Todd, Linda, Jack, Jan, and I left the dock at 1600. Out to make the best of the days 15 knot winds, we stuck close to the shoreline, and stayed in protected waters. It turned out to be a great strategy, I guess the fish were trying to make the best of the day too.
We caught 35-40 White Trout and 1 slot Redfish in the 3 hours we had until the sun set. The wind settled and the ride back was beautiful.
Thanks for a great afternoon guys.
Monday, October 13, 2008
10 Oct 2008
Danielle, Edwina, Lisa, and Rita met me for a sunset fishing trip. After I caught some baits, we were on our way to the Pass to turn them into bigger fish. We caught a few short Groupers, 1 oversized Redfish, 1 slot Redfish, 1 Flounder, 1 Mangrove Snapper, 1 17" Red Snapper and we pulled the hook on a few more.
Rita, who professed to be the least "skilled" angler, really showed her stuff, out-catching everyone else.
I had a fanastic time, ladies, and I can't wait until we can do it again!
I had a fanastic time, ladies, and I can't wait until we can do it again!
Monday, October 6, 2008
04 Oct 2008
Capt. D.P. and I, along with Capt. Lance Powers and our friend Kevin left Pensacola at 0030 headed for Venice, La. Other than a blown tire, that we changed like a NASCAR pit crew, the ride over was fairly uneventful even though no one slept.
Pre-fishing for the Oberto Qualifier was today's game and I must say we played rather well. 25 or so Redfish found their way into the net, our two best were good for 15.5lbs. Two solid fish, and we still had a little room for improvement!
The fishing was excellent, along with our Redfish we also caught 4 or 5 Speckled Trout. Aside from being stuck on a mud flat for an hour it was a great day, we even hooked fish while we were stuck! I can't wait to get back over there and do some more prep work! On a sadder note, many of the spots we wanted to check were totally out of water due to a low tide and a north wind. I guess that gives us a real good excuse to go back...soon.
18 days until Tournament Day...and counting!
Pre-fishing for the Oberto Qualifier was today's game and I must say we played rather well. 25 or so Redfish found their way into the net, our two best were good for 15.5lbs. Two solid fish, and we still had a little room for improvement!
The fishing was excellent, along with our Redfish we also caught 4 or 5 Speckled Trout. Aside from being stuck on a mud flat for an hour it was a great day, we even hooked fish while we were stuck! I can't wait to get back over there and do some more prep work! On a sadder note, many of the spots we wanted to check were totally out of water due to a low tide and a north wind. I guess that gives us a real good excuse to go back...soon.
18 days until Tournament Day...and counting!
26-28 Sept 2008
I played camera boat for the Oh Boy! Oberto Redfish Cup this weekend. It was a great experience. I thoroughly enjoyed watching the camera man and the anglers on the other boat, in between catching Speckled Trout after Speckled Trout!!!
Friday I followed 2009 Team Of The Year, Sepe and Bostick, as they fished the Panama City flats looking for Redfish. They managed 10.31 pounds, ending the day in 25th. I however would have finished well in a tournament for the most Speckled Trout. I fooled, and landed, 15 nice Trout. Lost as many as I landed and had numerous fish swipe at the bait or follow it back to the boat but not find a hook. My largest fish weighed in around 4.5 pounds, it was a great morning.
Saturday I was reassigned with the team of Pope and Buckner, who ended day one with 13.75, in 5th place. We all headed for Panama City and, although the bite was much slower, it was a near repeat of yesterday for me. I caught 12 Trout while following my team at a good pace, solely throwing a suspending hard-bait at sand patches along the flats. I would have preferred to fish the sandy areas slower, but Pope and Buckner fish fast, so I had no choice but to keep up. Fishing fast payed off for the team, they weighed 12.54, putting them into 2nd place going into the final day.
Sunday I was back in Panama City with Pope and Buckner. Again the pattern from yesterday was the ticket for both the team, and myself. The Trout fishing was good and the Redfishing was profitable. Pope and Buckner ended the final day in 2nd place, their best finish this season.
I had a good time, but I hope next year it will be someone else following ME!
Until next time...
Friday I followed 2009 Team Of The Year, Sepe and Bostick, as they fished the Panama City flats looking for Redfish. They managed 10.31 pounds, ending the day in 25th. I however would have finished well in a tournament for the most Speckled Trout. I fooled, and landed, 15 nice Trout. Lost as many as I landed and had numerous fish swipe at the bait or follow it back to the boat but not find a hook. My largest fish weighed in around 4.5 pounds, it was a great morning.
Saturday I was reassigned with the team of Pope and Buckner, who ended day one with 13.75, in 5th place. We all headed for Panama City and, although the bite was much slower, it was a near repeat of yesterday for me. I caught 12 Trout while following my team at a good pace, solely throwing a suspending hard-bait at sand patches along the flats. I would have preferred to fish the sandy areas slower, but Pope and Buckner fish fast, so I had no choice but to keep up. Fishing fast payed off for the team, they weighed 12.54, putting them into 2nd place going into the final day.
