Running of the Bull's Pensacola

handi2 · November 25, 2016, 08:34:36 PM

Here are a couple of pictures from a quick trip this morning. After dropping the boat lift it was a 3 minute run to the fish. Right in my back yard!

Dominick · November 25, 2016, 08:38:09 PM

I never heard of a Bull fish. Are they good eating? Dominick

mizmo67 · November 25, 2016, 08:39:02 PM

Pretty day out there on the water, plus being on the fish? = Heaven.

STRIPER LOU · November 25, 2016, 08:39:55 PM

Man, those are some beauties!

Looks like you had some company. I have never caught any but its on my list. Are they good fighters and good eating Keith?
..........................Lou

Aiala · November 25, 2016, 08:58:24 PM

Nice fish! From the profile, I'd hazard a guess that it's some sort of croaker or drum. Could be superb eating!

~A~

Shark Hunter · November 25, 2016, 09:12:52 PM

Bull Reds are pretty common in the Panhandle. Glad you got out on the water Keith.
We could see your house from here when John caught this one.

oc1 · November 25, 2016, 09:25:51 PM

Nice reds Keith. Spawning season is winding down but they're still bunched up and hungry.
-steve

Bill B · November 25, 2016, 10:22:36 PM

Good job to you and the boys....did they make the slot size? Bill

handi2 · November 25, 2016, 11:33:19 PM

All the Redfish are over the 28" size limit. I did all the running as usual.

Pompano Joe was using a little Ambassaduer reel. My friend Davey was using a Quantum Smoke 50. Joe had his reel modified of course and it was whipping the spinning reel in time to the boat.

His black Ambassaduer had the Carbontex set and ground flat metal set from Dawn at Smooth Drag.

steelfish · November 25, 2016, 11:37:44 PM

Quote from: handi2 on November 25, 2016, 11:33:19 PM
All the Redfish are over the 28" size limit. I did all the running as usual.

Pompano Joe was using a little Ambassaduer reel. My friend Davey was using a Quantum Smoke 50. Joe had his reel modified of course and it was whipping the spinning reel in time to the boat.

great Bulls Keith, on another topic, what mods have Joe on his abu reel?
Im fan of the ambassaduer reels and always interested on any mod to make them bit better

handi2 · November 25, 2016, 11:38:54 PM

I'll ask him to add to this thread.

sdlehr · November 25, 2016, 11:49:05 PM

It's my understanding the redfish (Red Drum) are good eating, but once they are over 18-20 inches they are old enough to get pretty wormy, and the prep grosses a lot of people out. I don't want to eat worms with my fish, not even cooked worms. I'm selective about my protein sources. I have no firsthand experience here, just book knowledge.

Sid

pompano joe · November 26, 2016, 01:59:28 AM

The Ambassador I used today was the 6500 Pro Rocket Black Edition. Keith is my parts supplier and already mentioned the drag upgrade. In addition this reel has the 6.3:1 High Speed gear set, ceramic spool bearings and a custom handle. It's one of my surf fishing reels and is spooled with 20# High Seas Black Widow and a 40# shock leader. I highly recommend the drag upgrade. Ambassador's have always had a challenging drag, IMHO. But the ground flat metals, Carbontex fibers and Cal's met the challenge with the beast today.

Thanks Keith, for a great day chasing the bulls. That's my kind of Black Friday traffic jam!

Quote from: steelfish on November 25, 2016, 11:37:44 PM
Quote from: handi2 on November 25, 2016, 11:33:19 PM
All the Redfish are over the 28" size limit. I did all the running as usual.

Pompano Joe was using a little Ambassaduer reel. My friend Davey was using a Quantum Smoke 50. Joe had his reel modified of course and it was whipping the spinning reel in time to the boat.

great Bulls Keith, on another topic, what mods have Joe on his abu reel?
Im fan of the ambassaduer reels and always interested on any mod to make them bit better

steelfish · November 26, 2016, 02:29:27 AM

that is a nice abu

this is mine which is also 80% of the time used as surf reel, is an old abu 6500c3, with carbontex drags, abec7 bearings, and a shimano handle (filed to fit), filled with 50# braid and use 20# mono line leaders when casting light lures and 30# leader for bait fishing or 2oz/3oz spoons

this was my light boat reel for some time, but got me a saltist 20H and a calcutta 400TE and they took that place on the boat

pompano joe · November 26, 2016, 04:28:33 AM

Our slot on Red Fish is 18-27 inches here in NW Florida, Sid. Very unusual here to see worms in the slot fish. I've never eating a larger Red, but would assume they toughen up like the larger Black Drum.

Quote from: sdlehr on November 25, 2016, 11:49:05 PM
It's my understanding the redfish (Red Drum) are good eating, but once they are over 18-20 inches they are old enough to get pretty wormy, and the prep grosses a lot of people out. I don't want to eat worms with my fish, not even cooked worms. I'm selective about my protein sources. I have no firsthand experience here, just book knowledge.

Sid