Let’s start with a huge congratulations to local BASS professional angler, Drew Cook, for winning his first tournament on the Elite series.

For those of you not familiar with professional bass fishing, these are the best bass anglers on the planet. Drew beat 94 others by sight fishing. His four-day total weighed over 105 pounds. That’s 20 total bass. Do that math and it equals some great fishing with a big monetary award and the coveted Blue Trophy!

With all the rain the past two weeks you would think Lake Jackson would be overflowing. Not the case. What will it take to fill the lake back to normal pool? Once full, if it gets to that point, what will it take to keep it from draining quicker than history would dictate?

Over the years, I’ve written many times on how Lake Jackson works. At least from the weather’s standpoint. My personal opinion combined with history seems to differ from others. Not unusual, I am not a geologist. I am however a man that has spent thousands of hours over the past 25 years fishing, boating and learning famed Lake Jackson.

The only water source that supplies the lake is rainfall and runoff. We have no control over rainfall, yet our efforts to control runoff may be a large contributor to less water flowing in. Evaporation is the number 1 reason for water dissipation. Warmer summers with less rain will drop water levels quickly. Even that’s not the total reason for the lake to “disappear” as its Indian name suggests.

Lake Jackson is a prairie lake. The Florida Aquifer flows underneath. As water levels drop in the aquifer, gravity gives way, sink holes open up and bye bye. Would that mean the aquifer has more to do with the lake draining than rainfall or runoff?  

Growth. In the past 20 years, Florida’s population has increased by over 4 million. Combined with a bottle water company mining a million gallons of spring water a day from nearby Madison County, could be a major player.

Lake Jackson’s problems are not the only water based issues in the region. The Apalachicola oyster industry has taken a huge hit from growth. With population explosions in cities like Atlanta, that draw water from the Chattahoochee river which feeds the Apalachicola river, levels cannot be maintained high enough to support a healthy oyster growth and harvest.

Over the past 10 years, as Lake Jackson drops come more often, I’ve researched ways to combat drought conditions. A pipe, run from the nearby Ochlocknee River, could be used to control water levels for both the river AND Lake Jackson.

The current river level is at peak flood stage. To keep flooding from wreaking havoc on homes and land below the Damn at Lake Talquin, this pipe could be managed accordingly. There’s plenty of extra room in the empty lake right now.

Until next week, stay dry, be safe, have fun and ALWAYS wear your life jacket while boating!   

Otto Hough (myhometownfishing.com) says, ”Mother Nature pretty much slammed the door shut on fishing Apalachee Bay this past weekend on into Thursday. A few anglers who did venture out for a quick trip between the storms Saturday did find trout and reds feeding. Michael Aman and his partner Jay Carson got on the big reds and quality trout for about two hours Saturday out of Econfina before the storms had them scurrying to the hill for safe harbor.

"Now, with better fishing conditions in the forecast these next three days on into next week along with water temps that have risen into the prime range, it's time to once again experience springtime fishing. The possible aggravation this weekend will be the moderate west winds Friday and Saturday. Though winds won't be stout, there will be enough chop to mess up most thoughts of enjoyable topwater fishing. However, the lipped stickbaits and slow suspending plugs ought to be well liked.  Also, around the creek mouth bars the are showing active mullet, tossing the AquaDream spoons in gold and white should produce well. 

"Over these next three days, there are moderate between the moons rising tides into the late morning hours tracking closely with major solunar feed periods. It's definitely a good stretch to get on the water early if chasing trout or reds.

"What's going to be somewhat challenging this weekend will be locating the trout as all of the rivers are dumping lots of dark, freshwater into Apalachee Bay. A key to success this weekend will be finding somewhat clearer waters with higher salinity if targeting the trout. While the freshwater doesn't tend to mess up the reds, the trout will slip into the cleanest, saltiest waters they can find, most likely between the rivers given all the dark tannin waters pouring out the coastal swamplands through all the rivers.

"Coming next week, opening day of Gag grouper season in our four county Big Bend Zone will be happening, Friday, April 1st. As of this writing, shallow water gags should be ready for some post spawn dining. Personally, my expectations are high as Opening day approaches as water temps over the shallow water rock piles are still in the prime range that the gags tolerate well.

"Slow trolling from St. Marks all the way east past the Aucilla over the rocky bottoms in 12 to 18 feet of water should produce some fine gags before they  begin to move outside when the waters begin to warm into the 70s. My favorite shallow water slow trolling plugs are the Rapala CDMag14s, Rapala CDMag18s and Yo-zuri 3-D Deep Diving Crystal Minnows in Firetiger or pink color schemes.

"As always, when on the Big Pond or any body of water for that matter, wear an auto-inflatable PFD. Boat wisely, safely and just FISH!"

Captain Russ Knapp (850-653-5072) reports, “The weather forecast for the weekend as of Wednesday afternoon falls into the category of " fair to middlin " with winds Saturday 15 to 20 from the West and Sunday blowing at 10 to 15 from the North. Seas both days are expected to be 2 to 3 feet with basically no chance of rain but,  this is a forecast not a report so as always recheck things before you cast off.

