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

Boat launch/ new boat questions.

scottydoint — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:19:59 GMT

Well we just got a 15' bass boat 2 months ago, and have already decided to get a bigger boat. We bought a 19' bayliner trophy center console on monday. We are planning to take it out tomorrow and fish at Garcon point bridge. Keep in mind that we have only launched our bass boat about 10 times and certainly are no pros. I am in Milton, so where is an easy boat launch to get to garcon point bridge? The one all the way down avalon right before the bridge? Any tips on launching a boat this size compared to the 15' bass boat? Also what kind of bait are you guys using out there? Doesn't really matter what I catch, jsut not catfish. I've caught about 50 fish in the two months I've been fishing (in blackwater bay) about 45 have been salt water catfish, which are annoying and just get thrown back. I don't know much fishing lingo yet so it would be great if run it by real slow. Thanks.

Jon Boat getting to Pensacola Beach

polebenda — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 15:19:15 GMT

Is it possible to get a 14ft jon boat out to the pensacola beach pier? Where would be the best place to launch? I heard sherman cove. Someone told me if I hug the shore around fort pickens I could make it but I am not sure I never been there but I heard it's real rough. I just want to fish far out from the pier and want to know if its possible to get out there. Any Suggestions?

Some general questions (what am I doing wrong)

FSUhooker — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 01:20:54 GMT

Howdy,
I'm brand new to these forums so if I do anything wrong please let me know.

I started fishing late April/early May and I've gotten the basics like knot tying and such down, but I'm just not catching many fish. I consider myself to be pretty patient, especially when it comes to fishing but I'm starting to get really frustrated. I've been reading a lot of stuff online (including these fine forums :clap ) and I've tried just about everything thats been recommended: I've done the DOA shrimp under a bobber, live bait under a bobber, spoons, top-water lures, and just about every type of Gulp bait currently manufactured. I had some luck at the beginning of summer with the live bait under a bobber (a mixed bag of cats, ladyfish, trout and small reds) but thats about the only thing thats worked for me. I've gone out while the sun is coming up, while its going down, and every time in between and it just seems like nothing is bighting. I guess what I'm asking is am I doing something wrong or is it really just a dead time of year? Am I just in a bad area to fish (inshore in Niceville/Destin)? Thanks for all the help you guys have already provided me with and thanks for reading this post.

I need to know good places to launch boat.

mudpuppy45 — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 09:46:18 GMT

I have just moved from the Bear Point area of Orange Beach, AL to south of Foley, AL between Hwy. 59 and Foley Beach Express. I would like to know of GOOD launch sites or boat ramps close to me to Bay and River fish. When I say GOOD, I mean easy to get boat in and out of the water.

Thanks.

Charlies worms v Berkly gulp

Funman — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 05:51:44 GMT

I bet a good buddy of mine i could outfish him using my Charlies worms versus his Berkley gulps. Now i am a little more experienced than he is so this is not a 100% which soft plastic out performed the other. We went out yesterday in santa rosa sound and fished the norh docks. i caught two reds and a flounder. Joe did not catch a fish. The whole time he was spraying his gulp with that gulp spray. He would get a bite and try to set the hook. i told him those pin fish like your gulps and that is what you are feeling hit your plastic. Anyway i got tired of him trying to sell me on those gulps (i have used them before didnt care for them) so i told him i could out fish him with my plastics. Is my plastic a better choice? well i think so but thats not the whole story. presentation is what allowed me to catch them yesterday. I was using a high floating shad with a medium bullet sinker. when casted the shad will gradually fall to the bottom, instead of a fast dive to the sand. My buddy (who wasnt texas rigged) kept getting hung up in the docks and using too much weight for our depth of water. Does anyone know where you can buy these charlies worms (the shad) walmart used to sell them but now all they have is charlies worms ....worms and lizards. i dont think bass pro has them either. If you havent tried them and see them some where givem a shot. i have used them all and these are my favorite.

Choctawhatchee Bay Newbie

clawdaddy13 — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 22:36:06 GMT

I am new to the area. I have a 18 foot center console/bay boat that I can fish any where in the bay, I usually use the ramp in boggy bayou. I have been out several times in the bay and I am having trouble finding redfish. I am looking for any help you are willing to give whether that be areas to try , techniques, bait, anything that might put me on some redfish. Thanks in advance for you help.

question on rods

ranger2108 — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 08:51:22 GMT

What type of rods do you guys prefer for fishing small live baits like LY's and shrimp? I've been using medium weight 6'6" Falcon lowriders. It seems like a 7' medium rod with a very fast tip would work better, especially with LY's. I don't seem to be able to get much distance without casting them off the hook.

Also, what is the best way to hook an LY?

Stradic MgFB vs Stradic FI

ditchdoctor81 — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 19:16:32 GMT

I have a couple Stradic 2500's (the white ones that are about 2 years old) & would like to buy a 2 more. Whis is the major difference in these 2 Stradics besides about $70?

