Had the pleasure of being invited to Cobia fish aboard the HEBE out of Destin Sunday. She is a gorgeous 45′ G&S and was a blast to fish from. We had a slow day going 3-8 but it was a great time watching Dawna and Jenny smoke these fish!!!
Tag Archive: pensacola beach
Holy Fog batman!!! Can you say socked in?? Saturday I was booked by some of Dawnas’ childhood friends from Tampa, Paul and Scott Fritz. They were looking for a fun day of fishing and were really excited about a shot at a Cobia!! We left Shoreline Launch at around 0800 in near white out conditions. We decided to start out throwing topwaters early for trout and reds and let the fog burn off for a while.
Within a dozen casts we had boated Trout and Redfish, the fish seemed to be hanging tight to schools of mullet in about a 1 foot to 1 1/2 foot of water. Locate the mullet, locate the redfish. This was a really solid pattern that has been working for me all season. Shortly there after, the fog lifted slightly so we eased towards the North Rocks in the Pass. As expected we quickly began to throw Sheepies in the cooler. The spawn is close to over so the fish are running a bit smaller and biting a little less aggressively, but they are still biting none the less.
After the fog lifted we bolted into the Gulf and began a long slow day of Cobia fishing. We spotted one fish and it refused to eat our live Eel. This put a very somber note on what started out to be a banner day!! Thats the breaks though, if you swing for the fences you sometimes strike out! None the less a great day on the water with another great story to tell!
………………………..see you out there
Matt, Chickenbone, and I decided to brave the weather and see if we could find a fish out of the bay boat. We cleared the pass about noon and within a few minutes was 1 for 1 just east of the old Coast Guard Station. We fished for a few hours and ended up 4 for 5. Three of the fish were caught west of Pensacola Pier and we caught one between the pier and Portofino. Three of the fish were caught on eels and one a on croaker. We’re doing cobia charters on the 24′ boat with a tower if anyone is interested…
Captain Chris Phillips
I have been very fortunate the last few weeks to be able to take several soldiers fishing. Today was another one of those days. I was joined today by Mr. Scott Crider of Gulf Shores and SSG John Terry of the US Army. John is preparing for his sixth deployment to Afghanistan and all he wanted before deploying was to go out fishing and relax. I was honored to have the opportunity to take him.
We left Galvez launch at 7:30 and headed towards Pensacola Pass. We arrived to find a ton of boats already working the North Rocks. We weaved our way in amongst them and started battling the fish. We quickly boated sheepshead, the bite was kinda slow and the fish seemed a little picky but we stuck with em and managed a nice haul of fish.
On a serious note, I realized today the bravery and courage of these Men. SSG Terry was not wanting or expecting praise nor did he want recognition for his acts. He was a solid reminder to me that some Men are just born heroes and ALL of our service Men and Women deserve our support and most of all our RESPECT.
Thanks again to SSG Terry and to Scott Crider for taking this young man on a day of fishing before deployment!!
……… See you out there
check out my Facebook page @ http://www.facebook.com/pages/South-…s/300424618980
Capt. Brad King
South Again Charters
www.southagain.com
captbrad@southagain.com
850-316-0997
What a week!! I’m sure glad the wind and weather finally calmed down enough for me to be able to get back on the water! Today I was joined by Dan Coyle, Greg McMurtry and Andrew Grech. We decided to follow the predictable pattern of the spawning Sheepshead and load the cooler with some of these wonderful tasting fish. With a strong West wind predicted to blow through around noon we had to get on em and get on em fast.
We rocketed towards the North rocks and quickly started loading the box with solid 3-4lb fish. We couldn’t seem to locate the larger fish I have been catching in weeks past, but these were a quality grade of fish and a welcome guest aboard the South Again. After about two hours of catching we decided to try and land a few large Bull reds to add some color to our day. Unfortunately I struck out on the reds. We tried all the local hot spots in the Pass but just couldn’t seem to get away from the Sheepies.
Back to plan “A” we headed back to the North Rocks and went back to catching again. With our cooler stuffed and our arms tired I decided to hit one of my favorite Snapper spots in the Bay and try for something a little different. 1st drop all three rods double over and drags start screaming………………… up comes more sheepshead. With them in the cooler we turned her towards the East and slowly made our way back to the launch in a building West chop.
Another great day on the water!
……………………….See you out there
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