Sunday I was back in Panama City with Pope and Buckner. Again the pattern from yesterday was the ticket for both the team, and myself. The Trout fishing was good and the Redfishing was profitable. Pope and Buckner ended the final day in 2nd place, their best finish this season.
I had a good time, but I hope next year it will be someone else following ME!
Until next time...
Monday, September 15, 2008
23 Sept 2008
I spent this past weekend in Destin at the Fishin Chix Pink Rubber Boots Tournament. My crew consisted of my aunt, Kelly, her daughter Lindsay, co-worker Frankie and Frankie's daughter, Erin. We had a great time, the good fishing and blue skies didn't hurt. Our morning began in search of Redfish. Using live baits on Carolina Rigs, we targeted our fish in 20-30 feet of water, and they responded. First a short Grouper, then another, then the Redfish started. In a matter of 30 min we caught five fish ranging in size from 24 3/4" to 26 15/16", perfect for our needs. We could have sat right there and continued to catch those fish for a good portion of the tide, but the tournament format is multi-species, and that wouldn't have helped our cause.
The target species included Speckled Trout, Redfish, Flounder, Bluefish, Ladyfish, Spanish Mackerel, King Mackerel, Red Snapper and a Mystery Weight.
We trolled the Gulf-side beach with small jigs for Ladyfish, Bluefish, and Spanish but the 20 knot east wind had the surf up and it just wasn't much fun to hang out in for very long. Same technique, different location. A move further into Choctawhatchee Bay and we reset the trollers to the delight of the local Ladyfish. Among those fish were two above average fish that I felt sure would put us in the running in that category. We were pleasantly surprised when a Bluefish and a nice Spanish added to our total in the same area.
By this time the clock is running low, we had to be back at the dock at 1400, and we needed to make a major move to find a Trout or a Flounder. I wanted to make a 10 mile run, but that would have been 10 miles into that nasty 20kt headwind, so we decided to trailer the boat and move over the road instead. The move, while well executed, was unsuccessful and after using every available second we raced to the scales, with mere minutes to spare.
Our final results were as follows: 1st and 3rd place Ladyfish; 2nd place Redfish; 2nd place Spanish Mackerel; and Top Boat Runner-up. What a great finish! In addition to money for 2nd place Top Boat, this earned us a whole heap of prizes. The ladies went home with a couple of nice watches, Costa Del Mar sunglasses, a Shimano rod and reel combo, $1500 in gift certificates, 2 or 3 signed and numbered Guy Harvey prints.
I had such a great time. Nice people, good fishing, great ending!
Thanks, first of all, to my crew, I love you guys, without you I wouldn't have been there at all! I'd also like to thank Claudia and all of the Fishin' Chix for a fantastic event; my awesome uncle, Capt. Wes Rozier, for everything he does for me; and Blazer Boats for a capable, safe boat; none of us ever felt uncomfortable, even in the poor comditions.
And thank you, for reading!
The target species included Speckled Trout, Redfish, Flounder, Bluefish, Ladyfish, Spanish Mackerel, King Mackerel, Red Snapper and a Mystery Weight.
We trolled the Gulf-side beach with small jigs for Ladyfish, Bluefish, and Spanish but the 20 knot east wind had the surf up and it just wasn't much fun to hang out in for very long. Same technique, different location. A move further into Choctawhatchee Bay and we reset the trollers to the delight of the local Ladyfish. Among those fish were two above average fish that I felt sure would put us in the running in that category. We were pleasantly surprised when a Bluefish and a nice Spanish added to our total in the same area.
By this time the clock is running low, we had to be back at the dock at 1400, and we needed to make a major move to find a Trout or a Flounder. I wanted to make a 10 mile run, but that would have been 10 miles into that nasty 20kt headwind, so we decided to trailer the boat and move over the road instead. The move, while well executed, was unsuccessful and after using every available second we raced to the scales, with mere minutes to spare.
Our final results were as follows: 1st and 3rd place Ladyfish; 2nd place Redfish; 2nd place Spanish Mackerel; and Top Boat Runner-up. What a great finish! In addition to money for 2nd place Top Boat, this earned us a whole heap of prizes. The ladies went home with a couple of nice watches, Costa Del Mar sunglasses, a Shimano rod and reel combo, $1500 in gift certificates, 2 or 3 signed and numbered Guy Harvey prints.
I had such a great time. Nice people, good fishing, great ending!
Thanks, first of all, to my crew, I love you guys, without you I wouldn't have been there at all! I'd also like to thank Claudia and all of the Fishin' Chix for a fantastic event; my awesome uncle, Capt. Wes Rozier, for everything he does for me; and Blazer Boats for a capable, safe boat; none of us ever felt uncomfortable, even in the poor comditions.
And thank you, for reading!
Sunday, August 3, 2008
19 Sept 2008
The last six weeks or so have been hectic, and unfortunately my blog has suffered for it. I apologize for the lapse in coverage. Let me get you up to speed.
