Pensacola Fishing Forum / Inshore Fishing / Surf Fishing / Inshore Fishing - General Q&A

What is "cut bait"?

Ajerv — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 15:53:33 GMT

People say use "cut bait". Do they mean something like dead cigar minnows cut in strips or what? Is that better than live shrimp or squid strips for white trout?

Thanks......

Where is a good place to mullet fish?

fish'n4fun — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 14:51:57 GMT

Looking for a good place to catch mullet in pace or pensacola. Thanks for your help

Josh

Father/Son Beginners

Saltynewb — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 11:39:43 GMT

The extent of my fishing experience was cane pole fishing off my grandpa's houseboat as a kid; so, I do not have much experience. I found a great deal on a 16ft Bayliner. The boat is now serviced and the livewell is running! I have picked up a 6ft cast net to try to learn casting for live bait, and my son (10) and myself ( aint sayin! ) have been out 4 or so times, wetting line and fooling around. Now our only fish to claim was about a 14" spec caught while casting for bait, and we released the unlucky fellow!!

Long story short, we need help :) I have been launching at Woodlawn in Navarre, and we have been fishing the areas around the grass beds. We have tried the Pensacola beach bridge. Different setups: spoons, jigs, gulp under cork, and pinfish. Most of these from reading books and this forum. I was hoping some folks might have some tips. I am not looking for sweet spot information, but more about what to look for to identify where the fish may be, what rigs/bait might be good for what is our there this time of year, and depth possible location to go after them. Casting/retrieving techniques. To be frank, anything you might think could help us along. My son is not the most patient, and I want to keep his attention with something we can do together, but after this last trip out, I think his patience with my lack of experience :sick is souring his desire to try this.

I have booked a guide to show us around in November, but still would love any help to get us going between now and then... and beyond :)

Thanks in advance!!

Monday 10/13 Will it be good fishing ?

CCC — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 18:51:26 GMT

Ok, I don't know all about the moon and tides and all of that but I have tomorrow off and see that high tide is supposed to be at 11am, anyone have any predictions for tomorrow morning on east bay in Navarre ?

menhaden

NavySnooker — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 12:51:10 GMT

can anyone tell me where i can go to net some of these ? back home we get 'em on the flats around oyster bars, but seeing how i haven't seen any oyster bars around, i dunno where to go. thanks for any help.

Another menhaden question

Ajerv — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 08:00:44 GMT

Can anyone comment whether menhaden will survive in a wire pen holding container(30" x 24") left overnight at your dock and loaded up in the boat's livewell upon embarkling at 6 AM the next morning to catch kings?

Shimano Slade 4000fb

JeffB — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 22:14:57 GMT

I found a couple of these at the Pawn shop yesterday for $30 (for both). They look new and seem solid. Does anyone have any feedback on this reel?

East bay/Garcon

Bill — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 19:58:19 GMT

I have not been on the water for some time....

Any one have some ideas on what and where to target, I would love to come home with somethiong for the grill:letsdrink

Fri Sound, Red Update

Bay Pirate — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 15:45:17 GMT

gone

landing on the blackwater

skinny water — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 10:39:19 GMT

Is there a decent landing on the south end of the blackwater river or blackwater bay that will handle a 19 ft boat

thanks for any help.

key west 186BR

Inshore Help

Misn 1 — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 22:02:13 GMT

I bought a 23' Cobia at the beginning of the summer and my wife, my 2 sons and I have enjoyed going out in the Gulf since. We have caught flounder, grouper, triggerfish, 1 cobia, and several varieties of snapper. It is so addictive! We have been staying at Orange Beach or with my aunt in Foley, and put in at the ramp near Perdido Pass. We are coming down this weekend (Sat thru Mon) and it looks like the wave forecast will be too much for me Sunday & Monday. So I would like to do a little fishing inside the pass. Anyone have any tips in this area? I've seen boats fishing directly under the highway several times we've gone out into the gulf. Any tips for for this area would be greatly appreciated.

Back from Ike, How is the fishing ?

CCC — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 14:35:09 GMT

Ok, haven't fished in three weeks, I have been in Texas working the hurricane clean up, But now I am back and have four days off and plan on getting out on the water tomorrow morning. How has the fishing been around Navarre (Sound / bay launching at east river) ???????????

Speckled Trout Info

Bay Pirate — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 09:33:09 GMT

Found the following info for your pleasure!

