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Much learned, less caught at Redfish University-December 7, 2008

Fished with Coast Guard member PJ today. PJ wanted to learn some different techniques and areas to produce more redfish in the Pensacola area. Today was a difficult day for catching at Redfish University. Plenty of fish in a few areas and very few in others. Sightfished many small schools of redfish as well as singles. End up up catching one decent redfish and pulled the hook on a few more. Nevertheless, it was a beautiful day to be fishing and I was able to cover tons of material and instruction as the fish weren’t exactly cooperating.  I scheduled a makeup trip with PJ at no charge in hopes we will catch more fish. We will hammer then next...

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Tails in the Mist-November, 26, 2008

Got out very early this morning with my friend Jeff. Wanted to do some scouting for a bunch of Redfish University trips next week. Very cold and very foggy in East Bay this morning. Found redfish tailing in super shallow water with grass bottom. It was an unbelievable sight. Must have seen 40-50 single tails and backs on a 300 yd. bank. Fun, fun, fun!! All fish caught on Johnson 1/8oz. Gold Spoons and released.  Happy...

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Redfish Seminar Outline-July 14, 2008 Pensacola, FL

Redfish Seminar   Blindcasting   I leave no detail overlooked when blindcasting and sightfishing for redfish. Meticulous preparation and research. I believe this dramatically increases my odds at catching good numbers of redfish.   Areas:   –         Summer/early Fall- Santa Rosa Sound on the north side. Between broken down docks. High tide closer to the bank and on low tide off the bank from the middle to the end of the docks. –         Southside of sound near Opal Beach and grass flats in the surrounding areas. –         Big Lagoon- on the south around Redfish Pt. and behind Ft. McRae in the no-motor pond. –         Late fall/winter- Northern bay systems of Escambia, Blackwater and East. These are the best redfish habitats in our area. Great on low tides.   Look for large schools of larger mullet which disturb the bottom. Redfish will follow the mullet and look for shrimp and crabs kicked up by these mullet.   Average depths are between 1-3 feet of water.   Approach your area very quietly shutting off your large engine well ahead of your destination. No noise inside boat, turn off baitwell, bottomfinder and secure lose cans and everything that may hit the deck. Walk quietly and off the hatches. The noise is amplified 100x’s underwater and will alert fish within 500 yds of your presence.   Try to set up with the wind and sun. Less bow slap and better ability to see redfish and mullet. Casting with the wind will produce larger casts and, in turn, more redfish.   Top artificial baits including Gulp 5” Jerkshads, Gulp 3’ Shrimp in any color, Zoom 4” Baby Bass, slow rolled Johnson Gold Spoons in 1/8-1/4oz., Mirrodine 17-MR  #18 and #21 with green and black backs, sometimes small inline spinnerbaits slowly rolled as well.   Not much action with topwater or hard subsurface plugs. If you do want to use topwater, small Skitterwalks are my choice. Work them slowly(slower than for trout.)   Long 10-20#  fluorocarbon leaders connected directly to my mainline. I like leaders between 3-4.5 feet long. The farther away from the braid or mono the better. Often times the braid is actually...

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