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Panhandle Fishing Report - Pensacola Bay & Choctawhatchee Bay
Capt. Eddie Woodall
September 9, 2005
Pensacola - Saltwater Fishing Report
Finally a 30 day stretch without a Hurricane and then the BIG ONE; Katrina! Our prayers of relief to all the many, many people that have been affected by the storm go out each and every day, May Gods blessing for a rapid recovery be with you!
The fishing this past August was very good in the Gulf. I caught just about all the King Mackerel you could ask for. They were very dependable around Pensacola Pass and on all the Nearshore Reefs. Live bait always catches the big fish, drifting or bump trolling good lively Cigar Minnows did most of the catching and the bigger the bait the better. We were (before Katrina) still catching some nice Amberjack on the big relief reefs. It takes a good lively bait to get these fish to eat, a palm sized hardtail is by far the bait of choice but they will eat the jumbo Cigar Minnows too.
The Inshore fishing was very typical for the summer pattern. Early morning Speckled Trout bite on top water plugs, catching a lot of fish but very few keepers. The Red Fish were being caught around the shade of the docks after the sun gets bright. But before the sun you will catch them on the same top water plugs as the Specks. There are some reports of Flounder starting there migration but I have not witnessed it. The only Flounder I’m catching are in the deeper holes around the grass flats and docks. But I know it won’t be long before the Pass will be chocked full of fish and anglers alike.
I got to fish for the first time after Katrina on Friday the 2nd; we caught a lot of fish (Red Snapper and Grouper) but very few keepers. I just didn’t get to the right spot, had another trip on Saturday and BINGO, all the fish we caught were keepers. We caught a real nice limit of Red Snapper and Gag Grouper.
One thing that every boater needs to be aware of is the floating debris, it was hard to believe all the things that I saw floating in the current change about 7 miles out. There were logs of all shapes and sizes, I saw nearly the whole roof of a house, a refrigerator, couches, chairs and who knows what else. Be careful out there!
I went yesterday and took a look at the New Boat! Yes, a new boat is being birthed at the Blazer Boat Plant in Pensacola. It will be bearing the Full Net Charters name and will be ready for delivery next Wednesday the 14th. It’s the 2420 model with the F250 Yamaha four stroke engine. With all the goodies, 10” Bob’s flats Jack Plate, Lenco Trim Tabs; you name it I got it!
Just in time for the Fall Fishing bonanza, Big Specks, Big Bull Reds, Big Red Snapper, Big Grouper and who knows what else will be eager to yank you around the NEW boat.
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
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