The Fishing Fools Thread....

[rburnett]

Hung this nice jack on a quick trip Sat am on a big live pinfish. Lost a bunch more to the wreck. There were some big ones around. Took one of my subcontractors and his 18 yr old daughter who is off to college in a couple of weeks who has never been in the gulf. She caught a few stud snappers around 12 pounds that we released.

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/bighoos/IMG-20110806-00005.jpg

NICE! I'm free the next few weekends, hit me up.

[gator7_5]

Will do. The bridge rubbles are holding some good size keepers right now.

[gotime51]

i actually just caught my first fish just last month. i live in california and we went to mammoth mountain. caught a rainbow trout while stream fishing. pretty fun experience. now im hooked. cant wait to go again

[Charlieg8tr]

i actually just caught my first fish just last month. i live in california and we went to mammoth mountain. caught a rainbow trout while stream fishing. pretty fun experience. now im hooked. cant wait to go again

Welcome the best addiction on earth!

[akaGATORHOOPS]

Welcome the best addiction on earth!

what he said!!! ^^^^^

I was planning to go wahoo fishin in the morning, but work got in the way at the last minute. DAAAAAAAAMMNNNNNNN IIIIIIIIIIIIITTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!

[GatoRella]

i actually just caught my first fish just last month. i live in california and we went to mammoth mountain. caught a rainbow trout while stream fishing. pretty fun experience. now im hooked. cant wait to go again


Get out your check book :nervous smile:

[G8rChuck85]

i actually just caught my first fish just last month. i live in california and we went to mammoth mountain. caught a rainbow trout while stream fishing. pretty fun experience. now im hooked. cant wait to go again

And so it begins...;)

[johnl]

Funny that this thread popped up. I left Gainesville at 9pm last night to come down and fish Fort Pierce all night till about noon today. Turns out the running lights weren't working on my boat and I got pulled over just to have the cop inform me that my license is suspended as of yesterday and he had to take me to jail. Luckily he bought my story and let me off and told me to go home. I called Marion county c of c to make sure they got my payment from a previous ticket. They recieved it a day late and I was able to pay $85 in service fees to have it reinstated. The problem now is how do I get my driver license/only form of id back from the "nice" cop that confiscated it for no reason? I'm technically legal and am contemplating driving around with my passport so I can fish.

[Speedofsand]

drive around with a receipt for the $85 fees to prove your license is valid. If you don't have the cops name, tell dmv you lost it?

[Speedofsand]

Good luck Jake & Matt in the Forrest Wood Cup this weekend.

https://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10100331242040161

live tournament coverage here
http://www.flwoutdoors.com/bassfishing/flw/tournament/2011/6553/forrest-wood-cup-lake-ouachita-home-landing/

[deebo65]

Funny that this thread popped up. I left Gainesville at 9pm last night to come down and fish Fort Pierce all night till about noon today. Turns out the running lights weren't working on my boat and I got pulled over just to have the cop inform me that my license is suspended as of yesterday and he had to take me to jail. Luckily he bought my story and let me off and told me to go home. I called Marion county c of c to make sure they got my payment from a previous ticket. They recieved it a day late and I was able to pay $85 in service fees to have it reinstated. The problem now is how do I get my driver license/only form of id back from the "nice" cop that confiscated it for no reason? I'm technically legal and am contemplating driving around with my passport so I can fish.

You can do like Speed said and the worst that would happen is get a small ticket for having no license on you at the time. Usually, you can go to the courhouse and show that you have a valid license and they will throw it out. Or, you could run to the DMV and grab a new license of $15. Either way, make sure your trailer lights are fixed!:grin:

[Speedofsand]

live weigh in now: http://www.flwoutdoors.com/flwlive2/index.cfm?satelliteId=1

$500,000 1st prize, $100,000 bonus.

[PMCGoldenEraG8R]

I've been reading back a few pages, and I really do love this thread! It's so much fun to read about your trips and catches! There are some great pictures and stories here!!

