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!

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.

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.

18 July 2008 P.M.

Jared, Jenny, Jim, and David had about three hours to kill this evening, I had just the entertainment they were looking for. We left from Shoreline Park at 1700, Redfish bound! Once in the Pass and set up, the catching began.

The Catfish bite was fair, with a few Bluefish thrown in. All of which was rudely interrupted on three seperate occasions by GIANT Redfish. 100% Redfish-of-your-life, giant Redfish! Jim and David both did great jobs with these fish.




What a great way to end the day, or begin the night, however you want to look at it! I hope to see you guys back again next year, Thanks again.

18 July 2008 A.M.

Mike and his family met me at Shoreline Park at 0630 for 6 hours of fishing. We procured a well-full of live Cigar Minnows and headed for a few Snapper holes a few miles from the beach. The fish were home and ready for breakfast. Before the bite slowed we had amassed 4 nice Red Snapper, 2 solid Mangrove Snapper, and a big King that ate the unweighted Cig on the 12lb outfit.



We moved about 4 miles to another spot and again the unweighted Cig gets eaten. Ten minutes into the fight and I'm sure this isn't another Kingfish. When we get color we see a legal...that's right, legal, Amberjack...ON A TROUT ROD!!! How cool is that? Pretty cool if you ask me!



We also boated another King and our biggest Snapper of the day, before moving inshore to try our hand at a Redfish. And thats how we finish the day, with a big Redfish.



A nice box of fish, and home in time for lunch and a nap.



Thanks again guys, it's always a pleasure to fish with you.

13 July 2008

Mike, Lynette, Heather, Eric and I got away from Galvez Landing just before 0630. The morning was beautiful and, with a slow rolling 2' swell in the Gulf, Snapper was on tonights menu!

We swung by the bait boat to fill our well with live Cigar Minnows and headed for a near-shore reef. The current was really running when we arrived, not making the fishing any easier, keeping the baits anywhere near the wreck was a chore. But, as usual, with a little patience and perserverance, we succeeded. After putting 5 nice Red Snapper and one Mangrove Snapper in the box the wind started picking up. None of us were too into taking a beating, so we decided to head it to the Pass.

We got to the Pass and recieved poor news from a few of the other guides working the area. We tried for three drifts or so without a bite, not even a catfish. Of course, by now the wind had subsided so we made the run to the Mass in search of some Mackerel. Well...that didn't work out either. The first bait out got hammered, and we never got another bite. A half hour later I get a call from my Dad, who tells me there are a few Reds being caught in the Pass. Man, I just left there!!!

Can you guess what happens next? That's right. Back to the Pass we went! Good thing too, first drift and BAM!!! Second drift...nothing. Third drift...BAM!!! And so on for four of the biggest Redfish in recent months.




The bite slowed as the clock wound down and we returned to the ramp, ready for a little lunch and a nap.



Thanks again guys, I had a great time.

11 July 2008

Joe, his sons Schyler and Spencer, along with their friends, Andy and Caleb hopped onboard at Shoreline Park at 0630. A quick stop at the bait boat, and we were at the Massachusets and fishing in no time. Although the conditions could have been better, it was a little bumpy, Spencer still scored first with a nice Spanish Mackerel.


The bite was slow, we caught a Remora, and put a few miles on our baits. Then it happened... one of the rods began dumping line...a lot of line. Andy stepped up to do battle, and he was doing a great job. We were gaining our line back and everything was good.
One of the boys piped up with "Hey, LOOK, there's a Dolphin!!!"
Immediately I begin my no,no,no,no, chant...(I have a pretty good idea of what's coming)
Andy goes,"Hey, he stopped fighting."
I'll bet he did...we just made one dolphins day.
This is what we came up with.


The sea conditions were deteriorating and the dolphins were everywhere, we decided to take it into the Pass and try to find the Redfish. These boys had the touch for this, doubling up on the first drop. The pictures speak for themselves.




The last bite of the day, a shared catch by Schyler and Andy, turned out not to be a fish at all...



What an awesome morning! These guys were so easy to fish with (and a lot of fun to mess with) thanks again, I'm looking forward to next time.