Lost

Floridas Forgotten Coast

F L OR I D A S F OR G OT T E N C OA S T
LOST
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[ C A P TA I N C A R L O S R O D R I G U E Z ]
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FLORIDA SPORT FISHING | JULY.AUGUST.2014 | floridasportfishing.com
72
For several years a trip
to the Panhandle has been
at the top of my bucket list.
After speaking with Franklin
Countys Board of Tourism
on numerous occasions, it was conrmed
this area needed further investigation. The
varying venues and targets are seemingly
incomprehensible, with easy access to
dynamic inshore and oshore structures
loaded with life. On our rst morning in
town, a relative term along the Forgotten
Coast, we were able to meet up with Cap-
tain Dennis Crosby of Boss Charters. Op-
erating out of Apalachicola, a region rst
inhabited by Franciscan friars arriving from
Spain in the 1700s, the area is lled with
rich maritime history, delightful southern
hospitality, and is as enjoyable as youll
allow it to be. Apalachicola has an incred-
ibly historic waterfront and resonates with
remembrances of an age once lled with
steamboats, railroads, cotton and lumber
mills. Yesteryear further shines through
with vintage views of Victorian plantation-
style estates overlooking the sound.
Anglers fishing the Forgotten Coast
can expect to connect with a mixed bag
of inshore species including black and
red drum, mackerel, trout and bluesh
when searching out the coastal waters
and caramel colored passes. Stay focused
on targeting island or jetty
points during a falling tide
with ladyfish chunks and
live shrimp rigged on oz.
banana style jigheadsa
proven approach.
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NESTLED 80 MILES southwest of Tallahassee, Franklin County
encompasses more than 250 miles of unspoiled coastline and caters
to anglers who desire an old Florida, low-key getaway with access to a
widely diverse array of angling exploits. Within minutes of launching
your ski or pulling o the road to wade sh, inshore fanatics can
nd solidarity shing skinny water around St. Vincents, St. George
and Dog Islands. With an abundance of red drum, ounder, pompano,
tarpon and speckled trout patrolling the numerous sandbars, channel
ledges and oyster bars hugging the spoil islands and beaches, anglers
can anticipate fast action no matter the time of year. Near-shore
waters are equally productive and lead the way to impressive catches
with kingsh, cobia, sheepshead, tripletail and much more. While it
may be remote and undeveloped compared to most of Floridas coastal
community standards, the Forgotten Coast is just the way I like it!
The
author with
one of many
redsh
taken along
the regions
barrier
islands.
Visit the
Big Bend and
step back to
a time when
life was much
more simple.
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floridasportfishing.com | JULY.AUGUST.2014 | FLORIDA SPORT FISHING
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Latitude: 24 42' 41" N
Longitude: 81 6' 18" W
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FLORIDA SPORT FISHING | JULY.AUGUST.2014 | floridasportfishing.com
74
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Cruise out of the mouth of the Apala-
chicola River and you will stumble upon
St. Vincent Islanda National Wildlife Ref-
uge and undeveloped barrier island home
to a variety of endangered and threatened
species including bald eagles, red wolves,
Sambar deer, sea turtles, indigo snakes
and gopher tortoises. Through the natural
ushing of the local watershed, key habitat
for such a diverse, nutrient-rich environ-
ment makes this area incredibly sensitive.
Along the coastal waters of St. Vincent
Island it was easy to see that the area was
teeming with life. From the vast species
of birds diving on schools of baitsh, to
pods of porpoises, sea turtles and more,
the area provided a stunning National
Geographic style exhibition.
Our base camp for the trip was the pic-
turesque coastal community of Carrabelle,
which rests about 20 miles east of Apala-
chicola. With a population of just over 2,700,
this is the place to experience small town
nostalgia. With no crowds, the
white sand beaches are perfect
for any saltwater-loving fam-
ily to take in and enjoy. Its
not unusual to spot wild deer,
fox, bears, and blue heron
at play throughout your
travels around the region.
If youre more inclined
to head oshore to the deeper waters of
the Gulf, Apalachicola, Carrabelle and East
Point are also your gateways to oshore an-
gling ecstasy. After a great day shing with
Captain Crosby, we retired early in antici-
pation of a powerfully mixed an-
gling agenda with Captain Chester
Reese of Natural World Charters.
Anglers visiting these rich
offshore waters can anticipate
LOST
Soaking
natural bait is
deadly efective
in the caramel
color water.
