Lake Talquin Tales

With beautiful summer-like days, the water temperatures have finally warmed to seasonal levels and fish are beginning to be more and more active. Good numbers of Bass, Crappie, Bream and Catfish have been reported at both Whipporwill and Ingrams Marinas. Travis Bragg from Mississippi came over with the sole purpose of catching a largemouth larger than his father’s best of 8.5 lbs. After only 30 minutes he took a 9 lb. 2 oz. Bass. He and his partner Brandon went on to catch a 6 pounder, and two more over 5 pounds. All the fish came from the back of the creeks in shallow water.
A Bay County angler weighed in an 11 pound largemouth Bass. Bass anglers, the time is now to go after a trophy Bass! Reports of limits of Crappie are coming in every day. You don’t have to look for the fish, all you have to do is look for the boats. Crappie are shallow and can be taken using live minnows, fishing 15 to 18 inches deep. Remember the Crappie have to be at least 10 inches with a 25 fish limit. Catfish remain to be active with reports of fish ranging from 5 to 8 lbs. being taken using prepared bait and worms.
Bream are beginning to be more active with good numbers being reported using crickets and worms. Fish 6 to 8 feet of water and watch that cork disappear.
The lake condition is great! Temperatures are ideal for enjoying a day on the water. Until next week, "Tight line, good fishing".
Wayne "Captain D" Dudley 850-508-4308

Lake Talquin Tales

Could we ask for more? Summer-like weather is here and conditions are excellent. A record number of RV’s filled the local parks. Dallas Johnson, operator of Ingram’s Marina was out Saturday morning taking pictures of "the most folks we have had in three years".
I talked to visitors from Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, and Arizona – everyone fishing, fellowshipping and cooking out. What a way to live!!
For the first time this year, I was on the lake two times – Tuesday, March 10th after visiting anglers in Harvey Creek, Freeman Creek and Blount Creek – I decided to try my luck in Hammock Creek.
The Crappie we caught were all "slabs". On Thursday March 12th, Bruce Traylor and I took a nice catch fishing minnows in the pads. Crappie fishing has been good for some, not so good for others. Reports are coming in to both Whippoorwill and Ingram’s Marinas of Crappie being taken in shallow water, 2-3 feet in the lily pads, fishing 15 to 18 inches deep. Crappie fishing should remain strong for a month or more.
Bass fishing remains good. Some Bass have still remained around beds, however, most anglers are fishing post-spawn areas in deeper water. Reports of Bass weighing 6-8 lbs. coming in to both local marinas. Next week I will give you more on the upcoming Bass Tournaments in the near future.
Catfish is still being taken and reports of good numbers coming in. Ronnie Baggett and wife reported a nice catch off his dock. The best bait is still prepared catfish bait and worms, fishing on the bottom.
With warmer water, Bream are beginning to be active with some good catches being reported fishing in 6-8 feet of water, using crickets and worms. No reports on Shellcrackers, however, I’m sure reports will start coming in soon. The water condition: is level stable, stained-clearing, water temperatures 65 – 70 degrees.
Hope to see you soon! Until next week, "Tight lines, Good fishing"!
Wayne Dudley
"Captain D"
(850) 508-4308

Lake Talquin Tales

The time is now! With daylight savings time in effect, this means more afternoon hours to "wet a hook." Along with the full moon this past Tuesday, fishing has come into full swing! Dallas Johnson at Ingram’s Marina, reports bass are being taken in the pads 3-6 feet deep. The "Military Bass Club" had a two day tournament, the winner weighed in 10 bass, tipping the scales at 31 lbs. The big fish at 6½ lbs. Several limits were reported at both local Marinas.
The campgrounds are full of RVs and 99.9% have a boat behind them. Talked to a crappie angler from Tennessee on Monday and he reported a good catch from up around the Iron Curtain on Thursday. He went back on Friday and counted 15 boats around the place he had fished. Crappie are moving into the shallows, around the lily pads, making it easier to catch a mess.
Sarah Johnson reported a limit (25) all going over 2 lbs with one weighing 2lb, 14 oz. using an Ultra Light Spinning outfit or a Fiberglass pole. Crappie are fun to catch and makes great fillets when deep fried with cheese grits, French fries and hushpuppies- a meal fit for anyone. Crappie time is here, so come on down.
Catfishing remains good as reported last week. Reports are coming in from night and day catches using prepared baits and worms.
Bream and shellcracker remain slow, but rest assured, with this weather and warming tempuratures the bream and shellcracker will begin to move and reports of catches will begin to come in. The lake level remains stable, water slightly stained and water temperature at 65 degrees. Get everything together and come on down, the fishing is fine!
Until next week, "Tight lines, Good fishing"

