Redfish & Red Snapper - Pensacola Inshore Fishing Report
Capt. John Rivers
June 4, 2012
Pensacola - Saltwater Fishing Report
I've caught hundreds of redfish over the years, and there is almost no sound I like more than the sound of a screaming drag when I've hooked into a red! What is almost as great as hearing that sound, is feeling the power of these awesome fish, and it is great to see my clients' faces when they hook into one.
Kevin and Brianne are showing off Brianne's monster redfish
Many of my clients are bass fishermen (and women) and they are used to hooking up and yanking the fish to the boat as quick as possible. I tell them to play these big reds, take their time, and enjoy the fight. I get a kick out of watching them hook up for the first time and hear them moan and groan because they've hooked up with a monster redfish. I've said, "Come on; it's just a fish." And they grin and then go right back to moaning and reeling. Of course, as soon as they land that big bull, they can't wait to get back to it, and that just means more moaning and groaning.
May 2012 was great for both inshore specks on the flats and MONSTER redfish in the pass. As a professional guide, I feel it's important to know both styles of fishing – whether using artificials or mastering live bait presentation.
Our fishery is so diverse that live bait can play a very important part to ensure my clients have a productive trip every outing. When a client calls to book a trip, I always ask what style of fishing they would like to do and if they want to toss artificials all day, I get my arsenal ready. I've got a variety of artificials that work for both reds and trout alike.
On half-day trips, we'll fish the flats for trout and reds or we'll drop live baitfish in the bay and pass for monster redfish and some snappers. Snapper season opens up June 1st and lasts just 40 days, (check with myfwc.com for regulations). While fishing the bay / pass, we often catch red snapper, and if the season is closed I take a few pics and release the fish, but of course, if the season is open, it's the ice chest for him.
If I have full day trips, we'll fish both flats with artificial lures and then hit the bay/pass with live baits for some more rod bending action.
June started out awesome; lots of big redfish in the pass and some nice snapper in the bay. I didn't head offshore because there was no need to. It saves time and money for my clients and lets them fish longer than if we took a long boat ride out into the gulf.
I'll be back at it next week both inshore on the flats for trout and a few times in the bay for snappers and redfish.
Summer is in full swing and if you like bowing up and hearing your drag sing, give me a shout and we'll get you out.
Thanks for stopping by.
Till the next adventure.
Capt. John
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