Happy Fishing! Here is this weekend's Big Bend fishing report

Ever been offshore fishing and hang the bottom, then it moves! Or reeling in that 15lb Red Snapper only to have it eaten by something larger!

Giant fish live in the Gulf of Mexico, no doubt. They lurk in our fishing grounds, lazily cruising the bottom, eating, sleeping, repeat. Since 1990, if you’re lucky enough to get one to the boat it’s illegal to keep it. We’re talking about Goliath Grouper.

During a local tournament just a week ago, local angler Bobby Linn hooked up with another nice Amber Jack, when all of a sudden WHAM! He pulled, it pulled, he pulled (you get it by now) the fight continued for another 45 minutes. Finally after an epic battle Bobby brought the behemoth next to the boat for a quick dis-belief pic and hook removal. A shout and a high five to his buddies, they just released an estimated 500lb fish.

Harvest and possession has been prohibited in both state and federal waters since 1990. Same rules still apply but permits are available if this is your target species.

A 500lb fish would produce lots of fillets. Can you actually eat a Goliath Grouper? Yes, and countries like Cuba have them on the menu at the local seafood restaurant. Not very tender they say, which is understandable due to their size, but make an excellent stew or chowder.

The current IGFA world record GG is 680lb caught in 1961. It was caught using a Spanish Mackerel as bait. With their huge appetite, Goliath size and voracious eating habits be ready. You never know when you’re gonna hook into one!

Inshore, FWC has announced multiple changes to our local redfish fishery. Zones and daily bag limits are most important.

Here’s what was sent to the public: At its May meeting, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved proposed management regions and regulation changes for redfish in state waters.

The proposed rule changes would:

Modify the redfish management regions.

Prohibit captain and crew from retaining a bag limit when on a for-hire trip.

Reduce the off-the-water transport limit from six to four fish per person.

Increase the bag limit for the Big Bend region from one to two fish per person

Reduce the eight-fish vessel limit in each of the proposed management regions: Panhandle, Big Bend, Northeast: four fish.

Effective dates are yet to be published. We’ll keep you posted.

Last, are changes in state water for Cobia. FWC announces the new length limit effective July 1, 2022 will increase from 33” to the fork, to 36”. Bag limit from two to one is only for state waters on the Atlantic side.

APALACHEE BAY

Otto Hough (myhometownfishing.com) says, ”Well, Ma Nature was kind to the weekday anglers, with light seas and breezes. However, it appears elevated winds and seas are in the mix by midmorning Friday on into Sunday before westerly winds diminish somewhat making for far less than enjoyable fishing conditions these next three days for the weekend anglers. Ma Nature seemingly has it out for the weekend anglers of late.

"Not what weekend anglers really want to read, but all through this past week, conditions were conducive to some fine early morning topwater plugging for both trout and reds. Outside, anglers targeting gags as well as the AJs, aka Reef Donkeys enjoyed smooth seas getting to the favorite honey holes. As a bonus, the cobia have begun to arrive over some shallow water rock piles when the baitfish have congregated in the area. Also prolific are many schools of large marauding Spanish mackerel near Ochlocknee Shoals. If there's a window of opportunity that opens up this weekend, expect to find the post new moon bite still happening during the solunar feed periods.

"When boating this weekend, be cognizant of the winds that are likely to be stout out of the west Saturday, slipping more southwesterly while diminishing a tad by Sunday. Be a smart, safe boater, wearing an auto-inflatable PFD. Have fun, stay safe, just FISH!"

ST GEORGE ISLAND

Captain Russ Knapp (850-653-5072) reports, “After a nice week of light winds and mild temperatures things look not too great for the weekend with Marine Forecast at this time (Tuesday P.M.) winds 20 knots from the West on Saturday and seas of 3 to 5 feet with a few 6 footers. It's bit better on Sunday with winds West 15 knots and seas at 2 to 4 feet but remember this is written this week on Tuesday and a lot can and will change by the weekend so recheck things. The Gods of the Tide aren't looking to do us any favors either this weekend as there is almost no tide change predicted. The high tides at the Cut will occur around 11 AM at a 1.4-foot height but the low at 2 pm is 1.3 feet and the following high is only 1.5 feet so don't look for a lot of water moving.

"In the bay, Capt. Dan Fortunas (850-980-0101) reports the Speckled Trout are here and roaming the flats looking for your bait. Use a light color Gulp or DOA shrimp or paddle tail in the clean water while a darker color will work better in darker water. You can either fish them on a jig head under a Cajun Thunder with a 18" fluorocarbon leader or just bounce them on the bottom on a jig head. The Pompano run seems to be finally here at last and they can be found around the Cut or just off the beach. Given that Pompano are largely sight feeders but are attracted to smell, for bait Capt. Dan is using a "sand flea" flavored Fish bite tipped with a small piece of Shrimp which covers both sight and smell. Capt. Dan also says If you're fishing around the SGI causeway a Gulp bounced along the bottom may will reward your efforts with a nice Flounder for dinner.

