Tropyhuntr or anyone else for that matter,

Does anyone know what's running in early-mid April in the Gulf (between Apalachicola and Destin)? Like I said in a previous post, I'll be fishing in the surf. I think pompano, cobia and some shark are starting up then, but not sure of what else?

What species are running and if you fish for them...........what bait/lures have you done well with?

Any ideas?

Thanks,
Bn'R

I would say that you'd have speckled trout and drum. If you're using bait you'll probably get some lady fish and catfish, too. I talked to a guy who was just around Indian River and he caught a lot of pompano and whiting. Hope this help. Make sure to keep the live shrimp stocked up.

Scott Meier
White Oak Lodge

Still a little cool for the trout to get going, water needs to be about 80 for the trout to get hot, pompano are definetly running then, sharks always there

Thanks guys,

Trophyhuntr,

Do you use live sand fleas for pompano or do you go with a jig? Do you know of any good areas at that time of the year to dig up your own sand fleas? I ask because I've had a difficult time finding them on the shoreline at that time of the year and they do run a bit expensive.



Bn'R

i use a bright crome headed nylure jig tipped with shrimp

reds should be a possibility and I am not sure but cobia maybe starting to make a run up that way or it maybe a bit too early but not totally sure of the cobia. Shark are always around. Good luck

Brian

you wont have any luck on cobia out of the surf, reds are always there find a deep hole off the beach and wait, also watch for the huge schools of ladyfish, and you will always catch sailcats

I am from Panama City, And yes you can catch Cobia in the surf. You need to be where you can see them to make it easy to do this. I have caught Cobia in water so shallow that their backs were out of the water, chasing bait. Fish with a live crab, or an eel and you just might score. Just remenber that a legal Cobia will weigh between 15 and 134 pounds, so bring approiate tackle. Last year, I caught one weighting 73lbs, at Crooked Island Sound. This is between Mexico Beach and Tyndall Air Force Base. Any more questions and I will answer them. April is a little early for flounders, they are usually a little scattered then, But the trout are beging to move into the shallows. Againg just ask and I will try to answer. I have lived in the area for the last twenty years, moving to Augusta, Ga is sure going to hurt at that time of the year this year.



Robert

rdewitt 10
Never seen cobia in the surf, new to me, closest i have seen them is a good 40 - 60 yrds from the surf, i have fished the jetties in panama city when the jacks and blue fish run you can literlly ruin a fishing reel in a day catching so many fish, it is truly unbelieveable, april is still early on trout we both agree on that it is the magical 80 degree rule before the trout get real hot close to shore and on the back skinny water.

FISH SKINNY AND FISH A HEWES

Here is one that I hooked about 15 feet off shore on a fly rod last year, weighted 41.7lbs