Rich Ellison
Mobile Bay is full of juvenile redfish! If you want to bend your rod, head to your nearest dock light and hold on. The days are getting cooler & shorter, as such the fish are responding accordingly. I was able to fish before and after Hurricane Michael, and he had zero effect on the bay. If anything the huge tide cycle cleaned things up a bit and produced a better bite. We really dodged a bullet with this storm, but we hope for a speedy recovery for our neighbors to the east.
I have been experimenting with different baits, just looking for more options. At night it really doesn’t matter all that much. I have said for years I should try a Beetle Spin. I got one cast out of mine before a hungry drum smashed the bait and destroyed the wire. I decided to try Fish Bites Fight Club. I was hoping they would hold up better than my GULP! Swimming Mullet. They did, but marginally so. The paddle tail seems to have very little action to it. Fish hit the darting white object; good enough for me! I have taken a real liking to Bass Assassin jig heads. The way the jigs are ribbed really hold those soft body lures better than other jig heads. I have zero sponsorship from any of these companies, this is just a peak into my tackle box.
I took my friend Casey fishing recently and we had a fine time. The bay produced mostly pup reds, but we did both catch our legal limit. I managed a small trout and Casey landed a stud 3.2# Southern Flounder; we pulled off the inshore slam between the two of us. The highlight of the night came in a most unusual way. I released a small redfish that I hoped would live, but feared was too deeply hooked. The very next cast, Casey caught that same fish! I had an equally bizarre experience last week when I landed a good red. While I was unhooking him on my lap, he was trying to eat the glass minnows leaping from his jaws! Red drum may be the sturdiest fish our Creator ever made!
I recently purchased a new Hobie Outback from Fairhope Boat Company. The 2019 model is outstanding! I am really enjoying the square hatch and the large rear space. I did learn the hard way that it will not turn as quickly as previous model Outbacks. When fishing dock lights, sometimes the fish will pull you around, and I had the hardest time staying off the pilings in this fine new boat! I even lost a rod that got hung up in the wooden planks above, while a bull red drug me around against my will! Luckily my friend Casey was able to fish it from the bay floor. This boat is equipped with reverse on the Mirage Drive. It works smoothly & given my experience, is a necessity. Hobie has really outdone themselves with this boat. I recently sold my 2016 model. I enjoyed fishing from it, but was disappointed largely. It was just like my 2012, except for a much upgraded seat. The 2019 Outback has set the bar very high, but there are many good boats out there. The competition is what inspired these much needed upgrades. Whatever vessel you choose, make sure it fits your personality. I’m loyal to Hobie because these little boats got me on the water when I couldn’t afford very much boat. I continue to fish from them because I love the simplicity of throwing a plastic boat in the water and catching dinner. The fishing should continue to steadily improve, be sure to take advantage of it. Winter will be here before you know it!
Rich Ellison
Outback Fishing Adventures
251-223-7085