My husband and I fish in the flats in the Gulf. Rella, we went out of Cedar Key a few weeks ago. Didn't do well. :-( We will probably go out of CK more often now, as we have some close friends who have moved to Gainesville.....our best fishing buddies. That tarpon and cobia catch was great to see Rella!

Hoops, your son is adorable! I love that pic of him fishing! He is being raised right for sure! :-) I also love the pics of the other kids fishing in Alaska! Awesome life time experiences for them! Great Gator parents!

I'm so glad this thread is still going! When I get a nice redfish, I'll post a pic here. It's not been a great fishing summer for us. Too many other events getting in the way, but I hope to get back out on the water again very soon.

Keep up the great posts!

[akaGATORHOOPS]

I take my lil fishin buddy out in the backyard pond. He usually isnt afraid of the fish we catch, but this one scared him a bit! LOL!!

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i193/gatorhoops/DSC00584.jpg

[gators4life]

Man those backyard ponds are sure fun to fish in. Usually catch some big ones around Gainesville. Well that was until they banned me for fishing:grin:

[akaGATORHOOPS]

Old pics, but my buddy just now sent em to me. These are a few from Bimini, including some kinda neat underwater pics of schools of mahi. . . .

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i193/gatorhoops/298776_2309349611194_1172942054_2791631_5481026_n. jpg

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i193/gatorhoops/318107_2309369611694_1172942054_2791696_3373250_n. jpg

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i193/gatorhoops/309900_2309364891576_1172942054_2791679_5647527_n. jpg

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i193/gatorhoops/304667_2309363611544_1172942054_2791674_7739247_n. jpg

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i193/gatorhoops/294213_2309366331612_1172942054_2791685_1724052_n. jpg

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i193/gatorhoops/185334_2309365571593_1172942054_2791682_2666195_n. jpg

[beachpiratefla]

The Whiting are Biting...

[G8RBob]

Heading for Little Gasparilla tomorrow. Any good fishing suggestions? Thanks,

Bob

[LittleBlueLW]

Awesome catch and release snook up at stump pass in ski alley. On your way up from little gasparilla, just as you get to the 'resume safe speed' zone on the west side of the channel, there is a sandbar running north to south. Should be lots of bait and plenty of big trout and snook on the inside of the bar.

Good luck!

[deebo65]

Hoops your fishin partner is gettin big!

[gator7_5]

Finally got to meet up with Rburnett and we gave it a shot today. Great weather, great time, but the fish just wouldn't cooperate for the most part. He did wrangle one of the bigger red snapper I've seen in awhile, though. Unfortunately, season's closed so this sow is still swimmin.

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/bighoos/IMG-20110828-00015.jpg

[akaGATORHOOPS]

^^ that's a NICE fish!
how do i get in on these forum fishing outings?!!?! :)

[rburnett]

^^ that's a NICE fish!
how do i get in on these forum fishing outings?!!?! :)

haha.. we were saying the same thing.. wanting to come down to sfla and go fishing with you!

Looking forward to a productive fall for fishing and football.

[akaGATORHOOPS]

^^ let's do it!

went out this morning. we actually planned to go offshore. on the way we ran into a few big mullet schools. we netted a bunch and ran out of the inlet. it was bumpy and nasty current. we called it quits after less than 30 minutes. on the way back we ran into the same mullet pods. they were getting crushed by tarpon, snook and jacks. we went 1-4 on tarpon, 3-5 on snook and caught 1 jack. the tarpon was small . . . 15lbs. we jumped and lost a few up to 60lbs.

a couple pics. . .

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i193/gatorhoops/snook5.jpg

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i193/gatorhoops/snook3.jpg

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i193/gatorhoops/snook1.jpg

[rburnett]

Awesome snook right there.. nice job.. how big were the mullet you were using?