Thanks for any help.

need bay fishing advice

PERFORMANCEDRIVENINC — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 20:56:16 GMT

I have been wanting to get back into bay fishing, but It has been so long. Does anyone have some pointers on where I might be able to go? I grew up on Mulatte bayou in avalon and I know the area pretty well, and I know you can catch some great fish in the bay. I am just looking for a little advice. Thanks Colt

Question about Dixey Bar at Fort Morgan

Bryan Bennett — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 12:00:09 GMT

Guys, thinking about making the trip to fish for the bull reds off the point...anyone been lately? Are the redfish biting? More importantly, I'm interested to know if the water's full of grass down there...I don't want to go if our lines are going to stay grassed up the whole time we are fishing. Thanks for any input; good luck and have a great weekend everyone!

IFA Redfish Tour

Brad K — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 12:09:43 GMT

With an entry fee of $400 an event, why is the payout so small?

Is it participation?

Jubilee

flyfishjeep — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 14:30:31 GMT

A sales rep for one of my cabinet companies asked me the other day if I have ever heard of Jubilee. I of course said "nope". He went on to explain that that it is when ther is a lack of oxygen in the water and all the fish and shell fish come to the shore to find O2. There isn't a specific day every year. The weather dictates when it happens. It also happens in only 2 places in the world, Alabama and China.

He showed me pictures of flounder stacked on top of each other with half their bodies out of water. ?His kids walked along the beach and gigged the largest ones. To say the least they had a great feast of fish.

Has anyone else seen this before?

Some trolling ?'s

Me — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 18:57:35 GMT

I plan on heading out to Fort Pickens and Pensacola Pass tommorow. What should I use to troll and how fast should I go?:)

Wade Fishing Johnson's Beach

Pourman1 — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 13:40:35 GMT

Was gonna give it a try tomorrow morning for a few hours on the grass flats ... anyone been out there the past few days ?? ... if so , was it all topwater lures ?? ... thanks in advance :clap

September Fishing

bdmast2002 — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 19:56:28 GMT

I will be heading down the week of Sept. 8th for some fishing and was wondering what should be the best option for fishing at that time (what's biting..)?

I will be bringing my bay boat so can fish inshore and/or nearshore.

Thanks for any input!

rapala subwalk

mistermogin — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 16:49:43 GMT

for those of you that use the rapala subwalk, are you having more sucsess with a steady walk the dog retrieve, or a twitch and pause retrieve?

Need Orange Beach Spec Fishing Advice

cliff k — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 19:51:52 GMT

I am going out for my first ever night spec fishing trip with a friend of mine. Does anyone have any advice on where to go, what bait, etc.? any advice is greatly appreciated. ill post pics late sunday if i catch any. thanks

Begginer

mazement1 — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 08:24:13 GMT

Im a freswater fisherman thats really starting to like saltwater fishing, Ive been mainly doing this inshore fishing and off the shore on the NAS Naval base. Im still very new at it and Im trying to learn about the species, what there biting, how to catch them and what seasons to catch them?? Whats the best way to start? Is there any good reference material for someone like myself? Could anyone out there give me some simple advice?? Thanks!!!

The Pass Perdido Key

jmd25 — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 20:02:34 GMT

Heading out to perdido key. Going to fish from the beach and camp. Any news of the pass, fishing from or near the shore on perdido key side. Sound and gulf.

King Fish

polebenda — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 16:35:04 GMT

Can you catch king fish anywhere near the Pensacola Nas Base? I heard people say you can catch them where the old mcdonalds use to be but you have to be on a boat. Do they run through there? I was just wondering because I want to try catching one. Thanks for any info provided.

sheepshead

seafox — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 10:40:50 GMT

I remember seeing all the reports with sheepshead back during the spring, but what about now. What happens to them during the summer?

what size jig

snakeman14 — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 13:44:57 GMT

me and a friend are getting into pouring up jigs, and lead wieghts but before we jump into it we would like to know what people use the most.

jig color

snakeman14 — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 13:52:07 GMT

me and a friend are tryin to start a little buisness pouring jig heads

we have been doing it for a while just for us, but would like to see if anybody else would want to buy some.

Tripletail trip

JimS — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 08:04:08 GMT

My wife and I are going Tripletail fishing tomorrow over in Mobile Bay. Thanks to Mike http://www.pensacolafishingforum.com/fishingforum/Topic150114-15-1.aspx for reminding us it is the season. In the spring, we watched the program on a fishing show and wanted to try it. This is my wife's type of fishing, as you don't go until the middle of the day. We are all set up on a guided trip, wish us luck. Hope this does not jink the trip.

Bridge Fishing

kevinb — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 21:30:32 GMT

I have been trying to fish the various bridges for redfish. What depth is typical more productive. Is it better close to the shore or near the middle. I have a good sounder on the boat. thanks

Tides? Tackle?

Matt J — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 15:29:34 GMT

Can anyone enlighten me on reading tide calendars with regards to best time to find fish inshore. Looking to come down in Oct. some time with some friends with the sole purpose of inshore red/speck fishing. I generally fish in the Perdido Bay, Bon Secour, and Mobile Bay areas from a 19' Kenner CC, but have never paid attention to tides.

Some of my questions are:

Incomming or outgoing tide?

