Know Anything About Saltwater?

[UnCivE]

So, I've managed to get into a week long vacation to Cape San Blas Florida during the last week of June.

I'm pretty comfortable fishing bass of any variety, and crappie... catfish...etc... but I've never wet my line in saltwater.

Anybody know anything about wade/kayak fishing saltwater down there? Is my gear gonna be severe underkill (7ft med - med/hvy rods with baitcasters)? I figure I'm gonna be rinsing and cleaning baitcasters everyday, but I don't mind that, I'm pretty good at it.

I'm CNR only so I only really wanna hook some nice fish and release them while retaining all my digits.

[OzarkFishman]

Saltwater fish aren't as lure-shy as bass.

Use a wire leader and throw jigs (not bass jigs), topwater plugs and big lipless cranks ... you will like your results.

Went to Gulf Shores and landed countless blues and ladyfish and 3 stingray (2 over 20 pounds) ... and that was my first time.

Can't wait until July when I go back.

Good Luck!

[OzarksRiverman]

Gettting a lure out of a stingray's mouth does not sound like a good time to me.

[mzrealfish]

Your gear will work just fine. I use my spinning gear and rarely have any issues. Make sure your spools are full because most of the fish can run fast and far. As UnCivE stated, a steel leader is a must and forlures plugs/lipless/spooks. Bigger stickbaits in bright colors work as well. Another suggestion is picking up a 4 or 5 ft. cast net at Walmart. They are less than $40. Easy to learn how to use. When you are in the surf, knee to waist deep, look at the top of the water for v's that taper back 3 to 5 ft. and veer left and right they will be running parralel to the shore. These are small school of finger mullet or shrimp. Have a 5 gallon bucket with some sort of lid ready. Tail hook live bait and gently toss out slightly deeper than where you caught them. That is where the predator fish are chasing them from. Bluefish, trout, spottail bass and mackerel (at least on the Atlantic side, not sure about Gulf side) and sometimes a shark. Check the regulations re: dead bait. A lot of places don't allow dead or cut bait use anymore because it brings up the sharks and rays. Lastly, if you can fish an inlet (where the intercoastal waterway or a creek or river pours into the ocean, the fishing is typically better.

MZ

[Smalliebigs]

I think that is just south of Panama City and the cape protects a smallish to medium size bay??? Right now the Cobia are running up the coast and they can be sight fished. They look big and black, similar to a shark and can be sighted and then you can throw a big Pompano jig at them or a live eel and they will hit. You will need at least 30 to 50 pound braid as they fight real good and will tow a kayak a long way. In the surf you can catch Pomano and Redfish on Pompano jigs.

When fishing in the ocean near the coast everything is very dependant on the tides, if someone tells you differently they are ignorant so when you get there get a publication that will show when the incoming and out going tides are going to happen and fish when these are occuring.....I can't stress to you how important that is.

Up the coast from where you are is Apalachicola Bay at Panama City and there is an inlet to the bay with jetties....Shell Island area??? when the tide is going in or out, in this inlet will be full of Redfish,Spanish Mackrel,Ladyfish,Snapper and Grouper. all you need is the gumption to fish during the tides with some nice big topwater and jigs. Get out in that inlet with your yak if you aren't afraid of big boats and you will hammer them.

As for St.Joe Bay it is very wide and not real deep but holds fish, you need a boat for it to be safe in my opinion....the wind can kill you there quick. Go just south to the inlets at St.Vincent Island and Sand Island and Little St.George Island and on down the coast as there are about 5 or 6.Just like I said before during the tides in those inlets the food for the fish namely Shrimp,Pogies and small Ballyhoo will be forced threw these areas and the big fish will be going nuts slamming them during the tides.Any inlets with jetties are good fishing but can be very dangerous to walk on....many,many tourist break their legs on the jetties from Memorial day to Labor day down there.

Your tackle it will be adequate you can deal with it.....I would put some braid on, the Blues aren't running yet.....wire leader thats up to you.....I don't. Spanish have teeth and sharks. do your self a favor and rent or take a yak and fish from it as fishing from the beach is lame and unless if the tides are running and you don't have a 12 surf rod and live bait. I fish with a guy who brings a Twelve foot ladder and puts in in the sand off the beach and fishes from it.....he sights fish and does real well that way....I just take my yaks.I hope this helps....I suck at typing a report on how to do this....just know how to do it. go to a shop down there and get some pink and white Pompano jigs,Bommer Badonk-a-donks, in Natural mullet 4 inch, 1 ounce, all kinds of White w/ a little red jigs work for me. DOA shrimp lures as well as their DOA Terror Eyes work good.

I caught sevel Redfish not too long ago around the Destin area on Bass Assassins in a color you won't find up here called Electric Chicken, rigged with a 1 ounce jighead at the East Pass......during the incoming tide

Have fun and post some pics if ya do any good.

[UnCivE]

Wow, some real solid info. I appreciate that! I'm gonna take my 12 ft kayak with me. I don't like the idea of wade fishing when you're not the top of the food chain.

Again, appreciate it.

[Feathers and Fins]

That area is great Redfish and trout area, you may also find a stray Tarpon roaming around. For the set-up I would suggest 1 spinner spooled with 8lb test for the trout and reds. Bait caster spool it with 12 to 15lb.

On the spinner I suggest hitting up the local bait shops for a popping cork and some D.O.A shrimp lures and Baitbusters ( mullet pattern) Also you will want to get 2 dozen large to jumbo shrimp. For shrimp fishing use 20lb fluorocarbon leader and pin the shrimp through the horn.

On the bait caster you will want to throw GOLD casting spoons and Rapalas be sure to have some Zara Spooks with you in case of Tarpon. Those are the basics. If Jacks are around you will know what arm burn feels like.

Now also Do not pass up any crabs you find, fiddlers are awesome for sheephead and other brim type fish. Start off by looking for Docks and the older the better especially ones that are rotted to the point they are not being used and also docks with BIG boats or designed for Big boats, those docks normally have deep troughs in them where big fish hang out. The older docks have old growth on them which attracts fish. Also any creek or culvert pipe is a must stop. Culverts only on outgoing tides.

Don’t stress wading I have only had a couple Bull sharks remove fish from my stringer, but Nurse sharks will come as well, Nurses are much like puppies and will be nice you can offer them a meal if you want but don’t keep holding it, let it go when the nurse comes up.

On the shark scene also and great fun from a yak, are spinner sharks. You can use your bait caster for them. Get some shark leaders from the bait store and a couple of frozen mullet or cut up a bait fish you catch using small pcs of shrimp. Spinners put on a great aerial fight.

Have fun you will.

[OzarkFishman]

To each their own. While kayak fishing sounds great and would offer more opportunities, I loved the wade fishing experience.

The stingray aren't too bad to deal with when wade fishing (simply flip them over and keep control of the situation).

Of course that only works on land ... Don't quite know how one would unhook them from a kayak ...