Episodes

  • Gulf of Mexico Fishing Update: Promising Conditions Amid Red Tide Concerns (140 characters)

    Gulf of Mexico Fishing Update: Promising Conditions Amid Red Tide Concerns (140 characters)
    Nov 2 2024
    As of November 2, 2024, the fishing scene in the Gulf of Mexico, particularly around Florida, is looking promising despite some challenges.

    ### Weather and Tides
    The weather is expected to be partly cloudy with a high of around 78 degrees Fahrenheit and a low of 68 degrees. Sunrise was at 6:43 AM, and sunset will be at 5:31 PM. Tides are moderate, with a high tide at 9:15 AM and a low tide at 3:15 PM, which should provide good conditions for both inshore and offshore fishing.

    ### Fish Activity
    Following recent storms, water quality has been a concern, but fish activity is still robust. In the coastal gulf, you can expect to find a mix of blues, Spanish mackerel, and pompano, especially on deep grass flats. Larger trout are active in the skinny waters, while redfish are spreading out on shallow grass flats, often around bars, potholes, or near docks. Snook are staging around bars and shallow flats as they move towards their winter areas.

    ### Red Tide Update
    It's important to note that there have been reports of red tide in Southwest Florida, particularly in Pinellas County, which may affect fishing conditions and cause respiratory irritation. However, the East and Northwest coasts of Florida are currently clear of red tide.

    ### Best Lures and Bait
    For redfish, using CAL jigs with shad tails, grubs, or jerk worms, along with gold spoons, should be effective in shallow waters. Fly anglers can score with lightly weighted flies such as Clousers, spoon flies, or the Grassett Flats Minnow fly. For snook, live bait around lighted docks in the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) is a good bet, especially at night. In the coastal gulf, Spanish mackerel, false albacore, and tripletail can be caught using jigs and spoons.

    ### Hot Spots
    - **Sarasota Bay**: This area is excellent for fishing shallow and deep grass flats, with a variety of fish including reds, trout, and snook.
    - **Boca Grande Pass**: Known for its tarpon and kingfish, this pass is a hotspot for inshore game fish, especially during the changing tides.
    - **Destin and Panama City**: These areas offer great inshore and nearshore fishing for redfish and tarpon, with the added benefit of offshore fishing in the blue waters of the northern Gulf.

    Overall, it's a great time to hit the waters, but be mindful of the red tide conditions and take necessary precautions to protect both yourself and the environment.
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    3 mins
  • Fishing the Gulf of Mexico: Promising Conditions and Targeted Techniques for Snook, Tarpon, and More

    Fishing the Gulf of Mexico: Promising Conditions and Targeted Techniques for Snook, Tarpon, and More
    Nov 1 2024
    As of November 1st, 2024, the fishing scene in the Gulf of Mexico, particularly around Florida, is looking promising despite the recent storms affecting water quality.

    ### Weather and Tides
    Today, you can expect partly cloudy skies with a high of around 78°F and a low of 68°F. The winds will be moderate, coming from the southeast at about 10 mph. Tides are crucial, and for today, the high tide is at 9:35 AM, and the low tide is at 3:45 PM. These conditions should provide a decent window for fishing.

    ### Sunrise and Sunset
    Sunrise is at 6:51 AM, and sunset will be at 5:34 PM, giving you ample time to hit your favorite spots.

    ### Fish Activity
    After the recent storms, fish activity has been a bit erratic, but there are still plenty of opportunities. Snook are active around docks and bridges, especially during early morning and late afternoon. They are keyed in on mullet, so using live finger mullet or lures like Yo-Zuri Hydro Pencils and bigger swimbaits will be effective. Tarpon are also present, particularly around bridges at night and in areas like Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor.

    ### Types and Amounts of Fish
    Yesterday saw a good number of redfish schooling on shallow grass flats, along with big trout in the same areas. Spanish mackerel and false albacore (little tunny) have been spotted in the coastal gulf, attracted by baitfish. There have been reports of cobia, tripletail, and kingfish as well, though kingfish action remains scattered.

    ### Best Lures and Bait
    For snook, use live finger mullet, Yo-Zuri Hydro Pencils, or bigger swimbaits like flair hawk jigs. For redfish and trout, surface walking topwater plugs, fly poppers, and Gurglers are excellent choices. For Spanish mackerel and little tunny, small white flies or CAL jigs with shad tails work well. When targeting tarpon, use lighted docks and bridges before dawn with lures like DOA Shrimp or small white flies.

