Rick Davidson (grassflats2@yahoo.com), Editor
The scallop season is winding down, one of the most successful in many years. Even with some disruption from T.S. Fay, limits of scallops have been readily available. After the heavy rains, river and creek water becomes heavily stained with tannin, making scallops more difficult to locate, but clear water remained in the Bull Cove and Pepperfish areas to the south, and the Big Grass Island area to the north. The last weekend of the month found many limits being cleaned at the Sea Hag tables.
Additionally, the cooling effect of rainwater and some more temperate weather provided some improved fishing in the last two weeks of August. Just before Fay arrived, we were catching good numbers of trout and the occasional 8 pound redfish in the dark water near the northern sand bars and Rock Point. By the last week of the month, while the darkened waters limited the fishing somewhat, we were still able to catch limits of smallish trout and the occasional large fish in 4 foot water using jigs and Gulp baits. Ladyfish, bluefish and trout could also be found around the numerous pods of whitebait that were found around offshore and inshore sand bars. Cobia are being found in the same areas, and on any offshore structure, but the dirty water has moved them away from the inshore markers.
This time of year, the largest challenge is finding grouper. Bad weather, high water temperatures, and plentiful baitfish all make finding hungry gags and red grouper a task for the well-informed. It's very unusual to find any grouper caught inside of fifty foot depths, or at least 35 miles or more offshore. However, many of the offshore guides can provide great fishing by targeting cobia or Florida snapper. At the very end of the month, Capt. Steve Hart did a trip to 30 feet and came back with almost 300 pounds of Florida snapper and one red grouper. Miss Neely, who cleans fish at the marina, says that she would much rather eat Florida snapper than grouper. They make a fine fish fry.
Most of our Sea Hag guides, including the offshore guides, have been booked solid with scallop trips, but there have been some occasional fishing trips as well.
Captain Steve Rassell, www.lastcastrass.com , (352) 359-5902
Scalloping continues to be good along the coast south of the river. Limits are there for the taking. When you can get away from the scallopers, fishing is also good. There are plenty of slot redfish north or south of the river and the trout action is steady. Continue to fish shallow until it gets too hot then move out to 4-6 foot of water. Bass Assassin and Gulp baits continue to work well.
Captain Brian Smith, www.bigbendcharters.com
The offshore report is short due to weather. Two weeks ago, the eye of Tropical Storm Fay marched down First St. at Steinhatchee and dumped enough rain to stain the Gulf brown out to 14 nautical miles off Marker #1. This morning Hurricane Gustav hit the shore of Louisiana and seas are reported at eleven feet or more. Last Saturday my trip offshore was truncated due to the first bands of Gustav. We managed to keep four grouper and sixty pounds of Florida snapper in 50-60' before having to run in. In the aftermath of Gustav the grouper will most likely be found around the higher relief areas that offered protection during the churn. Of course, hurricanes do to the Gulf what shaking an Etch-a-Sketch does; we start from scratch. Good luck.
Captain Tommy Thompson, www.flanaturecoast.com/capttommy
To me, 'deep water' means anything over three feet, and this past month has forced me to fish 'deep'! The stained and muddy water that occurred following Tropical Storm Fay didn't seem to scare the bait from the backwaters near Steinhatchee, but did run off the game fish. Even redfish, which usually don't care is the water's nasty, seemed to move a few hundred yards from shore and trout were plentiful, albeit small, in deep holes well off the coastline. If I was able to find a spot of clean, clear water, I found the fish.
Of course, this dirty water really shuts down the topwater bite, especially on big summer high tides. On slightly lower tides, the fish might be able to hear or see plugs, and darker plug bodies work best. Rick's red (above) was taken with a bone-colored Super Spook, Jr., but in very shallow clear water well south of the river. Jigs and jig heads used in conjunction with smelly soft baits like GULP! will attract fish, but both trout shown in the photos above were taken with D.O.A. non-scented C.A.L. tails on 1/4-ounce jig heads worked slowly over sand holes.
As September passes, the fishing can only get better. Cool water and fewer scallopers will make a big difference if you want to fish close to shore.
The Steinhatchee GOORMAY
Chicken! I like chicken! -- Especially the fried chicken strips at Mason's Market. I often find myself coming in from fishng mid-afternoons and don't want a big mid-day meal. I'm also bad about not eating lunch when I'm on the boat. Frankly, I just can't get excited about bologna sandwiches, Vienna sausages or sardines in mustard sauce--typical boat fare. I also would rather fish than eat! I'm usually starving when I get back to the Sea Hag and need a quick 'snack'. The Chicken Snack at Mason's is my light meal of choice at Steinhatchee. Available in the deli, it comes in 3 or 4-piece sizes and includes fried potatoes and a drink for about $5. The chicken is lightly fried and tender and the whole combination isn't so big that it will spoil a dinner at Roy's or Fiddler's later in the evening.
Give Mason's a try the next time you're hungry and need something 'to keep the wolf away from the door'!
Captain Steve Hart, www.legallimitscharters.com
Captain Walt Carlson, (352) 498-3176
Well, scallop season is just about done so we can get back to fishing! I have had some short trips in my airboat fishing for redfish. They have been fun because we've been using topwater plugs. My favorite plug is a yellow Rapala Skitter-pop, working it slow around rocks and oyster bars. Another favorite is a white Zara Spook with a red head. Love to see the fish come up to take the lure! Offshore, fishing has been real slow unless you want Florida snapper and or black sea bass- they're always around to take some cut up squid for bait, and cook up real fine. Hope next month will be better for fishing as we start to head for my favorite time of year, the fall. Tight lines and good fishing!
SEPTEMBER 2008 FISHING FORECAST
September fishing forecast: Scallop season ends September 10 th , so if you haven't made a trip to collect the tasty bivalves, this is your last chance until next July. In general, inshore fishing improves considerably in September, and even more in October, as the water temperatures decrease and early southward migration of the pelagics (kingfish, Spanish mackerel and cobia) begins. Much of the success will depend on water quality, and thus on the final track of a number of tropical storms that may be headed our way, but if things stay relatively dry, we can expect clearing of the water to result in more inshore baitfish and subsequent gamefish. Trout are particularly sensitive to dirty water, and redfish less so, but we can expect fishing to improve within two weeks unless we get another tropical system through our area. Until then, the best inshore plan is to fish in deeper water over mixed sand and grass using either cut bait or Gulp products. As the water clears, trout will move closer to shore, and the larger solitary fish will be available in shallow water during the morning hours. While you may find some schooling redfish, usually the larger schools won't develop until October or November.
Offshore, water temperature will be the key. It is still too early for great grouper fishing in less than 50 feet of water, but we can expect kingfish by the end of the month. Lots of good eating Florida snapper and sea bass are available in thirty feet or less. Look toward October for the grouper bite to pick up significantly.