I participated in the Gulf Power Inshore Tournament benefitting The Ronald McDonald House. We did well, but in a first place only tourney, second place isn't worth much. Literally, the Redfish that bested ours came in with less than 30 seconds left.
In another near miss, during the RFRA inshore slam, we were again bumped (barely off the leaderboard) with little time remaining in the event. Our Flounder did hold up for 3rd in the calcutta.
I've also had the opportunity to fish with some of you recently, and I'm sure you've been showing off those big Redfish we've been catching. And likely telling slightly false renditions of otherwise factual events. It's ok... I've been doing the same thing! Here are a few highlights from recent trips. Ken, Jim (who may look familiar from past posts), Johnny, and Wayne were all visibly excited by their Redfish.
Nancys Gag Grouper put up a fight on 12# tackle but didn't quite make the state minimum of 22", and was released.
This is my sister with the first Redfish aboard her boyfriend's boat. Did you read that? That's right, boyfriend, you read it! Please, don't ask for her number or for me to put a good word in for you, she's got a boyfriend.
My tournament partner, Capt Dusty Powers, and I have been invited to fish in the Oh Boy! O'Berto Redfish Cup Qualifier in Venice, La, Oct 23-24. This is the only way into the Redfish Cup for 2009, other than finishing in a top position in 2008.
Anyone in Pensacola and the neighboring areas, come see the Redfish Cup Championship this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at the Pensacola seafood festival, downtown Pensacola. These guys are fishing for a $100,000 first prize! It's going to be exciting! I'll be running a camera boat on Sat. and Sun., come down and say hi.
Capt. D.P. and I are also competing in the IFA Championship coming up in early November in Panama City.
The White Trout have started to show up in their normal Fall haunts over the last few weeks. Live shrimp are excellent baits and cut bait will often do the trick, but a 1/4 oz. jighead and a grub or Gulp! bounced along the bottom is hard to beat. Kingfish are also being caught in the bay, slow-trolling live Pogys and Mullet usually yields the best results. Get out there and FISH!
Thanks for stopping by.
I participated in the Gulf Power Inshore Tournament benefitting The Ronald McDonald House. We did well, but in a first place only tourney, second place isn't worth much. Literally, the Redfish that bested ours came in with less than 30 seconds left.
In another near miss, during the RFRA inshore slam, we were again bumped (barely off the leaderboard) with little time remaining in the event. Our Flounder did hold up for 3rd in the calcutta.
I've also had the opportunity to fish with some of you recently, and I'm sure you've been showing off those big Redfish we've been catching. And likely telling slightly false renditions of otherwise factual events. It's ok... I've been doing the same thing! Here are a few highlights from recent trips. Ken, Jim (who may look familiar from past posts), Johnny, and Wayne were all visibly excited by their Redfish.
Nancys Gag Grouper put up a fight on 12# tackle but didn't quite make the state minimum of 22", and was released.
My tournament partner, Capt Dusty Powers, and I have been invited to fish in the Oh Boy! O'Berto Redfish Cup Qualifier in Venice, La, Oct 23-24. This is the only way into the Redfish Cup for 2009, other than finishing in a top position in 2008.
Anyone in Pensacola and the neighboring areas, come see the Redfish Cup Championship this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at the Pensacola seafood festival, downtown Pensacola. These guys are fishing for a $100,000 first prize! It's going to be exciting! I'll be running a camera boat on Sat. and Sun., come down and say hi.
Capt. D.P. and I are also competing in the IFA Championship coming up in early November in Panama City.
The White Trout have started to show up in their normal Fall haunts over the last few weeks. Live shrimp are excellent baits and cut bait will often do the trick, but a 1/4 oz. jighead and a grub or Gulp! bounced along the bottom is hard to beat. Kingfish are also being caught in the bay, slow-trolling live Pogys and Mullet usually yields the best results. Get out there and FISH!
Thanks for stopping by.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
20 July 2008
Capt DP, Seth and I went just north into Alabama to do some Bass fishing. We left Pensacola around 1630 on Saturday, arrived at our lake camp at 1845, and got in a half hour of fishing before the sun went down. One lone Bass fell to Seths bait that evening, but the morning bite should be much better, we hoped.
The alarm clock rang at 0515, a quick bite and to the lake! The Bluegill fishing was awesome! I wish I'd taken pictures of some of them, they were huge. I must have caught 15 or more Bluegills over 9" long by myself, Seth and DP were wearing them out too. WOW!
The Bass fishing was notably better than last nights. We boated 7 of the fish that bit, including these two brutes. I lost another one about the same size earlier in the morning...he ate a cricket, on 8 lb, I didn't stand a chance.
The alarm clock rang at 0515, a quick bite and to the lake! The Bluegill fishing was awesome! I wish I'd taken pictures of some of them, they were huge. I must have caught 15 or more Bluegills over 9" long by myself, Seth and DP were wearing them out too. WOW!
The Bass fishing was notably better than last nights. We boated 7 of the fish that bit, including these two brutes. I lost another one about the same size earlier in the morning...he ate a cricket, on 8 lb, I didn't stand a chance.
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