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Panhandle Fishing Report - Pensacola Bay & Choctawhatchee Bay
Capt. Eddie Woodall
April 7, 2005
Pensacola - Saltwater Fishing Report
Here we are in the mist of great fishing. The first Cobia was caught on 3/7/05 by Nick Servon aboard the Ellusive, a nice 38 pound fish. I cast to my first fish two days later on 3/9/05; she had lock jaw and would not take my offering. She looked to be in the mid 30 pound class. The next Cobia was caught off Pensacola Pier on 3/11/05; by Scott Bass it weighed in at 42 pounds.
These fish came in on the early Southeast water movement, and then we got a good taste of Mother Nature and her cold North winds. This cooled the water temperature down and stopped the sightings. The next Cobia wasn’t caught until the 18th, and it was a nice one a 64 pounder caught by Big Tony off Pensacola Pier. I got a report from a charter boat Captain yesterday that last Thursday he went 2 for 5 (landed 2 out of 5 fish cast on) this is only the beginning of what looks like a great season ahead of us.
The inshore fishing has steadily picked up; I’ve been doing real well on slot sized Reds, White Trout and Flounder, yesterday we caught a few Specks that were on the flats outside the canals in Santa Rosa Sound, East of Gulf Breeze.
On Sunday the 20th I found a school of Bull Reds crushing bait on the beach in front of Pensacola Light House, we managed to pull 4 nice fish out of the school before they backed off into deeper water. So the chances of catching a nice Bull Red are still a possibility. I saw a couple nice schools of Jack Crevalle on the beach the last time I was able to get out. They looked to be in the 20 pound class. I didn’t get a cast to them as we were looking for schools of slot sized Reds and only had 8 pound spinning outfits rigged with baits, no contest for the mighty Jack.
The Sheephead are now in Pensacola Pass in big numbers, I have not caught any of the big 10 pound fish yet, but I know they are there. This is a great trip for young anglers, its easy fishing and pretty much nonstop action. It’s not uncommon for me to use up 10 dozen shrimp in a half day charter. Now that’s a lot of fishing going on there.
There are a few reports of some decent Pompano being caught along the beaches, I haven’t got to fish for them yet but it won’t be long before I’ll be having grilled Pompano for supper. The sand fleas are starting to be easier to catch and with them being their main diet, the Pompano will be looking for an easy meal.
The Offshore fishing is doing real well; Grouper and Amber Jack are the 2 main fish coming back to the docks. Lots of Red Snapper are being caught but only to be released back to their deep water haunts as its still several weeks before the season opens for harvesting this fine fish. The early spring King Mackerel are showing up already as there have been several nice fish in the 40 to 50 pound range caught in the last few days. And for the Spanish mackerel they should be here within a couple of weeks.
Now it won’t be long till I’m booked for weeks in advance. So if you’re making your vacation plans don’t forget to give me a call and schedule yourself a day of fishing in this great place I call home the Emerald Coast on the Panhandle of Florida.
I know one thing for sure - You ain’t going to catch’em sittin’ on the couch!!
So get out there, and take a kid fishing.
Tight Lines and Screaming Drags, Till Next Time! God Bless.
Professional Fishing Guide
Capt. Eddie Woodall
Full Net Charters
www.fullnetcharters.com
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