From barren
shorelines to rocky
passes, the Forgotten
Coast provides
visiting anglers
numerous venues.
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FLORIDA SPORT FISHING | JULY.AUGUST.2014 | floridasportfishing.com
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tangling with healthy kings and large mi-
grating cobia during the spring and sum-
mer months. Just a short ride out to one
of the numerous channel markers on the
outer bay, anglers can readily score with
choice-sized blue runners. After
youve loaded the livewell, ease
up and anchor just ahead of the
well-known limestone ledge near
Dog Islands coastline in 30- to 40-
feet of water. The diversity of sea
bass, grunts, gag grouper and king
mackerel will attack live and dead
baits, jigs and soft plastics. Head
offshore to Franklin Countys
deeper waters and youll nd it hard to miss
the massive towers that attract an
array of saltwater predators.
Ranging from 20- to 35-miles o-
shore, the towers are maintained
by the U.S. Air Force and the con-
stellation is used for fighter-jet
training out of Eglin Air Force Base
near Panama City. The uniqueness
of these structures is truly amaz-
ing and their coordinates are
readily available on most shing charts.
Standing nearly 120 feet above sea level,
these superstructures are labeled alpha-
betically and create unparalleled habitat
in the relatively featureless Gulf.
Upon approaching these deepwater
monuments, anglers can witness massive
Impressive
cobia are often
found lurking
around the
ofshore towers.
With hot
shing and
warm southern
hospitality,
Franklin County
should be on
every anglers
bucket list.
77
floridasportfishing.com | JULY.AUGUST.2014 | FLORIDA SPORT FISHING
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amounts of bait harassed by frenzied black-
n tuna, bonito, kingsh and barracuda. Mi-
grating cobia can also be spotted along the
surface, with an enticing swimbait enough
to get their attention. Larger cobia, in par-
ticular, must be strategically teased to get
them to fully commit. Many anglers often
make the mistake of retrieving the lures too
fast or too slow. The trick is to keep the lure
several inches in front of the sh no matter
the required rate of retrieve until they fully
commit to crushing your oering.
Sight shing with articial lures always
ranks high on my list and we were ex-
tremely fortunate to connect with a thick
cobia. After a grueling tug-o-war and ne
boat handling on Chesters part, a hefty
50 lb. ling was landed. A freshly gaffed
cobia will still be very zesty and untamed
thrashing will be a common occurrence. I
cant begin to stress how important it is to
remain clear of a green cobia on deck.
When fishing around the deep water
towers youll want to at line live oer-
ings up to 50-feet behind the boat. Anglers
can expect solid connections on each pass
from a variety of species including smoker
kings, mangrove snapper, gag grouper, jack
crevalle, cobia and more. Heading into the
late afternoon, having a cooler that will not
close due to a few too many large sh tails
sticking out may be your biggest problem.
On the ride back to Carrabelle Boat
Club, we kept ourselves intrigued by
the phenomenal day experienced by all.
The only thing that couldve topped the
amazing day on the water was the lo-
cal Cajun style feast in East Point. The
Forgotten Coasts mix of clean oysters,
crisp clams, succulent scallops, fresh
sh, spicy gumbo and savory shrimp will
satisfy even the most discriminating
seafood enthusiast. Franklin Countys
traditional southern hospitality coupled
with phenomenal inshore and oshore
angling opportunities provide visitors a
rarely found, authentic old Florida expe-
rience. One thing is clear, this is one of
the most promising angling destinations
I have visited in our beautiful state of
Florida and I will most denitely be back
and cant wait to get lost again!
FSF
LOST
With such a broad range of targets along
the Forgotten Coast, anglers should have
a variety of outfits rigged and ready to
capitalize on whatever opportunities may
pop up. Keep a few light action-spinning
outfits spooled with several hundred yards
of 10 lb. braid joined to a 36-inch section of
30 lb. leader. A 3000 or 4000 size spinning
reel matched to a 7-foot fast-taper spinning
rod is all you will need to capitalize on whats
rumbling in the caramel colored shallows.
For larger game fish encountered farther
offshore, 7-foot conventional rods with reels
spooled with 25 lb. monofilament keep
anglers connected to kings, cobia and more.
Rig It Right
Heading into the late
afernoon, having a cooler
that will not close due to
a few too many large sh
tails sticking out may be
your biggest problem.