Saltwater Hooks
Pensacola, located in the panhandle of Florida, is a favorite vacation spot for many outdoor enthusiasts. The weather is mild to warm most of the year with some cold spots added from time to time. The people are friendly and nice to be around. It is the county seat of Escambia County and one of the very earliest US settlements. It has a rich history that you can enjoy through visits to local museums.
Have you ever been saltwater fishing in Pensacola? Have any luck? Well, I do pretty well when I go. Having lived there all my life I’ve been fortunate to do a wide variety of fishing, both salt and fresh water. One of the best Pensacola attractions is the fishing; personally I prefer the salt since the fish are generally bigger. I will talk about some of my past experiences and the time of year they happened.
During the summer months the water is calm for the most part. Except for the afternoon thunderstorms you will have smooth waters. My favorite pattern at this time is trolling. I mostly go for the king mackerel but all fish strikes are great. Before the trip I head down to the local bait store and pick up a few packs of rigged Ballyhoo. Keep them on ice until needed. Get your gear in good shape by checking for any damage to rods, reels, and line. Keep the gaff in a convenient place.
I always put a snap swivel on the end of the line for quicker bait hook-up. Head out of Pensacola pass to about 2 miles distance and get the gear out and in the holders. Open the Ballyhoo, break off the bill, and snap them on. Put the boat in gear and rev it up ’til you start getting white prop wash. Put the baits in the water back about 20 – 30 yards. Set the drag and put on the clicker. If you are operating the boat, I find it easy to keep the lines from tangling by keeping an eye on just one line. Keep it straight behind the boat and you will have no trouble.
If trolling isn’t for you, there is always drift fishing. Pick up your bait; I like cigar minnows, from the bait shop. Head out into the gulf and find a spot you like. I would stay out of the channel since there is lots of boat traffic there. Turn off the engine but don’t anchor, take the bait without weight or bobber, put it on the hook, cast out and let the tide have it. I have taken kids out fishing and this trick works great. Some days you can get a good workout. I have gotten some nice Bonita this way, and some King Mackerel as well.
Since I’m on the summer months, let me talk about something known as June Grass. Out in the gulf you may see large patches of grass floating about. These are very productive fishing spots. They not only provide shade from the sun but are home to a variety of life, such as small crabs. Upon spotting these I have had good luck trolling and casting to them. One of the fish I have caught has been Dolphin. You could put on some large diving plugs and troll around the edges. Vary the distance behind the boat; I have caught fish on plugs with the plug in the prop wash.
The winter months can be productive as well but I tend to stay closer to shore due to the winds. In the winter the water is general choppy in the gulf. Fishing around the pass in the winter can be fun. The pass is some 60 – 70 feet deep with current from the tides. I have trolled plugs here and caught some nice Blue Fish. Bottom fishing can turn up some good catches of a variety. Speckled and White Trout can be caught in the shallower areas, say 4 – 10 feet. You can fish with shrimp, cut bait, or sting ray grubs. On warmer days you can get strikes from Speckled Trout on top water plugs around grassy spots.
For the more adventurous there is the Desoto Canyon. It is a bit of a ride from Pensacola Pass, some 25 miles or so, but usually well worth it. Go out the pass and follow the channel markers to the very last one, the sea buoy. Make your heading 168 degrees and travel about 25 miles out. On your depth sounder you will notice the bottom start to chop up. You are there. Look for some good bottom contour, put on the weights, and hook on some bait for some bottom fishing. You can get some Snapper, Mingo, Grouper, Trigger, and maybe some Amberjack.
