The next time you have to renew your fishing license it’s going to cost you an extra $4. The FWC has raised the price from $13 to $17 for the cost of an annual license. It is the first time since 1989 that the price has been increased. This increase still falls behind the rate of inflation. For more information about licenses go to www.myfwc .com.
According to the results of the 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation Survey Florida has defended its title of “Fishing Capital of the World”. 2.8 million anglers fished here last year spending $4.4 billion and creating 75,000 jobs. Another interesting highlight of the study, reported by the American Sportfishing Association, is that one out of three anglers fish for largemouth bass, America’s most popular game fish. Also, one of every seven Americans fished in 2006, making the sport more popular than jogging or golf. Despite all these high numbers the amount of issued licenses had decreased in 2006.
Wednesday morning I spoke with Johnny Garrett at Flagler Beach Bait and Tackle (pier) and he said it looks like the red tide is finally gone. Thank goodness! Johnny said it didn’t seem to affect the fishing too much. Lots of big reds are being caught at the pier, fish in the 20 lb bracket. Mullet or shrimp, live or frozen, are doing the trick. Black drum to 23” are also being caught along with lots of whiting. Look for flounder to start to show soon also.
Jake Jaquish at Jakes Highbridge Bait and Tackle had three words to report, snook,snook,snook. Jake says they can be found almost anywhere you fish. They are eagerly taking plugs or artificial bait. Fish creek mouths that feed into the ICW on an outgoing tide. Big schools of jacks are erupting in the ICW on bait as they move south. They will eat anything you throw into a marauding school. You’d best have on a leader when battling a jack. Jacks aren’t much in the way of food but they sure do put up one heck of a fight when hooked. Jake also reports lots of speckled trout. You’ll catch trout on the same baits you use for snook.
I found lots of trout last week but most of them were in the 14” range. You might have to land a dozen or so to be able to find any keepers. Although I didn’t find any snook it won’t keep me from trying this week. I think I’ll just have to try fishing a bit farther south.