GULF COAST FEB 2006

Cool mornings with a north wind mean only one thing in Pensacola: Redfish. Layer the clothes, pull out the gloves and hat, and load up the boat, and you’re ready for a great day on the water.

The steam rolls off the bay in the early morning hours, as the water is warmer than the air, and it makes for a beautiful start to our day. The birds diving for bait off in the distance give away the Redfish hideaway. With the wind on our faces and the smell of salt in the air, we head out along the coast in search of that big Redfish. As I make way at a brisk 45 mph across the bay, my heart pumps with adrenaline that even allowed me to skip coffee for breakfast. Seagulls and Pelicans were diving all around, so I knew I was in the right place. With a quick check to the bottom machine, I concur that the birds had correctly pointed out the fish. With rod and reel in hand, I’m ready for my surprise casts into the middle of this hug school of fish. Twitch, twitch with my top water plug and SLAM, I’m hooked up with a MONSTER Pensacola Redfish. Now, if this doesn’t get you excited about fishing in December, nothing will.

This is what happened a few days back on one of my trips. I had some good friends on board and they also had some great hook-ups. Pensacola Pass is known for its great winter Red fishing, but sometimes the Reds aren’t in the pass, and you have to go search them out. I always look for birds diving off in the distance, and if the birds are not around, I watch the bottom machine for the depths we caught them in last week and to see if they’re still hanging about. Usually, they are not to far off from where they were caught the last time.

December is over, but trust me, the Redfish are still around. This January should be a good month for Reds, Grouper, and Sheepshead. The Speck bite has slowed some, but will pick back up in the spring.
As the New Year progresses, it means a new fishing season. I am looking forward to the new season and the new catches that will be made. One of your New Year resolutions should be to fish more this year! So while you’re down this way or staying in Pensacola, give me a call, and I’ll show you some great fishing and some great sights!

Sincerely,

Capt. John

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