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Speckled trout, redfish to increase in September
By Mark Clabaugh
Hello Folks, it is September and the best fishing of the season. The hot weather of August will temper down and the nice snapper will get to moving in closer again. What does this mean for you and I, well some comfortable fishing with great catches. Not only will the fishing be hot here, but along the shores in the grass you will find some really nice speckle trout and redfish to boot!
So, let's talk about the Red Snapper for a while. If you are visiting the area the best and easiest way to get to the fish is a fishing charter. You have two choices actually, Private or Party Boat. With a private charter you and your family/friends will be the only ones fishing on the charter.
These charters tend to produce better due to the attention you get and wider amount of fishing techniques they use. The other option you have is to go on a Party boat. These boats do pretty good and can be a lot of fun. Especially if you are by yourself and you are sociable, it is a great way to meet people and have fun fishing a the same time.
Now, the fishing techniques for Red Snapper, there are many ways to catch Red Snapper. Captain Buddy Rogers on the Reel Eazy is partial to light tackle fishing. He will use a light rod with 20lb test line, 1.5oz slip lead and a #2 long shank hook baited with ½ cigar minnow. He then will let out the line, stopping it with his thumb and watching the tip.
If there is no action he will then let out some more line and repeat. When he sees the strike, he snatches. This fishing technique can be tricky but once you get the hang of it … it is a lot of fun.
Another popular technique for Red Snapper fishing is with live bait. Fishermen in this area use live cigar minnows, pin fish, etc. The rig is a 8oz slip lead tied above a swivel where a 2ft 50lb test leader is below the swivel. For a hook a medium sized circle hook or a self setting hook.
This rig can be tricky to use because you have a natural tendency to snatch the rod to set the hook … but wait, you want to do the opposite. You want to hold the rod and when you feel the bite allow the fish to take the bait for a little bit lowering your rod as the fish takes the bait. Once you feel you have him start reeling…. But, don't jerk the rod.
It does not matter which technique you use here and there are many more. It is like opinions, well everyone has one. But, catching Red Snapper in Pensacola is a real treat for which Pensacola is World Famous for.
Let's say fishing from a boat is not your bag, what then. Where can we go? Well, the Pensacola Beach Gulf Fishing Pier is a great option. Right now through September anglers on the pier will be catching lots of King Mackerel and Spanish Mackerel.
King Mackerel is caught on the pier using a steel leader with a treble hook at the end. You will want to use a light steel leader so that the fish does not see it since the water is clear now. For bait, Kings here love the baitfish caught around the pier which include ballyhoo, cigar minnows and hard tails. Live bait does better but, don't count out fresh frozen cigar minnows in a pinch.
Now for some added fun, while you are fishing for King Mackerel, keep a light tackle rod handy with a light steel leader and a "Gotcha Rig" for the Spanish Mackerel. They frequent the pier at all lengths, but just past the sand bar is my favorite. On the sand bar sometimes you see them and you can sight fish for them by casting past them and jigging your bait back fast.
To catch this fish you will cast out far,and then quickly jig your bait back to you. When you feel the hit, jerk the rod to set the hook and have fun!!!
Unlike last year, this year there are few tarpon being caught at the pier. However, if you land one, be sure to have a fishing license and a tarpon endorsement. It is one of the only fish caught at the pier you need a license for. Also being caught are flounder on live shrimp and redfish caught on cut baits on the bottom.
Earlier I mentioned catching Red Fish and Speckle trout on the grass beds. September and October are known for great fishing for these species. Red fish can be caught using live bull minnows or live shrimp and fishing the bottom at the edge of the grass. Speckle trout are hunting yazuri plugs. I prefer a blue and silver or a black and silver. Cast out into the grass bed and work the bait back to you.
In closing, a big hats off to my friend and local fisherman Easton Walter who now has a "Pending" IGFA World Record for a Pacific Jack Cravalle which he caught while
on vacation with his parents at Crocodile Bay Lodge in Costa Rica. Easton's fish weighed 24 Pounds and 13 ounces beating the current World Record by 3 ½ pounds.Way to go Easton!
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