"The Apalachicola River has been at minor flood stage all week at the Blountstown gauge and all that water has been coming south into the bay making for some dirty water conditions. Your mission this weekend if you fish the bay will be to get away from the river mouths and find some clean water to wet a hook in. Capt. Dan Fortunas, (850 980 0101) has received reports of big Whiting caught in West Pass and over slot bull Red's cruising around the Cut with fresh shrimp the bait du jour. Capt. Dan also reports that the Sheepshead can still be found around the bridge pilings and they are always ready to eat a live fiddler crab.

"The water temperature in the bay was up to 70 degrees but has now fallen back to 65 which is holding the main schools of Pompano away until thing warm up a bit which will be soon.

"Offshore, Capt. Clint Taylor (850 370 6631) is finding water warmer than normal and with the warm water Capt. Clint has been putting some large Kings in the box that were found in 145 feet of water 34 miles out. Capt. Clint suggests stay away from the Red Snapper infested wrecks and fish on live bottom with large live baits for Red Grouper and small squid tidbits for Lane and Vermillion Snappers. April 1st is the magic day for Gag Grouper season to open in our four-county area so things are about to get a lot better. 

"Tip of the week -- Don't forget that your State Reef Fish Angler Permit must be renewed yearly, you can visit MYFWC.com for more information. While you are checking things, don't forget to check the expiration date on your salt water fishing license before you get inspected by FWC and add to the expense of your trip."

Captain Kevin Lanier, (KC Sportfishing 850-933-8804) reports, “Springtime fishing is off to a slow start, but things are picking up. The weather is always a factor but the breaks between systems makes for a great opportunity to get out. Some of the best fishing in our area is near the mouth of St. Joe Bay and the areas near the Port St. Joe Marina.

"A variety of fish are being caught on shrimp and sliding sinkers. It is not an all-day bite and tends to occur throughout the day. Sheepshead and Pompano fishing should get good over the next few weeks, as we move past, Hopefully, the last real cold temperature of the winter.

"Offshore fishing continues to be spotty but productive in our area. Trigger fish is open to retention and fishing for them is always good. As always be safe and Good Fishing."

Captain Pat McGriff of One More Cast (onemorecast@gtcom.net) says, “Well, my report is all second hand as I re-scheduled four days  of charter due to the w-i-n-d forecast ( all came true) of 15-20 and 20- 25 knots this past week.

"Doug Garwood was down from Dalton Ga. and got his wish as the w-i-n-d  fed him trout and BIG trout Saturday through Monday . Doug and his buddy Jim Baker caught their limit each day using the ole Walmart Renegades ( lipped hard jerkbaits) in 1 - 2.5 feet of water. They fished from Adams Beach to Dark Island and were rewarded with trout from the clear water due to the w-i-n-d  pushing bait and the Big trout loving it. Don’t misunderstand me ‘cause fishing in 20 knots isn’t easy and it isn’t for everyone as most folks give up early and think they won’t bite in those conditions.

"Saturday, they released a 23”, 22”, 21” and four reds to boot. Sunday was a close repeat with a limit and two over 20 released and their big trout was 23” and they kept one red. W-I-N-D was up over 20 Knots ad the water temp was 67 degrees. Monday the water temps started out at 64 but made it back up to 66 by day’s end. Their best colors were Clown and Golden Shiner."

Otto Hough, (myhometownfishing.com on FB) reports “The rains over the past six or so days have really recharged the waters in most every local lake, with the lone exception being Lake Jackson. Though Jackson has risen somewhat, it's still kayak and canoe angling water. There's nowhere near enough water in either the south or north pools of Jackson to reach the boat ramps.

"Now, over on Iamonia, with the Ochlocknee River going to flood stage Thursday, the influx of river water into Iamonia has raised the lake level nearly two feet. Those bass and bream have a whole lot more acreage to roam. The post spawn by the bass has been aggressive. That bite should remain steady, if not intense for the next few weeks going on into true springtime fishing through April. The big worms mimicking newly hatched water snakes along with frog softbaits are producing well in the sparse pads."

 Capt. Paul Tyre reports, “The Bass fishing on Lake Seminole has been EXCELLENT this week! The Bass remain shallow and are hitting moving baits like Spinnerbaits and Buzzbaits especially with the weather conditions we have had the last week.

"The water temperature is in the low to mid 60s and the lake has a stain due to the recent rains we have had. We expect the Bass fishing to remain very good as the Bass move into their post spawn patterns. I had a fantastic time with pastor Matt Grimes from McDonough Georgia this week we had excellent day we caught over 20 Bass, with several in the 6 pound range!

"The Shellcracker will be bedding in April and is exciting way to introduce kids into fishing. For a Lake Seminole Fishing Adventure for Shellcracker and/or Bass this April give me a call to check availability at 850-264-7534 , follow us on Instagram @ Capt.paultyrefishing or email me @ paultyrefishing@yahoo.com."