Fishing

It’s always fun to watch the Pompano action heat up on SoWal Beaches at this time of year.

Experienced local anglers can be seen on the beach, or on a sandbar perched on “pompano ladders” sight-fishing for the perfect cast. Adding to the excitement each Spring are salty anglers and newcomers joining together in the spirit of camaraderie and competition for Stinky’s annual Pompano Tournament. This year's 7th annual edition runs from April 1st through May 15.

After a mild and warm February it turned to winter just in time for the first big spring break week. I had trips all this week but the weather has been anything but warm, sunny and calm causing me to cancel the last three days.

The installation of artificial reefs has gotten off to a great start in South Walton, and 2017 promises a flurry of activity by South Walton Artificial Reef Association (SWARA).

Boy, this winter has gone by fast. Hard to believe that the Spring Break crowds ( hordes?) will be here in two weeks.

The early breakers will have a lot warmer Gulf than usual to play in this year. The water temp on the beach was 66 degrees this past week with surface temps of 67 off a couple miles. I have not heard of a Cobia being seen yet but there are Spanish in St Andrews bay all ready and the pompano bite has been strong on SoWal beaches the past week.

Been a while since I sat still and wrote a report but I don't sit still for long or often! I was able to run a pretty good ways offshore one day last week with the intention to target Greater Amberjacks.

Alas, they weren't chewing too well that day and we only got about eight to bite and only one of those made the "magic" length to keep coming in at 36" to the fork.

It took a whole a New Year but I finally made it over to Indian Pass for ten days. I just don't get to go as often as I used to, what with running so many trips and trying to keep three boats going here.

New Years Eve here at the beach. Lots of folks in town and I was booked all week but, as usual in the winter, the weather had more bouncy days than calm. We got three trips in with two of 'em on a beautiful, calm Gulf and then again today where it was overcast, breezy and bouncy. We came in early but still had 29 fine Flounders in the box and lots of missed bites.

It's early winter at the beach, one of the best times of the year to live here. No lines at the grocery, no traffic on 30A, still some really nice days at the beach and... the Flounders are thick!

With this being the "slow time" my trips have dropped off from twice a day every day to just a couple a week. I spend most of my time dealing with all the real world stuff like rebuilding boats and tackle, trying to cram in a years worth of put off doctor visits, house chores that get put off, renewing dozens of fishing permits etc.

Well the seasons are finally changing, the surf is up and I am on the hill doing boat chores. We have had a long run of good weather and fairly warm temps. I got to run trips in the Gulf for 8 out of 10 days at the end of November this year.

Most years I get booked every day around Thanksgiving but only get to run half of my trips due to weather. Red Snappers are closed now till sometime next year (probably in May) and we can finally start targeting some other critters!