Kayak Trip in Navarre with Pics and Directions

Here is my official report on my kayak trip to Navarre from Friday.



Rigged up, ready to launch



After about two and a half hours, I caught about 18 trout. These were the keepers I had at the time. The biggest was right under 20". Keep in mind, in Florida, you can only keep 5 and the slot is 15" - 20". (You can keep one above 20") Most were caught on live shrimp or gulp shrimp. Wind was blowing a steady 15-20 and water started to get a bit rough. But my 3# grapple anchor was doing a pretty good job keeping me in place. My homemade anchor trolley system was holding up pretty well also. At one point, I was just about getting a fish or a bite on every cast with cast and retrieve on the Gulp shrimp 3". Mixed in with the trout were a few hardheads and a couple ladyfish, which are a blast to catch! I decided I would go in for a bit to put my 4 keepers in the box as they were looking pretty lifeless on my stringer. I also noticed a white truck that was awfully close to the water, so I wanted to investigate and see if I could help.



Obviously this dude was a little greedy when launching his kayak. This was after he was done fishing, tide was coming in and by the time the tow truck got there, the water was past his other back wheel. He was a nice fella, and I'm sure he won't make this mistake again.

After an ice cold Red Bull, I was ready to go back out. By this time wind was blowing real staedy and there were some white caps, but I wanted to get my final trout and possibly a red. Caught a few more trout including some keepers, but threw em all back looking for that big one. That morning I caught 22 trout, 2 ladyfish, and 3 hardheads. After about an hour, I noticed over my shoulder the sky was pitch black and wind picked up with gusts to about 25-30. It came up on me with a quickness. I pulled anchor and paddled like crazy. Got everything in the truck right as the storm came in.

Went back to my parents house, took a dip in the pool and grabbed a quick nap. Then I asked the wise OB what I could try to land a big trout so I can try that afternoon.

Got back out there about 4:30 and wind was still blowing but water settled down a bit and the tide was moving out. Couldn't seem to locate my spot I found that morning but landed 12 more trout and settled on an 18" as my final keeper for the day. Caught most on live shrimp, but Gulp shrimp produced a few, but the trout were being less aggresive. Was still too rough to even consider topwater.

I had 3 live shrimp left and I had about 30 minutes of daylight left so I decided to drift back in and try to locate a red. On my last shrimp, I was in about 3-4 feet of water. Cast out the shrimp amd was just checking out the sunset. Saw the cork pop a couple times then slowly sink. As soon as I saw that I knew it was game on.



It took about 8-9 minutes to land it. Set the drag pretty tight and used the kayak as drag. This fish was a blast to land. It drug me from 3' of water to 6'of water and then back again. Came in at 26" and had beautiful red color. In the process of getting the hook out, I did manage to lose my pliers.

After landing her, I just kicked back in the yak and snapped this picture as I thought about how lucky I was to be able to have such a great day fishing.



Several people have asked for directions to this spot.



From Pensacola, head east on 98. Once you pass the Guilf Breeze Zoo, get ready to turn right. Village Parkway is street you turn right on. (Across the street from Meridith Lumber) Keep on Village Parkway and take a right on Champagne Street. Then take a left on Monet until you hit Emerald Sound Drive. The bay is right there and just find a place to park. (Not too close to the water)

Basically this area has alot of grass beds, no structure. You can wade fish or brink a kayak. (Of course if you have a regular boat, you can launch somewhere nearby and find this spot also)

I find that the trout like to hang out in about 6-7 ft of water directly offshore from where Monet Drive points towards the bay, maybe slightly west of there. Reds and flounder can be found all over, even as shallow as 1' of water depepnding on the tide. If you are wade fishing, be on the lookout for stingrays. Wear some protective footwear and shuffle your feet and you will be okay. Other fish we have caught are heardheads, ladyfish, maybe some spanish mackeral and black drum.

For us Louisiana guys, out of state license in Florida is only $47 which I think is a fair price. Here is a link for daily bag limit along with size requirements, etc. FL WILDLIFE

If anyone is in the area, I would suggest you try out this spot.