The big story this week is not the election; it is that the fall redfish run has begun! Okay, so maybe Tuesday was a big deal politically, but while history was being made at the polls, I had one of my best fishing trips in history for redfish. Tuesday evening, I was actually out on the water with a couple of buddies from Indiana. We got into a thick school or maybe it was schools of redfish, and we had to finally call it a night, because our arms were spaghetti from reeling in monster reds! I've been on the water the past 3 nights straight and the bite has been red hot for reds. I've not been able to get out in the gulf due to higher than normal seas, and I've taken my clients out right after dusk, because the weather has been better in the evenings, and so has the bite. We have been catching reds in the pass, the bay, and at a few of the local bridges. To catch them, we use a variety of rigs. Baits consist of an 1/8 oz – 1/4oz jighead with just about any style of Berkley Gulp. It seems that the swimming mullet in white yields a few more white trout and the 4" shrimp will get the redfish bite. I just started using the Cabo PT Inshore Series (#CBIS 703 MA) rod and the PT Cabo 30 – 40 spinning reel, and it is one of the finest combinations of rod and reels I've used for light tackle applications.
The white trout bite has also been very good. Most of the trout have been caught day or night on the bridges. Cut strips of bait work great along with most any type of Berkley Gulp on a jighead. I haven't been up on the flats the past few days, but I've gotten reports of some redfish being caught. Most of the fish are in the lower end slot (18-22 inches). There are some in the upper slot; you just have to pick through the smaller ones. The water clarity in Escambia Bay and Blackwater is very clear, so stealth is the key when targeting these tailing fish.
In the ICW, they are still catching a good bit of speckled trout, and on the docks, there are a few slot reds. As the water cools, the trout will start to move to deeper holes and to the mouths of the rivers. The flounder run has also gotten off to a decent start along the panhandle. Most of the flounder are being gigged, but you can still catch them on rod and reel in the pass and along the beaches. Using a live bull minnow or shrimp on a Carolina rig has proven to work very well for fetching a flattie.
As you can see, the fishing community of Pensacola is very active this fall. If you're heading my way, give me a ring, and we'll get you hooked up on the Mega-Bite.
All fish were released to fight another day.
Tight Lines.
Capt. John Rivers
Mega-Bite Inshore Charters
850-341-9816
Mega-Bite Inshore Charters
Thanks to my sponsors:
Mann's Lures, SPRO Fishing Tackle
Gamakatsu Hooks, Pure Fishing - Berkley
ABU Garcia, Quantum
