Myhometownfishing.com

FWC Meeting - Pat Thomas Law Enforcement Academy - Feb. 8/9th

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will meet Feb. 7-9 at the Florida Public Safety Institute to discuss several fish-and-wildlife issues, starting with an afternoon workshop Tuesday, Feb. 7, on marine fisheries stock assessments. The Commission will not be taking action on specific regulatory issues that day.

The Feb. 7 workshop starts at 1 p.m.; regular sessions Feb. 8-9 start at 8:30 a.m. at the Florida Public Safety Institute Pat Thomas Law Enforcement Academy, 215 Academy Dr., Havana. Driving directions to the meeting site are available at https://fpsi.tcc.fl.edu/pages/directions.aspx. All meetings are open to the public.

The stock assessment workshop will provide the Commissioners an opportunity to discuss and share ideas about state and federal marine fisheries stock assessment processes.

On Wednesday, Feb. 8, Commissioners are expected to take final action on king mackerel and Gulf of Mexico gag grouper management efforts. They will also look at three marine fisheries and two boating draft rules.

Federal fishery management groups are working on a gag grouper rebuilding plan in the Gulf of Mexico. New Gulf of Mexico gag grouper federal management efforts include setting the recreational season to July 1 through Oct. 31 and decreasing the commercial minimum size limit from 24 inches to 22 inches. Commissioners will decide whether to adopt similar changes in state waters at the meeting.

Commissioners will also take action on a proposed amendment that would allow commercial harvesters taking king mackerel in southwest Florida to land them in Collier County when waters off the county are closed to harvest.

A change in oyster management proposes a seven-day commercial oyster harvest week in Apalachicola Bay. If the Commission approves this, the change could be adopted without additional public hearings.

Another proposed modification would allow Tampa Bay commercial shrimp permit holders to transfer their permits to other commercial harvesters.

A third marine fisheries change, this one on roundscale spearfish, proposes amending state billfish management efforts to coincide with recent federal management changes. Proposed changes include removing roundscale spearfish from a list of prohibited billfish, adding it to the minimum size limit for white marlin and adding roundscale spearfish to the state’s billfish possession limit.

Division of Marine Fisheries Management staff will also present reports on federal fishery management actions and will review federal fishery management tools such as catch shares.

Regarding boating issues, FWC staff will present proposed amendments to enhance safety. The amendments would create slow-speed, minimum-wake zones in specific areas of Monroe and Volusia counties.

On Thursday, Feb. 9, the Commission will recognize FWC Officer of the Year Duane North, who works in Volusia County. North will also be honored by Shikar-Safari at the meeting.

After that, Commissioners will discuss the FWC’s plan to manage and conserve Florida black bears for future generations, now that the state’s bear population has increased from as few as 300 in the 1970s to an estimated 3,000 today. The draft Florida Black Bear Management Plan was released on Nov. 10, 2011, and is available online at MyFWC.com/Bear. Members of the public and stakeholder organizations have contributed more than 2,500 comments and suggestions on how to improve the draft bear management plan.

No final action on the draft, or proposed bear conservation measures, will be taken at this meeting. However, staff will seek approval to advertise a proposed draft rule that would prohibit the take of black bears unless authorized by Commission permit and direct staff to provide technical assistance to landowners and regulatory agencies in order to minimize or avoid negative impacts to bears. A separate proposed amendment would remove the black bear from the list of state-designated Threatened Species.

Anyone requiring special accommodations to participate in the meeting should advise the FWC at least five days prior to the Feb. 7 meeting by contacting the FWC's Office of Human Resources at 850-488-6411. If you are hearing- or speech-impaired, contact the FWC using the Florida Relay Service at 800-955-8771 (TDD) or 800-955-8770 (voice).

To see the full agenda, go to MyFWC.com/Commission.

Capt. Keyser's Fishing Forecast 2/4 -2/5/12

Welcome back as always everyone!

Let's get right to it! I fished solo both days this past weekend to do some scouting both on the flats and in the rivers. FOUND GOLD IN THE RIVERS, STILL!

Saturday , I launched from the St. Marks Fort around 10am and decided to scoot on out to the East flats to see if I could find life. I specifically was looking for tailing Redfish and wanted to see if the trout have moved out of the creeks. I did not see any tails, or any redfish PERIOD, but did see some meandering Sheepies but they were few and far between. I slowly made my way from Grey Mare Rock East simply looking for fish. Sometimes this can be the best way to start your day as you will get a feel for what they are doing. Unfortunately, they just weren't there...

