Lady anglers on the Mega-Bite are showing the guys how it's done! The guys have certainly caught their fair share aboard the Mega-bite, but lately the women have been slaying 'em. The inshore trout bite here on the Panhandle has still been pretty good, nothing like it was in May, but we are still catching some quality fish. We finally got some much-needed rain and that really helped the inshore bite. The key to a successful trip is to start early and have the right baits. Just what are the right baits? I'll let in you in on a few of my secrets. My go to baits in the hot summer months are live pinfish, Bass Assassins Blurp 3" Shrimp (Electric Chicken), or Berkley's Gulp Alive 3" Shrimp (New Penny) under a popping cork. These are easy for the clients who have limited fishing skills and almost always provide some fun light tackle action. Now, when the popping cork just won't perform, and sometimes it won't, what do you do next?
I'll dip into my magic tackle box and pull out a few trusty lures. If you haven't used the new Mirr0dine 17MR, you need to go out and get a few. These things are proficient trout catching lures. I've put some good fish in the boat using these baits. I also like to use soft-body baits from time to time in the heat of the summer. Bass Assassin makes some great 5" Jerk Shads in a few colors that have put fish in the boat on a regular basis. I use Pearl White, Golden Bream, and Electric Chicken, just to name a few. Rigged with a 5/0 –6/0 Worm Hook this bait is deadly to trout!
So where am I catching these beautiful spotted creatures? I can't give away all my secrets, but I know that some of you see me out and know where a few my early morning spots are, like the Jet Ski flats. This spot has put a few trout on the end of the line, and every once in a while I'll get a nice fish out of there, but the good trout are spread out more now that's it June. Back in May, I was catching some big fish close to the boat ramp, which was great, since I didn't have to run far, but now I'm making 8 – 15 mile runs to get some quality trout in the box. Not that I mind, it's good to give the motor a workout. Generally, I'm catching my trout in 3ft – 6 ft of water depending upon what time of day it is and what the water clarity looks like.
So what's up with the red fish in our area? The Mega-Bite has had trouble finding quality reds the past few days. I've been out and hooked a few fish, but not with any kind of consistency. I think that heat wave we had a few days back hurt the red fishing, or maybe I'm getting rusty. Most of my fish are coming off a few honey holes around the docks. Most anglers that fish our waters on a regular basis know that Pensacola docks hold redfish, and if you hit enough docks you will probably get lucky and pull a few good fish off them. I've found that the evening bite has put more reds in the boat than the morning bite. Not sure why this is, but that's what has been working for me and a few of my other captain friends. Also in the evenings, the reds have been found cruising the flats busting up mullet schools.
I've hit my shark hole a few times this year, and the bite has been great just like it was last year. We've hooked a few big fish this year that we couldn't turn, but hey, that's what makes it fun! You can't have a fishing trip that doesn't include a story about "the one that got away." Plenty have gotten away, but that just means there's more fish to be caught another day.
I've also been out around the pass and offshore a few times this past week. The red snapper are still gobbling up the bait, and we've boated a few nice king mackerel, too. We're starting to get that usual late day rain shower, so be sure to watch the weather before going offshore.
June is coming to a close, and July is right on top of us. With Independence Day weekend and then the Blue Angels show coming up, be extra careful on the water. Show each other courtesy, and be willing to let some things slide. Just remember to start early, be patient and keep a positive attitude. I truly believe that if you get frustrated on the water you won't have a productive day. Lastly, watch the weather, it's going to get hot again this week with heat indexes over 105, so drink plenty of water, don't get hammered, and try to be off the water by noon if you can, and be safe.
Till the next adventure, here's wishing everyone
Tight Lines.
Capt. John Rivers
Mega-Bite Inshore Charters
850-341-9816
Mega-Bite Inshore Charters
Thanks to my sponsors:
Mann's Lures, Power-Pole, SPRO Fishing Tackle
Gamakatsu Hooks, Fenwick Rods, Pure Fishing - Berkley,Stren,Quantum
