Cape San Blas Report

[ggrossman]

Well I spent a week long family vacation at Cape San Blas and managed to get a bit of fishing in. Nothing spectacular, mostly small stuff in the surf. Caught a mess of croakers on frozen shrimp at the stump hole and a nice 24" flounder on a gulp shrimp (sorry I can't lie). Trout action was very spotty and I never managed to hook one, nor did many of the folks that were fishing the stump hole. Tried a gulp shrimp on a 1/4" red jig head, tried fishing it behind a popping cork and used various other soft baits to no avail. Caught a mess of whiting in the surf about halfway down the ocean side of the Cape on fresh shrimp fished in the breaker line with an egg sinker and single hook rig. Fresh shrimp outfished frozen by about 10 to 1. Don't cast too far out or you'll end up with small hardheads (marine catfish) -- they have very nasty spines so be careful if you do hook one -- they're much more venomous than the freshwater kind. Also there are some really big stingrays right off the beach, almost stepped on one that was 4+ feet, so when you're in the surf move slowly and shuffle step rather than run.

The most fun was renting a canoe and scalloping with my older daughter. We paddled out from the south shore of the bay and spent three hours hauling in bay scallops. There were quite a few large scallops from last year. Look for sandy patches in the sea grass and the scallops are on the edges. With a mask and snorkel they were easy to spot. Tons of crabs, pinfish, starfish, and other marine life. It was great sport for the kids and man, they were the best scallops that I've ever eaten. Sauted in a sauvignon blanc with thyme, lemon and garlic, with a bit of roux added as a thickener and served over pasta. It doesn't get better than that.

cheers, g2

[Counslrman]

Gary,
We were at Mexico Beach the last week of June. I caught a ton of blues out near the second sandbar. I had a "baby mackeral" fly. That scalloping back in the bay is great fun and those jokers are tasty!
Tight lines!
Jimmy

[ggrossman]

Hey Jimmy, I read your report and thought about it, but the water was chest deep at the second bar and there had been shark sitings recently. You probably know that there was a shark attack at Cape San Blas a few years ago. Folks are pretty spooked and it was somewhat amusing to see them run to the beach when dolphins swam by. I did see quite a few large tarpon (100 lbs+) leaping, several hundred yards off the beach. Maybe I'll bring a kayak or raft next time. Thanks for the advice. cheers, g

[flyg]

Sounds nice. Whiting is about as tasty a fish as can be found--they sure beat the bland swampy taste of rainbow trout. Glad ya'll enjoyed your trip.

G

[ggrossman]

FG, well I brought enough home for a lab fish fry ;) g

[Counslrman]

Gary,
Next time you are down there, take a ride East on 98 through Mexico Beach to Port St. Joe and check out this sportfishing store, "Bluewater Outfitters". They are located in the Piggly Wiggly shopping center right smack in the middle of "town" on Hwy 98. Man, they have got every possible item you could think of re: fishing equipment for the saltwater / brackish fishing. They even sell live shrimp, bull minnows, eels, etc. I was very impressed with their layout, selection, efficiency, and attitude toward customers. They sell flyfishing, spinning, and baitcasting gear, and all manner of terminal tackle.
Tight lines!
Jimmy

[ggrossman]

Jimmy, I went in that shop twice, it was truly impressive, although the staff that I spoke too wasn't particularly knowledgeable about fishing. They were very nice and attentive though. I got the impression that they hadn't been open long. You're right that they have everything that you could possibly need :) . cheers,