Well, the 2009 Redfish Cup season had come to a close. After starting the year in fine fashion, placing 16th and receiving a nice check in Punta Gorda, we started an uncharacteristic free-fall. Kemah was a big disappointment(should have fished the jetties, obviously, and entered the “fishing lotto”, and Chalmette still haunts us today. At the regular season ending event in Biloxi, we took a whole new approach. We prefished for 6 hours!! Yes, we knew where some very nice 28-30″ were in the Biloxi Marsh. A little pond on the outside that was full of oysters was the promised-land. Went there on Wednesday afternoon during a low tide and tails and wakes were everywhere. Jetted straight there on tournament morning, got a 10# and a 9.5# and slow cruised back arriving at 11:30am and took a nap. Ended up in 7th place after Day 1 with 19.45#. Great start and knew we could do the same on Saturday. Day 2-jetted back to the same oyster pond, stuck two great fish- both over 9.5#! We’re feeling pretty good but still looking for a 10# fish to secure the Top 5. Had a few chances and a few that were 9.5# but it was also a great idea to visit a few other areas nearby just in case we would be returning on Sunday to clean-house. Back at the weigh in, it was a little nerve-racking. Finally, it was our turn to weigh in and we secured 5th place with 19.38# with only 10 teams left to weigh in. With only 3 teams left, my fears came true as we were only worried about what the Watts Brothers would bring to the scales. We heard the weigh, but it took a few minutes for them to officially announce what position that weight would put them in. Crap!! They bested us by .19 of a pound!! We were happy for the Bryan and Greg who are awesome fellas but felt pretty shocked after what a disappointing 2009 season we had. No complaints with a 6th place!! We had a great two days of fishing and secured our exemption into the 2010 Redfish Cup where I assure you, we’ll do much, much...
Read MoreRedfish U. Fall/Winter special $299!!!!!
The pinnacle of shallow water angling with Redfish University and Eric Holstman for $299.99!!! If you catch nothing, you pay nothing. Guaranteed. Beginning September 1, Redfish University www.redfishuniversity.com will again offer the absolute best in shallow water redfishing trips for $299.99. Guided trips will be 5-6 hours, for 1-2 anglers and each angler will receive a free bag of Berkley Gulp as well as other great items from Yamaha, Hewes, Patagonia, Oakley and Berkley. With the tremendous response from last fall and winter, Redfish U. has increased its rate from $250 to $299 in hopes of not being so busy but what an incredible and unparalleled value nonetheless! Don’t just catch fish, learn how to catch fish! Participate in intense instruction and techniques as well as an enlightening morning of angling conversation with an experienced, accomplished and much sought-after angler in the world of saltwater fishing. Go to www.redfishuniversity.com or www.ericholstman.com to read testimonials from some of the hundreds of local, industry, celebrity, PFF and knowledge-thirty anglers that have experienced Redfish University and see why we are the BEST of the Best!! In the event of overbooking, schedule conflicts and your professor being out of town, our very capable and accomplished friends at Emerald Coast Fishing Excursions www.fishtheemeraldcoast.com, Capt. Brant Peacher, will cover my guide trips (for one penny more!) ericholstman@hotmail.com or 8507484368 Book now!! Don’t miss out. *No pass fishing, jetty fishing, bull redfish, sheepshead inquiries please. See you soon, Eric C. Holstman ...
Read MoreBack from Dusseldorf and Lisbon, Portugal and ready to fish!!-Aug 11, 2009
Just returned from Dusseldorf and Lisbon, Portugal where Tracy and I got engaged. It was a fabulous trip. Went to the U2 concert in Gelsenkirchen, Germany Aug. 3 and then toured the Rhine River on the 4th where I proposed and then had an incredible dinner at Brasserie 1806 that evening. On Wednesday morning, we took off to Lisbon, Portugal to celebrate my friend Duncan’s 4oth birthday with many of our best American and British friends. Our hotel was located at the St. George Castle at the beautiful Solar do Castelo. For five days, we explored Lisbon by boat, train and by foot. We traveled the coast in a 140 ft. triple mast sailboat as well as two 70ft motor yachts. Also got some great surfing in as well. No fishing, but did see a tremendous amount of mullet and small snapper as two marinas. Back to business with lots of trips planned in the near future. Redfishing will continue to improve into fall and winter months. Book your trip now and get in on the fun. See ya soon. Eric Holstman Click on an image to...
Read MoreNew baits from Berkley and new reels from Penn!!! July 18, 2009
Redfish University prides itself on providing its very exclusive clients with the best boats, motors, baits, rods and reels, and other saltwater equipment in the world. The arsenal just got better!! Checkout the new products from Pure Fishing. Just returned from my annual new-product review and meeting at Berkley with Scott Dubiel and Kevin Benton. Recently, Pure Fishing acquired Penn Reels so I had the opportunity to checkout some of their new reels as well. In addition to new baits, Berkley has introduced new braids, fluoros and monos from Trilene and Spiderwire. Also, several new baits from the Powerbait line are very impressive. I am very excited about some new baits in particular. The Gulp! Ghost Shrimp are sure to be a very productive bait. New from Powerbait in the scented and flavor-packed Rattle Shrimp. These shrimp baits will quickly become favorites for anglers targeting redfish, trout, flounder and even pompano. Sticking on the Powerbait side, the new Ripple Shad swim baits are sure to produce fish with a rippled body to create more vibration. Also, Gulp! Jerkshads have gone to 6 and 7 inch baits. On the line side, Berkley has created Fineline Braid, the first Radial Braid for roundness, smoothness and strength. Spiderwire has developed a 100% Fluorocarbon line and Berkley has created the Trilene TransOptic for anglers who focus on watching their line. This line is Hi-Vis in the sun(out of the water) and clear below the surface. Lastly, the new reels from Penn are extremely impressive. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to use the new Penn Conquer CQR4000 and CQR2000. These reels feature 10+1 shielded stainless steel ball bearings, bulletproof Eternal Alloy construction, the Superline Spools, and it’s most unique feature, the EAS System. The EAS is the innovative maintenance feature ever introduced in a spinning reel. By backing out one screw on the stem of the reel, the rear hatch opens and gives full access to the gearbox. Very simple to clean and maintain! Also, the new Penn Torque Spinning Reel System is incredible. Mainly for nearshore and offshore applications, this reel offers the highest drag pressure in its class!! The patented Versa-Darg system...
Read MoreLots of Slams and Tripletail! July 9, 2009
Guided Mr. Randy Hamilton this morning in Escambia and East Bay. Multiple Grand Slams of redfish, trout and flounder with some tripletail mixed in. We found the redfish a little difficult at first but figured it out and found some fish concentrated in 6-8 ft. of water. The new Hewes 21 Redfisher proved to be a fish catching machine like the last one as we boated a ridiculous amount of fish in a 3.5 hour period. The fishing is difficult in the upper bays but knowing where they are on the various tides is the key. Lots of fish in very few places. All fish caught on Gulp! 5″ Jerkshads in camo and Gulp 3″ Shrimp in lime tiger. No rattles were needed today as the water was pretty clear. Oh, saw one 15# tarpon which charged the boat and bounced off us in a hurry. We’ll get him next time. All fish released except 7 Flounder and 1 Tripletail. Don’t forget, September 1 marks the $250.00 shallow water redfish trips in East, Escambia and Blackwater Bays. Book now as I will be EXTREMELY busy. Please CLICK on an image to...
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