About Ochlockonee Bay, FL

Ochlockonee Bay is an unincorporated area situated in southern Panacea in Wakulla County in Florida, United States. It originates from the Ochlockonee River, a fast-running one from southwest Georgia that empties into Florida, particularly at Ochlockonee Bay and Apalachee Bay. The estuary of Ochlockonee Bay receives organic matter transported from the Ochlockonee River during floods, creating its shallows brought by the river’s sand and clay. Ochlockonee Bay estuary provides a home for various fish and shellfish, making it a seafood destination and a top recreational and commercial fishing spot in Wakulla County, as well. 

Besides fishing, Ochlockonee Bay offers access to spectacular recreational trails for cycling, paddling, and hiking amongst forest lands and unspoiled marshes. People can enjoy the trails while overlooking the majestic view of North Florida and the bay’s scenic natural beauty. Ochlockonee Bay also features premier wildlife observation and seasonal hunting adventures for those interested. 

All About Fishing in Ochlockonee Bay, FL

Anglers are fond of visiting Ochlockonee Bay due to its enormous fishing opportunities for redfish, flounder, black drum, tarpon, spotted sea trout, bluegill, largemouth bass, and striped bass. In addition to its rich aquatic community, the terrestrial wildlife habitats neighboring Ochlockonee Bay are also diverse. Along the Ochlockonee Bay trail lies St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge. It consists of scattered beaches, islands, pine forests, depression marshes, and tidal creeks. These communities serve as habitats for different communities of plant and animal life. The wildlife forms thriving here include alligators, bald eagles, woodpeckers, pelicans, gulls, terns, ospreys, blue herons, egrets, and ducks. Ochlockonee Bay also houses invasive exotic plants – Chinese tallow tree, Japanese climbing fern, and cogongrass.

Ochlockonee Bay bass fishing is achievable either through baitcasting, spinning, or fly fishing. Note that bass is aggressive when trapped, striking your bait or lure as eager as it can. For bait and lures, you may want to use surface plugs, shiner minnows, plastic worms, spinnerbaits, and crankbaits. A golden shiner is said to be the premium live bait, as recommended by experienced anglers. Fished free-lined or under the float, you will want to use a medium to a medium-heavy rod with a 14- to 20- pound test line. If you prefer to catch a tarpon, you may execute fly fishing or bait fishing, beginning with a medium-heavy rod with a reel that can hold 150 yards of a 40-pound line. Tarpon anglers fasten the monofilament line to an 80- to a 100-pound leader with a loop knot-tied circle hook. Once you are at the fishing zone and located the tarpon, you may float your bait out about 30 to 40 yards, rod maintained in a rod holder, and wait. Try to stay calm when the tarpon eventually bites and hang on to your rod.

Fishing Seasonality

Spring is the prime season to catch largemouth bass in Ochlockonee Bay when it travels into shallow water for spawning. Largemouth bass spawns as early as January, reaching its peak during March and April. After spawning, female largemouth bass proceeds to offshore areas. Seasoned anglers suggest using plastic worms in various colors and scents as your artificial bait in catching largemouth bass. Striped bass is productive from fall through spring season during their active feeding periods. You may trap striped bass up to 60 pounds through heavy tackles in high flow fishing zones, utilizing rattletraps that mimic baitfish as lures. Tarpon fishing in Ochlockonee Bay is successful from mid-April to October, especially using live and dead bait in warm water temperature.

Fishing Seasonality

Spring is the prime season to catch largemouth bass in Ochlockonee Bay when it travels into shallow water for spawning. Largemouth bass spawns as early as January, reaching its peak during March and April. After spawning, female largemouth bass proceeds to offshore areas. Seasoned anglers suggest using plastic worms in various colors and scents as your artificial bait in catching largemouth bass. Striped bass is productive from fall through spring season during their active feeding periods. You may trap striped bass up to 60 pounds through heavy tackles in high flow fishing zones, utilizing rattletraps that mimic baitfish as lures. Tarpon fishing in Ochlockonee Bay is successful from mid-April to October, especially using live and dead bait in warm water temperature.

All About Fishing in Ochlockonee Bay, FL

Anglers are fond of visiting Ochlockonee Bay due to its enormous fishing opportunities for redfish, flounder, black drum, tarpon, spotted sea trout, bluegill, largemouth bass, and striped bass. In addition to its rich aquatic community, the terrestrial wildlife habitats neighboring Ochlockonee Bay are also diverse. Along the Ochlockonee Bay trail lies St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge. It consists of scattered beaches, islands, pine forests, depression marshes, and tidal creeks. These communities serve as habitats for different communities of plant and animal life. The wildlife forms thriving here include alligators, bald eagles, woodpeckers, pelicans, gulls, terns, ospreys, blue herons, egrets, and ducks. Ochlockonee Bay also houses invasive exotic plants – Chinese tallow tree, Japanese climbing fern, and cogongrass.

Ochlockonee Bay bass fishing is achievable either through baitcasting, spinning, or fly fishing. Note that bass is aggressive when trapped, striking your bait or lure as eager as it can. For bait and lures, you may want to use surface plugs, shiner minnows, plastic worms, spinnerbaits, and crankbaits. A golden shiner is said to be the premium live bait, as recommended by experienced anglers. Fished free-lined or under the float, you will want to use a medium to a medium-heavy rod with a 14- to 20- pound test line. If you prefer to catch a tarpon, you may execute fly fishing or bait fishing, beginning with a medium-heavy rod with a reel that can hold 150 yards of a 40-pound line. Tarpon anglers fasten the monofilament line to an 80- to a 100-pound leader with a loop knot-tied circle hook. Once you are at the fishing zone and located the tarpon, you may float your bait out about 30 to 40 yards, rod maintained in a rod holder, and wait. Try to stay calm when the tarpon eventually bites and hang on to your rod.