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Captain John Rivers - Florida Panhandle
 Inshore Report:
According to the calendar, it's April 2nd, but the fishing is as red hot as it is in October and November for the big redfish. No, this isn't a late April Fool's joke! We have been catching large numbers of the big bull redfish, and on light tackle, it is even better.
We have also been doing very well with big sheepshead in the 6 to 9 lb range. Mixed in with the sheepshead are some groupers, with some keepers and some undersized. Thankfully, now that it is April, we are able to keep our keeper groupers, instead of throwing them back. One of my favorite things to eat is a grilled grouper sandwich! Now if I could only catch some Cole slaw and some hush puppies to go along with it!
The bite has really turned on in the pass and on a few of my honey holes. On most of my trips, we're averaging 12 - 20 sheepshead and a few good redfish.
If you like hooking big fish on light tackle, and don't mind going to the grocery store for your side dishes, then give me a shout. April has started out with a bang and it should stay this way for the next couple of weeks. The long-range weather forecast is calling for sunny skies and no rain. Let's get out there while the bite is red-hot!
Tight Lines.
Capt. John
Tackle corner:
Lets talk tackle for a minute; I'll give away a few secrets when fishing for these reds. First thing first is to keep it simple. My rod and reel combos are Boca 30's with Boca's 7ft, 14 - 20lb class Med-Hvy Rods. Spool with 30 lb Berkley Big Game braid or 30 lb Spiderwire Stealth braid. I also use 40 - 50 lb Berkley Fluorocarbon leader, depending upon if the kings are cutting me off.
Lures for fishing for these big reds is again very simple.
First let's talk jigs, and you simply need a jig with a very strong hook. I've seen these big reds mangle a substandard hook in just one bite with their strong crushers.
I like to throw a few different jigs, and my first choice almost always is the SPRO JIG, in either a 1oz - 2oz, rigged with a Chartreuse curly tail or some type of swim bait.
Second pick is the swim bait without a buck tail jig, just a plain 1oz - 2oz jig. Mann's makes a great jig for this; it has a long J hook and works very well when rigged with swim baits. Two good swim baits I prefer are Mann's Hard-Nose and Strike King's Shadalicious in the 4.5" long mullet pattern. Rigged properly, this bait will fool most fish into striking. A couple weeks ago, we hooked a 30lb king on a Mann's 1oz red headed jig rigged with a Strike King 4.5" mullet pattern Shadalicious. What an awesome fight we had!
Another good all-around bait to use is a trolling plug, such as a stretch 25. This bait covers a lot of water fast and helps to locate the fish. Two of my favorite colors are Pink and the Cabo Sunset.
Well, I've given a few tips to get you started on catching these big reds, now just get up off the couch, put on your winter jackets, and hit the water. If you don't have a boat or just need a few more pointers, please give me a ring and I'll be happy to set you up on a great red fishing adventure.
Till next time, here's wishing you bent rods and screaming drags.
Mega-Bite Inshore Charters
Capt. John Rivers
850-341-9816
www.megabiteinshore.com
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About Us!
Capt. John has a lifetime of fishing knowledge and over 9yrs of experience fishing the northern gulf coast and our local waterways. I have enjoyed fishing all my life. While living in the Midwest, I fished Kentucky & Barkley Lake for years along with the Ohio River and many local waterways. My first passion was bass fishing, but when I visited the Gulf Coast I found my new love: Salt Water Fishing !
The excitement of saltwater fishing is like nothing else. Hooking into monster Trout on the flats or having a big King pull off 80 yards of line in seconds is what it's all about.
 Fishing is my life, and I enjoy seeing my clients hook up on fish just as much as if I caught them myself. Depending upon what time of year it is, there is always some type of fish to be caught in our area.
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