Here are a few pictures from some of my recent trips. Today was really cool. We caught sheepsheads first and then decided to go look around in the gulf since it was so nice. We went 2 for 3 on cobia from my bay boat with no tower! One was small and we released the little guy unharmed, one was 40-45 lbs but I couldn’t get him to eat, and the one we kept was about 30 lbs.
Capt Matt Mcleod
850-418-5333 matt@hotspotstackle.com
Here are a few pictures from my charter on Saturday the third. We had a great time with some nice sheepsheads and some bull reds. The reds were on fire for a while, we couldn’t get a bait past them to the sheepsheads! But that was a good problem to have. All fish caught on live shrimp.
Capt. Matt Mcleod
I had the pleasure of taking Denis, a return customer of mine, and some of his family and friends on a fishing trip yesterday. The weather was nice, still a little cold when the clouds were out, but getting better! The fish bit pretty well, it was hit and miss throughout the morning but in the early afternoon we got on them hot! Total for the day was 15 nice sheepsheads, 3 pompano, and 1 redfish.
Mitchell with a nice sheepshead
A group shot with a few of our fish
Dan caught this nice keeper gag grouper but the season is closed until next month so back he went.
Capt Matt Mcleod
850-418-5333
Inshore
Sheepshead can be caught around jetties and bridge pilings with ease right now. However it’s been a little tougher so far this year so don’t expect to fill the cooler up like you may have in past years.
The white trout fishing around the Pensacola Bay Bridge has been pretty good. You might not catch as many fish as you often do, although the size will likely surprise you.
Redfish stories have varied from one angler to another. There have been some fish scattered along the docks on the north side of Santa Rosa Sound for those looking for slot size fish. Meanwhile bulls are being caught along the beach and around Pensacola Pass.
Offshore
If you’re looking for fun there is plenty to be had bottom fishing right now. Just be prepared to practice a lot of catch and release considering red snapper and gag grouper seasons are both currently closed. You should be able to hit some of the big wrecks like the Oriskany or Avocet and find keeper size amberjacks.
You shouldn’t have any trouble finding blackfin tuna at the floating rigs, but the yellowfins reports haven’t been very good unless you’re willing to travel to the rigs south of the Mississippi River.
Piers & Beaches
It seems like surf fishing is improving every day, but it’s still not up to par considering it’s the third week of March. The water temperature is rising quickly so if the weather cooperates this could be the breakout weekend.
Fishing has been slow recently on the Pensacola Beach Gulf Fishing Pier, but any given day the pompano and cobia will start making an appearance.
Freshwater
A consensus of several reports is that the bass fishing is improving in a hurry for those looking for action on the rivers. With a little cooperation from the weather the beds will be heating up.
Captain Chris Phillips
With the warm spring weather on the brink and everyone getting the itch to hit the water now’s a good time to check and make sure your fishing license is current. Last August the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) implemented the shoreline saltwater fishing license, which anglers who fish from shore or a structure affixed to shore must buy.
Who needs a license?
Resident licenses can be purchased by any person who has resided in Florida for 6 continuous months prior to the issuance of a license and who claims Florida as his/her primary residence or any member of the United States Armed Forces who is stationed in Florida (includes spouse and dependent children residing in the household).
You do not need a hunting, freshwater fishing, or saltwater fishing license if you are a child under 16 years of age, you are a Florida resident age 65 or older possessing proof of age and residency, you are a Florida resident certified as totally and permanently disabled and you possess a Florida Resident Disabled Person Hunting and Fishing Certificate, or you are a resident who is a member of the Armed Forces of the United States, you are not stationed in this state, and you are home on leave for 30 days or less, upon submission of orders.
Buying a License
Fishing and hunting licenses can be purchased from the tax collectors office for the amount shown or from a license vendor such as tackle stores for the license cost plus an issuance fee.
They can be purchased over the phone by calling 888-HUNT-FLORIDA (486-8356) or 888-FISH-FLORIDA (347-4356). A $3.25 + 2.5% surcharge of total sale per person will be added to your purchase.
If you would like to buy one online you can follow the links at myfwc.com. A $2.25 + 2.5% surcharge of total sale per person will be added to your purchase.
Where to fish without a license?
The only places you can fish in Florida without a fishing license are on piers or charter boats that possess a license that covers everyone. Several good places for land locked anglers in Pensacola that provide a license are the Pensacola Bay Fishing Bridge, Pensacola Beach Gulf Fishing Pier, and Fort Pickens Pier.
Cost of License
Annual Saltwater Fishing
1-year $17.00
5-year $79.00
Nonresident Saltwater
Annual $47.00
3-Day $17.00
7-Day $30.00
Saltwater Shoreline
$9.00
Annual Freshwater Fishing
1-year $17.00
5-year $79.00
Nonresident Freshwater
1-year $47.00
3-Day $17.00
7-Day $30.00
Saltwater/Freshwater Combo
1-year $32.50
Saltwater/Freshwater/Hunting Combo
1-year $48.00
- Captain Chris Phillips
American Rodsmiths is a fishing rod manufacturer based out of Huston, Texas. The company has been around for a long time building fresh and salt water rods that have been very popular in many parts of the country including Texas and Louisiana. They have come out with a new innovative idea that has changed the way people look at rod grips. They have put Winn golf grips on two models of their rods.
We got to try these out on a trip to Louisiana to look for some redfish this winter and we were VERY impressed. The other characteristics of the rods are right on also. They have many combinations of weight, action, lengths, and tip taper so that you can find the rod that is just right for you. Find a local American Rodsmiths dealer to check them out. If you are in the Pensacola area come check them out at Hot Spots Bait and Tackle.
Capt. Matt Mcleod
www.hotspotstackle.com
www.hotspotscharters.com
850-418-5333
