Well, before I got back to Redfish U. trips this week, I thought a little offshore bottom fishing would be fun. Clay Peacher, Randy Hamilton, Tracy and myself heading south on Sunday morning. Caught a bunch of everything. Some species we could keep, some we couldn’t. Ended up with some nice grouper, a dolphin, lots of snapper(kept some mingos and lanes), amberjack, kings, etc. Also got a 17lb red snapper and some other 7-9#ers which were properly released. Had a really fun day and Tracy caught the most quality fish. Still hearing about it this morning! Please click on an image to...
Read MoreA very kind gesture-November 13, 2009
Over the last six or seven years, I’ve taken it upon myself to get involved with the angling community from Panama City to Orange Beach. Writing in the Pensacola News Journal, countless magazine angling articles, Berkley/Penn Tour, speaking at fishing clubs and especially in creating the “Hook, Line and Sinker Seminar Series” in Pensacola, a series heading into it’s sixth success season. Until 2009, we did not receive payment for the HLS, we didn’t really want to. Because of it’s success, local businesses were very interested in advertising with banners because the HLS sttracted 150-350 attendees on a very consistent basis. This brought in some cash for us. Of course, these events are beneficial to me for several differents reasons but I hope they have been an important source for knowledge for anglers along the Gulf Coast. They are always free to the public and I hope they have improved everyone’s angling experience in some way. Anyway, I see seminar attendees all the time along the Gulf Coast and many times they walk up with a beer and say “thanks.” I appreciate the kind gesture so much, and it’s never necessary, but I sure like beer. Friday night, as usual, Tracy and I are having dinner at the Fishhouse. Towards the end of our meal, a very nice gentleman named, Jeff, approaches our table and says hello. We talk for a moment and discovered he and his son are HLS seminar veteran attendees. Jeff left a wonderful gift with me. This column is to, first, say thank you very much to Jeff again and to make sure he calls me at 8507484368 so that I can take Jeff and his son on a free Redfish University trip very soon. Call me soon and thank you again, Jeff!! Eric...
Read MoreFun fishing with Bobby Quarles-November 13, 2009
Took a short spin around the bay this afternoon with friend, Capt. Bob Quarles. Bob is a fellow Maverick Boats guide and one of my favorite anglers to fish with. Found a big school of bull redfish and got to work. Hooked four fish on four rods including a sweet topwater strike right next to the boat. I also wanted to test my new favorite redfish combo, the Penn Conquerer 4000 and the Allstar ASR Redfish rod. Hooked a 25# redfish on this combo and really put some major pressure on the rod and reel. It came through like a champ and I actually tried to break the rod with the fish near the boat but actually broke the braid. Very, very tough set up!! Anyway, achieved my goal of pulling on some heavy fish, getting some sun on my face and watching the Blue Angels. Fun afternoon. Several trips schedule in the coming weeks and the fishing should be excellent. See everyone soon. Eric Holstman Please click an image to...
Read MoreClasses cancelled this week at the University-November 8, 2009
As Hurricane/Tropical Storm Ida approaches, the Gulf Coast prepares for this late-year storm. Here at Redfish University, we have cancelled trips at least through Thursday, November 12th. These three trips will be rescheduled and all clients have been contacts. Obviously, we will do our absolute best to fit these trips in as soon as possible, even considering working a few weekends!! Depending on wind and rain amounts, Redfish University may resume operations on Friday, November 13th, but most likely next Monday, November 16th. Our apologies for the weather inconvenience and look forward to seeing everyone soon. E....
Read MoreYamaha Friends in for some fishing!-November 6, 2009
Guided Tim Haney, Yamaha saltwater promotions coordinator, and Adam this morning. Our first choice was to rocket out to the beaches and do some sightfishing for pompano and redfish and then go stick some over-sized redfish nearshore and inshore. The 15-20mph winds from the east scratched that out for us but that is our plan tomorrow. We decided to trailer up to Blackwater and do some shallow water fishing for redfish and trout. Thankfully, it was much better up there than yesterday. We had lots of action with medium-sized redfish and some very nice trout, including a 3# fish. All fish caught on Gulp! 5″ Jerkshads in camo rigged with Marsh Works 1/4oz. Bull Red jigheads in assorted colors with worm rattle inserts. All fish released. Looking forward to seeing and sticking some pompano tomorrow and pulling on some big, dumb redfish!! Please click a photo to...
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