Bluewater Outriggers Fishing Report 11-14-2026

     The boy and I were making our way down 98 to visit the Tallahassee Museum.  By the time he'd polished off a bag of Sun Chips and was slurping up the last few sips of chocolate milk we'd purchased in Apalachicola, the town of Carrabelle was fast approaching.  I made a split-second decision to turn off the highway and swing by Captain Gary Dunn's house.  His driveway was empty and I was informed by a neighbor that Gary had gone hunting deer in Milledgeville, Georgia.  While I was a bit disheartened that I didn't get to see the ol' boy, I couldn't help but notice just how pristine his yard looked.  The grass was cut perfectly, there was nary a weed, and the edging was sheer perfection.  It was as if I had just driven onto the cover of a Better Homes and Gardens magazine.   

     I mention all this because I had to hear through a third party about how well Gary is doing when it comes to fishing out of Carrabelle.  I found a picture on social media of Gary with a monster Gag grouper (above center).  My uncle showed me a picture of all the black sea bass Gary was catching (above right).  There were rumors of a large Cobia and substantiated stories of multiple keeper red grouper.  I have to say I was a bit taken aback.  Twice I checked my call history and my text messages, and I'm quite certain there was no attempt on his part to invite me along for some of the fun. 

     Several articles ago, I made a joke about Gary's lawn.  I said I could take one look at it and tell he was a serious fisherman because it was obvious where his priorities were.  Although it was very funny, perhaps it was in poor taste.  I hope that somehow, someway, this new article makes its way to him, and he can find it in his heart to forgive me.   

     Folks, I'm pretty sure Captain Gary will forgive me after reading the first paragraph, but this red tide here in Port St. Joe is proving to be very unforgiving.  We're now in our third week of red tide, and the numbers of positive samples are growing.  There was another massive fish kill here in the marina, and the odor was detectable in the air all the way to my house about two miles away.  Fishing in St. Joseph Bay will prove to be poor at this point.  Most local anglers are heading towards Indian Pass and Apalachicola to get hooked up on trout and red fish.  The fishing there is excellent and nearly everyone is reaching their limits.   

     Surf fishing in the gulf has remained relatively unaffected by red tide as well.  Just like last week, there have been a lot of sharks getting caught.  I want to congratulate Chance and Kaylee Moore, from Evansville, Indiana.  They came into Bluewater to get geared up for shark fishing, and they made it happen!  Their picture can be seen above (left) with a big boy they pulled in off the cape.   

     If saltwater is not your thing, don't forget about freshwater crappie fishing.  Crappie are really starting to take off now, and customers are flooding in to buy live crappie minnows and some of our ultra-light crappie gear.   We've got the best of both worlds here at Bluewater Outriggers, so be sure to stop in and see us before your next trip out. 

-Jeremiah Beasley