CWBerube

First off, how is everyone?



Secondly, I have a few ?'s about fishing from the Bob Sykes bridge.



I've lived here since I was born and have fished the Bob Sykes for several years.



But what I noticed is back in the day we would catch a good bit of edible fish.



Almost every time I go out now I seem to only catch huge catfish.



Maybe a croaker here and there but never the large sheephead and trout like I used to.



I saw a post not to long ago about someone gigging some and they were beautiful fish.



My questions are, to get to the point is:

-What tide? Usually I just go out at between 7:00PM - to - 10:00 and fish until the bites stop.

-What bait? I usually use dead shrimp on a typical Saltwater Rig.

-What size hook? Small, Medium, Large

-What type of hook? Circle, Treble, Kahle?

-Where on the bridge? The middle or so, the Gulf Breeze side or the Pensacola Beach Side?



I would really like to catch something to eat possibly.

Is there hope for me?



Thanks everyone.



P.S. I'm going fishing tonight. Interested?

tyler0421

try live shrimp! just a suggestion i've never fished sykes

David Ridenour

Welcome aboard! You'll get plenty of helpful advice in a just a little while!

CWBerube

Thanks for the warm fishy welcome.



I've tried live shrimp before but usually the same luck.



I can catch a catfish I'll tell you which I've always been told are not that palatable due to bone/meat ratio.



It must have something to do with my rig type which is a simple Bottom Gulf Rig. :nonono

=My Tackle=

-Medium Rod <Ugly Stick>

-Small to Medium Size Hook

-Gulf Rig

-1 oz pyramid sinker

-Shrimp and/or Squid.



I was reading about the old "Bubble-N-Straw Rig" seems worth a try.



Oh and forgot to mention, most times I try Squid I catch those green and black toad looking fish.



There are a really strange fish and kinda like just pulling up a brick (No Fight Just Heavy).

mickanole

FirstI would second the live shrimp tip. But I would change the type of rig I was using as well. I have had much more luck using what I would call a fish finder rig.It consist of a small egg sinker on your line above a swivel,then you would add a leader I usually have one about 18 inches long followed by your hook.It gives the shrimp the ability to move some just not too far.

Of course if you are catching a lot of cats then you may want to get off the bottom then I would suggest a "Cajun thunder" type rig, of course with that your leader length would determine the depth you fish.

The other thing I would suggest is to watch the tides you will have much more success on a moving tide wether it be moving in or out.Just as long as it's moving.

Good luck!

CWBerube

Ok here goes my knowledge of the tides.



-The making of a High Tide is the same as an Incoming Tide.

-The making of a Low Tide is the same as an Outgoing Tide.



So today's tide tables show:



High Tide: 1:55 PM

Low Tide: 11:28 PM



So anywhere between say 4:00PM-9:30PM would be a moving outgoing tide? = GOOD TIME TO FISH?

And tide movement would be at its slightest between the hours of 1:55-4:00PM and 9:30-11:30PM? NOT GOOD TO FISH?



Is that somewhat correct assuming that the water is moving more at these times?



Incoming would be better than Outgoing I would assume?

Clay-Doh

Welcome CW :toast

I would offer advice, but as everybody on here knows, I cant catch a fish on a rod and reel for nothin!

Plenty of other experienced guys though!

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tyler0421

Thats about right CW. It differs. but, in my experiences outgoing tide is usually better.

CWBerube

WOW!



I went out to the Sykes last night.



Boy-O-Boy did I forget to check the winds or what.



Didn't catch anything but got of few bites (Or was that the waves?).



Probably just those old crab. Get In My Belly!



What was really cool though were all of the Dolphin or Porpoises.



At least three out there splashing and jumping around.



Good Eating? Just kidding.



O-Well

reelthrill

May is a great time to catch big specks at night off the Bob Sykes. Try live baits such as pigfish, pinfish, menhaden