I have noticed quite a few SPAWNERS recently, and the fish are a little more exciting to catch. It's important to have fun, but if it looks like a fat fish full of eggs, put her back in the water so we have more fish to catch next year!

Spotted seatrout do move seasonally within a bay system, however. During the pre-spawning period of February to early April, speckled trout are scattered throughout the system. By spawning season, May to September, almost all the fish large enough to spawn are concentrated in the higher salinity waters of the lower bays. In October, with the onset of cool fronts, spotted seatrout retreat inland into lower salinity estuaries, where they typically remain well into January or February.

During spawning season, males form drumming aggregations which can number in the hundreds or even thousands of fish. Within these aggregations, each male vibrates his air bladder, producing a croaking sound. When combined with the many other males' sounds, the result sounds like drumming or roaring. The sound attracts females ready to spawn. Both drumming aggregations and spawning take place in areas 6-165 deep with good tidal flow, such as passes and channels. Spawning begins at sunset and is usually over by midnight.

Speckled trout spawning activity depends on environmental factors such as currents, salinity and temperature. Most spawning activity seems to take place in salinities of 17-35 parts per thousand (ppt). Full strength seawater is 35 ppt. The two most important factors that determine when speckled trout spawn are water temperature and day length. Egg development begins to take place as days become longer in spring. Water temperatures of 68°F seem to trigger spawning, which continues as water temperature increases. Peak spawning takes place between 77°F and 86EF. The cycle of the moon also seems to affect spawning, with spawning peaks occurring on or near the full moons of the spring and summer months. Females may spawn every 7 to 14 days during the April to September spawning period.

Young spotted seatrout grow rapidly, reaching 8 inches by their first birthday and over 12 inches by age 2. Spotted seatrout can live to over 12 years of age. Male trout grow slower and don't live as long as females. Males don't reach 14 inches long until 3 or 4 years old. Few males live over 5, so virtually all spotted seatrout 5 pounds and larger are females."

Shark Fishing Rod Recomendations?

Kenton — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 21:19:14 GMT

I want to go shark fishing for medium size sharks in the bay and pass. I bought myself a Penn Reel that will hold about 375 yards of 30lb test. I need a rod to compliment it but am not sure which to buy. Trying to get the best deal for the buck. Should i just get a strong Ugly Stick? Or is something else a better choice. Thanks!

Matt

Dixie Bar

Jim/Ga — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 19:17:40 GMT

anybody got any information on when the big bull reds school on the Dixie Bar in the fall?

3 mile bridge ???

ChrisH2O — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 16:40:49 GMT

I'm thinking of going tomorrow (8/28) If I wake up early enough, what should I expect to catch??? Thanks for the help...

Chris

Fish ID Question

FishVan — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 18:38:58 GMT

I've pulled some weird stuff out of the Bayou...but this is the weirdest. Fins that look like wings and small feet. Any ideas what this is? Toadfish maybe?

Rain effect on fishing

gottafish — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 15:37:32 GMT

Have not fished in the sound very much. What kind of effect will all of this rain have on the fishing? Good, bad, or indifferent??? Will it vary by species?

Young Tarpon or Ladyfish

Danno — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 08:05:15 GMT

As my son and I were heading out on Friday morning settled in group of birds, and fish feeding on bait fish.

We pulled in several thin fins and then we got a strong hit on my son's line. What he pulled in looked like a young tarpon, however I not certain now if it wasn't a lady fish. I understand they are the smaller cousin to tarpons but never get any size to them. Sorry no photo's. What's the best way to tell the difference?

navarre

jaredk — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 11:17:43 GMT

ive got the itch for red/trout/flounder. Anybody know of a spot around navarre where i can wade & maybe get a few?

Redfish rod recommendation.

jimmyjams4110 — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 12:55:01 GMT

I busted a couple of my rod tips off over the weekend and now I have an excuse to buy the rods I should have bought in the first place. I am looking for two 7 to 7.5 ft spinning rods, 8-15lb class. Cost per rod I would like to be around $100.00 or less. Do any of you have good recommendations? Thanks for any feedback.

Jim

Flounder

minkmaster — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 09:35:27 GMT

Does anyone just target flounder while fishing? They seem to be only talked about on the gigging thread. I mean if they leave the passes to the gulf by the bunches wouldn't it be just as easy to catch a limit. I have gigged fish it just is more fun for me to catch them.

destin pass

fishhead0429 — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 14:31:03 GMT

anybody having any luck on the flounder lately i tried sunday and caught a little gag but no flunder .

