Econfina 8/4/2020

[Ham]

As @Johnsfolly would say, If you want to catch new species, you have to fish new water. We are spending the week in Destin and a River I have been wanting to fish was within reach. 
my wife and I floated the Econfina today. It is heavily spring fed and is an easy float. Unfortunately, Hurricane Michael changed the heavily shaded nature of the creek. All the old pics online look like the upper Buffalo. You could see lots of damage to the surrounding forest.
 We used Econfina Canoe Livery. $5 per boat to launch and $20 shuttle which isn’t bad. They were supposed to open at 8:30.they rolled up at 8:40 sooooo not Great. I got out of the truck and walked to office. I hear a low growl and look to my right and a Big Pitbull mix is barreling down on me. I thought I was going to get mauled, but I held my ground and shouted at him and he ran past me and whipped back around and rushed me again. Owners called him off. “Chaos” is not my favorite dog ever.

after that, my day got lots better. First fish of the day came quickly : a nice Red Breast Sunfish on a Zig Jig. 
shortly thereafter, I spotted a micro I knew I had never caught. Pulled over and quickly hooked and lost one.  No worries, I doubled up a minute later. 
enjoyed exploring the Springs. Caught fish consistently. Quit fishing when I got to 50. We Floated the 8 miles in 5 hours. Krista was a little freaked out by the potential for Gators and would not get in and cool off as often as she should have, but I cooled off when I got the chance. 
saw some Large Bass, but I did not pack the gear for it. 
I would float it again. 

[Ham]

[Ham]

Put in

[FishnDave]

Redbreast Sunfish are pretty.  I'll add those to my bucket list.  You'd caught them before?

[Ham]

6 minutes ago, FishnDave said:

Redbreast Sunfish are pretty.  I'll add those to my bucket list.  You'd caught them before?

I caught one on Texas side of Toledo Bend this year, but nothing like yesterday. 

[Ham]

[snagged in outlet 3]

Hey @Ham.  My wife's sister lived for years so we went quite a bit since we had a free place to stay.  Not sure if you are interested but all those lakes east of Destin that have opening into the gulf hold redfish and all kinds of other fish.  When the tide is running ion or out it can be pretty good.  Sand fleas will catch most anything.

[Ham]

Thinking about it. This is not a fishing trip so I am having to sneak stuff in

[snagged in outlet 3]

6 minutes ago, Ham said:

Thinking about it. This is not a fishing trip so I am having to sneak stuff in

That's what my vacations are with the family too...  Good luck and have fun.

[Ham]

Lots and lots of downed trees. I wish I could have seen it before the hurricane