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Great thing about April 15
Opening of Snapper Season
April 15 was opening day of Red Snapper Fishing and I cannot begin to express how exciting the fishing was even though the opening day was pretty rought.
With just a tad of wind and a little bumpy sea every charter boat and plenty of private boats in Northwest Florida and Southeast Alabama was out looking for the famous red fish that calls can only keep two Red Snapper for each fisherman, captain and crew not included.
As per a release on www.myflorida.com they state and I quote "The new federal rule says anglers in Gulf federal waters still may keep the existing four-red-snapper daily bag limit and the captain and crew of for-hire vessels may continue to retain this limit for the first 11 days of the season, from April 21 through that now Federal Red Snapper season is open and you can fish offshore as well. Captain Buddy today is heading out on a 10 hr fishing charter and on the way out called to say that he could not wait to try out some deep holes that he has been watching in the "preseason." The catch should be really nice and I can assure you that the big ones are hungry.
Fishing for Red Snapper is a "bottom fishing" experience which takes knowledge of not only how to fish, but where to find the fish. Where to find them would be on one of the many man-made or natural rock reefs that dot the Gulf of Mexico. As Captain Buddy Rogers of the Charter Boat Reel Eazy explains to his customers in his morning briefing the Northern Gulf of Mexico is like a big desert.
 | | Mark Claybaugh/Splash Tanner Reynolds shows off his recent red snapper catch aboard the Reel Eazy. |
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The bottom is mainly sand outside a few natural rock reefs, which are mainly limestone. To make up the difference reefs have been intentionally sunk in the Gulf to attract fish. These reefs are airplanes, tanks, cars, busses, ships, tugboats etc. Last May the government sunk the Oriskany 25 miles offshore, however, I have not gotten any feedback on any Snapper Fishing there. I would think that it would be tricking because of the size of the structure and the fish cutting you off.
So, Captain will position the boat using his GPS and bottom machine sonar heading over to the wreck coordinates. After finding the structure the Captain will hover over the wreck where the fish are. The Captain then gives the signal for everyone to drop their lines. The fisherman will then drop their lines to the bottom reeling up a few winds and wait for the bite. This is the typical Snapper fishing process for our friends that have not been. Now, when working on the deck every once in a while you will get someone who will cast … When I am working I always ask if they would like the Captain to move the boat over there or where are you casting, we are already 25 miles out. If just cracks me up.
So, what to Red Snapper like? Well, they are not too picky most of the time and will just about eat anything you send down sometimes. When the bite is hard, you have to be more creative. However, this time of the year they will take squid, cigar minnows, live pinfish, cut bait, etc. Captain Buddy uses all types of baits aboard his boat reporting that he wants to be prepared and it helps to ensure a wider species brought aboard. I personally enjoy fishing with light tackle, 1 ½ oz slip lead and a number 2 long shank hook with a cigar minnow.
Also at this time the Cobia fishing is heating up on the Pier and offshore. Everyone is reporting great catches. Aboard the Pensacola Beach Fishing pier they are averaging a few a day and many of them over 40 pounds. The people fishing on the pier are using Cobia jigs for the most part with a few fishing with cigar minnows and eels. Also, they are catching the first King Mackerel of the season and they are running pretty big for early king season. This is exciting news and promises to be a good year for Kings at the pier.
The pompano bite was outrageous over the weekend with many people catching them. Most were fishing with Sand Fleas with a few using small pompano jigs. But, what surprised me the most, they are already catching KINGS in APRIL! WOW.
Inshore activity is picking up with Speckle Trout and Redfish being caught on the grass beds. Generally this is a great time for some Red Fish long the shorelines in the deeper grassy areas. In fact, there is a great fishing spot for Reds this time of the year just east of Portofino.
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