I was hoping for the tide to overpower the North wind so that I could get along the shoreline to look for the second species, Trout. Typically this time of year and especially with the warming trends, the fish will move out of the creeks to SUN over mud bottom. Well, I got impatient as the tide simply wouldn't come in. That was it for Saturday! Not a fish to be found.

Woke up early Sunday morning and made it to the Fort around 8am. If the fish weren't on the flat then they had to be in the rivers. I headed North past Shields Marina and started bouncing Buck Tailed Jigs on the deeper bends of the river tipped with a 5" Bass Assasin Pearl fluke. I picked up a number of Reds in the 24 to 26" range and put one in the boat for dinner.

As I made my way up river my focus was on the deeper bends. Think of these bends as "fish highways." As this is typically where they move up and down the river depending on the tide. Things were slowing a down a bit, when I got SLAMMED! The fish nailed the Jig as it was falling and instantly began stripping drag off of my baitcaster. Up river, down river, upper water column, lower water column and when it was all said and done I was thrilled to net the 7lb Striper. What a fight!

Later in the day I moved back down river and began tossing a MirrOLure, to see if I could pic up a few trout. You have to fish this plug extremely slow, so it can be a bit frustrating at times. However, I did catch one trout and boy was she a bruiser. She measured 26"s and weighed just shy of 6lbs. The catch was bitter sweet though, as she swallowed the plug and a successful release could not be had. It is always a good idea to release these larger fish in any situation, but she came home.

Hopefully, my narrative will give you some ideas for this weekend. I did hook up on what I believed to be a larger Striper based on the initial run it made, but lost it shortly after due to the hook pulling. These fish are in our local waters and ARE resident fish. The spring fed rivers allow for a consistent water temp which they require. It is fairly rare to catch one, but there are those out there that target them. I am no Striper pro, but I intend to do my best to become one.... hopefully sooner than later. BOY do the fight!

This weekend looks to be a wet one, but after last weekends success I will be garnishing my rain gear to brave the elements.

Stick in the rivers and fish the lures that I mentioned or just anchor up and fish live or dead shrimp on the bottom. I saw an number of folks land some beautiful fish on shrimp. Make sure to stop by Jerrys Bait and Tackle to say hello to Theresa. She has had some very large shrimp lately, just the kind you need to catch your trophy!!!!!!

Good luck out there!
Capt. Eric Keyser

Grouper Law Change would be a Mistake!

Courtesy of Jerry Gerardi, Outdoor Sportswriter, Tallahassee Democrat:

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is about to become the lap dog of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The NOAA is the parent federal group of the National Marine Fisheries Service, which administers the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council that controls fisheries in waters beyond state jurisdiction. The feds.

The NOAA, not known for using science in its rule-making processes, has decreed that non-commercial fishermen (private individuals who plan on personally eating their catch) may only keep gag grouper caught in the Gulf of Mexico from July 1 through Oct. 31 when they fish nine miles or more offshore. Florida wants to adopt the same rules in state waters, fewer than nine miles offshore.

Unfortunately gag grouper, the most popular and abundant of the inshore groupers, don't hang around in state waters during those hot, summer months. They migrate to cooler water beyond the nine-mile limit ... well beyond it. If you're fortunate enough to have a big boat capable of safely fishing 50 or more miles out then there is no problem. Nor is there one if you're a commercial fisherman who typically spends days offshore in deep water.

The argument FWC makes is that enforcement will be easier if both grouper seasons match. According to the FWC website there are approximately 2.7 million non-commercial fishermen statewide — who pay taxes via license fees to fish in saltwater, which in turn funds FWC people to enforce the rules, no matter how difficult that might be. These numbers include visitors, who along with the Joe Lunch Buckets, the guys and gals who put in their 40 or more hours each week and look forward to safely getting out on the water for a shot at some tasty grouper their family and friends can enjoy. They don't particularly want to hear someone's excuse that "it's too hard to enforce the rules" when it comes to setting fishing seasons different from the federal ones. They just want to fish.

By now you've figured out that the feds have done exactly what we are asking the state to do. They established their gag grouper rules to coincide with when the grouper move into their area of operation. They didn't want to deal with recreational fishermen who might have caught a grouper or two in state waters and then wandered into the federal zone, as would be the case during spring and fall. That would be too hard.

