Port Saint Joe Marina Fishing and Tournament Report

Capt. Trey Landry

Spring Fishing Report

 Hey Folks, Spring is in the air so get out the Fishing gear, get the boat and motor ship shape and start your vacation plans for another wonderful time in and around North West Florida. With the late winter rain event as well late winter cold fronts that have most folks looking and ready for our Spring warm up we get each year around mid March as well the Spring run of fish species become more available to the anglers going after them. Every year the pristine coastal waters, back bays as well grass flats and Oyster Bar marine ecology come alive with sea life from early Spring, Summer and Fall and for this time of year being the start of another Fishing season for all to enjoy.

 The Port Saint Joe Marina is happy to have new owners of the Dockside Cafe' and have been working hard cleaning as well upgrading into a clean new looking place to relax and unwind. Sit down for some wonderful Dinning by the water with the charm of seasonal activity from the rental boat fleet as well as the day to day charter boat fleet unloading the days catch on the docks, but also the Sunset is just another reason folks come and dine at the Dockside Cafe'.

 Also folks, the Port Saint Joe Marina Nautical Ship Store and Seahorse Water Safaris outdoor adventures is the place to get booked up for your fun time on the water in Saint Joe Bay for Guided Fishing Trips,Offshore Fishing, Eco Tours, Snorkel trips, scallop trips, rental boats and sunset cruises. The Fishin Xpress Party Boat also is another option for some great fun in the Sun and booking also in the PSJ Marina store with SeaHorse Water Safaris www.seahorsewatersafaris.com .

 Fishing, Inshore the early spring run of Spanish Mackerel are in and around our area beaches as well moving into Saint Joe Bay so get out the silver spoons, the Gotcha lures and the Mackerel tree rigs and troll in about 10 to 6 feet water and look for any bird action and or baitfish for best action with these fish. Pompano in the Spring is nothing less than World Class action at times and no other place on the planet will you find a better Pompano fishery than our area and still today Saint Joe Bay holds the world record Florida Pompano catch at or around 8 pounds, but trust me I have seen and broke off bigger over the years!!  Trout fishing in Saint Joe Bay as well Apalachicola Bay are also nothing less than World Class action and great numbers of fish are landed every year and another wonderful eating species most go after. Redfish or Red Drum is another option and great angling in and around the Grass flats, Oyster habitat or skinny water Sport Fishing with Fly and or light tackle gear. Flounder are just another fun fish to go after and great eating so be ready when that doormat Flounder bites the hook it will feel like you hooked the bottom so you need to set the hook and reel em in. Cobia fishing around the beaches and channel markers are another species to go after and if or when you hook one you better hold on and play it out as these fish can grow up into the 100 plus pounds and also great on the grill. Jacks, Blues, Kings and Shark will be available for an action packed time on the near coastal waters.

Offshore, The offshore fishing starts out slow but by April if and when the Red Snapper season opens is the time most offshore recreational anglers and the Charter Boats start running again. Folks with the Federal and State Regulations on the Offshore species changing like the wind, the best bet would be to go online and see what available species is open to catch and or keep. MyFWC.com for the state waters fishing season 2013. The best bet for Offshore anglers this time of year leading up to Summer are. Black Grouper and Red Grouper opens April 1st as well Lane Snapper and Vermillion Snapper April 1st opens. King Mackerel, Mahi Mahi Dolphin, Wahoo and Billfish for the offshore Bluewater angler will start heating up as well.

The inland waterways, Lakes, rivers and creeks will also be teaming with fish species as the flood waters of late Winter come down and back to normal. Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Stripped Bass are but a few to go after as well. The ICW into lake Wimico is a wonderful natural eco wildlife adventure option for any one wanting to just boat ride and see the true North West Florida unspoiled wilderness full of plant and animal life around every bend, so discover for yourself the true unspoiled Florida you come to expect. 

God Bless