Monster drum and light tackle trout - Brought to you by SALTWATER FISHING ACADEMY!
This weekend's trips were fished on a neap tide. I'm not too fond of fishing a neap tide, but you go when your clients can go and you make the best of what Mother Nature gives you. The weather on Friday was perfect with calm waters, and Saturday was a little windier but we managed to hide and catch some quality fish.
I fished farther north up the bay to get some water movement from the river and it was a good call. I found lots of bait pods and mullet jumping. These areas were holding fish but getting them to bite was a different story. We tossed out top waters and got a lot of blowups, but few takers. I switched over to suspending twitch baits and jerk shads and it paid off. We didn't tear them up like we did last week, but on a neap tide, it's typically a little tougher.
Friday's trip was pretty good. I was hoping for bigger trout, but you can't always get the big ones to take artificials. We did manage some quality fish on Friday, which was nice. Thursday's trip was good too, just not a lot of big fish like last week. A lot of fish were 14" shorts or almost keepers. We did manage some in the 17 –18 inch range. We hooked up a few reds, and the big fish of the weekend was a mammoth Black Drum. I saw the wake of the fish as it slurped up a jerk shad and from a distance it looked like a redfish, but once it was hooked and got close to the boat I knew what it was.
Greg was so stoked that he was fighting the biggest fish of his life and I was so happy for him.
On both outings no fish were kept for dinner so we took a few pics and quickly released the fish unharmed.
What is Saltwater Fishing Academy?
Saltwater Fishing Academy is a new specialty fishing experience for local or visiting anglers to the Pensacola gulf coast. It's designed for both the experienced angler who wants to up his game or the novice angler who wants to improve his skills. I will teach you inshore fishing techniques for redfish, trout, pompano, Spanish, jacks, and much more. I will educate you on the correct artificial bait to use in different situations, and instruct the proper cast and retrieve with each type of lure.
I'm so excited about my new endeavor with Saltwater Fishing Academy.
The classroom is open for trips this fall, winter and spring.
What's the main difference between Saltwater Fishing Academy and a regular charter?
1. A regular charter is for families who just want to go out and catch fish and don't worry about learning how we do it. They are on vacation and just want to have a good time catching anything and have fun!
2. Saltwater Academy is more of a teaching style charter for anglers who want to up their fishing skills from freshwater to saltwater. It is for saltwater guys who want to learn more about inshore fishing. I will work with the angler to help improve his fishing skill in all aspects including casting, working baits, and how to properly land the fish. You will learn which lure to use and what areas to target. If you want hands on instruction about rigging baits, then we'll cover it. I've got 30+ years of fishing experience and nearly 10 years of guiding our area. I'll do my best to teach you what I know and help make you a better angler.
Thanks for stopping by.
Classes have started, and you don't want to be tardy, so give me a call, and we'll get you on board to start your education.
Have a good
