Fishing along the gulf coast has been hard to do the past two weeks because of colder than usual temperatures, wind, and rain. Before the bad weather, however, the fishing was outstanding for many different species. Just a few weeks ago, I was catching all the bull redfish we wanted in Pensacola Bay during the late afternoon trips. White trout was and is still being caught along 3-mile bridge along with some slot redfish. As winter settles in and the water gets colder, speckled trout have moved off the ICW flats and Pensacola Bay to the upper bays and bayous of Escambia Bay & Blackwater Bay. If you like fishing during the winter months and like targeting specks and reds, then both Escambia and Blackwater Bay waterways are for you. It's a different type of fishing, especially with its muddy bottom areas and very shallow flats and deep-water outlets near the openings of the rivers. When fishing these areas most people along with myself use artificials when targeting the specks and reds.
Even though saltwater is my new love; I guess I'm still an old bass fisherman at heart.
I never get tired of tricking fish into biting on artificials, and love trying out plastic alternatives to live bait.
Here are a few of my go to baits when targeting specks and reds in the winter in the upper bay systems.
When fishing these areas, I tend to favor both Berkley Gulp Baits and Bass Assassin Blurp's. I like both baits for different types of fishing. If I'm pitching a jerk shad I like the Bass Assassin's Chicken on a Chain 5" Saltwater shad rigged with a Gamakatsu 5/0 – 6/0 worm hook and an 1/8 – 1/16 oz bullet weight. This setup has definitely put some nice fish on the end of my line. If I'm slow bouncing a jig off the bottom, then it's Berkley's Saltwater Gulp 3" or 4" shrimp on a Ľoz Bass Assassin jig head. I like the Bass Assassin jig head for its three ribbed areas on its neck to hold the bait in place so it doesn't slide down the shank of the hook. I've used many jigs and this jig has a very sharp hook and it's extremely strong and durable.
There are a few colors I like of the Berkley Gulp Shrimp; they are the Pearl and Nuclear Chicken and, of course, the New Penny Shrimp. Another very productive bait in the winter in Escambia and Blackwater Bay is a spoon. I like Mann's spoon; its weight is perfect and the design is flawless, and it has an extra sharp hook that makes sure when you get the bite, it sticks. So this Christmas ask Santa for a few of these and I can guarantee that you'll be having some fun light tackle winter / early spring action.
Here's wishing everyone a Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year.
Tight Lines.
Capt. John Rivers
Mega-Bite Inshore Charters
850-341-9816
