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Steady Day at the University-Sept.7, 2009

Steady trips at Redfish University this week although there small concentrations of redfish in very few areas. Good news is, I expect the redfishing to improve dramatically in the coming weeks and especially next month. Guided Mr. Barry James and his wife Cheryl this morning. Barry is an avid local kayak angler and I was able to cover lots of water with him and introduce him to some excellent kayak fishing areas and some clever tricks with artificial baits. Started out with some quality trout and lower slot redfish as we waited for the water to drop in the upper bay areas. At 730am, we blasted to some very productive area and a found the fish to be very difficult(local Labor Day traffic?) Whatever the cause, we managed to product an decent range of quality redfish. Ended the day trying to scrape up a few flounder which proved to be predictably grim on slow water movement. All in all, a below average day according to Redfish University standards but hopefully much knowledge was gained and a fantastic redfish dinner was had. Thanks again for the wonderful bottles of wine, James and Cheryl!! Please click on photos to...

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Great Morning at Redfish U.-Sept. 4, 2009

Well, time to throw up a few reports from many of the recent Redfish University trips. Busy, busy, busy. Guided Mr. Mark Leong and his wife Lauren this morning. It was their first Pensacola guide experience here with artificial baits. Started with several very good-sized trout and some small redfish first thing while we waiting for the redfish areas to get right. Moved north around 8:0o am found some nice redfish mixed with schools of mullet and small menhaden in shallow water. Moved to Escambia Bay and struck some nice 25-26.5″ fish on uneven bottom and even had a big flounder to the boat which dropped the hook. Mark and Lauren were a pleasure to guide and even took their great catch to Aegean Breeze for Starvos to prepare. The fishing continues to improve with cooler weather and will be outstanding in the coming weeks. Photos to...

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The End of an Up and Down Year- September 1, 2009

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...

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Redfish 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    ...

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Back 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...

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