Whenever you go, always file a float plan with someone ashore. Check the weather beforehand. Check your license and be aware of any catch restrictions. Have a safe and productive fishing trip to Pensacola, Florida. Maybe we will see each other and tell some stories. For more fishing tips go to http://www.destination-pensacola-florida.com/pensacola-fishing.html
Nicky Martin/ http://www.destination-pensacola-florida.com
Different size Lazer Sharp hooks
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1-rattlin rapala used RNR-8 good lure has salt water hooks. 3 1/4 inches 3/4 oz. $0.99 |
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Fly Tying Tiemco Saltwater Hooks TMC 811S sz 1/0 qty25 $19.99 |
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Fly Tying Tiemco Saltwater Hooks TMC 811S sz 2/0 qty25 $19.99 |
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Pair Saltwater Ringed Trolling Hooks Tuna Fishhooks $9.35 |
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Fly Tying Tiemco Saltwater Hooks TMC 811S sz 2 qty 25 $16.99 |
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Fly Tying Tiemco Saltwater Hooks TMC 800S sz 2 qty 25 $13.99 |
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Fly Tying Tiemco Saltwater Hooks TMC 800S sz 4 qty 25 $13.99 |
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Fly Tying Tiemco Saltwater Hooks TMC 800S sz 8 qty 25 $13.99 |
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Eagle Claw Lazer Sharp 10/0 Circle Hooks Saltwater Hooks -Sea $0.99 |
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Weighted Hooks 1/8 oz Bomber Heavy Hooks 3/0 Red Saltwater Grade Hooks Lot J $2.75 |
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Eagle Claw Lazer Sharp Saltwater Hooks – 4/0 Blk/Pearl $0.99 |
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5 16/0 CIRCLE HOOKS Tinned Kirbed Saltwater Tackle Big Game Tuna Shark Fishing $3.99 |
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HUGE Japanese Enameled English Mustad Saltwater Hook Lot Lure Vintage Old $3.84 |
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4 Saltwater Skirted Fishing Jig Heads 2 Oz Size 6/0 Hook $2.99 |
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Metal Fish Fishing Saltwater Tunny Trolling Hooks 2PCS $5.22 |
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EAGLE CLAW Saltwater hooks size 9/0 lot 25 hooks $9.76 |
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100 Yellowtail Jigs Powdercoated, Larvae, Saltwater Mustad Hooks $50.00 |
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25 PACK UMPQUA U-SERIES U401 SIZE #4 SALTWATER STAINLESS STEEL FLY TYING HOOKS $5.95 |
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100 Mustad 3407DT Saltwater Fly Fishing Hooks Size 8/0 $25.99 |
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Gamakatsu SC15 Saltwater Fly Tying Hooks 2/0 10pk $5.95 |
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Tom Quaal’s Hunt and Fish Outdoors Man Series: Challenging Crowned Jewels Stream Trout $45.00 Join Tom as he steps into wilderness rivers, creeks and beaver ponds in search of the elusive weary trout. Follow him step by step as action takes place pursuing Brook, Brown and Rainbow Trout using different techniques, such as fly, bait and lure presentations…. |
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Intex 2,650-Gallon Sand Filter Pump $192.99 The Intex Sand Filter Pump offers many advantages over cartridge filter and Diatomaceous Earth (DE) above ground pool pumps. A sand filter pump is the most efficient and lowest maintenance filter pump option for your above ground swimming pool. The sand filtration media lasts 5 years on average and this saves you money since you will not need to buy replacement filter cartridges every summer. Plus… |
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Intex Krystal Clear Saltwater System and Filter Pump $240.00 A two-stage process uses copper ionization to disinfect ions while converting salt to natural chlorine, creating an aggressive biocide to attack pool algae better than any product on the market. Touch-sensitive control panel allows user to pre-program operating hours – 24 hour auto clock Flow sensor system alerts operator to adverse operating conditions. Keypad locking system ensures settings are … |
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Delk 41293 Ultimate Fishing Tool, Green and Orange $19.98 Save space in your tackle box with the most compact fishing tool ever! It’s a bright LED flashlight with fold-out hands-free stand…a hook remover, fish scraper, scissors, serrated knife, bottle opener…and locking retractable metal tape measure plus weight scale with hanging hook (metric/standard). All this and it can tuck into your pocket!… |
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Rigging Circle Hooks. $24.95 A highly informative and visually exciting presentation showing anglers the proper techniques for rigging circle hooks. For centuries, fishermen in the South Pacific have been using the circle hook. It has evolved and become the preference for commercial fisheries and the wise choice of billfisherman, espcially those aiming to release their catch. This instructional video teaches the proper tec… |
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HOW TO RIG NATURAL BAITS & FISHING 101 FOR BEGINNERS $29.95 Learn saltwater fishing from the fisherman who in a single year was named both the “Angler of the Year” and the “Release Angler of the Year.” In this instructional DVD, Dr. Jim covers the different rods and reels for each type of fishing, surf fishing, shore fishing and boat fishing…. |
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SURF FISHING WITH TJ AND JOE $29.95 … |
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Intex 2500-Gallon Filter Pump $93.99 It features a 120 volt AC pump with safety certifications and listings by UL and CSA. It is recommended for Intex 24′ Easy Set, Frame Set pools, Ellipse Oval pools, Rectangular Frame pools and similar sized pools from other manufacturers. Hosing is 1.5″ ID, inside diameter. Hardware stores will carry plumbing adapters that will allow you to use this pump with pools that have hook-ups with a larger… |
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INTEX 1600 GPH Saltwater System & Sand Filter Pump Set $349.00 An extra tough pump enclosure and included leaf basket make the Intex 1600 gal/hr Sand pump not only effective but very durable. Included ergonomic handle, pressure gauge and heavy duty tank make for easy pool cleaning and vacuuming. Features 6 function control, making it easy to filter, backwash, rinse, recirculate, drain and close your pool. Installation is very easy – just hook-up the hoses and… |
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Intex 2650 GPH Krystal Clear Sand Filter & Saltwater System Pump $415.00 Our Intex sand filter pool pump comes with titanium coated electrolytic cell for chlorinating your pool water and a powerful .95 horsepower motor with ground fault circuitry for safety shut-off. Also includes built in 24 hour timer for controls filter pump system and saltwater system, with built in copper ionization feature which releases highly active disinfectant ions into water to which creates… |