Fall has arrive and the bite is great!
Capt. John Rivers
October 14, 2008
Pensacola - Saltwater Fishing Report
Fall has arrived, although with the wind blowing like it has been, you'd think it was March. On the calmer days, the weather has been just perfect for getting out on the water and going fishing. Last weekend, I headed out to Blackwater with my wife and spent the afternoon doing a little sight fishing for reds to see how we'd fare. My wife said it was similar to fishing back in Indiana and Kentucky, where we both grew up and went to school. I grew up bass fishing for years and even participated in some tournaments back then. The only real difference in Blackwater and back home was that I was sight fishing for reds along with some a lot of blind casting for reds and specks. That, and my "johnboat" is a lot bigger.
We started out on the water pretty early, especially for her, around 6 a.m., and although there was a little chill in the air, the forecast promised warmer weather as the morning progressed. The wind was supposed to kick up later that morning, so we wanted to be off the water before noon. We managed to hook a few reds and also lose a few. I landed 2 reds, with one measuring around 19"and a nice 26" red weighing around 6+lbs that I would have been proud to pull out at any tournament.
My wife caught a few specks, we both missed a couple of reds that we shouldn't have missed, but we enjoyed the day regardless. I wanted to head back to Blackwater this Sunday, but with 15 – 20 knot winds, we decided to sleep in.
Fishing the sound and Pensacola Bay
This past week the fishing has been very good despite the wind, with nice big Spanish hitting the deck and some slot reds. Mixed in with the Spanish are some big Skipjacks and Bluefish. Fall is one of my favorite times to fish, since the temperatures are more bearable, and the waters aren't as crowded. Most of the Spanish have been hitting Mann's little Georges slow-trolled on trout rods with 20lb braid and 50lb mono leader. Here's a great picture of a monster 26-½ inch Spanish mackerel.
As a matter of fact, when I first saw the fish I thought it was a small king. When it comes to catching the reds, the trick is to be very close to the bridge next to the pilings; that's where this nice 25" red hit a ½ oz jig head with a 3" New Penny Shrimp Gulp.
I have a few friends that have been fishing a few of the bridges in the afternoon and at night, and they tell me you don't need to be right up on the bridge, that drifting out a fresh cut mullet or menhaden usually does the trick, as will a medium live shrimp or even a gulp.
As you can tell, Pensacola in the fall is a great time to hit the water. Don't forget about the annual fall redfish run that's getting closer everyday. Starting around November 1st, hundreds of big reds will invade the panhandle, and you better be ready! I know I will be ready and raring to get out there with rod and reel in hand and a trusty Spro jig tied on. Those big reds won't know what hit them.
See you on the water.
Tight Lines.
Capt. John Rivers
Mega-Bite Inshore Charters
850-341-9816
Mega-Bite Inshore Charters
Thanks to my sponsors:
Mann's Lures, SPRO Fishing Tackle
Gamakatsu Hooks, Pure Fishing - Berkley
ABU Garcia, Shakespeare
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