The NOAA rule-makers also knew very few recreational fishermen would be traveling 50 or more miles out (a three-hour run in moderate seas) into the Gulf to fish for just a few gag grouper, especially during the turbulent summer season. These guys ain't stupid.

So come on Florida, call their bluff. Show them that, yes, enforcement might be a tad tougher, but it's more important that our rank-and-file citizens be given a shot at the gags, just like the big boys. And oh by the way, our state economy needs the big bucks that shallow-water grouper fishing provides during the warmer months. By the time you figure in money spent for fuel, dockage, boating costs, actual boat, motor and trailer price tags, trailer/boat registrations and incidentals like bait, beverages and ice, you're talking about a significant chunk of change. Add food, lodging, air fare, car rental, auto gas, charter/guide fees and licensing for out-of-state visitors who come to Florida either to specifically fish for grouper or as a side attraction during their vacation, and you're really talking money. Ask the folks in Apalachicola, Apalachee Bay, Keaton Beach and Steinhatchee (our little section of the Gulf Coast paradise) if they want to give up a significant part of their income because "it's too hard to enforce the rules," and I think you know the answer.

And Governor Rick Scott, if you're reading this, lots of jobs will be lost if we can't fish for grouper when they are here. The same thing goes for you legislators in town for session. Check with your fishing folks back home and see how they feel. (Hint: Call your local newspaper's outdoors person.)

Hmmm, here's a thought. Why not set the federal season to coincide with when the grouper are all in state waters? Then nobody will be fishing in the deep waters of the Gulf, because the grouper won't be there. And close the Gulf to gag grouper fishing in the summer when the gags are there because they will be too far out to safely fish. And since very few — if any — anglers will be snatching them during the summer months, the grouper will be free to mate, thereby increasing the population. Isn't that the ultimate goal of fisheries management? Or am I being too simplistic?

If any of you reading this want to attend the final rules meeting and make your feelings known to the commissioners, it's at the Pat Thomas Law Enforcement Academy Auditorium, U.S. Highway 90, east of Quincy. The meeting starts at 8:30 a.m., on Feb. 8. If you want to submit written comments, go to www.myfwc.com and follow the links under Saltwater Fishing.

2012 Seatrout Tournament Series

Series runs from March to November (schedule below)

$50 entry

Two-person teams

Artificial Only

Five trout stringers, two Trout over 20" can be weighed per team

All weigh-ins at Jerry’s Bait and Tackle allowing you to fish wherever you want

Payout top three teams

Prizes for big trout and big redfish for each tournament

5% of tournament entries go to the Team of the Year (alternate partner allowed for one tournament)

TOY winner is determined by total weight for the year

Flyers are available at Jerry’s Bait and Tackle, Kevin’s, South Georgia Outdoors, and the Lanark Market.

--------- 2012 Seatrout Tournament Series Rules ---------

Tournament Dates: March 18, April 22, May 20, June 10, July 15, August 19, September 23, October 14, November 11

Make Up Dates: July 29, October 28. If a tournament prior to the August tournament is cancelled due to weather, the make-up date will be July 29. If a tournament prior to the November tournament is cancelled, October 28 will be the make-up date.

1. The Seatrout Tournament Series is an open tournament series. If you have any questions, please contact Pat Irwin: 850-702-6339, PIrwin@howardfert.com, or Casey Cook: 850-228-8559, tcaseycook@gmail.com

2. Two-person teams. One of the anglers must be at least eighteen (18) years of age. Team members must fish on the same vessel.

3. The entry fee will be $50.00 per team per tournament. Anglers must register and pay at Jerry’s Bait and Tackle. Jerry's will open at 6:00 a.m. the morning of the tournament. Early registration is allowed starting the Monday before the tournament. Each team member will be required to sign a float plan at time of payment. All entry fees shall be paid in cash.

4. Boats entering any Seatrout Tournament Series tournament must comply with U.S. Coast Guard safety regulations and abide by Florida law.

5. Anglers may launch their boats at any boat ramp. Launch time will be at safe light for every event. Safe light is defined as 30 minutes before sunrise and will be posted prior to each tournament on www.bigbendfishing.net and at Jerry’s Bait and Tackle.