[akaGATORHOOPS]

Awesome snook right there.. nice job.. how big were the mullet you were using?

thanks!

4"-6".

[akaGATORHOOPS]

There is a kid in my neighborhood who is a fishing nut. I have fished the pnds with him since he was 6, and have recently taken him out on the boat. Today is his 13th b-day. He beegedhis parents to let him skip school to fish. . . and they did.
So, the pressure was on. I couldnt have him skip school and not catch anything.
It was a kinda slow day. We started by netting mullet in the ICW and hooking a couple sub-slot snook. After that slowed we went offshore and caught a couple small skipjack tuna, but that too died out. We fished the reef for a little while and landed a few underwhelming bottomfish. He was happy with the day, but was pleasding with me to give him a shot at a big AJ. I went to a deep wreck that has a small profile, thinking that would give him a better shot of landing one. I dropped a vertical jig and after a few cranks . . . WHAM!
I knew it was a big fish, so I handed him the rod and got comfortable. I gotta give him credit, he fought it well and landed one of the bigger AJs my boat has seen. I'm gueesing it to be around 60lbs.
We took some pics and threw it back. He was estatic.

Here are a couple pics . . .

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i193/gatorhoops/aj-joe2.jpg

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i193/gatorhoops/aj-joe.jpg

[G8rChuck85]

Anyone been fishin' in the last month?

[gator7_5]

Went out a couple weeks ago and klilled a 4 man limit some monster Vermillion snapper and a nice box of scamp. They don't take pictures too well, though.

[G8trGr8t]

Went out for a few hours Sunday off Captiva / Upper Captiva. It was first cool morning here in a long while. Bait is everywhere and spanish, bonita, and schoolie kings were working them pretty hard. Son had a good time with spanish and he got one king 8 - 10 lbs. He really wanted to keep that fish until I told him he would have to eat it. I worked with a deep jig and got mostly schoole kings on the outside, boated 4, hooked 6 or 7.

Lot of reports of redfish schooling in Charlotte Harbor and Pine Island sound. We looked hard early but didn't find any before we ran out to play with the pelagics.

[LittleBlueLW]

Not fishing but went to Keys during Kentucky weekend with 5 Gator buddies. Limited on Lobster Thurs, Fri and Saturday and shot a few grouper and hogfish to boot.

Took em to Sharkeys in Marathon and had them cook it all up several different ways while we watched the game. If you've never had buffalo fried lobster, I highly recommend it.

This time of year there is no one in the Keys. We had 7 mile bridge and surrounding waters to ourselves.

[G8rChuck85]

Not fishing but went to Keys during Kentucky weekend with 5 Gator buddies. Limited on Lobster Thurs, Fri and Saturday and shot a few grouper and hogfish to boot.

Took em to Sharkeys in Marathon and had them cook it all up several different ways while we watched the game. If you've never had buffalo fried lobster, I highly recommend it.

This time of year there is no one in the Keys. We had 7 mile bridge and surrounding waters to ourselves.

Sounds like a great time! I loved going to the keys back in the day.

[anstro76]

going monday..can't wait

Sent from my android

[rburnett]

I just had to turn down a trip to the Tortugas with the Yankee Capts out of Key West... bumming big time.

[G8trGr8t]

Had to inspect a bridge project out on Sanibel today. Took along a rod and the cast net just in case. Snook were busting the bait in the channel where we are replacing the bridge. Caught 6 in about 30 minutes. Bait everywhere right now in SW Florida.

[akaGATORHOOPS]

I just had to turn down a trip to the Tortugas with the Yankee Capts out of Key West... bumming big time.

i have some friends who go on that trip a couple times per year. . . and they kill it, especially the muttons. one day i may go.