"Offshore, the big issue is finding a weather window so you can get out as the fish are here but until this week most days it was simply too rough to get out. Capt. Clint Taylor (850 370 6631) is finding big Amberjack on big wrecks (such as the Empire Mica) while fishing with big live baits which sort of makes this "big week" for AJ's. Triggerfish are still hanging around the wrecks and reefs and would love for you to feed them a small bit of squid and as we say every week be sure to put out a flat line! Capt. Clint reports that one angler has caught the first Tuna of the year this week and another is catching nice Mangrove Snapper around the towers using a chum bag to lure them up away from the as of now out of season Red Snapper. It does seem that this may be Shark month so if they start coming around to inspect your catch its clearly time to move as there are some big boys and girls roaming around.

"Tip of the week: we have addressed this before but here it is again --SHOP LOCAL and support your friends and neighbors not some faceless big corporation. I totally get it that its way easy to order things on line or stop by the big box store but you if you take the time and make the effort to check with the local folks you may well be surprised at the prices and your money stays here."

KEATON BEACH

Captain Pat McGriff of One More Cast (onemorecast@gtcom.net) says, “Hey, the Perry Optimist Club’s 30th Annual Saltwater fishing Tournament is this weekend May 7th with weigh-ins at three sites Econfina, Keaton Beach , and Sea Hag in Stienhatchee.

"Entry Fee is $50 per person with Prizes in Trout : 1st $2500, 2nd $1000, 3rd $750 , 4th $500, 5th $250 Three Places in Redfish 1rst $1000 , 2nd $500 , 3rd $250 Largest Flounder $250 for more info contact FeeBee 850-843-0578 or go to www.optimistclubperryfl.com.

"Trout were more than cooperative Friday, when we caught and released ten trout over 22 inches long and brought in our limit of slot fish as well. We caught most on live shrimp under Back Bays but also caught fish on soft plastic under an original Cajun Thunder. We caught trout from 3.0 feet and then out in 6.0 – 6.5 ft. later when the tide flipped. Saturday morning, was tougher as the same crew only managed 7 trout on a shortened trip of 4.5 hours missing the hi tide which was so productive Friday.

"Dave Bosch and his buddy Bill Bgurek of North Carolina caught their limit Saturday on Fishbite’s Fight Club lures and on live pinfish under Cajun Thunders from 4 – 5 feet of water. Dave and Bill also caught their limit Friday.

"Jonathan Sisson was down with two friends from North Ga. and they managed a limit Saturday on hard jerkbaits from 2 – 3 feet of water. The East w-i-n-d blew all our color away and the water is clear from Keaton to Rock Islands according to a pal who rode that path Sunday."

MEXICO BEACH

Capt. Kevin Lanier KC Sportfishing Mexico Beach (850-933-8804) reports, "Fishing is really good right now both inshore and offshore. You can not go wrong. This week looks like the weather is going to be great. Our annual Bayou Bash Tournament will be May 7. An inshore event that benefits a scholarship fund. Come and join us.

Offshore the fish are thick. The Amberjack were swimming up to the boat. We threw a soft plastic paddle tail jig from Savage lures, and it was hit immediately. Red Snapper are very abundant but we still can not keep them. Cobia and King Mackerel are starting to show. Things will only improve over the next few weeks Inshore, Flounder are moving in and biting. Shrimp and soft baits are good choices. Move them slowly along the bottom. Whiting, Red Fish, and Pompano are biting as well along the beaches."

LAKE SEMINOLE

Capt. Paul Tyre reports, “The Bass Fishing on Lake Seminole has been EXCELLENT through April and will continue through May and June! The Bass are moving into their post-spawn patterns and the top water bite is turning on! Buzz baits and Frogs have are productive. I was out with 14 year old Truman Garrison from Panama City Florida and he caught his PB (personal best) Bass!

"The Shellcracker continue to bed and the last two mornings I had the pleasure to fish with Alan Carter and Donny Powell from Andalusia, Alabama we caught over a hundred Shellcracker each morning! For a Lake Seminole Fishing Adventure for Shellcracker and/or Bass this April give me a call to check availability at 850-264-7534 , follow us on Instagram @ Capt.paultyrefishing or email me @ paultyrefishing@yahoo.com.

FRESHWATER

Otto B. Fishing says,” Happy to report the bass on Lake Iamonia, Miccosukee and Carr are still aggressively feeding on almost any offering resembling a newly hatched water snake when worked over the sparse pads on the edges of deeper water. That offering would be the bigger softbait worms like the Zoom Magnum Speedvibes and Bass Assassin RSBs in Junebug or Junebug Red colors. Also, the watermelon red Z-man TRDz frog has been a well liked offering worked the thin pads."

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Here is this weekend's Big Bend fishing report