[dropcap]A[/dropcap]lright, enough rain already! The fresh water from all the rain here in northwest Florida and Alligator Point has made tremendous changes to our local fishing. It’s not all bad though. Yes, the fresh water has slowed the bite down, however; with a little more looking, you can still find the fish! Look for birds diving after bait fish and you are almost guaranteed to hook up on some Spanish mackerel. Spoons or jerk jiggers are the way to go with Spanish. If trolling through bait, I prefer the Johnson Silver Minnow (it’s actually a weedless gold spoon). The heavier the Silver Minnow, the better for spanish. Also, a faster speed seems to excite the larger Spanish macks as well. The grouper and Sea bass are close in for this time of year, and keeper Sea bass can be found on Dog Island Reef! West of the reef seems to be holding more bait, which usually means more fish. Th e Red drum are here! Just, look for finger mullet and you will find the Reds nearby too. Get scalloping out of your system because September 24, 2013 is the closing date. Bay Scallops can still be found in the Lanark area as long as you don’t mind the tea colored water due to the tannic staining from all the rain. I do miss our crystal clear water though, but as long as these tasty little bi-valves are still here, a scalloping adventure is always a ball for the entire family. Off shore, we’ve been finding more sharks than usual, but there are still nice grouper, kings and cobia to be caught. Just remember fishing is not all about “catching”. It’s more about the memories, the views, the fresh salty air, and the freedom of just being out there. It is truly a fortunate experience! The fresh water from all the July and August rain presents a challenge which makes catches more gratifying.
By Capt. Brittany Regelski Alligator Point, FL Call either Capt. Tim or me, Capt. Brittany, and book your adventures now (850) 570-6424. You can also visit us on Facebook or our web site at: www.saltynativecharters.com