movement, which is almost always true. On almost all of these trips, we lost the occasional lure to small Spanish mackerel, several of which we caught as well.
While most of our guides were busy with scallop trips, we have several fishing reports from some of them this month:
Captain Steve Rassell, www.lastcastrass.com
Trout can be caught by being willing to move often and change techniques as the weather dictates. Fish shallow early or when you have cloud cover and deeper as it gets hot. Redfish are still abundant on the flats. The trick to catching more is finding a place that is not covered up by scallopers. By the way, scallop season is in full swing and I have days open for scalloping, fishing or a combo trip.
Captain Brian Smith, www.bigbendcharters.com
This is a two phase report. Those that care to burn the fuel and those that are on a budget, such as most of America . Red snapper are regular catches for those cruising out past 80'. The limit is two per person. During the process of doing red snapper, mango snapper, grouper, kingfish, cobia might come into play. Flat lines off the stern will probably shine the fish box. Dead Spanish sardines on stinger hooks will add a surprise during your day.
Inside of thirty miles, target big Florida snapper, sea bass, flounder, and use a dead pole with a circle hook for grouper. Actually, inside of twenty miles target Florida snapper and such off the stern and be happy with the grouper brought aboard. In other words, go for the fish fry, save the gas and be satisfied. Cobia are roaming, an excellent game fish, and are most available for those with the patience, knowledge, and will to target the battle.
Captain Tommy Thompson, www.flanaturecoast.com/capttommy
Don't feel left out if you can't fish where you want to fish this time of year. There are plenty of frolicking scallopers (say that 10 times, fast!) and that means stirred up waters to the south of the river, a crowded ramp, and spooky redfish and sea trout in the shallows I like to fish. Add to that floating grass and it's just plain frustrating.
However, don't despair and go anywhere else along the Big Bend . I write the weekly Fishing4Cast column for the Florida Sportsman website and get reports submitted daily from other guides and anglers along the entire coastline. Not only are they having the same problems, but the scallopers down south are getting stung pretty badly by an invasion of jellyfish. After all, a perfect morning of sweaty plug-tossing is easily finished by picking a limit of tasty scallops. Steinhatchee is still the best!
Reds are available, but only if you have the ability to get close to shore and the bars and rocks (Take a look at the bottom of my boat, Photo Opportunity, in the rack at the Sea Hag to see what rocks do to a boat when it's worked shallow on a regular basis!) Close-to-shore trout seem to be holding a bit more off the beach, in 3 to 4-feet of water, but the best bet for them is still the cool holes and deep flats. And while you'll have to cull the keepers from the babies, you'll also find lots of other fish to keep you and your crew occupied. Keep the tackle light or get out your fly rods and you'll have a blast catching all sorts of critters, including bluefish, Spanish mackerel, ladyfish, jack Crevalle and even a small shark or two. Every lure from shiny MirrOlures to exotic-colored and flavored soft baits work this time of year, just move them quickly so they'll attract the attention of the predators.
Have fun, boat safely and soberly, and remember your manners out there! Fishing (and scalloping) is supposed to be fun.
The Steinhatchee GOORMAY
I love fried shrimp. And there are only three places that, in my humble opinion, serve the very best. Unfortunately, one (Archie's in Darien, GA) has closed and another (Dan's Clam Shack, with locations in Crystal River and Homosassa) is way down the highway. However, we at Steinhatchee are pretty lucky to have Roy's Restaurant!
Roy's shrimp are available fried or broiled. Unless you've got some 'sissy' reason not to eat fried food at a place like Steinhatchee, get the fried ones. I'd bet that these crispy critters have less fat than the ones that come to the table broiled.
Essentially, you've got three choices of shrimp at Roys--the 'regular' shrimp dinner, the 'small' shrimp dinner, and the shrimp sandwich.
Let me warn you in advance that the regular dinner is more-than-filling. I'm a big guy and I order the small fried shrimp dinner. Paired with the free salad bar (Which, by the way, has real Greek potato salad and feta cheese on it!), you'll fill up quickly, especially if you order your dinner with potato (French fried or baked) rather than grits. Of course, hush puppies are included. Only really big folks or non-salad eaters need order the 'regular' shrimp dinner!
If you're really interested in a 'smaller' meal or a 'light' lunch, try Roy's fried shrimp sandwich. The shrimp are the same as on the dinner plates, fried with their tails removed. I'm not overly impressed with the rolls used, and I like to scoop out the doughy insides to make the sandwich more manageable. It's too bad Roy's doesn't have a source for good French bread--a la New Orleans! This sandwich comes a la carte, and adding an order of Roy's homemade onion rings will easily put you into an afternoon coma (nap).
Don't miss a meal (or two or three) on your visit to Steinhatchee!
Captain Wiley Horton, www.tunersportfishing.com
July 19th was kind of special to me, I had a few old fishing buddies join me for a busman's holiday. Although we frequently see each other on the water, it's been over twelve years since we fished on the Tuner together. The weatherman did his usual excellent job of forecasting wind speed and wave heights, only forgetting to tell us "times two" in the morning. The plan was to head out to 90+ feet while snapper season is still open. I ran 35 miles into three footers and decided to take a fishing break. Mikey was testing out a new Shimano jigging outfit and I told him it was killer on grouper. It would have been if there had been any present....he immediately hooked up, "Surely you know better than to put me on a freaking AJ" he hissed. At least that's what it sounded like in between his groans and the strain on his new equipment. A short while later he pulled a surprising 12lb red snapper over the gunwale.
While we were screwing around in 60 feet, the wind died, the whitecaps disappeared and the real possibility of covering some ground in a hurry persuaded us to plot a course for the hard bottom area in 95 feet...about another 25 miles. Roger hooked up first, swinging this nice 13lber onto the ice. In less than 30 minutes we had our limit of red snapper. I called another boat in and put them on the fish while we headed to a nearby telemetry tower to play with some larger animals. AJs can stretch your string as good as anything...unless a friendly sea monster is willing to pull 100lb test off a locked down drag as long you can hold the rod. Luckily there were some rocks nearby or Eddie might be in a full body cast.
We covered a lot of water to catch a limit of fine fish. The weather got better, the company was excellent, and the beer was crackyourteeth cold. It may get better but it would only be a matter of degree....thanks for your time boys!
AUGUST 2008 FISHING FORECAST
The summer pattern will continue as far as fishing. Grouper will be available in depths of 60 feet or greater, but lots of excellent bottom fishing can provide great eating with other species. Cobia will continue to be in our area, on the flats, but also around cuts in sand bars and on shallow structure in 20 feet or so of water.
Inshore, trout will continue to be caught in deeper water around baitfish schools and in deep spotty bottom. Ladyfish and bluefish will be plentiful, following the migrating baitfish schools, especially in times of high tidal flow. Spanish mackerel are also available in the same areas; expect to lose a lure now and then unless you fish with a short piece of wire leader.
Scallops will continue to dominate the water for the month of August. Expect the fleet to be moving to the north to find fresh areas. We have seen scallops just south of the river in shallow flats, and also outside of Dallus Creek to the north. Come join in the fun--we've got everything you need from fishing licenses to dive flags to snorkeling equipment in the Ship's Store, along with our new fleet of rental boats and the best guides in the Big Bend area. And the Tiki Bar is running full steam this time of year.
And tell Audrey 'Hi' when you're quenching your thirst. See you at the Sea Hag!