[Speedofsand]

Made it out today by JB's then had dinner. Saw about 10 manatees from 3-10 ft when we launched. Then saw a few dolphins right where 'Winter' from Dolphin Tale was saved. Caught a redfish and a sunset pic.


http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s203/speedofsand/f2ce514b.jpg



http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s203/speedofsand/4955da65.jpg

[rburnett]

hoping for good forecast this weekend.. grouper, aj's, and snappers are hungry

[akaGATORHOOPS]

I went out late afternoon yesterday . . . netted a bunch of mulllet and went offshore.
At the end of the day i realized that I have become kinda spoiled in my fishing. My dad asked how we did . . .
I answered: "It was kinda slow . . . we got two sailfish, 1 mutton and a couple short grouper".

He reminded me of how excited I used to get over sailfish. He was right. So, in retrospect. . . it was a great day. Any day on the water is a great day!

[rburnett]

How do you fish the mullet offshore for sails?

[akaGATORHOOPS]

How do you fish the mullet offshore for sails?

We fished 5 lines on each drift. We put a live silver mullet on flat lines at the bow and stern of the boat. In between we fished a butterflyed mullet on the bottom, a live on the bottom and a live about 40' down.
The sails were in really shallow. . . . 85', green water. To be honest, we were looking for a couple kings for the smoker. Both sails came on flat lines. . . spinning reels/15# line, 30 floro leader . . .4/0 circle through the nose.
They were in so close and in green water that I have to think they were picking off the mullet pods that skirted out a bit too far.

[rburnett]

Did the mutton and grouper hit live or butterflied mullet?

[akaGATORHOOPS]

Did the mutton and grouper hit live or butterflied mullet?

i think the mutton ate a live, and at least 1 of the grouper at a butterflied.

[rburnett]

thx hoops... just curious.. we're heading out in the Gulf tomorrow and will be bringing some pins/croakers and some big stanky menhaden to butterfly. Hopefully will have some nice pics to post.

[rburnett]

Me and Gator7_5 headed out of the pass early with a couple of buddies. We made our way to "the edge", which is basically the edge of the shelf where it drops from 100-200 feet ~ 30 miles out of Pensacola. It was a beautiful calm day, seas were less than a foot until we were about 20 miles out. We made great time as we drank beers and rocked out to zeppelin.

Always a good sign when you have an orange & blue sunrise
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-lzTo_FydYjY/TpsJ7-2gSUI/AAAAAAAAAhU/8OxEI-TdC9k/s576/sunrise1.JPG

Not too long into the morning I hauled this beast up over 200 ft deep, he ate a medium sized live pinfish.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-UVUT9yZWQAE/TpsJ628lSGI/AAAAAAAAAhM/DGiuMSbBK-E/s400/grouper2.JPG

Aj's were biting very well too.. sometimes hard to get the baits all the way down to the groupers that broke us off, multiple times. Here's Gator7_5 with a good one.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-aGfPk2igaOU/TpsJ5SZPGjI/AAAAAAAAAhE/fm7fKDlE9A4/s400/AJ1.JPG

Had a nice fish fry last night with a little bit of gag and scamp. It was a lot more enjoyable than the game! Cheers to fishing and not worrying too much about football!

[akaGATORHOOPS]

Me and Gator7_5 headed out of the pass early with a couple of buddies. We made our way to "the edge", which is basically the edge of the shelf where it drops from 100-200 feet ~ 30 miles out of Pensacola. It was a beautiful calm day, seas were less than a foot until we were about 20 miles out. We made great time as we drank beers and rocked out to zeppelin.

Always a good sign when you have an orange & blue sunrise
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-lzTo_FydYjY/TpsJ7-2gSUI/AAAAAAAAAhU/8OxEI-TdC9k/s576/sunrise1.JPG

Not too long into the morning I hauled this beast up over 200 ft deep, he ate a medium sized live pinfish.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-UVUT9yZWQAE/TpsJ628lSGI/AAAAAAAAAhM/DGiuMSbBK-E/s400/grouper2.JPG

Aj's were biting very well too.. sometimes hard to get the baits all the way down to the groupers that broke us off, multiple times. Here's Gator7_5 with a good one.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-aGfPk2igaOU/TpsJ5SZPGjI/AAAAAAAAAhE/fm7fKDlE9A4/s400/AJ1.JPG

Had a nice fish fry last night with a little bit of gag and scamp. It was a lot more enjoyable than the game! Cheers to fishing and not worrying too much about football!


