Any Fishermen Out There?

Pompano...Grayton Beach...let's go!:clap:

Pompano...Grayton Beach...let's go!:clap:

Can't wait. Will be there next week John Farmer @ Yellowfin- Got Bait?

It's On

Can't wait. Will be there next week John Farmer @ Yellowfin- Got Bait?

Yes, we have good size live shrimp and of course all kinds of frozen bait. Next week we'll have some live eels for cobia fishing. Things are heating up faster this year. Our customers are mostly catching bull reds and pompano. It's a little early for the big spring pompano migration. The ones being caught in the last few days are big and likely year-round residents here. Spanish mackeral have shown up, and a few cobia have been caught. Again, it's still early but fish are being caught on the beach.

In the bay, the trout and redfish bite have been strong. We're also seeing some sheepshead.

Be sure to note our new location at 30 Herons Watch Way, near the Old Florida Fish House and the Eastern Lake bridge. We look forward to seeing you.

Yes, we have good size live shrimp and of course all kinds of frozen bait. Next week we'll have some live eels for cobia fishing. Things are heating up faster this year. Our customers are mostly catching bull reds and pompano. .....

John,

What is a 'bull red' (as opposed to a redfish\red drum) ?

What is a "bull" red?

John,

What is a 'bull red' (as opposed to a redfish\red drum) ?

When they speak of a "bull" red, it's a reference to a redfish\red drum well over the legal limit of 27-inches. It is common to catch redfish from the surf that measure over a yardstick in length. These fish are the breeding stock for the species, and some are well over 20-years old. That's why we're required to release them. Of course, we all have seen folks unlawfully keep this big fish for consumption. The irony is that the meat from these giants is very fatty and coarse, and often full of parasites. For eating, most people agree that the best size is around 22-inches or so. The current limit is one per angler per day, so for a lot of people this is a catch-and-release species.

Redfish are not historically known as a delicacy. However, this once "trash fish" was suddenly in high demand in the 1980's. The "blackened redfish" craze created such a demand for redfish that they were almost harvested to extinction. Thankfully, with good management practices, the redfish population is now on the rebound.

Current regulations for keeping a redfish:
Minimum 18-iches
Maximum 27-inches
One per angler per day

There is a possibility that the FWC will change the rules to allow the harvest of two-fish per day. Keep up with the latest regulations at www. myfwc.com

Update: Saturday's catch

They're here. The water temp rose today to over 70-degrees, and the fish were on at the beach. Pompano, big redfish, and spanish mackerel were the big news today.

Check out this chart from NOAA. We have a link to this data on our website.

Spanish Mackerel

Caught my first-ever Spanish mackerel yesterday which fulfils my dream to catch both a pompano and a Spanish mackerel, two fish my dad never caught when I lived in this area as a kid. OK, I also caught my my first redfish (red drum), too, but dad never kept any if he ever caught them because in those days the red drum was considered a trash fish.

All that said, I have a few more questions:
1. What are folks using to catch Spanish mackerel off the beach?
2. I've only heard of Spanish mackerel being caught in Choctawhatchee Bay off the Shalimar bridge. That's a long drive for me since I live near the east end of the bay. Can anyone tell me where else Spanish mackerel can be found in the bay without the need for a boat?
3. Can anyone give us an update on the pompano fishing off the beach in south Walton county?

Thanks in advance.

I went out yesterday and caught several trigger, snapper (red, black and mingo), red grouper and scamp. We were looking for cobia. Didn't see a single one though
:(

Pompano have been biting in Sowal on sand fleas. Now if we can get the june grass to go away so we don't spend our entire time fishing pulling gunk off the lines, it would be a lot more fun.

Stinky's is running a Pompano tournament this year and I'm in it.

Trout and sheephead have been getting caught on live shrimp around bridge pilings without needing a boat. We also caught a 16" Flounder recently at the 331 bridge.

Did you say June Grass? I know it is ont restricted to June only. However April does seem a little early.

He probably misspoke/typed and meant Sargassum grass that is prevalent this time of year.

We usually get a lovely two weeks between the two and there's no tourists to boot. 😀

No, I meant June grass. It's been thick lately. Cast out a line and spend 5 minutes getting all the grass off. Seems way early this year. We usually see it in May. This is first I've seen it in April.

The Sargassum is also coming in, and thicker lately. I don't mind the sargassum as much as it gets on the line, but waves readily push it back off. June grass wraps around the line and has to be pulled off.

We had way too much June grass last year way too late in the year. 3 weeks ago I noticed the telltale color of June grass in the water but couldn't see any. Must have been tiny. Not a good sign.

We endured the June Grass last year and one time before in FWB. I really don't think I want to do that again. I will have to keep a close eye on this situation.

It has been disapating the past couple days. Getting more sargassum now than anything which is great for the dunes.

I wonder how the direction of the wind affects what comes in.

There was a portion of a tree came in this morning near Stinky's and I saw several boards also in the surf. Surf moving East to West.

Hope none of that came all the way from Japan. :shock:

As long as it wasn't glowing you should be ok.

As a relative newcomer to the area, I did a bunch of reading up on June grass after I had it spoil a couple of fishing trips to the beach. From what I have read, it shows up when the water temperature gets to a certain point and we have south or southwesterly winds. Seems like both conditions have been present lately.

Two nice grouper out of St. Andrews Bay this afternoon as well as a Flounder while trolling. I just left the pier in P.C.B. (pier park) and must have seen 20 Spanish landed in 30 minutes. The kids were having a blast! Well I'm off to the grill for dinner .