6. Fishing in any marked channels is prohibited.

7. Tournament participants may only use artificial baits. Live or cut bait is prohibited. All fish must be caught on rod and reel. All fish must be caught alive in a conventional sporting manner. Wade fishing is prohibited.

8. Weigh-Ins will start at 3:30 p.m. at Jerry’s Bait and Tackle (664 Woodville Hwy, Crawfordville). Anglers must be checked in with the tournament directors by 3:30 p.m. or else they will not be allowed to weigh fish.

9. The Tournament Director reserves the right to inspect any vessel or vehicle for illegal fish at any time. Failure to allow for a thorough inspection shall result in immediate dismissal from that day’s event. Further, that team shall be prohibited from attending or competing in any Seatrout Tournament Series event. All entry fee money shall be forfeited.

10. Each team may possess two limits of speckled trout (15"-20"). Teams shall ONLY weigh in five (5) fish. Two of the five trout may be over 20 inches. All fish will be measured with the mouth closed and the head against the golden rule headboard, tail pinched. Three overslot (20"+) trout brought to the scales will result in the disqualification of that team. Attempting to weigh underslot fish (less than 15") will also result in disqualification. There are no exceptions. Any illegal fish brought to the scales shall be the responsibility of the angler. Courtesy measures are available prior to the start of the weigh-in.

11. Any team which abandons the tournament prior to weigh-in time is required to check in with the tournament director.

12. Each contestant is expected to conduct themselves in a proper, courteous, and professional manner and is responsible for their own actions both on and off the water. The tournament director reserves the right to polygraph test any team at any time. Failure to comply with this rule shall result in immediate expulsion and further prohibit you from any Seatrout Tournament Series event. Both members of the team will be required to take the polygraph test.

13. Any team who requests a polygraph exam of another team must bear the cost of the exam. If the accused passes the exam, the team initiating the exam shall forfeit his polygraph exam money. If the accused fails, the accused shall reimburse the exam money to the team initiating the exam process.

14. Cancellation Policy: The decision to fish is solely the captain’s choice. All anglers fish at their own discretion and risk. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Tournament director shall have the sole discretion to cancel the tournament for (hurricanes, tropical storms, small craft advisories, etc.) In the event a small craft advisory is in effect during tournament fishing hours, the tournament will be postponed and rescheduled.

15. POINTS RACE: All teams that weigh fish shall have their weight count toward team of the year honors. After all nine events, the team with the most weight shall be recognized as Team of The Year.

16. PAYOUT:

1st – 50% of entries

2nd – 30% of entries

3rd – 15% of entries

The remaining 5% from each tournament will be held until the final tournament weigh-in and awarded to the Seatrout Tournament Series Team of the Year.

17. The tournament director shall have final authority on all matters.

Gag Grouper

Presented below is an open letter by Morris Brown to the FWC relative to the Gag Grouper rules for 2012....MyHometownfishing.com strongly endorses the sentiment and message of Morris' letter to FWC.....more inshore grouper fishermen need to echo Morris' position and bombarb FWC with letters........

To Whom it May Concern:

The decision to have the gag grouper season open in state waters from July to October is a very bad decision. These are the only four months of the year that gags are not in state waters. As an avid recreational fisherman, I can tell you that any other four months of the year would be better than these four. To make the State regulations match the Federal to ease enforcement is the only reason to choose these months. And that is not a good reason!

I have a 22' boat, which I feel safe in up to about 12 miles offshore. State waters at 9 miles do not hold gags in the hot summer months. Gags during July through October are in water 80-125 feet deep. Why give us four months to fish when there are not any gags to catch during that time? Commercial fishemen and those with very large boats are the only ones who will benefit from this four month window.

If this decision is made, it will effectively kill all recreational fishing for gags in the Apalachee Bay. This is a horrible decision for our recreational fishermen, our local economy and for our tourism industry. Please reconsider this decision and do what is right.

I would very happy to appear in person before any committee hearing or any other opportunity that you may have.

Thank you.

Morris Brown

850-509-3632

3797 Bloxham Cutoff Road

Crawfordville Florida 32327

CC Bill Montford, Senator, 6th District

The Reel Deal!