Nice!!! Have you ever fished the vertical jigs on that drop off? The AJs crush those things, and I have caught a few nice grouper on them as well. It is a fun way too fish!
How heavy was the grouper?

[gator7_5]

Nice!!! Have you ever fished the vertical jigs on that drop off? The AJs crush those things, and I have caught a few nice grouper on them as well. It is a fun way too fish!
How heavy was the grouper?

Hell of a day once that grouper hit the deck. Yeah, we jig some, but the scamp were hitting those pinfish so well last time out it's hard to want to change up. We were actually trying to avoid AJs (another reason we didnt jig much) and focus on scamp and gags, but the AJ's were even hitting big dead baits sitting on the bottom.

Guess that grouper was in the high 20's. A stud for sure. That pic doesn't do it justice. Left too many of his friends down there with sore jaws, though.

[Speedofsand]

http://www.news-journalonline.com/news/outdoors/fishing/2011/10/21/nsb-billfish-tourney-starts-today.html

Big $$$ tourney here this weekend.

New Smyrna Beach Billfish Invitational
In 2010, the Invitational's representatives took third at the World Championship.

Due to two weather cancellations in recent weeks, the Invitational is fishing its second day Sunday, splitting the weekend with the previously scheduled Fall Sailfish Classic, a tournament that also begins today and runs through Saturday.

That cooperation by the two tournaments gives crews the opportunity to fish both events today and gives both tournaments the opportunity to have different winners.

Despite the overlap, Thursday's cold front has presented the tournaments a bit of perfect timing.

[G8rChuck85]

Any updates?

[rburnett]

Any updates?

My fishin buddy is spending his weekends sitting in a tree... borreeeeeing

I have some friends coming to town next weekend and have a charter booked, hopefully the weather holds up. Gotta keep that freezer stocked up with grouper fillets.

[gator7_5]

and your buddy hasn't even let one arrow fly yet.. wtf!

[rburnett]

Know why there isn't a "Hunting Fools" thread... because there would never be any pictures. Nobody every gets to kill anything. Fishing rules. Enough said.

[rburnett]

Had some friends from ATL in town for the holiday weekend and decided to get out and try to catch some grouper before they close till next year.. immediately found a massive school of bull reds busting bait on the top and it fast n furious for the first hour or so.. double and triple hookups on light tackle all over the boat.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-3hXulamWmvE/Tr8IeWvdneI/AAAAAAAAAiw/5Znkj4brSkM/s400/LiznRobRedfishsolo.jpg

All of them had a really nice gold color, pretty fish
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-OvqEOjZ4dZY/Tr8IfNbDXLI/AAAAAAAAAjI/29o6JSFEN3o/s576/RedfishinBoat.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Z6IUuerOlYs/Tr8IewdOBMI/AAAAAAAAAi4/W-9yAKcLTyo/s400/LiznRobRedfishwithRusty.jpg

After the redfish went down, we hit up some bay spots for grouper and snapper... we killed the snapper, just a shame they all had to be thrown back.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-UThX_J3-6TY/Tr8IfJtlJoI/AAAAAAAAAi8/BHE6o3QlNLU/s400/LizRedSnapper.jpg

Wife needs to work on her fish holding skills a little, but I was proud of her today.. she caught her 4 biggest fish ever. 2 big ole redfish and 2 really nice red snapper.

The only grouper we caught were short... oh well, still have plenty in the freezer from that 30 lb'r a few weeks ago!

