Capt. John Rivers
January 14, 2008
Pensacola - Saltwater Fishing Report
Cooler weather this week should help the Bull Redfish bite
Wow! What a change in the weather! Last week it’s 30 degrees, and this week it’s in the middle to upper 50’s, and even reaching the 60’s and now it’s going to cool again. The fish are just as confused as we are. The redfish bite has been a little slow this past week, as it’s been unseasonably warm for this time of year. We had a cold spell, but it didn’t last long enough. When the cold weather sticks around longer, the bait balls up and this makes the redfish easier to find. This week, it’s still going to be a little cooler with temps in the lower 60’s to middle 50’s, and this should help the redfish bite start to turn on. The speckled trout bite up in the rivers near the mouth of Escambia River and in some of the bayous has been very good. Throwing an Exude RT Slug in the Golden Bream color has put some nice specks in the box. The fish are running big, mostly in the 17 – 19” range.
We are still catching a lot of white trout on the 3-mile bridge, and even a few slot redfish. The two baits I’ve been catching these trout on are the 3” Berkley Gulp, in the Natural Shrimp color and the Berkley Gulp in the Root Beer Curly Tail Grub. These baits on a ¼ oz Jig head have proven to be the ticket to landing fish.
A few Sheepshead have been caught near the Garcon Point Bridge on live shrimp, and we’re still catching a few Mangrove Snapper on the rock jetties in Pensacola Pass. Hitting the water near 8am until about one in the afternoon is the perfect time to fish and not get too cold. Till next time, here’s wishing you bent rods and screaming drags. Capt. John
Come fish the panhandle with Capt. John Rivers on the Mega-Bite and enjoy some of the finest inshore - offshore and light tackle fishing the Florida Gulf Coast has to offer. Located on the Pensacola Beach - Perdido Key Florida border, this area has some of the best fishing along the Gulf Coast. While cruising from spot to spot in our 24 ft custom bay boat you will be riding in comfort and with my 250 hp Yamaha. It won't take long to arrive quickly and safely to our next honey hole.