So, I have been writing these fishing forecast for over 3yrs I believe. It has been an honor to me that myhometownfishing.com has given me the privledge to represent this website. There are many of you who have been true supporters of what this site is truely all about. You understand our message, and our message is simple; we want to assist you in bettering you fishing ability. We are all fisherman and women ourselves, so we understand the importants of updated knowledge and theories of how to increase the cast to catch ratio.

With that being said,I would like to elaborate on the "reel deal" on how we do what we do, and how we have come to being successful in doing it.

Let me start with this, forecasts are difficult to write. They are difficult to write weekly especially. The reason for the difficulty is that patterns do not change on a weekly basis. Patterns change on a temperature basis! This change obviously begins with air temp which ultimately affects water temp.

Read carefully because i am about to reveal something that many folks (Captains, guides, avid fisherman) are reluctant to reveal. The reason for me divulging what I am about spread is a simple, you rarely get the "reel deal," and we want to give it to you. So, please be patient with my ramble, and I promise not to disappoint.

I am sitting in my truck, inspired by the Rolling Stones, thinking about all of my previous posts. Yes, beer is involved, but I am in a safe place in front of my house so safety ( as always ) is taken care of.

I, as many writers about fishing, have to be vague, as to where we actually catch our fish. This is emphasized even more so, for those of us who fish tournaments. Of course we need to be vague as we can't have our readers on top of our "go to " spots, so we are broad in our descriptions of where our fish are caught. This isn't to say that you have been mislead by any means. I am simply trying to pinpoint spots that should be of interest. Focused interest!

In all honesty, I do not take out many folks. Meaning, I am not a guide at heart. I am a tournament fisherman. My style of fishing is different than many of those who fish for a living. I a full time job off the water, but I LIVE for serious competitive fishing. This type of fishing has taught me the skills and knowledge that allows me to give you, the readers, accurate tips and tactics that will increase your odds at catching "that fish!" And I Absolutely love doing it!

So, let me stop blabbering, and continue on with the reason for this unexpected post.

First, I would like to say that I do not consider myself and "off shore" fisherman. Although, I have caught many above average fish, this isn't my specialty. My specialty is inshore, Trout and Redfish. This is my joy, my hobby and as many of you, a part of my life. I have honed my abilities by bouncing ideas off of many fishing partners, the most of which has been my buddy Bryce Hill.

It was Bryce who got me into the tournament arena. It was his phone call that enticed me to even consider fishing, as competition.

And folks, I am young, only 30 years of age, but I can tell you with true certainty, that tournament fishing is what led me to this. Without at doubt!

In my mind, it just goes to show, that if you really want to be a better fisherman, then you have to step up "your game." Seriously!

Tournaments are by far the best way to hone your skills. My weekly posts, I would like to think help, but there isn't anything like speaking face to face with the tournament winner (usually not me) and soak in everything you can get. That tourney winner won for a reason, sure there is luck, but that is just a minor portion.

You can only get lucky and beat the skilled, tried and true, fisherman once in a blue moon, but if you can find out how and why they won. You WILL increase your chances of taking that title for yourself.

I have touched on that enough. Tournaments are the portal to success in my mind, but for those of you who care not to participate, I completely understand. You still like to catch fish though, right? So, why don't we delve a tad bit deeper.

I talk about catching fish around Grey Mare ROCK (yes, rock is capitalized). The rock is capitalized because every rock in the area should be capitalized. When I right about fishing or Reds in this area (around Grey Mare Rock), I am not kidding. There have been numerous tournament won by myself and others, right there!

Why? Because, where there are ROCKS there are typically bait fish, specifically mullet. Now, I have written about the importants of this tasty morcel before, but I can honestly not emphasize how important this fish is.

Simply put, LOOK FOR MULLET! This is the tell tail sign that predatory fish are in the area. There is no better sign, PERIOD! Just talk to the locals, or think of it like this. Where do pinned up pigs feed? The answer is, in a trough full of scraps. Think of Mullet as a trough filled with food!

I love Redfish! Man, does it really get any better? If you haven't caught a "Red Drum" on a topwater plug, and you have fished for a while, then call me (850-459-4597). I am not looking to pick up a charter, and actually I don't want one, but I would gladly point you in the right direction.... and do so honestly and accurately if what I am about to write doesn't do the trick.