    ### Hot Spots
    One of the hot spots right now is the Tampa Bay ship channel, where you can find Spanish mackerel and little tunny following baitfish. Another good spot is around the bridges and docks in Sarasota, where snook and tarpon are active. The shallow grass flats around Charlotte Harbor are also worth a visit for redfish and trout.

    Overall, it's a good day to get out on the water, especially if you can hit the early morning or late afternoon slots when fish are most active. Just remember to match your lures and bait to the hatch and be prepared for some toothy fish by adding wire or heavy fluorocarbon to your leader.
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    3 mins
  • "Gulf Coast Florida Fishing Forecast: Redfish, Trout, and Cobia Abound in the Fall"

    "Gulf Coast Florida Fishing Forecast: Redfish, Trout, and Cobia Abound in the Fall"
    Oct 31 2024
    As of October 31, 2024, the Gulf of Mexico along Florida's coast is offering some fantastic fishing opportunities, especially with the fall season in full swing.

    The weather today is mild, with air temperatures hovering around 75 degrees, typical for this time of year. The skies are partly cloudy, with a gentle breeze out of the northeast. High tide is expected around 10:35 AM, and low tide at 4:15 PM, making these tidal changes crucial for activating fish activity. Sunrise this morning was at 7:34 AM, and sunset will be at 6:53 PM, giving you ample daylight to get out on the water.

    Fall fishing in the Gulf of Mexico is all about the transition as water temperatures drop into the low 70s and upper 60s, making fish more active. Yesterday saw a lot of action, particularly for redfish, trout, and cobia. Inshore, redfish and trout were plentiful, especially in the flats around Apalachicola, Dog Island near Carrabelle, and the flats of Eastpoint around Yents Bayou. Anglers reported catching several redfish in the 20-25 inch range and trout up to 18 inches.

    Offshore, cobia were active around channel markers and buoys, with some catches reported near the passes on either end of St. George Island. The fall mullet run is also in full swing, attracting a variety of species such as tarpon, snook, and redfish, especially in areas like the Mosquito Lagoon and the inshore waters of Jupiter and Palm Beach.

    For inshore fishing, live shrimp are always a solid choice. Artificial lures such as gold or silver spoons, traditional grubs in colors like Gulf red, white, or new penny, and suspension lures in greenback or silver are also effective for redfish. For surf fishing, sand fleas, Fish Bites, or Fish Gum worked well for mackerel and pompano.

    Some hot spots to consider include the flats around Postun Bayou, where redfish gather around docks and flats as the water temperatures drop. For offshore fishing, the passes on either end of St. George Island are great spots for targeting cobia using natural or artificial eels or brightly-colored jigs. Another excellent spot is the deeper troughs between sandbars, particularly around the areas near Carrabelle and Apalachicola, which are known for surf fishing yields of mackerel and pompano.

    Overall, it's a great time to get out on the water and take advantage of the excellent fishing conditions the Gulf Coast of Florida has to offer this fall.
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    3 mins
  • "Fantastic Fall Fishing in Florida's Gulf Coast: Redfish, Trout, and Cobia Await"

    "Fantastic Fall Fishing in Florida's Gulf Coast: Redfish, Trout, and Cobia Await"
    Oct 27 2024
    As of October 27, 2024, the Gulf of Mexico along Florida's coast is offering some fantastic fishing opportunities, especially with the fall season in full swing. Here’s what you can expect today:

    The weather is mild, with air temperatures hovering around 75 degrees, typical for this time of year. The skies are partly cloudy, and there's a gentle breeze out of the northeast. Today's high tide is at 10:35 AM, and the low tide is at 4:15 PM. These tidal changes are crucial for activating fish activity.

    Sunrise this morning was at 7:34 AM, and sunset will be at 6:53 PM, giving you ample daylight to get out on the water.

    Yesterday saw a lot of action, particularly for redfish, trout, and cobia. Inshore, redfish and trout were plentiful in the flats around Apalachicola, Dog Island near Carrabelle, and the flats of Eastpoint around Yents Bayou. Anglers reported catching several redfish in the 20-25 inch range and trout up to 18 inches. Offshore, cobia were active around channel markers and buoys, with some catches reported near the passes on either end of St. George Island.

    For targeting these species, live baits such as greenbacks, threadfins, and shrimp are particularly effective. For redfish and trout, using jigs or soft plastics in the flats can also yield good results. For cobia, trolling around structure with larger lures or bait can be productive.

    If you're looking to surf fish, focus on the deeper troughs between sandbars, particularly around the areas near Carrabelle and Apalachicola. These spots have been producing some great catches lately.

