Red fish, trout, and snook on the big bend area of Florida’s Gulf Coast: I have been fishing between Suwannee and Steinhatchee for some time and I’m not smart enough to pattern the...

TimBob1961 Loc: High Springs, FL

I have been fishing between Suwannee and Steinhatchee for some time and I’m not smart enough to pattern the fish- times, tides, bait, etc. Anyone with some wisdom wanna help this newbie to inshore fishing, it sure be appreciated.

Roughneck Loc: Lake Weiss, Centre, Al

TimBob1961 wrote:

I have been fishing between Suwannee and Steinhatchee for some time and I’m not smart enough to pattern the fish- times, tides, bait, etc. Anyone with some wisdom wanna help this newbie to inshore fishing, it sure be appreciated.

I use the tide charts and solar luna tables at www.tides4fishing.com to plan my trips.
I reviewed the charts for Suwannee river mouth and the following are the best days if I were planning to go.
Feb 21-25, March 8-11, March 23-25 and April 20-25. Please let me know if this helps and which days you went.

flyguy Loc: Lake Onalaska, Sunfish Capitol of the World!

Roughneck wrote:

I use the tide charts and solar luna tables at www.tides4fishing.com to plan my trips.
I reviewed the charts for Suwannee river mouth and the following are the best days if I were planning to go.
Feb 21-25, March 8-11, March 23-25 and April 20-25. Please let me know if this helps and which days you went.

Welcome to the Forum, TimBob. I use the same chart as Roughneck does and it seems to work for me.

Roughneck Loc: Lake Weiss, Centre, Al

Plan to spend a little extra time getting familiar with the features available on the tide charts. You can enter any location and which months you want to view. Goodluck

Ben from SD

Just curious why Roughneck did not recommend 4/6-4/10 for the Suwanee River mouth since the tidal coefficient is about the same as 3/8-3/11 and April's too far out for a reliable weather forecast. I have mostly fished fresh water but want to learn as much as possible about inshore saltwater. Thanks.

campbellclan Loc: Levy Co. Florida

TimBob where are you out of. Please put in your profile. I fish mostly out of Horseshoe Beach. You can contact me a rangerkarlsupply@gmail.com

TimBob1961 Loc: High Springs, FL

I live in High Springs and have fished Horseshoe but haven’t had a lot of luck. Probably because I don’t know anyone who knows where to fish there but I’ve been fishing out of Rocky Creek lately. I’m planning to head down to Pepperfish and try it soon. I’ve got a fella who is trying to coach me, but his time is limited and our schedules don’t always match up. I’m just trying to figure out big bend fishing to avid future “skunks.” Thanks!

TimBob1961 Loc: High Springs, FL

I live in High Springs and have fished Horseshoe but haven’t had a lot of luck. Probably because I don’t know anyone who knows where to fish there but I’ve been fishing out of Rocky Creek lately. I’m planning to head down to Pepperfish and try it soon. I’ve got a fella who is trying to coach me, but his time is limited and our schedules don’t always match up. I’m just trying to figure out big bend fishing to avid future “skunks.” Thanks!

Roughneck Loc: Lake Weiss, Centre, Al

Ben from SD wrote:

Just curious why Roughneck did not recommend 4/6-4/10 for the Suwanee River mouth since the tidal coefficient is about the same as 3/8-3/11 and April's too far out for a reliable weather forecast. I have mostly fished fresh water but want to learn as much as possible about inshore saltwater. Thanks.

Less chance of high winds in late April and I prefer fishing during darker moon times of any month. During darker moon times of the month fish feed heavier during daytime hours. This is based on my experience.

Ben from SD

Roughneck wrote:

Less chance of high winds in late April and I prefer fishing during darker moon times of any month. During darker moon times of the month fish feed heavier during daytime hours. This is based on my experience.

Thanks for the info. Makes sense.

Roughneck Loc: Lake Weiss, Centre, Al

TimBob1961 wrote:

I live in High Springs and have fished Horseshoe but haven’t had a lot of luck. Probably because I don’t know anyone who knows where to fish there but I’ve been fishing out of Rocky Creek lately. I’m planning to head down to Pepperfish and try it soon. I’ve got a fella who is trying to coach me, but his time is limited and our schedules don’t always match up. I’m just trying to figure out big bend fishing to avid future “skunks.” Thanks!

I have fished From Horseshoe down to Cristal river through the years and I really like the area from 1/2 way between Horseshoe and salt creek and Suwannee sound and another 30 miles south of Cedar Key. Lots of great fishing but need a boat that can run shallow. I fish out of a 20 ft flat bottom Lowe Roughneck center console with 150 Hp jet outboard. Electronics is Hummingbird Helix 9 with mega chirp & side imaging on console and Helix 7 with mega chirp & side imaging on the front. Total weight loaded is around 2000lb, draws 6-8 inches depending on load and runs 32 mph. I have two remote controlled anchors, an 80lb thrust minikota trolling motor with remote autopilot, GPS, ipilot link, cruise control and remote deploy and stow feature. Also have marine radio. All that keeps me safe when I am out fishing by myself in rough water or 4-6 miles out or back in the gator swamp. (That's in Florida not Washington)

Timbob

Thanks man. I had no idea.

Timbob

Is the fishing better south of Cedar Key than north of there? Is there a source for waypoints for dips, ridges, holes, etc.? Thanks for all the help guys! I sure appreciate it.

Roughneck Loc: Lake Weiss, Centre, Al

My favorite area is between the mouth of Suwannee river and the islands at Cedar Key. Easiest access to good fishing is along the outside of line cabbage reef; however it is shallow at low tide and you can only cross the reef at three places that are marked with red & green channel markers. Also plenty of tidal creeks and small bays in that area and north of deer island. I do advise caution if you get out of your boat on any of the islands because many of them have rattlers & Cotton mouth moccasins on them particularly the ones out from Cedar Key.

Roughneck Loc: Lake Weiss, Centre, Al

Roughneck wrote:

My favorite area is between the mouth of Suwannee ... (show quote)

That's lone cabbage reef not line cabbage reef.