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Redfish in the shallows at Redfish University-November 12, 2010

Got back to what Redfish University knows best today and that’s shallow water redfish. Guided Bob Willice and his friend Tarpon Bob for just that. Today I introduced the fellas to the most technical, skillful and challenging style of fishing on the Gulf Coast. Tarpon Bob and I discussed the bonefish in Belize and S. Florida so I wanted to demonstrate how similar sight fishing is for redfish here on the “Redneck Riveria.” Travelled to the country in search of shallow, muddy banks and flats. It was a little slow to begin with up to the north but we made some adjustments and found plenty of quality redfish that were very willing to inhale Gulp! 5″ Jerkshads in camo. We really caught some high quality, stout fish today in the 25-27″ range that were very fat and heavy. We also found some decent speckled trout in small schools on the flats and actually saw some really large ones as well. The bonus for the day was a 25# drum milling down a bank. After a few well-placed casts from Tarpon Bob with the Jerkshads and no reaction, I grabbed a Gulp! 2″ Crab in Amber Glow for Bob. A great cast followed and the beast tailed on the Crab in 2′ of water.  Solid hookup and a lazy fight as usual from these black drum. Anyway, lots of fun sight fishing today with two skilled anglers. All fish released. Book now and experience why Redfish University is your choice for shallow water angling on the Gulf Coast! E Holstman Please click an image to enlarge and view slideshow.  ...

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Day 3-Epic 25+redfish trip at Redfish University-November 10, 2010

For Day 3 with the Enabnits, we decided to head over to Orange Beach and target some redfish in the marshy creeks on the falling tide. It was a race to beat the falling water so we worked smartly and very quickly.  For this type of red fishing, a small spoon, small spinnerbait or jerkshad in the prefered method but with beginners to this tricky fishery and relatively inexperienced anglers, a Marsh Works Big Poppy cork with a 3″ Gulp! Shrimp in New Penny proved most productive. We did get into some topwater action as well. As expected, we found very clear and very shallow water where redfish between 23-27″ were observed spraying shrimp along the marshy banks and inside creeks. Most areas held a feeding fish every ten yards. Most fish were found on the banks with their backs and eyes out of the water but we also launched corks down the middle and outwards to produce many redfish as well. Because the fellas wanted some redfish to take back to Atlanta, we concentrated on securing our limit quickly which only took about 20 minutes. After that, we screwed around with the video camera and launched topwaters at them which dramatically reduced the hookups for the trigger-happy anglers:) It was very fun and amusing to watch!! Anyway, it was a great morning with action around every corner and it was fantastic to introduce the enthusiastic anglers to this style of fishing. Many wait a lifetime to experience this morning’s stellar redfish conditions!! We didn’t count but 25+ redfish between 22-27″ is a safe estimate. Ended the morning at Lulu’s for some pints and appetizers. The Shrimp Quesadilla is very nice. Angler’s choice tomorrow but I think they want to take it easy, sip some beers and do some bottom fishing in the bay for grouper or whatever. Not my favorite or expertise but maybe they just need a break from all the redfish. In any event, it should be interesting!! How hard can it be? Book now to experience your own epic redfish trip at Redfish University. Openings after December 7 unless we have a cancellation. Thanks, E Holstman Please click an image to enlarge and view slideshow. *Viewer warning* Video contains an F-bomb...

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Day 2 IFA Redfish anglers at Redfish University-November 4, 2010

Today was Day 2 with the IFA Redfish Tour anglers. Again, teams and locations are obviously kept confidential with tournament anglers at Redfish University. Fair is fair..business is business. We decided to fish today(Thursday) since yesterday was so rainy. Cloud cover this morning and high winds made fishing very difficult again but we fished smartly and found plenty of fish before the front blew in. Very tricky conditions, I must say and unfortunately, it will get even more difficult. Stuck some quality fish in shallow water as well as deeper structure. In some areas, we found both slot and oversized redfish which is a great formula for success. Tournament begins tomorrow and I know the guys will do very well and have some heavy weights. A very enjoyable two days of fishing except for the high winds and seas. Good luck, fellas!! Book now to experience the wonder of Redfish...

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Redfish and Flounder before the deluge at Redfish University-October 28, 2010

Guided Gene and Tina Hunter this morning for some redfish, flounder and speckled trout action in hopes of packing the cooler with fresh fish. It was Redfish U’s intent to make a valiant effort to follow my friend Matt’s stellar performance on yesterday’ trip with Gene and Tina, a tremendous bay trip of grouper, snapper and big redfish! It seems we just couldn’t catch a break with the weather this week with Monday’s strong winds and this morning’s downpour, lightning and hard northwest winds. Our plan was to return to the site of yesterday’s epic inshore trip where we conquered over 30 redfish, big flounder and plenty of trout. Made the run west in pretty nice conditions with darker skies to the north. Radar indicated that clouds were moving from the southwest to the northeast but as we all know, things can change very quickly. Arrived in the area and started fishing. Wham! Big flounder on the second cast, a redfish immediately after that and plenty of bait and strikes in the next few minutes. Then the rain and wind hit us making it very difficult and with some thunder coming in, we decided to run back. A very disappointing morning especially since the fish were biting as well as they did yesterday. Perhaps next time Gene and Tina are in Pensacola we’ll have much better weather but at least they had a great day of catching fish one day prior! Book now to experience Redfish University. Please click an image to enlarge and view...

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Redfish University on a Saturday morning!-October 23, 2010

Redfish University NEVER guides on the weekends but for Redfish U. VIP’s, we make exceptions. Guided Dr. Edwin Yee, his son Jordan and friend Andy this morning in some northern areas of the bay system to find some redfish and speckled trout as well as to introduce them to some new areas to them that will be very, very productive in the coming weeks. Launched Edwin’s beautiful 22 Pathfinder/F150 Yamaha at first light and got to work. Full moon, high pressure, low/dead water made things difficult but not impossible. There was a real lack of mullet this morning but we found some redfish hanging on muddy banks to draw some topwater strikes. Very uncooperative fish today with only a few fish caught but we had some great strikes as well. With total home renovation in the process at the Holstman residence, I departed a little early to meet the interior designer and theater room specialist, and sent the crew a bit further south where I hear they found a few more redfish. Hopefully, this trip was extremely productive in a few other ways (locations, techniques and bait selections) because there wasn’t much rod bending this morning. The guys are still out there as I write so maybe as the water begins to move, things will improve. All fish released. Lots of trips again next week(full in fact) so look for more reports soon. Book now to experience the absolute best in inshore angling with Redfish...

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