For Day 2, I guided Mr. Keith Jones in Pensacola Bay and over in Santa Rosa Sound. Started at first-light and tagged many fish on topwater baits. Redfish and trout were together off the bank during the low-tide but just outside the schools of bait and mullet. Found large schools of bigger redfish in the shallows enticing them with topwaters and sub-surface baits although it took a little while to get into a groove. After catching most the fish along that bank, we trailer the boat to the Sound. Low water had the fish pulled way off the banks so we pitched Johnson Gold Spoons outside huge schools of mullet to produce a few good redfish. After a great morning of shallow water fishing, we set course for McGuire’s for some late morning brews and a hefty lunch, the Thursday Pot Roast Special. Impressive indeed! All fish released. Last trip of the week tomorrow with the Pure Fishing/Walmart execs from Bentonville. Looks like I’ll be heading up to Bentonville, AR. again soon. Please click an image to enlarge and view slideshow....
Read MoreEven in the harshest of conditions at Redfish University-October 4, 2010
Guided Mr. Randall Hamilton this morning. I believe this morning was the coldest and most windy this Fall. Hit the water at 630am in 50 degree temperatures and a stiff, 20-30 mph north wind. Ran way up river to look for signs of striped bass. We found plenty of bait upriver but nothing impressive enough to stop for. Travelled back down to the open bay and started our quest for redfish and speckled trout. Found plenty of small to medium fish against the marsh as the tide was rising and almost peak. Many smaller fish have already made their way to their Fall/Winter homes, seen in the photos, and the larger fish can’t be far behind. Randy did well with the Gulp! 5″ Jerkshads in camo and I fanned the area, mostly against the marsh, with the Marsh Works Big Poppy and a 3″ Gulp! Shrimp to also produce my share of redfish and trout. Mostly an instructional, location and techniques trip this morning. All medium, small and tiny fish released. Book now to experience the thrill of Redfish U!! Please click an image to enlarge and view...
Read MoreA short tour of East and Blackwater Bays at Redfish University-September 29, 2010
Called yesterday’s client on Monday and described Monday’s difficulty in the late morning. Instead of performing what could have been a very unproductive trip, I offered a makeup date in hopes the weather would remain more constant next time. The first few cold-snaps of the Fall can be very tricky and this year is no exception. Constant weather is the key, at least for a few days. Guided Mr. Carl Smith on a detailed tour of East and Blackwater Bay this morning. Although the temperatures haven’t fallen significantly enough to push a huge amount of fish north yet, the morning temperatures this week are a positive sign for the very near future. Broke out the maps and made several stops in areas that will hold great concentration of redfish, speckled trout, striped bass, largemouth bass and even a few tarpon in the next few weeks. Only fished a few areas and picked up the same small redfish and trout as last week’s tour. We did see a few larger redfish and hefty wakes so it really won’t be much longer until we see the area come alive. For those anglers who are just looking for extremely productive areas in the Fall and Winter months, the Redfish University instructional tour is an unbelievable way to eliminate dead water. Can’t be the $300 price tag as you’ll save that in a few months of fishing. Book now to experience the Gulf Coast’s premier and highest rated guide service, Redfish...
Read MoreDifficult but not impossible at Redfish University-September 23, 2010
Guided Mr. Mike Hancock this morning. We were a bit concerned with last night’s full moon and this morning’s very little water movement which is usually a sign of tough conditions. Today was no exception but thankfully the stiff east wind helped us produce some fish. I’m very happy that I was able to postpone yesterday’s guide trip as Wednesday would have been a real struggle. Started with topwater baits at first light and stuck some heavy speckled trout but the redfish were uncooperative with only a few followers and swing and misses. We did have one fish toy with the bait for about thirty feet and finally suck the bait but unfortunately it was lost at the boat. Made a long run and switched to Johnson Gold Spoons and Gulp! Ghost Shrimp. Lots of fish that probably dined all night! Ended up getting four and five redfish between 15-22″ but found the larger fish very stubborn. Naturally, these small redfish are more aggressive in difficult conditions and usually take a bait before the bigger fish. Our theory was proven a few times as most of the small redfish were accompanied by mid-slot and upper length fish. Not even a well-placed Gulp! Shrimp, Crab or 1/8oz. Johnson Gold Spoon could pull one of these fish off of a hooked redfish. Most unusual! We were pleased to catch some fish and I think we did as well as we could possibly do today. Conditions will no doubt change in the coming days and we’ll see huge catches of redfish and speckled trout follow. Book now to experience Redfish University. Please click an image to enlarge and view...
Read MoreA plethora of redfish at Redfish University-September 21, 2010
Guided Mark and Cindy Welch this morning. Mark does some redfishing over in Louisiana with my friend, Anthony Randazzo, at Paradise Plus in Venice and wanted to catch lots of redfish today. Obviously, the LA marsh is far superior to our local redfish fishery but I had some ideas on where we could catch a ton of redfish. We caught a ton of redfish today! Started out early with topwater baits and found redfish and trout very cooperative. Around 800am, we made a very long run @ 70mph to an area that has huge concentrations of quality redfish that just love small Johnson Gold Spoons. Lots of double hookup with groups of 10-20 redfish cruising the banks and chasing down spoons from unheard of distances. Many times four or five fish would almost bump into each other competing for the bait. Good eyes, long casts and slow-rolling were the key as always. Didn’t keep count but 30-40 is a safe guess. A few 26-27″ fish rode with us during the morning only to be released at the end after the Welch’s decided not to take any home. Great day and fun folks to fish with. Book now to experience Redfish University. Please click an image to enlarge and view...
Read MoreThese are the incredible companies that have made me so successful in professional tournament fishing and provide my clients at Redfish University with the world's best and latest in saltwater fishing gear. Please visit Eric Holstman's Pro Staff pages on all sponsor websites.
To visit one of our sponsor's websites, just click on a logo below...
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |