This trip I guided Tom, his girlfriend, Kimberly and RJ. We basically repeated the pattern from the day before. The only difference in todays trip was we had to release 3 keeper gags! Now that’s heartbreaking! All fish were caught deep dropping on a bunch of bay numbers I have. The bite seemed to really turn on when the tide turned. They stayed hooked up all afternoon…We boated 10 big sheeps, 3 keeper gags, 3 redfish, 20 snapper, a big black drum, and a legal scamp! Rj got a 27″ and a 24″ red! Way to go! All fish were caught on live pinfish and shrimp. I had them rigged with 30lb Power Pro, 25lb floro leader, with a #2 Eagle Claw hook. Great job guys!
Weather is warming and I have seen a drastic change in the fishing over the last 3 days. The bite went from very poor to great in a matter of one day. The last 3 days we have caught 7 or 8 species of very good eating fish. Most all the fish in March are caught close to structure in deep water so make sure you bring your bottom machine. March can be one of the best times of year to fish Pensacola bay. The sheepshead move in, the Pompano bite picks up and lots of slot reds are being caught. The Fort Pickens and Fort Mcrea jetties are a great place to anchor up and have consistant action. It is much better to fish these areas mid week. If you try and go on the weekend then you will be fighting a bunch of boat traffic. However, if you can get a good spot off the end of one of the jetties chances are you will fill your coolers with tasty sheepshead, Pompano, and Black Snapper!
Another great way to target fish in March is ride the beaches. March brings the migration of Pompano, and Cobia along the panhandle. If you pick a sunny day and ride the first sandbar looking in all of the washouts, chances are very good that you will see a number of Pompano and Redfish. This is a very good way to target spring time fish! I rig my Cabo 30s with 10lb suffix braid for maximum casting distance. You want to be able to make the longest possible cast before the fish spots you. Once the fish spots the boat it is too late. I rig with either a 12 to 15lb flourocarbon leader when pompano fishing. Sometime they can be leader shy. If you are not familiar with them then stop by Hot Spots bait and tackle and pick you up a few Conors pompano jigs. I prefer pink myself…I would also suggest tipping your jig with a small sandflea. That way you will be certain the fish bites. This set up will be fine for a redfish as well! Last but not least….don’t forget to have a cobia jig handy. They migrate during the spring and you don’t want to miss an opportunity if you spot one. Good luck anglers….
Captain Brant Peacher
www.fishtheemeraldcoast.com
Saturday February 27th
Time 12:30pm-1:30pm Subject: Cobia Fishing
Guest Speakers: Captain Ben Fairey, Captain Myles Colley, and Captain Chad Linkous along with Bob Sharp will show you the tricks of the trade for landing that Cobia of a lifetime..
Time 1:35pm –2:35pm Subject: Offshore Fishing Chunking, and Natural Bait Rigging
Guest Speakers: Captain Myles Colley and Captain Chad Linkous will show you their secrets of offshore fishing, chunking for tuna, and the proper ways to rig lures and natural baits including; Balao, Mullet, and Spanish.
Time 2:40pm – 3:40pm Subject: Bait Catching and Cast Net Throwing
We will show you the most effective way to catch your own live bait and the proper use of a cast net.
Time 3:45pm-4:45pm Subject: Marine Electronics
Guest speakers from George’s Marine Electronics will tell you all about today’s electronics. They will instruct you on the proper operation of your equipment. Don’t miss it.
Time 4:50pm Subject: King fishing and live bait slow trolling.
Guest Speakers: Dan Abshire, and Rhonda Abshire will show you their secret techniques on how to be a successful King fisherman and tournament contender.
Sunday February 28th
Time 11:00am-12:00pm Subject: Propeller maintenance and tuning.
Guest Speakers: The crew of Accuprop will discuss the advantages of proper propeller maintenance and tuning. This information can lead to better speed and efficiency from your boat.
Time 12:30pm-1:30pm Subject: Shimano Butterfly Jigging System
Guest Speaker: Captain Chad Linkous and Captain Jason Woodham from Destin and also a Shimano Pro Staffer will instruct you in the proper methods of using the world’s best deep jigs. These lures are known to produce more fish than live bait if they are used properly. Don’t miss this valuable information
Time 2:00pm-3:00pm Subject: Bottom Fishing / Deep Droping
Guest Speakers: Gene and Tim Klein from Team Recess along with Bob Sharp will show you their tricks to locating and catching bigger Snapper, Amberjack and Grouper.
Time 3:30pm-4:30pm Subject: Pompano/Surf Fishing
Guest Speakers: Donnie Rozier and Captain Wes Rozier, local experts with over 40 years experience; will show you the proven techniques in locating and catching your favorite surf species.
Time 5:00pm Subject: Inshore Fishing Secrets
Guest Speakers: Donnie Rozier and Captain Wes Rozier, local experts with over 40 years experience; will show you their proven techniques in locating and catching those hard to catch inshore species including Trout, Redfish, Drum, Grouper, Flounder, and many others. Don’t miss it!!!
Seminars will be held at:
Outcast Fishing and Hunting
3520 Barrancas Ave.
Pensacola, Florida 32507
Go check it out! -Captain Chris Phillips
As all kayakers know, the one thing feared most is flipping. When this happens, you want all your gear strapped to the boat. Don’t find yourself swimming to the bottom in search of that reel….put a leash on it.
You can now buy most of your kayak gear from Hot Spots. They have leashes, floats, fasteners, rod holders, and much more. Come check it out!
Chris Dunn
Leash
Float
For anyone with a kayak, I would strongly recommend buying yourself a stickit anchor pin. Fishing on the flats is a whole lot easier if you have one. Deployment is easy. Just slam it into the ground and you’re stuck. No mess or hassle. Don’t burden yourself with ropes and pulleys. Keep it simple.
Use it off your bow
Use it off the stern
Chris Dunn
Anglers have been tipping thier jigs for many years while pompano fishing. Ordinarily people use fresh peeled shrimp or small sandfleas as tippers, but not too long ago Berkley took jig tipping to a new level. They released a Gulp! Sand Flea which will stay on the hook for hundreds of cast. It’s comes in a bunch of different colors and is made in a 1/2 inch and 1 inch, the 1/2 inch size fits in a pompano’s mouth just right!