Lake Talquin Tales

Dogwoods are blooming, Azaleas are blooming, Bass are bedding and Crappie are trying to. With mild, sunny spring like weather (up until Saturday.) Fishing has been great. Good reports have been reported at both Whippoorwill and Ingram’s Marinas. Bass have been active in 3-4 feet of water with beds visible everywhere.
Scott Haire, local Fire Captain and Bass Angler, took several fish Friday, the largest weighing 7 pounds. This cold front could slow things down, but not for too long. Sarah Johnson and the "Bass ‘n’ Gal Talquin Hookers" had 13 members to fish Saturday, February 28th. Sarah reported fishing conditions were rough, but some very nice Bass were caught in Hamock Creek.
All we need is some warm weather temperatures, less wind and the Crappie will move into the shallows to spawn.
Good Numbers were taken, trolling in 12-15 feet of water. The water temperature on Friday was, 57 degrees, warming to 60 degrees by noon. Crappie Fishermen get ready, the time is getting near! Friday I saw a nice catch of River Bream, not so big, but good eatin’ size.
Catfishing still remains good, with catches being made from docks, boats and just about any way you can get a hook n the water. Best results are using prepared baits and worms.
The lake remains in great shape with the water clearing, level normal and water temperatures55 to 69 degrees.
Hope to see or hear from you soon! Until next week, "Tight lines, Good fishing!"
-Wayne
"Captain D" Dudley

Lake Talquin Tales 02/26/2009

This past week, I ran into an old friend and fishing partner at a local store in Quincy. Charlie Goodwin and I have spent many wonderful hours and days fishing Lake Talquin. There were days when the bass fishermen would be coming in with nothing, when here Charlie and myself would come in with a nice catch of crappie. One day, as we approached the landing, a bass angler said, “Here come the perch jerkers!” From that day, we were known as the “perch jerkers.” Like Charlie, many of the locals have moved away and some have gone on to a place of eternal peace prepared just for fishermen. Thanks Charlie for the memories and for reading my column. Now, let’s talk fishing!

Mother Nature has a way of giving us good days and some that are not so good. This past week provided some of both. Bass fishing remains to be good with limits of 3-6 pounds being reported at both Whippoorwill and Ingram’s Marinas. The bass are really active and should remain so as they move in to spawn. Best Bet is in creeks and coves 3 to 6 feet of water.

Winds have not allowed too much on the lake trolling for crappie, however, good numbers have been reported from night fishing using lights (to attract bait fish) from both docks and boats, using live minnows.

Bream and shellcracker remain slow. Catfishing is still great, using prepared bait. A report came to me this week, 30 plus catfish taken in the dam area, ranging from 1½ to 15 pounds. Now, that’s a nice catch!

The lake level is normal, stained, but clearing, water temperature is 50 degrees. This time of year, we have to expect the winds, but things will get better. If you have a fishing report give me a call at (850) 508-4308.

Until next week, “Tight Lines, Good Fishing!” - Captain D

Lake Talquin Tales 02/19/2009

What a change! As the cold front passed, all of a sudden spring-like temperatures settled in and provided the fishermen a week of beautiful, ideal weather. Folks from all over the country began to come to the local campgrounds, and the marinas were buzzing with boats. Fishing has been great with reports of good numbers of crappie, catfish, bass and strippers being caught. Catfishing is the best I have ever seen, with good catches coming in, some weighing in the 5 to 9 lb. range. Your best bet is using prepared catfish bait.

The size of crappie being taken is getting better as the crappie are beginning to move. Nick and Linda Hewett from Bascom really had some slab size crappie in their catch. Jigs and minnows are effective; striper fishing has also been good. A nice limit of 5 was seen at Ingram’s Marina, ranging from 4 to 7 lbs. Bass are active, moving into pre-spawn areas. Local Bass angler Mike Mercuri Jr. weighed in a 5 fish limit, tipping the scales at 25 lbs, his big fish was an 8 pounder. Bream and shellcracker are still slow.

As reported earlier, the 31st Annual Lake Talquin Open Bass Tournament will be April 11, 2009, hosted by Bass’n Gal Talquin Hookers. This will be a “new team format” with a 1st place of $1,000 and Big Fish $200, for more details contact Sarah Johnson at 850-627-2241.

Also, the Leon County Sheriff’s Office Annual Bass Tournament, out of Williams Landing, will be April 18th, 2009. Cash prizes will be paid to 1st thru 20th place, ranging from $2000 to $70. There will also be a “Big Fish Jackpot”. All proceeds to benefit the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches. For more details contact Deputy Shuler at 850-922-3438 or 850-528-8449. The lake is in great shape, so come on down!

Until next week – “Tight lines, Good Fishin” “Captain D”