Soft plastics in gulp juice.

bossgobbler — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 11:51:24 GMT

Does anyone know if absorbing your other soft plastic baits in the gulp juice works? Sure would save me a lot of money if it does.

Riggin for Reds

BR — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 10:01:52 GMT

When you all are targetting reds, how do you rig the gulp? Circle hook w/a sinker to the bottom or jig head only?

--New guy looking for ideas. Thanks

Fishin spots in Escambia Bay

Shiner — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 17:54:16 GMT

I want to take my 5 and 7 year old out fishing. I hear people talking about structure in the bay. The only structure I know of is the old fishing bridge. Is there somewhere I can get some numbers for inshore so I can put the kids on the fish? I'm not trying to steal anyones fishing spots, I'm still learning the waters here. I'd like to get them on redfish, spanish, and maybe even specs.

Thanks for any help you can give.

palafox ?

fishn4fun — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 16:14:08 GMT

when fishing for kings on palafox must you baloon fish or can you just free line baits as if you were on the pier do they come in that close?

Pinfish Trap question

Matt J — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 21:03:07 GMT

Was wondering what kind of bait is good to use in a pinfish trap. Also, is it illegal to set them out of the way tied to or near a public launch dock?

Time of day for menhaden in Texar

Ajerv — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 09:12:41 GMT

For several years, I was under the impression the menhaden in Texar were "nipping on the top" only pre dawn and just after dawn(and therefore catchable with a throw net). Then someone told me you can net them any time of the day this time of year?

Please offer your opinion and experience please! Thanks.............

Flounder

SirSea — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 05:23:50 GMT

New rule in Alabama waters is 10 flounder per day , even during jubilees. In the Mobile Press this morning.

Looking for croakers!

tyler0421 — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 12:29:13 GMT

Anyone know where I can find croakers anywhere from 3-7"s?

Bait in the bay?

Lejet — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 07:53:07 GMT

Planning to go out on Friday night and I know I will miss out on getting bait from the bait boat. any help out there on finding larger baits in the bay before I get outside? Cigs on the beach or large menhaden in the bay?

Where is a good place to buy parts for your boat?

SeaBandit — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 08:39:48 GMT

New to the area and need to pick up a few parts for my boat. Things like trim etc. Any ideas?

Red Bugs ?

CCC — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 15:25:25 GMT

Are there red bugs / chiggers in the grass flats usually fished for red's ? I always come home eaten up and itching like hell !

Freezing Gulps?

thegarb — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 00:17:42 GMT

Just saw this on a different forum...

"...And, according to a rep from Berkley, once you open the bags, you must freeze them to preserve them. Otherwise the smell gets bad and they become nothing buy catfish bait."

Anybody do this? If so... any noticed improvement vs. not freezing them? I can't really tell a difference in the smell... poop smells like poop to me. But hey, maybe the fish have a preference in the flavor.

Suggestions for Inshore near Destin

ucf_motorcycle — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 17:30:03 GMT

I need some advice for inshore fishing near the Destin area. Was thinking of fishing around the Mid Bay Bridge but I don't know the area very well. Any advice for locations, times, and what tackle to use? I would appreciate any help.

FRESHWATER INFLUENCE ON FISHING

carwashdoctor — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 19:32:40 GMT

After several storms and the rivers and tributaries start dumping freshwater into the bay. I know several things occur.

1) Baitfish, crabs and grass shrimp are washed into the bay and causing a feed to turn on for a while.

2) The water clarity is affected.

3) When does to much freshwater occur and cause certain species to leave the area and become more difficult.

Jetties in Pensacola Bay

another fisherman — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 20:54:44 GMT

Hi all, I have heard different people on this forum talking about fishing the jetties in Pensacola Bay/ Ft. Pickens area? I'm familiar with the waters from Bob Sikes bridge east but just not sure where these jetties are. Could someone please tell me? I've kind of been skiddish about trying deep waters in my boat so I don't want to just go cruising around looking for them. Its just a small 14' aluminum v hull?

Thanks. Any help appreciated.

Redfish Spots

NICHOLAS — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 20:16:57 GMT

I recently noticed that nearly every redfish I have caught in one of the areas I fish has more than one spot. Is it just coincidence?

Redfish Point

Fuhrer48 — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 20:45:24 GMT

I have read a few reports of a place called redfish point. I am curious where it is and are you able to get to the area by foot to wade fish?

Tight lines,

Anthony