The really cool thing about this day was the Blue Angels Homecoming airshow was going while we were bottom fishing. Totally awesome to be out there and watching those guys do their thing.

[Speedofsand]

Pure Gold color, great pics.

[Speedofsand]

Spruce Creek today. Threw her back, out of season.


http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s203/speedofsand/f3076270.jpg



http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s203/speedofsand/5bbccd6a.jpg

[g8r925]

Didn't even know this thread existed, great pics guys, I went fishing for bass just Friday near Immokalee in a rock pit and caught five, the biggest being about 6lbs. I've got pics I'll try and upload. Pics of all those reds and snook make me miss my boat something awful.

[rburnett]

Spent the whole week of Thanksgiving in St Pete @ the in-laws... so it was a good idea to bring the Hobie down with me. They live on the water, so it was easy to make a launch in the canal and hit up some primo spots near their house.

I got a hot tip from one of my buddies about a particular area, so I went right there on the first morning. Saw one of the pro's with a TV show out there, CA Richardson from Flats Class. Caught 2 nice slot reds and a bunch of trout.

Then pulled up to this nice hole in the mangroves and watched these guys catch about 20 snook. They wouldn't touch my artificials. They were throwing tons of greenies out and getting the snook all fired up, then free lining their baits in there under the mangrove roots. So frustrating to be 20 yards from guys hooking up to some really nice snook and not be able to even get a bite... I would come back prepared.

We called up our buddy with a nice flats boat and planned a trip for Sat. First thing we did was catch a lot of bait (and we still didn't have enough). Then we waited for the tide to start moving and pushed out way back into the hole. Starting throwing out lots of greenies... it was like magic. We didn't see a single snook as we poled in there, but as soon as the bait the water they were EVERYWHERE. We all immediately hooked up. We lost some in the roots, but managed to catch 8 or so really nice ones, a red, and a few trout.. pretty nice inshore slam. Here's my best one:https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WG936IZPCe8/TtP69Qzm_5I/AAAAAAAAAlU/p43J8ugJt-I/s640/Picture%2B010.jpg

Here's my brother in law:
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jY3IYPsLeic/TtP6yTgO6kI/AAAAAAAAAkE/XDu94Fijda8/s400/Picture%2B011.jpg

Fishing this good made the loss on saturday night not feel so bad... that's what it's all about, right?

[toon66]

Where were you, Weedon Island?

[rburnett]

Where were you, Weedon Island?

hahah... somewhere far far away :ninja:

[akaGATORHOOPS]

Good stuff!!!

I have not been out in 5 weeks! Aggghh!!
Last trip went 2-2 on sails and a nice grouper and mutton.

This damn wind!

[akaGATORHOOPS]

What's up gang? Need some advice so I figured I'd throw this out here and see what you guys have. I am an inshore guy so hopefully you can help. So....

I'm going sailing around the Abacos for the week of Thanksgiving. I'm flying in from Houston and I'm going to pack as light as possible, but I need to bring my own gear if I'm going to fish. I looked online and they say that Nov/Dec is when the Wahoo, Kingfish, and Grouper are best. I have done zero fishing for Wahoo, very little fishing for Kingfish, and went (unsuccessfully) Grouper fishing once. So, when it comes to hunting for these suckers, I'm lost.

So, what I would like is to figure out what I can actually go for considering I'm going to be on a catamaran and packing as little gear as possible to do as much fishing as possible.

I'm thinking I'm going to have to buy a 2-piece rod and pack it in pvc, but that's about as far as I've got. Any suggestions on rods, reels, and tackle? Any help would be super appreciated.



Lane,

Whatever happened on this trip? Any fishin/fish?

[G8rChuck85]

Let's get some updates up in here!

[GatoRella]

Man I havent been fishing in so long I am not sure if I remember how to!

