OT:Choctawhatchee Bay fishing

[Bulldog Bruce]

I am headed to FWB / Destin in 2 weeks and am not a saltwater bay guy. I fish quite often, but just Bass, Crappie like landlocked people do. I am taking my boat (18ft Aluminum Lowe) and want to fish a few days. Any detailed guidance on fishing the inshore areas around FWB?

 

[Bane.sixpack]

Could tell you but I'd have to kill you!

Just kidding, but the bay might beat you up in that boat!

 

[Bulldog Bruce]

I use it on Sardis and Pickwick all the time. I am sure if the wind is up it could be tough but it is basically a flats boat. I figure that is the type of fishing I will be doing.

 

[ronpolk]

Bane kinda alluded to this but I'd pick a calm day to go in that boat. I grew up in FWB but never really did a lot of bay fishing. I typically see people fishing along people's piers or boat lifts. I think they are usually catching redfish or trout along the piers.

Check out a website called pensacola fishing forum. It's a popular website down there with tons of guys posting good fishing spots and tips. I know for a fact there are several threads about fishing in the choctawhatchie.

 

[Bulldog Bruce]

I understand that it needs to be a fairly calm day. I do know about that website ands have looked at it. The problem with sites like that is you will see "out past Stuckey's point" and that does not exist on any map. It is a local name for a place. So I am hoping for even a shop to go to I the area that gives good info.

 

[karlchilders.sixpack]

Never been there

but since you are going check this out. I bet you can find Stuckeys Point on it.

Start at Sardis, scroll out, and move down to that area, scroll back in.

http://www.magnoliacrappieclub.com/LakeMaps.asp

 

[BulldogBacker]

My guess is your Lowe is a shallow draft, maybe flat bottomed boat. I would suggest you stay out of open bay water. Further, make sure you flush your motor with freshwater through the lower unit ASAP after taking it out of the brackish water. You probably already know that. This is the time of year that redfish begin migrating into creeks. You can find them in channels of creeks. You will also catch largemouth bass in there. Also, flounder can be found in the mouths of small creeks which empty into larger bays. Look for grass and use popping corks with only about 18" of line to the hook. Don't fish in clear water or muddy water, but slightly colored. There are several web sites about Panhandle fishing. I have a friend, Harold Staples, who is a guide in Destin. I think he is retired right now, but these are things he told me.

 

[ronpolk]

Check out half hitch tackle in Destin

 

[Bulldog Bruce]

Thanks. I grew up fishing in saltwater so I do know about flushing out everything. Thanks for the fishing tips also.

 

[mcdawg22]

Thanks. I grew up fishing in saltwater so I do know about flushing out everything. Thanks for the fishing tips also.

Can you throw a cast net? Or do you own one? Net up some finger mullet, 3-4 inches, or pinfish about the same size. They are everywhere in the bay's. Hell tip a sabiki rig with uncooked bacon around the piers and you can get a dozen quick. Free line with a circle hook and a fluorocarbon leader. If not people love matrix shads and paddle tails. The fat reds are starting their migration back to the river basins, but they aren't that thick yet. Check the winds too, if it's coming from the north stay on the north side of the bay. South do the opposite. The crazy thing about the last couple of months is its been fairly calm all day and boom, at2 o'clock it starts blowing 15 out of the west. It's a ***** when you are a mile offshore in a kayak. Good luck, just remember 2 reds 18-27 no oversized in Florida.

 

[Bulldog Bruce]

You should know what I am talking about. That is how most people post on crappie.com and unless you know the place they are writing about pretty well, you would have no clue where to go.

 

[Bulldog Bruce]

I am sure I can figure it out and they are not that expensive. I will give that a shot.