Guided Dr. Edwin Yee and fishing partner Mitch this morning on the new 2009 Maverick 17Hpx that I am guiding on until my new Hewes arrives. They both wanted to learn some basic shallow water techniques. It was a little difficult at the beginning but as always, we figured it out and produced a pretty consistent bite. Ended up with 10 quality shallow water redfish including 2 very nice 6.5# fish. We also stuck 3 very nice trout in the mix. Final score: Dr. Yee-5 Mitch-3 and Eric H.-2(I poled all day!) All fish caught on Johnson 1/4oz. Gold Spoons and all fish...
Read MoreEmerald Coast Saltwater Seminar Series-2/18/09
Hey Everybody, Sorry for the delay. This is a rough draft but they are my notes. There’s actually two pieces. Thanks for coming to the seminar and see you in March! Sightfishing for redfish seminar. Tonight’s topic is sightfishing for redfish. Looking forward to this seminar. Sightfishing is exactly what is says, Fishing from sight. Much more goes into this technique though besides seeing and casting. Sightfishing is performed in 1′ of water to about 3′ of water. Bay boats with drafts of less than 14″ or so are fine. Rods and reel Light to medium action rod able to make long, accurate casts. Spinning or baitcaster is fine. Generally, spinning tackle will allow better distance and accuracy. Reels with 8-12 pd test mono or 10-20 braid. 10-20 pound fluorocarbon leaders 30-40″ long. Try not to use a swivel. A line to leader knot will increase success. Bait Livebait is possible but difficult in sightfishing. Gold spoons, Gulp Shrimp, crabs and jerkbaits, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, suspending plugs. Topwater is not recommended but can be used while blindcasting. Also, anything that a bass will eat, a redfish will eat, including plastic worms. My favorite baits in this area(Pensacola): 1. 3 inch Gulp Shrimp or Crab on a flutterhook or Gamakatsu 1/16 oz lead. 2. 1/8 Johnson Gold spoons 3. Gulp 5″ Jerkbaits on flutterhook or 1/16 or 1/8 oz. Areas to sightfish for redfish in our area: Any shallow flats or bank will hold redfish. Areas that contain oyster bar or shells, sawgrass, black root systems on the bank, dark muddy bottoms, sand bottoms and grass bottom will all have redfish. All the above in one section is the best. North Escambia Bay, Garcon point, East Bay, Big Lagoon, North Santa Rosa Sound are great places to sightfish for redfish. Things to look for when sightfishing: Clear water- redfish love clear water. You can see the fish much easier and you can identify bottom conture and vegetation. Also bait will be easier to see. Water movement- incoming and outgoing flow is important. Redfish like a little water movement like most fish and they feed better. Look for bait (particularly mullet)- When...
Read MoreRedfish U. sightfishing-February 9, 2009
Guided Mr. Robert Files today and found plenty of shallow water redfish. The day started out a bit slow but as the tide turned and the water rose, the fish turned out. Sightfished several redfish in 10″ of water. Fired at tails and wakes all day. Very fun day. All fish caught on Gulp! 5″ Jerkshads.
Read MoreAnother great day at Redfish U.- 1/23/09
Guided Mr. Tom Crawford of Destin today in the Blackwater area. Found plenty of large trout first thing, then went to whack on the redfish as the water started moving. Found a group of nice redfish in two reliable areas. Quite a few fish around today but they were tough. All fish caught on Gulp! 5″ Jerkshads in camo. All fish...
Read MoreRedfish University!! A fine day. 1/22/09
Well, starting to get busy at Redfish U. again. Guided Tom (Flounderpounder) this morning in the Blackwater area. Met at 7am and carefully boarded the 21 Hewes Redfisher which was covered in a thin film of ice. There was also small icebergs in the canal from which we launched. It was cold!! Anyway, first spot, hammered fish. Redfish and trout. Went to some other productive areas and then came back to “A” once the water started moving again and continued to stick great fish. Ended up with 7 nice redfish and 12-15 very nice trout(1 4.5# trout and several 3#plus fish.) All fish caught on Gulp! 5″ Jerkshads in camo. All fish released, except 1 25″ Redfish and 2 medium...
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