Quick Cast:
 Area Reports
 Find-a-Guide
 Forums
 Tides

Departments:
 Articles
 Books
 Clubs & Orgs.
 Fishing Reports
 Feedback
 Forums
 Fly Fishing
 Guides & Charters
 Links
 Photo Gallery
 Reef Locator
 Regulations
 Software
 Survey
 Tournaments
 Travel
 Weather
 Home

Administration:
 About Us
 Advertising
 Contact
 Privacy
 Terms of Use
 Web Development

Destin, Navarre, Pensacola Florida inshore fishing report

Capt. Eddie Woodall
July 28, 2011
Pensacola - Saltwater Fishing Report

July is coming to a close and it's hard to think that the summer is winding down already. School starts back soon and the crowds of tourist will start to lessen. It in a way is good to see but on the other hand it will be a close to another chapter in the life of a fishing guide on the Florida Panhandle.

Click to Enlarge Photo

Click to Enlarge Photo


There are a lot of people; anglers, charter boat captains, recreational fishermen, fishing guides and commercial fishermen that are really upset with all the new conservation measures that are being applied to the fishing industry lately. I have a firsthand view as to the results of what will happen when the Marine Resources division constructs artificial reefs and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission apply regulations. Just a few short years ago we were doing all we could to catch a limit of Red Snapper in the sixteen to eighteen inch size range and we really had to work for them. This past season even though it was the shortest season for Red Snapper to date we had a banner catch with our average fish being twenty-four inches (that fish will weigh eight pounds all day long). And we caught a bunch of fish that went well over that. All the fish that were caught and released were released with lots of care, our survival rate was very high. And you would think that you would catch a lot of undersize fish, well that's just not the case. With lots of practice and many days on the water catching and learning their habits, I've developed a system that has been proved over and over again. Some days are easy and some you have to work very hard to make it happen. All in all my hats off to the people that have worked hard to make and keep our fishery at the level that is today. And by the way I'm not just talking about the Red Snapper, there are more Red Fish here now than I've ever seen, more and bigger Spanish mackerel than you can shake a stick at, a Speckled Trout population that is as good as it gets in the panhandle and I could go on and on but I think you get the point CONSERVATION works! Thanks to all those who have made it happen!

Click to Enlarge Photo

Click to Enlarge Photo


August best bets are the pelagic fish, keep your reels drag well-tuned because you'll need it. There are lots and will be even more Spanish and King Mackerel showing up close to the passes over the next month. You'll find the schooling Spanish on the beaches and in the bays, look for the birds over the schooling fish and cast gold and silver spoons into them. This is where the high speed reels come in handy. These fish like that lure moving fast, let's put it this way you can't reel it fast enough! Out in the Gulf around the sea buoys and near shore reefs is where you'll find the big Spanish and Kings. I'll use a sabiki rig and catch up a couple of dozen good lively baits and set up a drift (if the wind and currents are right) or slow troll the baits in the general vicinity of the bait schools. I'll also keep a couple of shallow diving stick baits rigged and at the ready, if the bite is slow I'll put out the lure and slow troll it in front of the live baits, sometimes it will get hit more than the live baits and it'll also act as an attractor to your spread of live baits.

Click to Enlarge Photo


I've already seen several schools of Bull Red Fish moving in from the deep water as they are preparing their selves for the annual fall spawn that'll start to happen in September and go until November. This means we'll start seeing more and more fish around the deep structure in the passes and bays. Keep a look out as you come in from the Gulf and you'll start to see schools of the Bronze Beauties as they make their way into the bays.

The slot Red Fish and Speckled Trout bite on the flats has been slow, the water is just too hot. Wait till night fall and fish the dock lights and you'll find success at catching your Specks. Hit the deepest docks in the sound and work real slow to catch your Red Fish. They are there – just real tight to the cover.

Remember that the best fall fishing is the last two weeks of October and the first two weeks on November, my calendar is starting to fill up already, be sure and give me a call well in advance to schedule you a day or two fishing here on the Emerald Coast of Florida.

Remember; fishing isn't always about catching! (But it helps)

Thanks for reading my reports and have a blessed day.
Capt. Eddie

More Fishing Reports:

 

From Destin to Perdido Key Florida, this area has some of the best fishing along the Gulf Coast and its only a short drive from Orange Beach and Gulf Shores Alabama. While cruising from spot to spot in my 24 ft. Blazer Bay Boat you will be riding in comfort and style and with the 250 hp Yamaha four stroke, it won't take long to arrive safely at our next honey hole. Come along with Capt. Eddie he will work hard to provide a trip that will be full of memories that you won’t soon forget. God Bless

Contact Info:

Full Net Fishing Charters
2098 Indigo Dr
Navarre, FL 32566
Phone: 850-936-8203
Alt. Phone: 850-565-0593
Email the Captain
Visit his Web Site
Browse Photo Gallery
Display Find-a-Guide Listing


Copyright © 1997-2024, CyberAngler - All Rights Reserved
Privacy Policy :: Terms of Use
For Questions and comments please use our Feedback Form
Back to the Top