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Catching Bruiser Reds
    It's quarter after 6 a.m. on a Saturday, and I'm rounding the pass as the sun is coming up over the horizon. It's cool and calm, and looks like it's going to be a wonderful day for fishing. We head across Caucus Shoal and off to the west I see what I'm looking for, which is birds diving on bait pods of blood minnows. I know that we are going to start off the day right for Redfishing. On our first pass over the area we have a double hook up, and the biggest was a whopper, easily tipping the scales at over 33+ pounds. It's not even Halloween yet, but we definitely got our "treat" early. Remember that the fall Redfishing run is just getting started, and that over the next few weeks, time willing, I will be reporting back with what is sure to be tales of great fishing.
Most of these fish are in the 18 - 25lb range, but there are some real bruisers out there, so be prepared to go to battle. My typical set up for these reds is a 7ft Fenwick rod, 12 - 17lb test, 20lb Berkley braid on a 4000 series reel or a 5000 series-spinning reel. My lure of choice for these big reds is a 1 - 2 oz Spro jig or a Mann's Tidewaker. Toss out either of these two lures anywhere close to these bronze beauties, and you're sure to hook up.
If you like using a bait-caster, then use the same style rod, rigged with a bait caster with 20lb braid. These reds are hard fighters and are loads of fun for the experienced angler or the beginner. There are still plenty of other fish to go after, if you just plain get tired of hauling in red after red; the white trout bite has picked up in Big Lagoon and on 3-mile bridge. Over at Bob Sights Bridge they are catching a few specks in the deeper water during the day and they are also hooking up some keeper red fish. Live shrimp seems to be the ticket, or you can also bounce a Berkley Gulp Shrimp or Grub off the bottom on a ¼ oz jig head to get a good hook up.
In the bay, we're still seeing signs of kings hanging around as well as lots of Spanish mackerel. They should hang around for a few more weeks until the water temperature drops below 68 degrees. Flounder have started their yearly migration out to the gulf, so deep-dropping the pass with live bull minnows, shrimp, or even a 2" - 3" Berkley Gulp Shrimp will be just what the flounder ordered. Fall is here, and even though the temperature has dropped some, the fishing is still red hot. So what are you waiting for? Give me a ring and let' go fishing!

- Capt. John Rivers
To book a charter with Capt. John, click on the charter link at the top of the page and the Reel Animals Fishing Team will help arrange your charter fishing excursion

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.