I think of the Redfish almost like a dog.... Picture a dog, or your dog, rooting around in the grass, mud or his/her food dish. When they are in the zone, there really is little you can do to gain attention. Right? Well, I have found that tailing Reds (once again call me and I can put you in the right direction) are the exact same way. We will approach a a number of tailing Reds by Grey Mare on a low tide with tails easily visible. You can throw everything in your box at them... and no response. Put your favorite GULP, Spoon, jig...whatever, in some cases, actually most cases, this will not work.

Ready? The only plug in this situation loud enough to gain attention is a topwater plug. Yes, throw that dayum topwater plug! Work it hard,

work it fast, just like you would in different situations and you will get "her" attention!

TROUT! Man, the trout... now targeting large Trout can be a true art. This fish, unlike its relative the Redfish, is far more skiddish. A LARGE Trout, in excess of 26"s is a true, once in a lifetime fish for most anglers. You generally will not catch this fish on with normal 'drift the flats with popping corks" tactics.

This gal is a different breed! She has been there and done that. Sorry, fellars, she HAS been around the block and seen it all. Just like others that have been around the "block" a time or two. You will have to find her around structure. Gotta throw a "PERIOD" in there for that as well.

Ya gotta get in shallow, and ya gotta hit that "corner!" That is where she resides.

Gotta leave you with that, the wife is calling. As always, I sencerely hope this has helped.

My best,

Eric Keyser

How? Simple! It all comes

FISHING - Today & Tuesday

Today...North wind around 15 knots becoming northwest 5 to 10 knots in the afternoon...except becoming onshore near the coastline. Seas 2 to 3 feet this morning diminishing to 1 to 2 feet this afternoon. Protected waters a light to moderate chop decreasing to smooth to a light chop in the afternoon. A slight chance of showers.

Tonight...North wind around 10 knots. Seas 1 to 2 feet. Protected waters smooth to a light chop. A slight chance of showers in the evening.

Tuesday...Northeast wind 10 to 15 knots decreasing to 5 to 10 knots in the afternoon. Seas 1 to 2 feet. Protected waters a light to moderate chop decreasing to smooth in the afternoon

NOAA

On Wednesday, Feb. 8, FWC Commissioners are expected to take final action on king mackerel and Gulf of Mexico gag grouper management efforts. They will also look at three marine fisheries and two boating draft rules. The FWC meeting is being held at the Pat Thomas Law Enforcement Academy near Midway, FL.

Federal fishery management groups are working on a gag grouper rebuilding plan in the Gulf of Mexico. New Gulf of Mexico gag grouper federal management efforts include setting the recreational season to July 1 through Oct. 31 and decreasing the commercial minimum size limit from 24 inches to 22 inches. Commissioners will decide whether to adopt similar changes in state waters at the meeting.

Make your opinion known....make plans to be in attendance to voice your thoughts about the changes lurking.....the July 1 to October 31 season dates would be a death nail to all the recreational anglers fishing inside the 9 - Mile Limit....

More Spring-like weather for the first part of the week.......with daytime temps pushing into the 70s...........the warm stretch over the past week or so has generated more fish being caught out towards the bars at the mouth of the various rivers strung out across Apalachee Bay.....the skinny water of the Big Pond is producing since the abnormally warm days have push up the truly shallow Flats.....

Heck, who knows when Spring will get here given these unseasonably warm temps for this first weekend of February....got our fish friends all out of kelter....but, ain't no catching if 'uns you don't get those baits in the water.....so, figure out a way to get away from the work place to hook up the trailer, tow to the landing and drop her in the water.....get FISHING if you can as the next three days or so should be good ones to be on the water!

Folks are catching the heck out of trout and reds near the mouths of our rivers with most being caught on a variety of artificials.....from the gold Bombers & Redfins, to gold spoons, Redfish Magics, and straight jigging Gulps! ..........the warming water over the stretch should push fish out towards the Big Pond in the skinny water covering the darker bottoms that will warm quickly....

Regardless of where you drop it in the hole, stop by Jerry's Bait on the Woodville Highway to pick up a couple of dozen or so LIVE shrimp......then go soak a shrimp or two on a Carolina rig or slow work a shrimp tipped jig and should that not suit your fancy, toss a slow sinking Mirrolure.....or work a gold Bomber or Redfin.......regardless of how you fish, Go Fish!!!!

