Pensacola, Navarre, Perdido Key, Inshore Fishing Report
Capt. John Rivers
May 2, 2009
Pensacola - Saltwater Fishing Report
Some crazy weather in March and April made for some tough fishing conditions. March ended with 27" of rain and April followed up with 20+ knots winds for several weeks. Of course, true fishermen are like the mailman; he will deliver the mail in rain, sleet, or snow, and we'll fish as long as we're breathing.
The fishing was very good the first two weeks of March for Sheepshead, but it soon ended with all the muddy water that was pouring out of the rivers. We did manage to enjoy a few good days of fishing from time to time at the end of March and the beginning of April. With the abundance of fresh water, a lot of fish were pushed out sooner than usual, but next season's sheepshead run will be off the hook. This April was fair as far as sheepshead go; but nothing could rival this April's redfish run. Redfish can handle more brackish water than a lot of fish; so all the rain didn't affect the redfish bite much. When the wind wasn't wailing, which wasn't very often, I managed to get the boat out and hook up a few fish. I had Spring Fever, and took every opportunity to get my fish on.
The water clarity is slowly starting to look a little better, and today's trip (May 2nd) was decent, with 6 trout on the flats including two keepers, and we even had a fat one spit the hook. FYI, I was throwing top-water plugs,(top dog jr) one in orange and one in purple. I had live shrimp, but my guys wanted to fish artificials, so I saved the shrimp for the pass and the jetties.
I headed to the pass and the water is still murky, but not as bad as it was two weeks ago when it really could have passed for the chocolate river on Willie Wonka. We're still catching the little catfish, but not as many as last week, thank goodness. The Redfish bite has been pretty good for the bulls in the pass while drifting live shrimp on a Carolina rig. My tackle for drifting for the reds is my new Quantum Boca 30's spooled with Berkley big game 20lb braid. I've matched those with the Boca rod 7Ft, MH 12 – 20lb, and 20 lb mono fluorocarbon leader and a #1/0 Gamakatsu kale or circle hook. My other set up is the same rod and reel combo, but I'm using a 2oz jighead rigged with a Berkley Gulp 4" shrimp. These sets ups will positively put some big reds in the boat; but it can be a waiting game, but well worth the wait.
I've not been out Cobia fishing at all this season, which I am bummed about. I really wanted to get up into the sight tower and spot me a big ling, but with all the rain, muddy water, and running a few trips, it's been put on hold. I have heard that the Pompano bite has been particularly good near the old coast guard station, however you have to have the right conditions so you can see the fish. There has also been a few schools of Jacks cruising down the sand bars, so I can't wait to get out and hook a few of these guys for my clients. We'll see how the Quantum drags really hold up to a 25lb Jack; I've heard that Quantum's Cabo and Boca drags are the best around, and I can't wait to test that claim.
Summer is almost here, (my a/c bill proves it already), so dust off your tackle, load your favorite top water plugs, get out and hit the flats for some early morning top water action.
See you on the water.
Tight Lines.
Capt. John Rivers
Mega-Bite Inshore Charters
850-341-9816
Thanks to my sponsors:
Mann's Lures, Power-Pole, SPRO Fishing Tackle
Gamakatsu Hooks, Fenwick Rods, Pure Fishing - Berkley,Stren,Quantum
More Fishing Reports:
