Guided Mr. Bob Willice this morning. Stiff wind out of the southeast forced us to hide in some protected water. Started out very early with some topwaters for speckled trout and redfish. Threw over shallow sandy bottom and had some incredible topwater action with mostly big trout and a few redfish. Some trout were pushing 4.5# but most of the redfish that we caught were predictably small. After the topwater shut down, we switched over the Berkley Gulp! Jerkshads and pitched sandy troughs and bait filled banks. Stuck some more very nice trout and a few more redfish. By 1000am, the action had slowed drastically and we struggled the rest of the morning but I did win the “Catfish Challenge”, 3-1. They sure like the Gulp!! Anyway, caught a bunch of topwater trout and lots of action early. All fish released. See ya on Monday, Bob!! Please click an image to enlarge and view...
Read MoreMid-day short trip at Redfish University-May 7, 2010
Guided Jim Davis today for a short trip to sight fish some shallow water redfish. Found plenty of fish. Some were very cooperative and some ran from the baits. I guess that’s what makes this type of fishing so challenging and frustrating at times. With both of us fishing, we picked off a hand off of pretty decent redfish on broken bottom. These fish were relating to small patches of grass and small minnows so a well-place Johnson 1/4oz. Gold Spoon was again the bait of choice. We probably hooked 1 0f 10 that we saw but also fan-casted some areas that we know hold lots of fish. Not a bad ratio, but the larger fish were definitely more difficult that the 4-5# fish. All-in-all, a successful day of seeing fish and catching a few. All fish...
Read MoreTopwater and Sight fishing at Redfish University-May 5, 2010
Guided Mr. Tim Wright and friend Doug this morning. Both fellas wanted to learn about early morning topwater baits and techniques for redfish and trout. Started out at 530am and found some nice redfish immediately followed by some healthy speckled trout on the same flat. The topwater action ended around 800am so we headed for very clear water to do some sight fishing for redfish. Found large concentrations of redfish quickly and stuck some very nice redfish in shallow water. We had a plethora of sight fishing opportunities These fish seemed to prefer a slow-rolled Johnson 1/40z. Gold Spoon over everything else. Spent the rest of the morning picking off redfish and even found a large school of over-sized redfish but that ended quickly when a lady in a kayak paddled right through. Hot at times and slow at times but got to show lots and lots of redfishing and trout fishing techniques to Tim and Doug including the infamous Berkley Gulp! 4″ Shrimp deadstick on difficult redfish. All fish caught on Berkley Gulp! Jerkshads, Shrimp, Johnson Spoons and Rapala Skitterwalk. Three redfish and two nice trout were taken for dinner. Fishing is great so book now!! Please click an image to enlarge and view...
Read MorePre-Fishing for a string of trips at Redfish University-May 4, 2010
Redfish University continues normal guiding operations from Pensacola to Panama City(Port St. Joe). On days off, we will assist with BP oil spill issues if the need arises. With a long string of trips approaching and no cancellations in the coming weeks, I got out for a few hours today to locate some redfish and trout after the last five days of bad weather. Made it look easy with lots of redfish, trout and flounder taken on various baits including Gulp! Jerkshads, Baitfish, Shrimp, Lipless Cranks and even some decent topwater action. Fished for two hours and boated 7 redfish, 15 trout and 2 flounder. Lots of great fish around right now and Redfish University knows where they are and, most importantly, how to catch them! Trips tomorrow, Thursday and Friday and next week so we’ll report back soon. See everyone at Redfish U. soon. Yours, Eric...
Read MoreSightfishing Extravaganza at Redfish University-April 29, 2010
Guided Mark Battia and Dave this morning. Both are very talented anglers and although today was difficult at times, they really showed some solid skills. Started in the upper bays for some big trout. Found some very nice speckled trout pretty quickly with some redfish and flounder in the mix. The lack of mullet made things difficult but we stuck 12-15 very nice trout between 2-3.5#. Next, sightfishing was on our minds so we traveled to some very clear water. Immediately found big schools of redfish in shallow water and got to work. It may have been the full moon but these fish were pretty difficult at first but when the tide changed, they really started to bite. Mark and Dave were able to sight fish many redfish in shallow, clear water with some very nice casts and exciting strikes. Even a few double hookups were achieved!!! I enjoyed the awesome view from the poling platform as they picked off redfish along the bank. I hope to fish with both guys again very soon. Challenging but very enjoyable trip for us all. All fish caught on Berkley Gulp! Jerkshads and all redfish were sight fished with Johnson 1/4oz. Gold Spoons. Some trout, flounder and smaller redfish went home for the grill. Please click an image to enlarge and view...
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