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Cape San Blas ?'s

13K views 31 replies 17 participants last post by  tailfisher1979 
#1 ·
I have a vacation planned in the first week of June in Cape San Blas And was wondering if anyone has any advice on where and what to fish for. I am dragging my 14 foot skiff with a 15hp tiller motor with trolling motor. I am an avid fisherman I am just in new territory. any advice will help thank you.
 
#2 ·
Too bad that you are not going July 1st at the open of scallop season. You can catch most fish that you catch in this area. I haven't fished in a while there but I do go in the area Port St Joe and over to Alligator Pt. to scallop. I remember catching some specs when I camped one year. I really like the area. Have fun.
 
#3 ·
I've fished a little there in the summer when scalloping with my scout troop. One problem is LOTS of floating grass. We were land locked - no boat. The wind always seemed to be blowing in the direction of our campsite - pushing the grass our way. The surface was covered with endless bands of floating grass. Trying to work a topwater or subsurface hard bait (Rapala, Mirrolure, etc.) was pretty difficult because you would work it 5 feet and it would be covered with grass. Next year I am going to try the DOA deadly combo, Johnson Spoon, soft jerk baits, etc. The other option is go to the side of the bay the wind is coming from and there will not be as much grass from what the locals told me.

If you have luck let me know how what was succesful please. I'll be back there in August with the scouts.
- Fisherdad1
 
#10 ·
Scattered sand holes in the grass is a good sign. If it's solid grass I would drift on until you are seeing some. I have not had nearly as much luck in solid grass covered flats. The trout will lay right in even the smallest sand hole waiting for prey. Some of my best days were with very clear water and a pair of good polarized sun glasses. You can actually see the fish sitting in the hole and target them.
 
#11 ·
What a Blas

My family has been going to the Cape since my youngest, now 31, was three years old. What a place! We scallop, fish, scallop then fish. Every nite we'd get in about 8:30, cook scallops, crab, shark, speck, red...... We have only missed maybe 4 years out of all this time. We made some of the best memories of our lives there. My adult kids now take their kids. The beauty of the PSJ area is the variety of marine life you don't see as much of here in beautiful Pensacola; horseshoe crab, scallops in abundance, leopard rays. On and on I could go.

For scallop, Black's Island area is most productive and produces best quality. In good years, the flats mentioned above behind the State Park Cabins also provides a great experience especially for young kids to scallop. You can find a shallow bar to anchor on surounded by grass where they can play and scallop while digging up countless starfish with their toes. It's easy to get to in a very short time and if a thunder storm comes up you can get back quickly with little ones.

When fishing over the grass, be aware that you are probably going to lose a few plugs. A lot of things with very big teeth will just cut you off. I have watched the Tarpon jump not 30 feet behind me while fishing over the grass in 5 feet of water. If you want a "heavy fish" experience for yourself or a young one, simply toss your bait net off the dock at State Park launch and you'll get all the bait you need very quickly. Go straight out the channel until the water turns a dark green, hang a finger mullet or pinfish down and get ready to hook a shark. They are abundant and lots of fun.
Anyway, I'd move there tomorrow if I could; it's a paradise in driving distance.....................<:)
 
#16 ·
Csb

My family has been going to the Cape since my youngest, now 31, was three years old. What a place! We scallop, fish, scallop then fish. Every nite we'd get in about 8:30, cook scallops, crab, shark, speck, red...... We have only missed maybe 4 years out of all this time. We made some of the best memories of our lives there. My adult kids now take their kids. The beauty of the PSJ area is the variety of marine life you don't see as much of here in beautiful Pensacola; horseshoe crab, scallops in abundance, leopard rays. On and on I could go.

For scallop, Black's Island area is most productive and produces best quality. In good years, the flats mentioned above behind the State Park Cabins also provides a great experience especially for young kids to scallop. You can find a shallow bar to anchor on surounded by grass where they can play and scallop while digging up countless starfish with their toes. It's easy to get to in a very short time and if a thunder storm comes up you can get back quickly with little ones.

When fishing over the grass, be aware that you are probably going to lose a few plugs. A lot of things with very big teeth will just cut you off. I have watched the Tarpon jump not 30 feet behind me while fishing over the grass in 5 feet of water. If you want a "heavy fish" experience for yourself or a young one, simply toss your bait net off the dock at State Park launch and you'll get all the bait you need very quickly. Go straight out the channel until the water turns a dark green, hang a finger mullet or pinfish down and get ready to hook a shark. They are abundant and lots of fun.
Anyway, I'd move there tomorrow if I could; it's a paradise in driving distance.....................<:)

Sounds like we need a weekend away... :thumbup:
 
#12 ·
I have also caught lots of good fish casting jigs in the surf at the state park as well. The key seemed to be having good clear water. Reds, trout pomps black drum are in abundance during the right conditions. If there are glass minnows in the surf then there will be Ladyfish. Work a jig real fast through the balls of minnows and hang on.
I got a trip planned for August to St George island which is 30 miles or so east of there. Another wonderful place with great fishing. Well worth a drive to check out if you have a little extra time. Half the 17 mile long island is a state park and pristine. Excellent fishing. Especially the east point!
 
#15 ·
Don't overlook the gulf side. We kayaked along the CSB gulf side last June and hooked 5 tarpon just slow trolling live baits. We could see the tarpon schools swimming by and under our yaks. Should be Kings there as well as the usual suspects like spanish. We also caught alot of atlantic sharpnose sharks as well. Decent launch by the lighthouse.
 
#19 ·
We launched in Eagle Harbor and fished in 6-8 ft of water around grass beds outside of the harbor. All of our fish were caught on popping corks and live shrimp or pinfish. The Sharks were caught on cut ladyfish drifting while we were catching trout. The cobia was caught out of pure luck on a rattle trap. I hope this helps, good luck out there.
 
#23 ·
Dixie Bell

We once stayed at a little, and I mean little, place on 98 just before PSJ called the Dixie Bell Motel; not even sure if it's still there. You could flick a booger from one side of the room to the other. It was a place to sleep, not much more than a 10' x 10' room with two singles, a window unit, and a bathroom. It's old, block, and you could have eaten off the floor. I don't mind old, but I do mind dirty. This little room was immaculatly clean and the people were really accomodating.

If you're just wanting as place to sleep until it's time to get back fishing, give them a try. Here it is.........

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Re...Dixie_Belle_Motel-Port_Saint_Joe_Florida.html
 
#25 ·
Hey does anyone know when Scallop season ends? My friends and I have a trip planned to CSB aug 17-24. We've never been to the area and I enjoy eating Scallops more than most people... Any advice is much appreciated!
Also, any good bars or restaurants for our us (in our late 20's) to hang out and drink a few dozen cold drinks??
Thanks!
 
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