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Finally Got a Nice Red
Posted on 10/14/25 at 5:50 pm
Posted on 10/14/25 at 5:50 pm
I moved down to Pensacola in 2023 and didn't have a ton of saltwater experience. Its been harder to catch what I want(reds and specks) than I'd imagined. Much more nuance than I was expecting. I've fished freshwater a decent amount in my life, and I've fished inshore saltwater here and there growing up, but I am not a "sportsman." Growing in up in rural Montgomery AL I have plenty of friends and family who are, hunting and fishing is a part of their identity and soul, but that's just never been me.
So I've been learning, trying to figure it out, casting A LOT, mostly from land, researching online, watching dudes on youtube, reading things on here, trial and error, etc. One of my problems is I am not a morning person, so I usually don't get up as early as I should to get out there, but I am really trying to work on that. I've found the fishing to be really tough here between morning and evening, with exceptions here and there.
but I really dove into it last year, and I started to have a little luck with reds and trout last spring with soft plastic paddle tails mostly. Caught a few sizeable specks, and a couple barely under slot reds. Haven't had much luck with hard lures, or even live shrimp for that matter. I'd used live pinfish before a few times with no luck.
Two Saturdays ago I threw out a live croaker off the shore of Perdido Bay, and finally got a big ol red to bite. I felt like all of my effort finally paid off. It felt good. Wild how catching a single fish can make you feel like that, but it was a nice moment for me. Fishing is truly a journey, and its starting to really become a part of me. I enjoy the tips and pointers I get from this board, so I appreciate you guys.
So I've been learning, trying to figure it out, casting A LOT, mostly from land, researching online, watching dudes on youtube, reading things on here, trial and error, etc. One of my problems is I am not a morning person, so I usually don't get up as early as I should to get out there, but I am really trying to work on that. I've found the fishing to be really tough here between morning and evening, with exceptions here and there.
but I really dove into it last year, and I started to have a little luck with reds and trout last spring with soft plastic paddle tails mostly. Caught a few sizeable specks, and a couple barely under slot reds. Haven't had much luck with hard lures, or even live shrimp for that matter. I'd used live pinfish before a few times with no luck.
Two Saturdays ago I threw out a live croaker off the shore of Perdido Bay, and finally got a big ol red to bite. I felt like all of my effort finally paid off. It felt good. Wild how catching a single fish can make you feel like that, but it was a nice moment for me. Fishing is truly a journey, and its starting to really become a part of me. I enjoy the tips and pointers I get from this board, so I appreciate you guys.
This post was edited on 10/15/25 at 10:59 am
9
Posted on 10/14/25 at 5:54 pm to Funky Tide 8
Great job
Posted on 10/14/25 at 6:01 pm to Funky Tide 8
nice red FT8...
Posted on 10/14/25 at 7:57 pm to Funky Tide 8
It is cool to catch and release one on occasion, but when we’re fishing, which is always for specks only, they are considered a nuisance, tearing up lighter gear and wasting valuable time. LOL
Not taking away from your catch, just another example of one man’s trash being another’s treasure. We see charter boats full of customers fishing cracked crabs to land bull reds all the time that pay good money to do it.
Have an uncle and a friend that both have platform boats that sight fish the marsh with customers that pay $800-1000 to catch what you’re holding.
I like topwater trout fishing, but will catch by any means b/c I like eating them. Reds tear up my knife and just don’t fry up the same.
Not taking away from your catch, just another example of one man’s trash being another’s treasure. We see charter boats full of customers fishing cracked crabs to land bull reds all the time that pay good money to do it.
Have an uncle and a friend that both have platform boats that sight fish the marsh with customers that pay $800-1000 to catch what you’re holding.
I like topwater trout fishing, but will catch by any means b/c I like eating them. Reds tear up my knife and just don’t fry up the same.
Posted on 10/14/25 at 8:51 pm to Funky Tide 8
“One of my problems is I’m not a morning person”.
I have the same problem,sucks when you like to hunt and fish.I have hell getting going before 8:00 am,no matter what time I go to sleep.Also have trouble getting to sleep before midnight.
Even when I get in a deer stand before daylight I’ll usually fall asleep before good light and then wake up about 8.
Been like that my whole life,almost 75 so I don’t hold out much hope I’ll change.
I have the same problem,sucks when you like to hunt and fish.I have hell getting going before 8:00 am,no matter what time I go to sleep.Also have trouble getting to sleep before midnight.
