Perdido Key to Cape San Blas
Includes Pensacola, Gulf Breeze, Fort Walton Beach, Destin, Panama City and Port St. Joe
April 9 – 11
Inshore
Capt. Lionel James of Lion’s Tale Adventure putting his clients on a nice jack crevalle.
Last week we had a cold snap and while it’s possible it will be the last one of the season, it definitely put a damper on the inshore bite.
The sheepshead and Spanish mackerel have been the most consistent bite for guides on a slow day but it still has been hit or miss after the temperature drops. There has been a decent redfish bite on some of the deeper docks in the bay using a Carolina rig with live shrimp. The trout were finally showing up before the front and then shut down but they should be back soon and be here to stay.
Beach fishing has been really good and peak pompano time is upon us! Make sure when you are beach fishing to spread your rods before and after the sandbar so you are covering more ground! Redfish schools are plentiful down the beach and have been more than happy to take a sand flea or a lure. One fish that is massively underrated and an absolute blast is the jack crevalle. This time of year you can see schools of them racing the beach in search of live bait. Have a topwater lure ready and when you see them, act fast, both on the cast and the retrieve!
Nearshore
Capt. Zach Wolfe with Maila Ann Charters got his clients on a good grade of king mackerel this past week!
The king mackerel bite was absolutely on fire this week with the bigger fish always showing up first this time of year. Many boats brought in a board full of good sized kings and happy clients. A lot of them being caught on natural wrecks a few miles offshore. Slow trolling live bait has been the best bet, the bait is here but has been holding on wrecks a bit offshore as well.
As for bottom fishing, vermillion snapper and triggerfish are still the go-to this time of year and are producing just fine. While most boats use cut bait for triggerfish, I’ve heard good reports on using Fishbites and Fish Gum as well.
Capt. Gabrielle Barnes
Lady Luck Adventure LLC
Marler Park Fort Walton Beach, FL
407-818-3141
www.LadyLuckAdventures.com
https://www.facebook.com/LadyLuckAdventures/
Best Tips for Targeting Triggerfish
Sporty reef fish offers tasty alternative. The gray triggerfish looks better and better as snapper and grouper seasons grow shorter and shorter by the year...
