More specks than you can count! Pensacola inshore fishing report
Capt. John Rivers
May 31, 2009
Pensacola - Saltwater Fishing Report
Well, the weather has definitely turned around for the better. Get out while the weather is good and head to the flats for some "speck-tacular" speckled trout fishing. This has to be the best year I've seen in for speckled trout in the last five years, and it's not just a lot of trout, but big trout.
We've had a lot of rain over the past 3 months and this week was no exception, but it's actually keeping the trout from heading back up in the upper bays and inlets. There have been reports of some fish heading back, but from what I'm catching a lot of fish have pushed onto the flats.
Since we've had so much rain, the water is much murkier than normal, but again it only seems to be helping the fishing. I like a little murkier water as I feel it helps camouflage your leader and helps your artificial bait blend in more, and the fish aren't so leader shy. When it's light out, make sure you're fishing something with a rattle and use a light mirror colored bait. If it's dark or overcast, switch over to darker bait. You'll be reeling ‘em in before they figure out your wily ways.
Enough of the trout already, let's talk about the redfish bite, which also has been very good. On a few of my last trips, I stopped over at a few of my favorite docks, and I'm telling you the fish were hungry. One dock held 12 good fish in the 22" range and yesterday, (May 26th), we boated 3 reds, and kept one. One red was 16", another was 27 ½" and one was a keeper at 22". We hooked one more, but it broke us off. I'll have to stop over on this dock on Saturday during my redfish tournament to see if any good slot fish are around.
Staying inshore, I'm also catching ladyfish, bluefish, with even a few Spanish mackerel mixed in.
With the speck & redfish bite going great, I've not really ventured out in the gulf to go after any Kings. The gulf has been a bit choppy for me, so I'll just keep catching specks and reds, until it decides to calm down. Of course, then I'll be hankering for some red snapper, just in time for the June 1st season to start.
I'll be on the water a bunch the next few weeks, so keep checking back for more reports.
Till next time, here's wishing you (and me)
Tight Lines.
Capt. John Rivers
Mega-Bite Inshore Charters
850-341-9816
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