Even when I get in a deer stand before daylight I’ll usually fall asleep before good light and then wake up about 8.
Been like that my whole life,almost 75 so I don’t hold out much hope I’ll change.
Posted on 10/15/25 at 4:43 am to LSUA 75
quote:
I’m not a morning person
It's important in Florida, you can kill them in the surf at times but once the sun comes up it's over.
Posted on 10/15/25 at 5:22 am to Funky Tide 8
I used to LIVE to catch redfish.
I was totally obsessed.
All I wanted to do was fish every shallow pond from Pass Christian to Cocodrie.
You gotta get up early.
Sucks- cause I’m not a morning person either- you just gotta get over that.
I was totally obsessed.
All I wanted to do was fish every shallow pond from Pass Christian to Cocodrie.
You gotta get up early.
Sucks- cause I’m not a morning person either- you just gotta get over that.
Posted on 10/15/25 at 8:45 am to Funky Tide 8
Awesome red
I know it’s sacrilegious on this board to use live bait but that’s my go to for catching specks and reds anytime I’m inshore. Glad you got a big one.
I know it’s sacrilegious on this board to use live bait but that’s my go to for catching specks and reds anytime I’m inshore. Glad you got a big one.
Posted on 10/15/25 at 9:53 am to Funky Tide 8
Congrats on a great red!
Getting up early and getting out there early definitely helps, but fishing the tides is also very important.
Being on the water ~30 mins after a rising or falling tide will pay dividends.
Getting up early and getting out there early definitely helps, but fishing the tides is also very important.
Being on the water ~30 mins after a rising or falling tide will pay dividends.
Posted on 10/15/25 at 3:48 pm to LSUA 75
quote:
.Also have trouble getting to sleep before midnight.
yeah this is my problem right here. Its like no matter what I do I can't seem to go to sleepy early. Been that way my whole life basically. I really wish I was a morning person. I'd love to comfortably be able to get up before the sun rises everyday.
Regardless, I am going to have to start making myself get up early enough.
This post was edited on 10/15/25 at 3:49 pm
Posted on 10/15/25 at 7:05 pm to Funky Tide 8
Don't drink caffeine after 2:00 p.m. and don't eat carbs after 5:00 p.m. Your timing may very.
I'm an insomniac, and I have recently been doing this and it helps immensely.
And that's an amazing fish! Congrats!
I'm an insomniac, and I have recently been doing this and it helps immensely.
And that's an amazing fish! Congrats!
This post was edited on 10/15/25 at 7:06 pm
Posted on 10/15/25 at 7:28 pm to subMOA
quote:
I used to LIVE to catch redfish. I was totally obsessed. All I wanted to do was fish every shallow pond from Pass Christian to Cocodrie
Same. When I loved in Slidell I had a little 16’ flat boat with a 40hp and a trolling motor, and that was all I needed. I could throw it in the Pearl less than a mile from my house, then run to the Rigolets and hit the ponds.
Not only was a shallow water red on a gold spoon my favorite style of fishing, but reds are my favorite fish to eat. I even like them fried more than I like trout. After my neck surgery I had to sell the boat, but it was good times for years.
Posted on 10/15/25 at 8:36 pm to Bryant91092
Not at all my man, whatever turns your wheels.
Anyone who would scoff at the bait you use to catch fish with is a turd.
Anyone who would scoff at the bait you use to catch fish with is a turd.
Posted on 10/16/25 at 11:21 am to DownSouthJukin
quote:
Don't drink caffeine after 2:00 p.m. and don't eat carbs after 5:00 p.m. Your timing may very.
I'm an insomniac, and I have recently been doing this and it helps immensely.
And that's an amazing fish! Congrats!
Thank you, and thanks for the tips!
Posted on 10/16/25 at 11:56 am to Funky Tide 8
Good job and congrats.
Posted on 10/16/25 at 4:03 pm to Funky Tide 8
Not a morning person? Stay up all night. Get to your spot extra early, and throw a cast net. That will give you a good supply of live bait. Plus, you will know what the fish are likely to be feeding on. And while you are there, fish. Night fishing can be very productive.
PS that’s a great red. Congrats!
PS that’s a great red. Congrats!
Posted on 10/17/25 at 1:12 pm to Funky Tide 8
Your first big red is something you’ll never forget.
Congratulations, awesome catch.
Congratulations, awesome catch.
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