Hello fellow anglers, friends and family, I'm looking for the inshore stuff to fire up real soon. I'm catching lots of Blue Fish, Skip Jack, Spanish and Sharks around Pensacola Pass and out on the beaches. Up in the bays, it's mostly Red Fish, Jack Cravelle and Spanish, most of the Speckled Trout are all still small. I've been catching some big Specks in the 3 to 5 pound class on big top water in a few different areas, (if I tell you where I'll have to kill you) but I will give you this, they are on sand in 3 to 5 foot of water and there is a lot of mullet around. These fish are spooky in the clear water with no cover, so a long cast is a must. This is where the braid lines come into play; I use 10 or 15 pound test main line and a short 10 to 12 inch piece of 30lb fluorocarbon leader. I add the leader to keep the lure from jumping on top of the braid line. Try this pattern early in the morning before the sun gets up very high, you'll have more success with big Specks.
For Red Fish & Flounder, fish around the docks in the middle of the day with a high tide to have your best chance catching these fish. Try the Berkley Gulp 3 inch shrimp on a jig head, but if you have a live shrimp or a small menhaden you can bet it will be lunch. There are a few schools of Bull Reds showing up; they're being caught in the deep water around Pensacola Pass and up in the bay. Your best bet there is fishing a thirty pound test outfit Carolina rigged; add a crab, live menhaden or pin fish, with just enough lead to hold it close to the bottom and hang on.
In the Gulf I'm still having a blast catching Red Snapper, Amberjack and just in the last few days I've caught some nice Grouper in Florida state waters. The only places I fish are public spots; there are some real good spot within 8 miles of Pensacola Pass that have a lot of fish on them. The biggest mistake that most anglers make is they use to big of tackle. In 75 foot of water you have to anchor up, let the spot quiet down and drop down good lively baits on light tackle. I use 30lb tackle and a 6 to 7 foot long 30lb fluorocarbon leader with a Gamakatsu 2/0 inline circle hook and the smallest weight that I can get by with. This will catch you a limit of nice Snapper every time!
Fishermen are an optimistic class, or they wouldn't be fishermen.
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. God Bless.
Professional Fishing Guide
Capt. Eddie Woodall
Full Net Fishing Charters L.L.C.