Capt. Rick Davidson (grassflats2@yahoo.com), Editor
There was lots of great fishing and fun at the Sea Hag this past month. The month started off with the Perry Optimist Club tournament. The under 12 winners included Chase Norwood, Zach Bunkley, and Jessie Kolacia. Matthew Harris and Chase Norwood can just about lift their fine grouper. It was an excellent tournament with a great turnout for a great cause. An unusual catch was brought in by Nathan Zeller, this fine 30 pound blackfin tuna. Nathan was fishing with Capt. Mike Grothe. The fishing was so good that fine fish were caught from the Sea Hag dock; note the fine sailcat that Marisa barely managed to pull up on the dock. There were several redfish tournament based at the Sea Hag, including the Big Bend Redfish Club, and the Redfish Xtreme event at the end of the month. Dewey Holloway and Bill Fralick, pictured with Mark Brady, tournament director, came away with their 2nd Xtreme Redfish Tournament win for the Big Bend division with a total weight of 13.67 lbs., their second win in a row. There will three more Xtreme series tournaments at the Sea Hag: June 6, July 11 and August 1. I had several fine trips, but the most interesting was on Memorial Day weekend when Doug Barrett and I both caught cookie cutter redfish that were exactly 26 7/8 inches long and 8 pounds. Naturally, we were NOT fishing in a tournament. Go figure.
JUNE 2009 FISHING FORECAST
Red snapper season opens on the first, and there are lots of fine meals awaiting those that can get out to 50 feet and find hard bottom. Red snapper have been so plentiful that they have irritated grouper fishermen who can't get their baits to the bottom without catching these 'pests'. Well, now the pests are in season and will be highly sought after. Book your red snapper trips with our guides if you want some of the finest eating anywhere. As the water temperature increases, they will move further offshore, as will red and gag grouper. A 25 pound grouper won one of the major Steinhatchee tournaments this month, so there are some excellent fish out there. Inshore, everyone will be dealing with more floating grass, but redfish and trout will continue to be plentiful on the flats and marshlines. Fish gold spoons and spinner baits for redfish, and jig and cork combinations in 3 to 4 feet of water over spotty sand and grass to locate your trout limits. Everyone, however, is looking forward to July and the opening of scallop season. I have seen scallops on all my recent trips, mostly in deeper water and north of Dallus Creek, but by July 1 their location will be well publicized. If you don't already have reservations for the summer scallop season, you should strongly consider calling the Sea Hag for accommodations and boat rentals. It will be a fantastic season.
Now, for our guide reports:
Capt. Steve Rassell, www.lastcastrass.com , (352) 359-5902
Fishing is still very productive on the flats, and I've had some great trips this month. Fish are being caught both north and south of the river. Most trout are heading to deeper water now that the spawn is almost over. All the rain and the Suwannee flooding is keeping the shallows a little cooler. I still have a few days open in June and don't forget to book your scallop charter now.
Captain Tommy Thompson, www.saltwateranglersguide.com (352) 284-1763
May was my month for redfish. I managed to find several nice schools of top-slot fish that were really hungry for artificial lures. There's nothing like a 9-pound red on light tackle!
My new fishing guide book, The Saltwater Angler's Guide To Florida's Big Bend and Emerald Coast, is out and on sale. It's got LOTS of secrets, tips and trick, so don't forget to pick up a copy at the Sea Hag Ship's Store the next time you're at the marina.
If you're interested in a 'catch-and-release hunting for big fish' trip, please give me a call. And if you're interested in some more in-depth information about fishing our beautiful Big Bend, take a look at my weekly Fishing4Cast on the Florida Sportsman Magazine website at http://www.floridasportsman.com/4cast/bb/index.html or at the Florida Sportsman Big Bend Action Spotter column in each month's issue.
Captain Steve Hart, www.legallimitscharters.com (352) 498-0299
Capt. Walt Carlson 352 949-2174
This month both inshore and offshore catches have been great! Inshore the trout have been a little tricky to find because of the weather, but once you find them you usually limit out. I had good friend Rod Tyre from Lakeland up with some friends for some trout fishing and had a fine day with several over 20 inchers. Had another couple fish with me from Apalachicola and she tore her husband up catching trout. The bigger trout are now showing up. Topwater plugs early in the morning in shallow depths should really produce the bigger fish. Offshore has been good, with many limits of amberjack. I have done well trolling for them with a king spoon and a yellow duster. When that doesn't work I switch to live bait (pinfish--the bigger the better), free-lining them near the surface and with a light weight to get them down deep. Grouper have been doing best for me on live pin fish along with some cut bait and the Florida snapper and black sea bass are always biting. Let's go fishing!
