Panhandle Fishing Report - Pensacola Bay & Choctawhatchee Bay
Capt. Eddie Woodall
May 24, 2004
Pensacola - Saltwater Fishing Report
Fishing Report
5/24/04
Inshore What can I say, fishing is awesome in the spring and that’s what I’m looking for! The big Specks are here! The early morning bite is best using top water plugs like the Top Dog and Chug Bugs. I also don’t leave home without the ol’ weightless jerk bait, like the Saltwater Bass Assassin in the Electric Chicken and Pearl colors. Jumbo Shrimp will get the job done, also. Be sure and free line the shrimp though, the big Specks are a little shy of the popping cork rigs, especially due to the water clarity. It’s been a while since I’ve seen the water so clear in the Sound. Big schools of slot size Reds are making there way to the flats. They are eating the crabs that are all over the flats right now. Try using a gold spoon and the D.O.A. Shrimp in the new clear and pink and clear and chartreuse colors, they are eating them up. Also, I’m seeing quite a few singles running along the edge of the grass that lines the shore. Keep a big top water plug handy for when the schools of Jack Crevalle run the mullet up on the sand bars, you can get a long cast to them without trying to motor to close to them. Most of the Flounder are still in the Pass, try drifting a Shrimp on a jig head along the bottom and you will catch some real nice ones right now. Make sure you keep your bait on the bottom or all you will catch is catfish.
Near shore The weather has been just fabulous the last week or so and I’ve had a blast running out to some of the near shore reefs. We’ve been catching some real nice Spanish and Kings, along with a few Barracudas. The small Amberjacks have been really fun, too. Then when you hit the right hole you better hang on, last Sunday we got 4 AJ’s over 30 pounds to the boat and broke off 5 or 6 more! Man, let me tell you those guys will give you a hard pull!! Get your bait rods and sabiki rigs ready and hit the buoys on the way out to catch some cigar minnows - those AJ’s can’t resist them. Also, be prepared to see a Cobia hanging out around these same places. They’re mostly thru with their spring run and are headed back out to the deeper water. The Dolphin fish are also in - we caught one last Sunday that weighed in at just over 30 pounds, along with the peanut Dolphin that are just right for frying up for a Mahi sandwich.
So get your fishing gear and let’s go fishing!
Tight Lines and Screaming Drags till next time and God Bless.
Professional Fishing Guide
Capt. Eddie Woodall
Full Net Charters
www.fullnetcharters.com
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