Snowbird in Destin w/canoe&crappie rod

[jcass]

Just what you FL guys/gals want to hear - another snowbird coming down to fish your water, but, hey - I would really appreciate any info about crappie waters in the Destin area that can be fished from shore or canoe.
I will be staying all of Jan/Feb.
My normal crappie method is just slow trolling from my boat w/jig and minnow. Works for me here in Michigan. Any methods work better in FL waters?
If there is a great crappie guide in the area, I would be willing to hook up with them for a day to get a FL perspective.
Thanks for any advice.

[shuorc]

do yourself a favor and look at Lake Talquin pictures, both fl and ga forums. Then go there fishing it's not that far.--shu

[RAWHIDE]

If you decide on Talquin PM me and I'll put you in touch with some guy's that guide. Check the Bama boys , there maybe something closer but my money's on Talquin.

[JSC]

Hi
This is my area ... and can give you a few pointers ... don't count on "Bank" Fishing but with a canoe u have a bunch of places .. Get you a good local map ... close by .. Alaqua Creek (Hwy 20 Bridge), Black Creek (Black Creek Lodge) great for canoeing also you can put in at hwy 3280 bridge .. some of the best crappie fishing in the area is in that creek .. the water color is deceptive .. looks black but is real clear ... The Choctawhatchee River System (Black creek is part of same) you have some crappie fishing in all of the lakes as well as Big Sister Run ... have to watch the river level (at present it is at flood stage .. but Black Creek is Fishable) really need a motor to get to the lakes ... you have another factor to consider and that is the tide ... Going further East on Hwy 20 when the water level is below 7.0 at Caryville, you can put in at Ebro Bridge Cross the river and fish the lakes that are acessed by going under bridge .. also Fish Camp after you cross the bridge turn right "Johns Little Acaer" several lakes above camp and the better one is slightly below (Crews Lake) ..
You can get directions from them (Johns Little Acera) on how to get to Pinelog .. a creek that makes a lake before connectiong to the river .. excellent crappie hole (big Bluegills as well) .. That should get You started ..

Hope it helps ... Have a good One ..

JSC

[JSC]

Just another note ..

Talquin is one of the best in the country ... I don't know how you could do with a canoe (fair size hole of water .. but if you know exactly where to fish you could launch at a landing near where you want to go and there are a lot of Landings on Talquin) ... I am all most postive that U can get a guid up their (From Destin it is a little over 100 miles) Lake Seminole has some good crappie fishing as well although it is a big hunk of water there are a lot of back holes that you can access that are sheltered and would be ideal to fish from a canoe. Also in that area is Lake Ocheesee (spelling) famous for its big Bluegills & Bass but has some Crappie.

Out from a distance from Destin and to the East ... Deer Point Lake Panama City Area .... Washington county alone has over 100 natural Lakes but they are most on a extremly low water level at this time .. the better crappie lakes are those on the Upper Pine Log Creek Chain.

Appalachicola area ... real good crappie hole is Depot Creek which has a Fish Camp on it on the upper end (It flows into Lake Wimico) ideal for using a canoe ... Many other places but this should get U started.

Right now I have commitments that would keep me from going with You.
Sorry about that.
Good Luck ... any questions drop me a note.

JSC

[jcass]

Thanks for all the tips. I've got enough to get a good start. That Lake Taleguin (sp?) looks fantastic but Yahoo maps show it 148 miles from Destin and I doubt I get that far this year. If I like Destin, maybe I'll bring my boat down next year and stay a little longer. (Spent the day shoveling snow as we are under a Blizzard Warning and drifts are getting to be a problem. - This is exactly why I am "getting out of Dodge" this winter!)
Thanks JSC for all the local info - I will definatly try some of your spots. If I get a chance I'll follow up sometime with a report on how I did.
Have a great Christmas/New Years!