Best moon phases?

Any info on this topic would be greatly appreciated.

I am also looking to upgrade my equipment and would like some advice on anyones favorite inshore rods, reels, line type and diameter.

inshore fishing question for yall landlocked guys

ScullsMcNasty — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 18:25:44 GMT

this time of year im normally chasing snapper/grouper/kings in the gulf but with the boat waiting to get fixed, my fishing partner and i are landlocked. weve been fishin the sound for reds and specks from late morning to midday. using live pinfish under a cork and draggin pinfish and bullminnows on the bottom. weve been fishin some grass flats and a few old docks but havent had any luck so far in 3 trips. like i said before, i normally fish the gulf this late in the summer so i dont know much about summer inshore fishing. i havent had to wade fish in a long time.

should we fish at night or early morning... keep fishing the flats and docks or find some oyster beds or jetties or channels??

any help or insight would be appreciated! and if anyone wants to be really generous and PM me a specific location that would be awesome! if not, thats ok too! i understand that once you find a good spot, youre not happy to give it out. and i wouldnt want anyone to give me their honey hole anyway. thanks in advance for any help!

Navarre tide Chart?.?

Rich — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:01:40 GMT

I'm looking for an accurate tide chart for the intercoastal area near navarre. I've been using the Fishermans Bend and The Narrows area but its not accurate to what I am seeing while on the water. The other question is, since Navarre is in the middle of 2 passes, which way does the water go? East or West when it drains?

:banghead

Tripletail aroung Grayton Beach?

Slowride — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 06:28:10 GMT

I've never caught a tripletail and would love to give it a shot. Not asking for specific spots, but where would I need to go to get a shot? Is there anywhere around me or do I need to put in some truck time. I assume shrimp under a cork. Any suggestions? SR

Good plan???

gocatchfish37 — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 03:14:22 GMT

My dad and I are prolly going to take the skiff to the santa rosa sound/tiger point area. He's going to throw the net and I will be in the tower fishing for reds/specks. I will be using topwater mirrolures first thing in the morning, and then sight fish for them, I tied the albright knot with 25# fluorocarbon as my leader with an owner circle hook, just trying to decide whether I should use finger mullet or pinfish for my bait??

Weeks Bay Tarpon tournament

Jim/Ga — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 20:29:03 GMT

Anybody on here a member of the Weeks Bay Fishing club. I would like to fish in this tournament just to learn how to catch tarpon. Anyone with any good experience with Mobile Bay tarpon interested?

http://www.weeksbayfishingclub.com/index.php?option=com_fireboard&func=view&id=1035&catid=12#1035

What would you do?

Bill — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 19:39:51 GMT

I am coming down from Atlanta on friday, I plan on fishing on sunday and monday morning. I have 7 year old and 5 year old boys that i would love to see their faces when they bring in a fish! I stay near Garcon Bridge, but would go anywhere; the pass, the bay, the gulf or the sound. What would you fish?

intercoastal along old gulf beach hwy

mistermogin — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 20:45:45 GMT

anybody catching anything on the grass in the old gulf beach hwy area? what are u using, what tide, what time of day?

Mullett??

troutslayer31 — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 15:58:13 GMT

Does anybody know any good places to throw the mullett net?

Too Young to Fish?

BigDev — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:33:05 GMT

By the time I was old enough to walk my dad took me out on the boat and put a fishing rod in my hands. Fishing and the love of the water has been a passion of mine ever since. My wife and I just had our first child on the last day of June so I have been away from the water for a few weeks. During these sleepless nights I keep pondering the question is it too soon to take him fishing? I was also wondering if there is something equivalent to a carseat for the boat? I've already bought the smallest life vest and wet suit West Marine sells, I just wonder if I am missing anything.

Thanks

Devin

National Seashore

First Catch — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 21:00:15 GMT

Is there any specific good area to wade in the National Seashore, or at the very least the best access?

Blackwater Water Quality?

Bay Pirate — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 09:48:29 GMT

Anyone been out there lately, I would like to sneak a few hours in between the storms this weekend.

Last week I did Upper Escambia Bay, the water was pretty Chocolaty and reached 91d in the shallows one day. I did find a school of reds and sat on them for about 1/2 hour........ had quite a few blow ups on top water, 1 taker on a gulp crab, but couldn't boat anything.

inshore tripletail info?

biggamefishr — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 18:22:31 GMT

wanting to try it...anyone have some info or tips they'd be willing to share

these last couple of overcast days.

mistermogin — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 16:47:03 GMT

Anybody been doing any good these last couple of overcast days on the grass flats? If using artificials, what are you using?

Fishing in Pensacola Beach/Gulf Breeze

kevinb — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 17:25:09 GMT

Looks like that I am finally going to make it to the in-laws place on Pensacola Beach. I will be bringing the boat. I am just looking for some basic inshore tips and guidance for the area. We will be on the eastern end of Pensacola beach toward Navarre. I am not looking to steal any secret honey holes as I only have the opportunity to fish in Florida once or twice a year. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I fish exclusively in Venice, LA and could offer some inshore tips for anyone heading over to Louisiana.