    Overall, the fall season is an excellent time to fish the Gulf Coast of Florida, with plenty of active fish and favorable conditions. Enjoy your trip
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    2 mins
  • Fishing the Gulf of Mexico off Florida's Coast: Conditions, Tides, and Hot Spots

    Fishing the Gulf of Mexico off Florida's Coast: Conditions, Tides, and Hot Spots
    Oct 26 2024
    If you're heading out to fish in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Florida today, here's what you need to know.

    First, let's talk about the conditions. Sunrise is at around 7:30 AM, and sunset will be just after 6:30 PM. The weather is looking good, with mild temperatures and light winds, making it an ideal day for both inshore and offshore fishing.

    Tides are an important factor, especially for inshore fishing. Today, high tide is expected in the late morning, and low tide in the late afternoon. This peak during high tide is when you'll find the best action for species like redfish and trout.

    Yesterday saw a lot of activity, particularly with redfish. Anglers reported catching a good number of these hard-fighting fish in the flats, especially north of the Hwy 98 bridge in Apalachicola, around Dog Island near Carrabelle, and in the flats of Eastpoint around Yents Bayou. Live shrimp were a solid choice for bait, but artificial lures like gold or silver spoons and traditional grubs in colors like Gulf red, white, or new penny also worked well.

    For offshore fishing, cobia were a target around channel markers and buoys, using natural or artificial eels or brightly-colored jigs. The best spots for cobia were near the passes on either end of St. George Island.

    If you're surf fishing, focus on the deeper troughs between sandbars, using sand fleas, Fish Bites, or Fish Gum for the best results. Mackerel and pompano are also active as they prepare to head to deeper waters.

    Some hot spots to consider include the flats around Postun Bayou, where redfish are gathering around docks and flats as the water temperatures drop. Another good spot is near the passes on St. George Island for cobia.

    Overall, it's shaping up to be a great day for fishing in the Gulf of Mexico off Florida's coast. Make sure to check the local regulations and enjoy the beautiful fall weather.
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    2 mins
  • "Peak Fall Fishing on Florida's Gulf Coast: Redfish, Trout, and Cobia Abound"

    "Peak Fall Fishing on Florida's Gulf Coast: Redfish, Trout, and Cobia Abound"
    Oct 25 2024
    As of October 25, 2024, the fishing scene in the Gulf of Mexico along Florida's coast is buzzing with activity. The weather is mild, with air temperatures hovering around 75 degrees, partly cloudy skies, and a gentle breeze out of the northeast.

    Tides are crucial for fall fishing, with today's high tide expected at around 10:35 AM and low tide at 4:15 PM. These tidal changes are key for activating fish activity. Sunrise this morning was at 7:34 AM, and sunset will be at 6:53 PM, giving you ample daylight to get out on the water.

    Yesterday saw a lot of action, particularly for redfish, trout, and cobia. Inshore, redfish and trout were plentiful in the flats around Apalachicola, Dog Island near Carrabelle, and the flats of Eastpoint around Yents Bayou. Anglers reported catching several redfish in the 20-25 inch range and trout up to 18 inches.

    Offshore, cobia were active around channel markers and buoys, with some catches reported near the passes on either end of St. George Island. The fall mullet run is in full swing, attracting a variety of species including tarpon and snook, especially in areas like the Mosquito Lagoon and the inshore waters of Jupiter and Palm Beach.

    For inshore fishing, live shrimp are always a solid choice. If you prefer using artificial lures, try gold or silver spoons or traditional grubs in colors like Gulf red, white, or new penny. Redfish are also attracted to suspension lures in greenback or silver.

    For offshore fishing, target cobia using natural or artificial eels or brightly-colored jigs. If you're surf fishing, focus on the deeper troughs between sandbars, using sand fleas, Fish Bites, or Fish Gum for the best results.

    Hot spots include the flats north of the Hwy 98 bridge in Apalachicola, around Dog Island near Carrabelle, and the flats of Eastpoint around Yents Bayou. For cobia, head to the passes on either end of St. George Island.

    With the cooler temperatures and favorable tidal conditions, fall fishing on the Gulf Coast is at its peak, making it an excellent time to get out on the water and reel in some of these active species.
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    3 mins
  • Fishing Forecast: Redfish, Trout, and Offshore Action in the Florida Gulf

    Fishing Forecast: Redfish, Trout, and Offshore Action in the Florida Gulf
    Oct 24 2024
    As of October 24, 2024, the fishing scene in the Gulf of Mexico, particularly along Florida's coast, is looking promising. Here’s what you need to know for a successful day on the water.

    ### Tidal Report
    Today, the high tide is expected around 10:30 AM, and the low tide will be at 4:30 PM. These tidal changes are crucial, especially for inshore fishing, as they push fish into more active feeding areas.

