Well,Here in Florida Includes Apalachicola, St. George Island, Carabelle, St. Marks and Keaton Beach October is but a memory now and November is sure to fly by as well. I look forward to the cooler weather and holiday season and also the fall fishing. Last week’s weather was typical October foul weather. The seas at one time were predicted to be over 7 feet; however, I didn't see it. The air temperatures are great for all activities outside, but it seems we can’t catch a break on the water. Weather this weekend is typical for November. Thursday the high will be 73 and a low of 60, with a 30 percent chance of rain Thursday night. Saturday and Sunday highs will be 68 and lows near 48 degrees, but mostly sunny for the whole weekend. Seas on the other hand are not too good. Wave heights are predicted to be 2-3 feet until Saturday, climbing up to 4 feet again. As I mentioned before you can come to the beach, but you never know if you’ll be able to get out on the water.
Inshore fishing is still good whenever you can go. The trick to getting on the water is to find spots that are out of the wind. Every angler knows this; however, visiting anglers to our area may not know where to go. I always say that Indian Pass is a good spot for these fall weather patterns. With land masses to the north and south of you and somewhat to the west, Indian Pass is good fishing other than an east wind. This stretch of water runs through the “miles” and into Apalachicola Bay, behind St. Vincent State Park and into West Pass of Apalachicola Bay. I reference these waters often in my reports and fish here just as much.
This time of the year is great for trout and redfish, as well as huge schools of mullet. All reports coming out of this water are good now. Big bull reds can be found everywhere in our waters. Great spots are Mexico Beach Pier, St. Joe State Park, West Pass and St. George State Park. Baits of choice are live pinfish and croakers, but big cut baits will work well also.
The trout bite is a little slow this week and the fish are still on the small side, generally speaking. The flounder bite is still moving offshore now, but some have been caught in the bays around the Forgotten Coast, and some have been gigged.
Offshore fishing and near shore fishing are all about the same now. Most boats did not get out last weekend and I don’t blame them. The reports are still the same with the gag grouper season fast coming to an end. Good fish have been caught at the 100-foot mark the last few weeks, but the big boys are still holding way offshore in the 150- to 200-foot range. These fish should start to move soon to inshore spots, however, the season may be over by then! Mexico Beach has a good gag fishery in about 60 feet, but you are sure to catch plenty of shorts and very few legal fish right now. Light line in the 20-pound class and long leaders with small pinfish will produce gags over these inshore sites. With seas at 2 to 3 feet this weekend, maybe we can get out to some of these wrecks and get a limit before the season is gone.
Beeliners and triggerfish are holding on the ledges and smaller artificial sites. Three hook rigs or chicken rigs with small number 2-3 Demon circle hooks with small cut squid squares work great. This tiny, and I mean tiny, square of bait will not attract the attention of the red snapper but may persuade a mangrove snapper or two.
Many anglers are looking for other species to fill up a cooler and make the trip worthwhile. Gas and diesel are $3.68 now on the beach. Kingfish are all but a memory now. One good report last week came in about kingfish, but none this week. Some mahi-mahi are still holding close to shore and are moving east.
Come down to the Apalachicola Seafood Festival this weekend and see Travis Trit play Saturday night and enjoy some of the freshest seafood around, and maybe a funnel cake or two.