NEW on the horizon, the 2012 Seatrout Tournament Series that will consist of nine (9) monthly tournaments from March till November.......more details about this fun new offering put on by Pat Irwin & Casey Cook and based out of Jerry's Bait & Tackle can be found on our NEWS page......check it out and plan you calendars accordingly.....it's gonna be good to resurrect the old Team Seatrout tourneys that were enjoyed by many in the years gone by.....our thanks to Pat & Casey for bringing the Series to life again

But, as always, be a wise angler/boater to take a moment to check the full Marine Forecast as you plan your fishing excursions over the next couple of days prior to heading out blindly..........

Calendar CORRECTION in the offing.........on the heels of the 2011 Inaugural Jack & Jill Flats Tournament & 2011 Inaugural Jack & Jill Spots & Slot Tournament, MyHometownfishing.com originally set the date for the 2012 1st Annual Jack & Jill Flats Tournament! to be Saturday, April 28th, unfortunately that places this FUN event squarely in conflict with Panacea's April 28th-29th Rock the Dock Tournament that also features a Ladies Division......Accordingly, MyHometownfishing wants to afford as many different possibilities to the Lady Anglers, so we will shift the Jack & Jill Flats Tournament date.... stay tuned as we will be shifting the date of the 2012 1st Annual Jack & Jill Flats Tournament ......more details will be forthcoming...

Check out the FWC link on the Information page....NEW regulations go into effect for both trout and reds February 1st.....we get to have February back for trout fishing and each angler may keep two (2) slot reds....boat total cannot exceed eight (8).......read the Regs to understand all the parts and pieces....

A thing to remember when it comes to keeping fish measuring right on the lower end of the slot, once on ice fish tend to shrink an eighth to a quarter of an inch, making that 15" trout or 18" red a "short" in the eyes of the FWC Officer.....err on the side of caution, make your own bottom slot limit an inch over regulations.....eliminate the hassle of a ticket, while bringing a heavier limit to the hill.....

Gulf Coast Tides Chart

Description: Helpful tide chart link for those needing to have a little information on the tides to our south and west. Hope you find this link handy as you travel to other fishing sites around our coastline.

Aucilla River Entrance, Florida

St. Marks River Entrance, Florida

Shell Point, Florida

Panacea, Dickerson Bay, Florida

Bald Point, Ochlocknee Bay, Florida

Alligator Point, St. James Island, Florida

Turkey Point, FSU Lab, Florida

Carrabelle, Carrabelle River, Florida

Dog Island, west end, Florida

Marine Forecast for Apalachee Bay thru Thursday, February 9th

NWS Tallahassee, FL

Zone Forecast: Apalachee Bay or Coastal Waters from Keaton Beach to Ochlockonee River FL out to 20 NM (GMZ730)Mobile Weather Information

Last Update: 418 AM EST MON FEB 6 2012

Synopsis...THE PRESSURE GRADIENT WILL TIGHTEN TEMPORARILY THIS MORNING BEHIND A SURFACE FRONT...RESULTING IN A NORTHERLY WIND SURGE AT CAUTIONARY LEVELS FOR AREAS WEST OF APALACHICOLA. OTHERWISE...HIGH PRESSURE LOCATED WEST OF THE AREA IS EXPECTED TO KEEP WINDS OFFSHORE THROUGH THE END OF THE WEEK...EXCEPT FOR THIS AFTERNOON CLOSE TO THE SHORE LINE WHERE A LOCAL SEA BREEZE MAY TURN THE WINDS ONSHORE.

Today...North wind around 15 knots becoming northwest 5 to 10 knots in the afternoon...except becoming onshore near the coastline. Seas 2 to 3 feet this morning diminishing to 1 to 2 feet this afternoon. Protected waters a light to moderate chop decreasing to smooth to a light chop in the afternoon. A slight chance of showers.

Tonight...North wind around 10 knots. Seas 1 to 2 feet. Protected waters smooth to a light chop. A slight chance of showers in the evening.

Tuesday...Northeast wind 10 to 15 knots decreasing to 5 to 10 knots in the afternoon. Seas 1 to 2 feet. Protected waters a light to moderate chop decreasing to smooth in the afternoon.

Tuesday Night...Northeast wind around 10 knots. Seas 1 to 2 feet. Protected waters smooth to a light chop.

Wednesday...North wind around 10 knots. Seas 1 to 2 feet. Protected waters smooth to a light chop.

Wednesday Night...North wind 10 to 15 knots becoming northeast 15 to 20 knots after midnight. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Protected waters a light to moderate chop increasing to choppy after midnight. A chance of rain.

