The past few mornings just as the sun was rising over the horizon, the Mega-Bite was on the flats with new clients in search of big gator trout. Although we found quite a few trout, they were not as big as I would have liked that day, but we did catch a lot. We caught a few fish on artificials, but we found the bite was actually better with live pinfish under a popping cork.
I really like it when we fool the fish into hitting artificials, but when I've got kids on the boat that may not quite have the skills that a more seasoned angler has; then live bait is the ticket. It's not always about catching that trophy fish, but it's about making sure my clients have fun and enjoy their fishing adventure. When the child says to their parent, "I caught 20 fish," they are not thinking about the size of the fish. The excitement is that they got to feel the pull of several fish on the end of their line, and that they could not keep count on how many were caught. Mom and Dad don't mind that they have been "outfished" by their youngun, because those smiles are memories that outweigh any trophy fish!
I've been catching good trout in both upper Escambia and Blackwater Bay and I've been down on the sound hitting the flats for trout and reds. Both areas are holding fish, but I've seen a few better fish in the upper bay systems. We've gotten some rain the past few days, which is great, but we need a little more to push those bigger trout down onto the flats of the sound.
When I'm not out catching the trout, I've been out in the gulf catching a few kings. We don't have to venture too far off the beach to catch these fun fighting fish.
And lastly, I've been in the pass catching a few slot and oversized redfish on both live and artificial baits.
It's been a hot start to June with temperatures well into the 100's some days, but the fishing has been outstanding both inshore and nearshore.
I'll be out a lot over the next few weeks hitting the flats, gulf, and the pass for whatever my clients want to hook up.
Check back for more fishing a dventures on the Mega-Bite.
Tight Lines…
Capt. John
850-341-9816
