It's Spring Time Again, Grand Slam Time in the Big Bend
By Captain Rick Moseley, Scales N Tales Charters
AHOY To All Fishermen and Girls: 
All anglers along the Nature Coast are looking forward to some good springtime fishing. Why? Simple, the gulf water begins to warm up and with the warmer water comes our various species that have been hiding while the water temperatures were in the 60's.
As it begins to get in the lower 70's you will start to find Spotted Seatrout on the flats where the sandy holes meet with the grass beds. The Seatrout will be on a feeding frenzy from a cold winter and you can catch them on many different lures and baits. Trout usually like live pin fish in the spring and if they are fished right, the trout will be somewhat larger than those caught on plastic. From experience this is most of the time, but not always the case. Some days they love the artificial baits resembling a shrimp and may not want the pin fish at all. It is recommended to take both lures and pin fish along to have all angles covered. I know other anglers that strictly fish with live shrimp only, so take a few of them with you too.
Captain Rick's rule of fishing is to fish an area for awhile and if they are not biting, then it's time to move. Move to water that is about a foot or so deeper, or shallower. Look for some stained water should your area be crystal clear. It is known that water that is to clear is sometimes harder to fish because the fish have you zeroed in on their little camera before you get to them.
You will find that lighter test line gives you more casting distance, therefore; putting your baits out where the fish can't see you. I personally prefer a 10# braided line such as Berkley Fire line or Power-Pro. Should you not like either of these, fish with what you are confident with? Confidence is half the success in being a good angler. Never say "I think we are going to get on the fish today", say "guys and gals, we are going to find the fish today, so get ready for the time of your life."
A friendly reminder, speckled sea trout have a slot limit of not less than 15" not more than 20". In the North West and the North central regions the daily bag limit is 5 (five) fish per person.
As spring really gets things going you may want to look for Redfish (Red Drum). As usual this time of year they are going to be around the creek mouths, oyster bars, or around any type of rocky bottom structure. "Quiet" is the key on your vessel. Red Fish spook easily. Ease into your area using a trolling motor or push pole and gently anchor on the spot of your choice. Try casting your lures close to the structure you have chosen. If after a few casts you find nothing, I suggest you try a big juicy shrimp, the kind you should have for supper! Throw him out with an oval cork above him and give this a good trail period. If you know you are on a good tide and that if you use too much time you will loose that tide, then move to another spot that meets the right criteria. You can also work your spots without anchoring. My preference is using the trolling motor quietly and casting lures towards the structure being careful not to hook a ton of rock, but a nice keeper Red.
Remember, Red Fish can hear your voice if it is above a whisper. A school of red Fish can be spooked very easily. Out of courtesy to other anglers if you see them catching red Fish on a spot don't disturb them and spook their school. Look for your own spots, if they found theirs you are sure to find yours. Be patient and persistent. Should the other anglers leave their spot you can be sure that usually means the fish also have left the area. Just keep looking.
Rules for Red Fish are very simple. Not less than 18" and not more than 27". The bag limit is only 2 (Two) fish per person per day.
The big Cobia will be coming in at any time, so if they are what turns you on, go for it. A nice live pin fish under a giant sized bobber with a hefty leader and a lot of patience should do the trick. Anchor up current from a day marker out of the channel so you are not in the line of boat traffic. Cast towards the marker. An old structure known as a "bird rack" is good cobia fishing and is usually not in the path of boat navigation. Cobia can tear up the light tackle that you use for Trout so you may want to step it up a notch or two. I personally like the light tackle. I rig my boat anchor with a marker so I can release it quickly and come back to it later. This gives me the opportunity to get the Cobia away from the marker and use a lot of patience to fight him. If you are on the hunt for the meat and not into fighting the Cobia for an hour or so then use the heavy tackle.
A reel like a 4500 Shimano Bait runner with a 35# Power Pro and 50# leader gives you the edge when you have a 40 pound Cobia or the likes. Another good reel that will stand up to the pressure of a big Cobia is the Penn Jigmaster, although it does not cast as easily to the spot as a spinning reel.
Cobia measurement is to the fork of the tail. They must be a minimum of 33" and 1 (one) per angler per day or six per vessel, whichever is less.
Florida Grand Slams
A GRAND SLAM is defined as the catching or catching and releasing of the following species in a single day. Catches must be made according to International Game Fish Association (lGFA) angling rules. For recognition, you must send in a Florida Grand Slam Club Application. Contact the FWC Division of Marine Fisheries Management at 850-488-6058 or for more information visit FWC website's Grand Slam and Fishing Records. All entries are Free. We were told by FWC that if you catch a grand slam in an area different than the designated one it still counts as a Grand Slam.
North Florida Grand Slam: Spotted Sea Trout - Red Drum - Cobia
Florida West Coast Grand Slam: Snook - Red Drum - Tarpon
Florida East Coast Grand Slam: Spotted Sea Trout - Red Drum - Tarpon
South Florida Grand Slam: - Bonefish - Permit - Tarpon
A Message from Captain Rick
In order to bring a Tarpon aboard your vessel you must have a $50 Tarpon Stamp. If you don't have this then you must use the Catch and Release method but be sure the fish is well revived before releasing, sometimes the fight takes a lot out of them. Again, DO Not boat a Tarpon unless you have this permit to do so, but take a lot of pictures!
About Captain Rick Moseley
Captain Rick Moseley is a U.S.C.G. licensed master captain operating Scales N Tales Charters from Keaton Beach to Crystal River. You may reach us by calling Keaton Beach at 850-578-2627 . If you would like to e-mail us please do so at fishrick@gtcom.net in Keaton Beach and ruffinit2@gmail.com in Crystal River. You are invited to take a stroll through our website at www.scalesntalescharters.com
Tight lines to ya
Captain Rick and Best Mate Anita
