Fishing Report for the Florida Panhandle

What is large and red and goes snap, snap in the Northern Gulf of Mexico? You guessed it, red snapper season has officially returned to the unforgettable coast of Florida. As mature adults, we all have choices in life. One can go down to the local seafood market and pay $16 per pound for snapper or one can catch it on their own. That is exactly what the Flannagans from Akron did this week. Don got all he wanted with a sow snapper that went 18 on the bogagrip. Not to be outfished, Sherry boated several in the 5-10 class. These fish pull. The pattern was simple. We motor fished, so as to keep the lines vertical in the current. Staying focused on the color bottom machine helped us identify fish up in the water column and away from the schoolies. In order to trick the big boys, we presented small frisky squirrel fish with 3/0 circle hooks on 30 pound fluorocarbon. We broke off a freight train, but that is only part of the game. Chunky snapper don't get that way by being dumb. Thick snapper fillets chargrilled on the Weber is almost heaven. Come get ya some!!! Until next tide, tight lines and solid hookups, Captain Alex Crawford Proud Member Florida Outdoor Writers Association Proud Member Florida Guides Association