So we have survived the warm water/cold water flip flop that mocks the cabin fever stricken flats enthusiasts. Survived the nasty cold north winds and water puddle boat ramps of winter. Now our sights are aimed at that warm time of year where one could drift all day in bliss swatting and cussing at rouge yellow flies.. Spring Baby! Water temps have and are continuing to get warmer and warmer (80’s) as they finish filling in with grass and bait. Even though it’s not as fast as the temp boost; water is clearing up daily with a strong tannic stain still present. Have found grass mats formed and drifting around with the tides in and out. Nothing thick enough to foul treble hooks or clog a motor. Fishing!? Yeah it’s been good and than it’s been slow but than good again. I’m liking where we are going. Bait pods showing up, with mean blues, jacks, and macks chasing. Pinfish and smooth puffers are annoying as always to the pop cork specialist. Plenty of ladyfish and mullet around as well. Redfish and trout bite are hot. Nothing new with presentation here. No need to get cute; throw what you know where you know. Oyster bars, shallow grass lines for your reds, trout have been caught in 3-6’ with sinking mirrolure style jerk baits. Top water bite is strong and so has cut/live bait approach when artificial isn’t the look. Popping corks are popular for a reason, they work. I’ve found success on slower days by taking what the fish are giving me and not forcing a bait they don’t want. If the artificial approach doesn’t work go to cut bait/live bait no need to ride a skunk home. “Throw what gives you confidence” Bounce those jigs close to bottom for flounder around the grass lines and oyster bars. Keep your eyes peeled on the flats for those moments of surprise. Never know when something exotic is cruising the shallows.

Well it’s October and the water clarity in Wakulla hasn’t improved much if at all over the past couple months. Water is dark and stirred up with floating grass still lurking around. The grass has me constantly looking back at the Yamaha to make sure it’s not getting clogged up. I have found the darker water makes fish less spooky and makes color selection easier. Have noted lady fish and trout look almost gold because of the tannin in the water. We had that nice cool front show up mixed with that northern wind made it feel like fall, even though it didn’t last but a day. What I did pick up on was how fast the water temps dropped. Couple days before the temps were in the 80’s and two days later they were in the mid-high 70’s. It won’t be long now until our fall pattern is in full swing with fish trying to either move out to deeper water or find there way into the creeks/bays. Fishing wise I have found flounder and trout in the flats around the 4-6’ range; heard reports of trout being found out to 10’. Caught flounder (though not in huge abundance) and trout on live bait, jerk-baits, and jigs rigged with soft plastics. Redfish.. well what is there to say.. other than the redfish bite has been hot. Not uncommon to score several slot pumpkins on all sides of the same patch. They seem to be really dialing in on baitfish and trying to fatten up for the transitions coming. Structure wise look for grass lines having water in them and covered oysters bars; I’ve tried working areas on low and high tide and have found the best results to be somewhere in the middle of the incoming/outgoing tides. Caught them on everything lately; live bait, jigs, spinners, spoons, jerk-baits, and topwater plugs. Mullet! They are getting fat and starting to show some size. I look forward to the mullet run every year and enjoying a good fried or smoked mullet with plenty of fat. Just taste better it seems when they are fat and happy. Personally I’m really looking forward to this fall season. It’s shaping up to be a good one. (I say that every year about every upcoming season) I’m looking forward to the pivot in fishing locations and tactics. Ready for the cooler water to bring in flocks of sheepshead, fat trout, and bull reds. I also enjoy the lower negative tides that make laying GPS tracks fun for the following summer. Get out and enjoy the water on any day you have time, fishing can still be good even with dark water, floating grass, and a chop on the water. Tight lines and sharp hooks!

Summer time is starting to wrap up and water temps are starting to slowly drop. Of course we have had some help from these storms of lately, but i’m not complaining. The mullet are already gaining size and adding fat in preperation for their annual run. The shrimp are starting to show up in numbers as well. Can’t wade through any grass without seeing them pop to the surface. This can only mean one thing, its almost fall! That time of year where fishing is electric and the days become shorter. Scallop season in Wakulla county only has a couple weeks left and they will reach their size potential. Though the numbers aren’t as easily to come by; a limit can still be had with a little work and keeping your eyes peeled. The redfish bite is shaping up to be on fire as we gear up for autumn fishing. Trout will start positioning themselves into the shallower water as it cools down. And flounder.. well what is there to say? The flounder this season have been everywhere, I fully expect that to contiune going into this season. Bait remains to be plentiful in the area keeping the larger predator fish fat and happy. Both artificial and live bait are getting the job done. Multiple redfish are holding off the same oyster structures allowong for double ups. Speckled trout are still rolling in packs on the grass flats, and have been a blast to catch all season. Sandtrout have also starting appearing and are a welcome sign the season is changing. Personally I’m looking forward to this fall season and getting a breather from the heat. Ready to welcome the change of pace fishing autumn brings. And do not forget the sheepshead, as they will start lurking about almost anywhere with barnacles attached. Also one of my favorite fish to eat. We have made it through one of the hottest summers I can remember; even though I say that every year; this one was a scorcher. So get your gear prepped and ready I’m talking buffalo wings, chips and dips, the pumpkin spice, and your favorite sports gear.. it’s football season and the fish are biting! Tight Lines, and tighter knots! -Capt Dustin