If you like casting plugs you have to look for areas clear of floating grass, which are few and probably will remain that way through the summer. Try going weedless, Texas style, if larger Trout and Redfish are your target. Limits of large Speckled Trout (one trout per person over 20 inches) have been common.

Redfish have been more difficult the last couple weeks. They are very scattered on the grass flats. Also, I have reports of large numbers of Reds inside, meaning up in the marsh and creek and tidal holes.

If you read my reports, you know I often mention water temps and the influence on location of fish. Having said that, this year has been different, very mild winter, little rain, and currently some cool nights and mornings ( for May ). I’m just saying things have been different and changed some fish patterns.

It all just adds to the challenge of hunting fish. We do have Cobia, Spanish Mackerel, Tarpon, and yes, I have seen scallops. So come see us.

GOD BLESS, Good Fishing and Be Safe

Captain STEVE KROLL

This Steinhatchee Fishing Report is from Steinhatchee, Fishing Guide Captain Steve Kroll

Three Keeper Steinhatchee Redfish

Nice Steinhatchee Trout, The Kind You Take Home To Mama

Steinhatchee Redfish Wanting To Be Released

Limits of Speckled Trout and Redfish are common, and considering the Red limit doubling to two fish per person with a boat max of eight fish, I have wondered if I would need a bigger fish box on the boat. We have managed fine with the 80 quart engel fish box. Of course we still have a day when things are tough or it seems like the only Trout biting are 14 31/32″ or less. On the flip side I have had a couple days moving out of large Trout was the only way we would complete a limit catch for the day. This is what we refer to as a luxury problem!

Redfish are bunched up as usual this time of year. On a calm day they are pretty easy to find. With a ripple on the water they can be easily missed by a couple of boat lengths. Salt Water Assassin, Gulps, and cut bait will do the job.

We also have Spanish Mackerel, Black Sea Bass and Cobia catches being reported. The end of April and into May we should see larger, keeper size Cobia on the flats.

May is the time of year that you can catch the most different species in a day.  The record for my boat is 17 different species in one day! Another fun challenge to keep up with when you spend a lot of time on the water.

GOD BLESS, Good Fishing and Be Safe

Captain STEVE KROLL

This Steinhatchee Fishing Report is from Steinhatchee, Fishing Guide Captain Steve Kroll

A Nice Days Catch

A Good Steinhatchee Speckled Trout

A Steinhatchee Redfish, It's What You Go To Steinhatchee For

As you all know, the winter has been very mild. Speckled Trout are on the flats with Gulf water temps in the 60′s. I still find the bigger Trout near a creek ditch or pothole. But remember, if you flush them, it’s over. So approach to within casting distance quietly. Cast your Saltwater Assassin 1/16 oz jighead with an Assassin 5″ shad to the far side of the pot hole or ditch and let it sink without to much slack, so you can feel the strike as it falls. If it’s windy, watch your line to detect strike.

Now I know this all sounds complicated, but when it works you will be raising your minimum keeper size to 16″ or 17″ inches. Or the luxury problem, having to move to find smaller fish to finish your limit, because everything in the hole was over 20″s !

My customers and I have caught more Redfish on the flats this winter than I can ever remember winters past. It does take the right day. By that I mean high tide 11 am or later, sunny and warm, not too windy. The reds will come out and play. I use the same bait I cast for Trout mentioned above. Again, a slow retrieve is the only way you’ll get bite.

This kind a fishing does require some recon, a GPS and polarized sun glasses but can be most rewarding.

At this writing there have been some great Sheephead catches at the Steinhatchee reef.

GOD BLESS, Good Fishing and Be Safe

Captain STEVE KROLL

This Steinhatchee Fishing Report is from Steinhatchee, Fishing Guide Captain Steve Kroll

Steinhatchee Redfish, This Is What you Come To Steinhatchee For.

Speckled Trout Caught In Steinhatchee, Florida. Another Reason To Visit Steinhatchee

It’s still summer here, folks are out trying to get one or two more bags of Scallop meat for the freezer before the extended season closes Sunday the 25th of September. This hot weather makes scalloping very refreshing and a great way to top off a box of fish.

As the days are becoming shorter and we have some cooler(not as hot) days fish will begin to bite better, especially in shallow water. I have seen subtle changes already. Saturday, my party and I caught 10 nice Speckled Trout, including one over 20″s, and two over 18″s all 3 foot or less, and all on Saltwater Assassin 1/16oz jigheads with 5″ tails. Several colors were used, Night Shiner and Pink are the colors we used most.

Sand Trout or White Trout have began to show on the deeper flats and Spanish Mackerel won’t be far behind. There are a few here now, but not in the numbers we will see in a couple of weeks.

Redfish will be good one day and slow the next, but I guess that is partly what makes them so special, but hang on, in a few weeks a limit of Reds may be easier than a limit of Trout.

No matter what you decide to fish for, it’s going to be more comfortable to fish all day.

Thanks for checking in,

Be safe, GOD Bless, Good Fishing (Scalloping)

And Thanks for reading,

Captain, STEVE KROLL

This Steinhatchee Fishing Report
is from Steinhatchee, Fishing Guide Captain Steve Kroll

The Men With Some Steinhatchee Redfish

Two Good Size Steinhatchee Speckled Trout

Hello from Steinhatchee, at this writing it is the 3rd of August. My time in the boat has been primarily guiding scallop trips. And I’m thankful for them.

We are having a great time with our regular summertime customers, as well as alot of new ones. The fun that a family can have gathering scallops is not a secret anymore. I’ve had customers from as far south as Naples, and as far north as Ohio. Deadman’s Bay has once again shown itself to be the recreational scallop capital.

Let’s talk fishing though. Last week I took Scott and his two young sons fishing. We caught 4 Reds and 5 Trout, jumped a 50 lb Tarpon, which we got to see jump twice before breaking the 10 lb test. All before 9:30am, then we came back in the river and picked Mom and little sister. Headed to the scallop flats and picked up a boat limit of the tastey shellfish. We did all this within sight of the channel markers of the Steinhatchee.

Another recent trip, we fished deep flats first thing in the morning. Casting Saltwater Assassin jigheads with 4″ and 5″ chartreuse tails we caught six good Trout and 7 or 8 Sand Trout, a few Sea Bass and Bluefish. And of course a limit of Scallops.

Needless to say, we are having a great summer here at the Big Bend of Florida.

Keep an eye on the weather. I included a photo of one of three waterspouts we saw this day. I guessed it about 10 miles away-impressive!

Be safe, GOD Bless, Good Fishing (Scalloping)

And Thanks for reading,

Captain, STEVE KROLL

This Steinhatchee Fishing Report
is from Steinhatchee, Florida Scallop Guide Captain Steve Kroll

One of the brothers got a redfish and first bragging rights

Scalloping A Family Affair

A photo of one of three waterspouts we saw this day, guessing 10 miles away. Impressive!