    ### Weather
    The weather is forecasted to be partly cloudy with a gentle breeze from the east at about 10 mph. Water temperatures are in the low 70s to upper 60s, which is ideal for fall fishing.

    ### Sunrise and Sunset
    Sunrise is at 7:30 AM, and sunset will be at 6:30 PM. These times are perfect for targeting fish that are most active during these periods.

    ### Fish Activity
    Yesterday saw a good amount of activity from various species. Inshore, redfish were particularly active, especially in the flats north of the Hwy 98 bridge in Apalachicola, around Dog Island near Carrabelle, and in the flats of Eastpoint around Yents Bayou. Trout were also plentiful in these areas.

    Offshore, dolphin fishing remained consistent, with fish scattered from 200 to 800 feet of water. Blackfin tuna were active in 200-300 feet of water, and there were reports of wahoo, although not in large numbers.

    ### Types of Fish Caught
    - **Redfish**: Found in the flats and around docks and river areas.
    - **Trout**: Active in the same flats as the redfish.
    - **Dolphin**: Caught offshore in various depths.
    - **Blackfin Tuna**: Found in 200-300 feet of water.
    - **Wahoo**: Scattered reports, mostly in shallower waters at sunrise and sunset.
    - **Cobia**: Targeted around channel markers and buoys near St. George Island.

    ### Best Lures and Bait
    For inshore fishing, live shrimp are always a solid choice. Artificial lures such as gold or silver spoons, traditional grubs in colors like Gulf red, white, or new penny, and suspension lures in greenback or silver are also effective.

    Offshore, trolling small ballyhoo, bonita strips, and squid worked well for dolphin. For blackfin tuna, small trolling feathers fished way back were successful. Wahoo were caught using trolling planers or sinkers with bonita strips or split tail mullet.

    ### Hot Spots
    - **Apalachicola Flats**: North of the Hwy 98 bridge, this area is rich with redfish and trout.
    - **St. George Island Passes**: Ideal for targeting cobia using natural or artificial eels or brightly-colored jigs.
    - **Dog Island near Carrabelle**: Another hotspot for redfish and trout in the flats.

    With the right gear and knowledge of these hot spots, you should have a productive and enjoyable day of fishing in the Gulf of Mexico. Always check the latest weather and fishing regulations before you head out.
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    3 mins
  • Gulf of Mexico Fishing Forecast: Redfish, Snook, and Trout Thrive Amidst Mullet Run

    Gulf of Mexico Fishing Forecast: Redfish, Snook, and Trout Thrive Amidst Mullet Run
    Oct 20 2024
    As of October 20, 2024, the fishing scene in the Gulf of Mexico, particularly in Southwest Florida, is buzzing with activity. Here’s what you need to know for a successful day on the water.

    ### Weather and Tides
    The weather is looking favorable with mild temperatures and a gentle breeze. Sunrise today is at 7:34 AM, and sunset will be at 6:44 PM. Tides are crucial, and today we have a high tide at 10:17 AM and a low tide at 4:13 PM. The tidal changes are expected to bring in a good flow of water, which should keep the fish active.

    ### Fish Activity
    Yesterday saw a robust fish activity, especially around the mangrove islands and oyster beds. Anglers reported catching an abundance of slot redfish, snook, and speckled trout. The fall mullet run is in full swing, attracting larger predatory species like tarpon and kingfish.

    ### Types and Amounts of Fish
    In the inshore waters, redfish and snook were the stars of the show. Several anglers reported catching multiple redfish in the 20-25 inch range, while snook were plentiful around the mangrove edges. Trout were also active, particularly in the deeper grass flats. Offshore, there were reports of snapper, juvenile grouper, and even some cobia near the channel markers.

    ### Best Lures and Bait
    For inshore fishing, live shrimp remain a top choice. Artificial lures such as gold or silver spoons, traditional grubs in Gulf red, white, or new penny colors, and suspension lures in greenback or silver are also effective. For redfish, using bait like crickets or worms can be very productive. Offshore, natural or artificial eels and brightly-colored jigs worked well for cobia.

    ### Hot Spots
    One of the hot spots right now is around the mangrove islands near Bokeelia, where the pristine estuaries and mangrove channels are teeming with baitfish and larger predators. Another spot is the flats north of the Hwy 98 bridge in Apalachicola, particularly around Dog Island and Eastpoint, where redfish and trout are congregating.

    With the cooler mornings and the fall mullet run in full swing, today promises to be an excellent day for fishing in the Gulf of Mexico. Make sure to take advantage of the tidal flows and target those areas where baitfish are abundant. Good luck out there
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    3 mins