Thursday...Northeast wind 15 to 20 knots decreasing to 10 to 15 knots in the afternoon. Seas 2 to 3 feet nearshore and 3 to 4 feet further offshore. Protected waters choppy decreasing to a light to moderate chop in the afternoon. A chance of rain.

Thursday Night...Northeast wind around 15 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet nearshore and 3 to 5 feet further offshore. Protected waters a moderate chop. A chance of rain.

Finally, maybe?

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — BP finally choked off the flow of oil into the Gulf of Mexico on Thursday — 85 days and up to 184 million gallons after the crisis unfolded — then began a tense 48 hours of watching to see whether the capped well would hold or blow a new leak. To the relief of millions of people along the Gulf Coast, the big, billowing brown cloud of crude at the bottom of the sea disappeared from the underwater video feed for the first time since the disaster began in April, as BP closed the last of three openings in the 75-ton cap lowered onto the well earlier this week.

"Finally!" said Renee Brown, a school guidance counselor visiting Pensacola Beach, Fla., from London, Ky. "Honestly, I'm surprised that they haven't been able to do something sooner, though."But the company stopped far short of declaring victory over the biggest offshore oil spill in U.S. history and one of the nation's worst environmental disasters, a catastrophe that has killed wildlife and threatened the livelihoods of fishermen, restaurateurs and oil industry workers from Texas to Florida.

Now begins a waiting period during which engineers will monitor pressure gauges and watch for signs of leaks elsewhere in the well. In the worst-case scenario, pressure from the rising oil could fracture the well and cause leaks to erupt across an area of the seafloor too large to cap. If engineers see any sign of a new leak, the cap will be reopened, allowing oil to spill into the sea again.

Even if the well holds out for the whole two days, the vents will be opened again and oil released while engineers conduct a seismic survey of the ocean floor to make sure oil and gas aren't breaking out of the well into the bedrock, said retired Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen, the Obama administration's point man on the disaster. "For the people living on the Gulf, I'm certainly not going to guess their emotions," BP vice president Kent Wells said. "I hope they're encouraged there's no oil going into the Gulf of Mexico. But we have to be careful. Depending on what the test shows us, we may need to open this well back up.

Capt. Keyser's Fishing Forecast for 6/26 and 6/27

Before we get started with the forecast I would like to give a quick recap of last weekends excursion. Given that we had seas of 1ft or less I decided to take my flats boat a bit offshore to see about hooking up with some species that aren't too familiar with my livewell. We launched at Lanark, made a quick trek across the bay and loaded up with pinfish in Ballast Cove on Sabiki's. We then made a 30 minute ride to 65ft of water to try our luck on some Snapper.

Within 1.5hrs we had 17 Black Snapper and 1 keeper AJ that my fiance Nina Earle landed while free lining a live pinfish. Once chummed up the Snapper took everything from a live pinfish, cut Spanish Sardine and cut LY's. They were a blast to catch on light tackle and have made excellent breakfast, lunch and dinner over the past week. We are going to try to give it a shot this weekend if the seas lay down enough..... looks like they may.

Boom was being layed between the East end of St. George Island and the West end of Dog Island but is isn't blocking passage by any means. This is a good sign however to get out there while you can. The waters are crystal clear and the fish are hungry!

As for the inshore bite, reports are coming in stating that tons of trout are being caught on the West flat inside of Dog Island in 4 to 6ft of water using 3" Gulps. Folks are bumping the baits along the bottom slowly and this has been the go to method for those that are coming in with multiple limits. Find some spotty bottom and go to town on um'. Color of Gulp doesn't seem to matter as long as you are in the right area.

Our friend the Redfish is still cruising in his normal areas. East of the Palmetto Island is still producing quality fish and will continue to do so almost year round. Topwater in the morning, day and evening will produce strikes with these all day eaters.

The reds are all over the shorelines to the West as well. Just get shallow and work down the shorelines with topwater plugs and you will eventually locate fish.

Lastly, the shallow Gouper bite seems to be picking up. Locate rockpiles in 20 to 30ft of water, troll if the grass isn't too bad or drop pins if it is. Keepers are still shallow so you may give this a shot before burning through all of your fuel.

That's it for this week. Good luck out there!

Capt. Eric Keyser
850.509.1774