Light Tackle Action on Pensacola Bay

Early March Report Three days of fun fishing in Pensacola Bay. The sheepshead bite has not kicked off yet, but I'm sure it won't be long now. We're catching a few small males, but the bigger fish have yet to show their faces. The white trout bite has been exceptional the past month and it's still going strong. {%image_id=14251%} The great thing about these fish is they are a blast on light tackle and they're pretty tasty with some hushpuppies and slaw. Not only are they fun, but this year they are running bigger than last year. I've been boating many fish well over 2 lbs. On Monday we boated a huge white trout that had to be close to 4 lbs and was at least 23 inches. {%image_id=14252%} Along with the plentiful trout, we've managed to hook up some hard-fighting redfish both along the bridge and off the rock jetties. {%image_id=14262%} A few other species have made a showing in the pass. We even managed to hook up a few undersized red snapper and grouper. It's good to see a healthy fishery, and when we're catching snapper and grouper in the pass, I know the stocks are healthy. These fish will be ready for the taking in a year or two. Next week I'll be on the water going after some sheepshead and redfish. Hopefully the bite will have picked up on my sheepshead holes. Tackle Tally Reels: Quantum Catalyst 20's & Quantum Boca 30's Rods: Fenwick HMG spinning rods 7 ft Medium and 7 ft Medium Heavy Line: Berkley Ultra Braid - - 20 lb & 30 lb Leader: Berkley Fluorocarbon - - 15 lb – 20 lb –30 lb Hooks: Gamakatsu 1/0 live bait hooks Jigs: Bass Assassins ¼ oz Bait: Berkley Gulp 3" – 4" Shrimp, Curly Tail Grubs 3" Till next time, see you on the water. Tight Lines. Capt. John