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I pride myself on being able to give my customers specific, time-relevant information in the books I sell and in my fishing reports. Information I think you won't find anywhere else and information that is actually immediately useful (unlike a lot of generic fishing reports out there).

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Emerald Coast Fishing Report - Early July

The inshore trout bite here on the Panhandle has still been pretty good, nothing like it was in May, but we are still catching some quality fish. We finally got some much-needed rain and that really helped the inshore bite. The key to a successful trip is to start early and have the right baits. Just what are the right baits? I’ll let in you in on a few of my secrets. My go to baits in the hot summer months are live pinfish, Bass Assassins Blurp 3” Shrimp (Electric Chicken), or Berkley’s Gulp Alive 3” Shrimp (New Penny) under a popping cork. These are easy for the clients who have limited fishing skills and almost always provide some fun light tackle action. Now, when the popping cork just won’t perform, and sometimes it won’t, what do you do next?

I’ll dip into my magic tackle box and pull out a few trusty lures. If you haven’t used the new Mirr0dine 17MR, you need to go out and get a few. These things are proficient trout catching lures. I’ve put some good fish in the boat using these baits. I also like to use soft-body baits from time to time in the heat of the summer. Bass Assassin makes some great 5” Jerk Shads in a few colors that have put fish in the boat on a regular basis. I use Pearl White, Golden Bream, and Electric Chicken, just to name a few. Rigged with a 5/0 –6/0 Worm Hook this bait is deadly to trout!

So where am I catching these beautiful spotted creatures? I can’t give away all my secrets, but I know that some of you see me out and know where a few my early morning spots are, like the Jet Ski flats. This spot has put a few trout on the end of the line, and every once in a while I’ll get a nice fish out of there, but the good trout are spread out more now that’s it June. Back in May, I was catching some big fish close to the boat ramp, which was great, since I didn’t have to run far, but now I’m making 8 – 15 mile runs to get some quality trout in the box. Not that I mind, it’s good to give the motor a workout. Generally, I’m catching my trout in 3ft – 6 ft of water depending upon what time of day it is and what the water clarity looks like.

So what’s up with the red fish in our area? The Mega-Bite has had trouble finding quality reds the past few days. I’ve been out and hooked a few fish, but not with any kind of consistency. I think that heat wave we had a few days back hurt the red fishing, or maybe I’m getting rusty. Most of my fish are coming off a few honey holes around the docks. Most anglers that fish our waters on a regular basis know that Pensacola docks hold redfish, and if you hit enough docks you will probably get lucky and pull a few good fish off them. I’ve found that the evening bite has put more reds in the boat than the morning bite. Not sure why this is, but that’s what has been working for me and a few of my other captain friends. Also in the evenings, the reds have been found cruising the flats busting up mullet schools.

I’ve hit my shark hole a few times this year, and the bite has been great just like it was last year. We’ve hooked a few big fish this year that we couldn’t turn, but hey, that’s what makes it fun! You can’t have a fishing trip that doesn’t include a story about “the one that got away.” Plenty have gotten away, but that just means there’s more fish to be caught another day.

I’ve also been out around the pass and offshore a few times this past week. The red snapper are still gobbling up the bait, and we’ve boated a few nice king mackerel, too. We’re starting to get that usual late day rain shower, so be sure to watch the weather before going offshore.

June is coming to a close, and July is right on top of us. With Independence Day weekend and then the Blue Angels show coming up, be extra careful on the water. Show each other courtesy, and be willing to let some things slide. Just remember to start early, be patient and keep a positive attitude. I truly believe that if you get frustrated on the water you won’t have a productive day. Lastly, watch the weather, it’s going to get hot again this week with heat indexes over 105, so drink plenty of water, don’t get hammered, and try to be off the water by noon if you can, and be safe.
Till the next adventure, here’s wishing everyone tight lines.

Report courtesy of Capt. John Rivers - www.megabiteinshore.com

Emerald Coast Tournament/Fishing Events for July - SALTWATER

  • July 1-5 - Pensacola Big Game Fishing Club - 39th Annual Pensacola International
    Pensacola, FL
    Contact: Pensacola Big Game Fishing Club
    850-453-4638
    www.pbgfc.com


  • July 4 - 26th - Annual Mobile Big Game Fishing Club Junior Anglers Tournament
    Orange Beach, AL
    Contact: Moblie Big Game Fishing Club
    Robert Weaver
    251-978-5454
    www.mbgfc.com


  • July 16-18 - Bay Point 40/40 Shootout Invitational
    Panama City, FL
    Contact: Scott Burt
    850-235-6911
    marina@baypoint.net


  • July 11 - Roy Martin Young Angler Tournament
    Dauphin Island, AL
    Contact: Mike THomas
    850-471-0025
    www.adsfr.com


  • July 17-19 - 77th Annual Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo
    Dauphin Island, AL
    Contact: Mike Thomas
    251-471-0025
    www.adsfr.com


  • July 17-19 - Pensacola Big Game Fishing Club - 30th Annual Pensacola Lady Anglers Tournament
    Pensacola, FL
    Contact: Pensacola Big Game Fishing CLub
    850-453-4638
    www.pbgfc.com


  • July 22-26 - Outcast Blue Marlin Classic
    Orange Beach Marina
    Orange Beach, AL
    Contact: Outcast Fishing & Hunting
    850-457-1450
    outcast@bellsouth.net
    www.outcastfishingandhunting.com


  • July 24-26 - Mobile Big Game Fishing Club
    10th Limited Billfish Tournament
    Orange Beach, AL
    Contact: Mobile Big Game Fishing Club
    Bill Hixson
    251-228-2181
    www.mbgfc.com


  • July 29-August 2 - Orange Beach Billfish Classic
    Orange Beach Marina
    Orange Beach, AL
    Contact: Joan Norris
    251-45-4656
    orangebeachbillfishclassic.com

ONGOING:

  • March 15 - August 15
    Red Snapper World Campionship Saltwater Series
    Zekes Marina-Orange Beach, AL Contact: Tom Steber
    251-609-2047
    www.redsnapperworldchampionship.com


  • June 1 - August 31
    Gulf Breeze Bait & Tackle Inshore Slam Tournament Gulf Breeze, Fl
    Contact: Gulf Breeze Bait & Tackle
    850-932-6789
    gbtackle@aol.com
    www.gbtackle.com

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