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Redfish and trout on a client’s new Pathfinder at Redfish University-August 20, 2010

Guided Mr. Edwin Yee and his son, Jordan, this morning. Edwin is the new owner of a beautiful 22 Pathfinder from The Ships Chandler in Destin, FL. Edwin and Jordan wanted to become a bit more familiar with the boat’s capabilities and find some places to catch fish on it in Pensacola Bay. I think both goals were accomplished today. Started out with some topwaters and suspending hardbaits in shallow water. Found plenty of small speckled trout with a few nice one mixed in. It seems some areas have been infested with ladyfish, small Spanish mackerel, sharks and big jacks. Not an optimal quartet for consistent catches of redfish and trout. Travelled to some other productive areas and found the action to be abnormally slow. We did catch some quality 3-4# trout but it was one here, one there and very spotty. Ran north to find some redfish in shallow, muddy areas and found huge amounts of bait in one large pocket. Pulled a few decent redfish out of there and struggled after 1000am with slow water and minimal concentrations of fish. I sure wish the rains and winds would stop for a while!! All fish release except a few nice trout and redfish for the grill. Please click an image to enlarge and view...

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Wind and freshwater but lots of speckled trout at Redfish University-August 16, 2010

Trying to catch up on some rescheduled trips from last week’s Tropical Depression and overall crap weather. Guided Mr. Mitch Smith this morning and took a bumpy ride east in search of some redfish and trout. Started at first light with a 4# trout. Nice start but it was really hit or miss at several places today. Concentrated on a stretch of pretty clear water with depths ranging from 2-4′. Got quite a few 2-3# fish on topwaters but the fish were pretty difficult to raise because of the freshwater invasion in these areas. Fortunately, a loud subsurface bait did the trick and lots of very nice trout fell victim to the bait. We were also able to get several fish on the Berkley Powerbaits with rattle inserts. Come to think of it, we should have thrown the Berkley Rattle Shrimp in today’s yucky water. Oh well, Mitch received a few in his Redfish University goodies bag so maybe he’ll use them on his next trout fishing adventure. Covered lots of water this morning and only found big concentrations of fish in one big area so that’s where we returned. We saw a few redfish and redfish wakes but only one strike which spit the hook. Today’s trout total was 25-30 fish of all sizes, even caught a half trout after a shark clipped him in half. Hopefully the rain will stop in the next few days and the fishing will get a little better but we’re not complaining. Today’s tip: Clean, moving water with bait. No photos...

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Redfish, trout and more for new Pensacola residents at Redfish University-August 6, 2010

Back from vacation and busier than ever! Guided Mr. Jim Ball and his son, Thomas, this morning. Jim, Thomas and family are recent new arrivals to the Pensacola area. They are buying a new boat soon and wanted to learn about our local waters and fishery here in Pensacola. They are now very familiar with both!! Started out earlier and showed the guys where they can catch plenty of fish to eat. Whacked the trout and redfish on topwaters, suspending baits and Berkley Powerbaits most of the early morning. Thomas really came into his own with the suspending baits boating several quality speckled trout. We covered a variety of extremely productive areas and lots of proven techniques that have been the bread and butter at Redfish University. Next, the guys wanted go to some areas where they could just catch lots of fish. Picked out some areas in the bay and around the Pass and the guys had a ball with big Spanish mackerel, bluefish, ladyfish and some big sharks. Ended the day with some fishing talk and 15 typed pages of detailed inshore angling tips, locations and techniques for fishing in Pensacola. Jim and Thomas will have no problem catching fish in Pensacola year-round and Redfish University wishes them the best of luck in their future angling adventures. Most fish released but a few trout, redfish and Spanish macks were kept for the cookout. Please click an image to enlarge and view...

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And again, trout, redfish and Spanish at Redfish U.-July 23, 2010

Guided Brian Enabnit and friend, Doug, this morning. They absolutely whacked the speckled trout this morning on topwater baits. In a few hour period, 25-30 trout were brought to the boat including some nice 3-3.5# fish and Brian’s pig trout at 5#. Stopped at a few more great areas and picked up more trout and a 25.5# fat redfish as well. Again, the guys wanted lots of late morning action so we split for the Pass to find some great Spanish mackerel action on spoons but no sharks or tarpon this time although we did see one tarpon leap in the distance. Lots of fish were taken back to Destin for a cookout! Please click an image to enlarge and view...

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Speckled trout, redfish and Spanish again at Redfish University-July 22, 2010

Guided Carl and Steve this morning for some early morning topwater action. Started at 515am and really got into the speckled trout. Landed 20-30 fish in a short period including some very nice 3-4# fish. As 9am came around, the anglers wanted to just catch fish and be around lots of action so we took off for the Pass and found some very nice Spanish mackerel grazing on schools of tightly packed minnows. Lots of sharks in the baitballs as well. The fellas picked off several very nice fish on Johnson Gold Spoons and we called it a day. Several trout and Spanish were taken for a fish fry. Please click an image to enlarge and view...

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