I have been doing a lot of duck hunting though, here are couple pics:

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z197/gatorella420/2011-11-27_07-14-18_549.jpg

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z197/gatorella420/2011-11-20_17-28-19_85.jpg

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z197/gatorella420/2011-11-20_11-34-20_182.jpg

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z197/gatorella420/2011-11-22_08-05-02_989.jpg

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z197/gatorella420/23.jpg

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z197/gatorella420/24.jpg

[rburnett]

I cashed out a bunch of bass pro gift cards and heading over there next week to get me a new Shimano Torium for bottom fishing.

EDIT:
Upon further review, I decided to get an old school Shimano TLD Star 15/30 and getting it tricked out by Alan Tani to upgrade the drag to carbon, add a bearing to replace 1 bushing, and get an oversized custom handle. Its going to rip faces off some bottom fish very soon. better price, made in Japan, and out performs the Shimano Trinidad and other 200-500$ reels.

fyi on a really good reel maintenance and upgrade site - www.alantani.com

[G8rChuck85]

Anyone get some huntin' or fishin' in? Any new gear for christmas you can show us?

[sneakygator]

Took my 13 year old nephew out just before Christmas and he caught his first redfish.
His third red ever was a 26 incher and I had a blast watching him catch it!
He was saying "I think this one is bigger" as he was reeling it in.
I saw the tail come out of the water and I was ready to watch a good fight.
He did a great job for a beginner and with a little coaching he got it to the boat.
Will post pics later.

[G8trGr8t]

8 year old son got several jacks and one 26 15/16" redfish at Blind Pass out on Sanibel yesterday. I wanted to fillet and release right there but he made me take it home to show Mom and his sisters. New rod/reel that Santa brought him and he broke it in right. He lost another red that was probably 40" plus but when he saw the shoreline, he made a hard run and got to the pilings. Also hooked but lost a couple of small snook. Nice way to start the new year. I found a nice G-loomis rod in brand new condition for myself on craigslist for $80. 7' 14 - 17 lb spinning rod added to the arsenal .... sweet rod

[akaGATORHOOPS]

I had a friend in town this weekend who wanted me to take he and his wife on a boat ride. I do not go on the baot without a fishing rod. When they saw me load take the fishing rod out, they looked puzzled. I explained my policy.
Anyway, it was flat calm so we raced offshore. We spotted a couple turtles and porpoises. They were thrilled. A couple miles offshore I saw 10-12 birds working very hard. I raced over, threw a rapala on the spnning rod and set it back. I cut off the birds . . . and Zzzzzing! Fish on! for the next 1.5 the boat ride became a fishing trip. My friends were estatic. We only had the one rod, and the lone rapala... but we followed those birds to 8 or so blackfin tuna, a couple skip jacks and several bonito. None of them were big.... all footballs. But it was a blast. It was the wife's first fish! And it was the fish's lucky day... no ice, so all were released. Hope that gives me good karma for 2012!!! :)

[GatorLane77]

Lane,

Whatever happened on this trip? Any fishin/fish?

Yeah, man. I really didn't get to do what I wanted since we were sailing everywhere. I mulled over all the advice I got and after talking with the cap't and seeing the routes we were sailing, I decided to go light rigs and tackle. Well, every time we sailed somewhere, I had a line out trolling. I caught a few small spanish macks and a few small jacks, but nothing great....all on spoons.

The first night we moored, I didn't have any bait so I didn't fish, but I picked some squid up the next day. That night I was dragging in tons of mangrove snapper and was able to keep several to filet. My buddy asked if he could fish and I rigged up my other pole. He wasn't fishing for 5 minutes and the line started screaming off of the reel. He ended up pulling in a very nice jack. He was excited since he never fishes at all. He put the pole down afterward and it was the only fishing he did that whole trip.

I don't have any pics of the fish since they were taken on other's cameras and we haven't exchanged pics yet, but here's the boat we were sailing. 40 ft cat..

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r253/gatorlane77/IMG_6459.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r253/gatorlane77/IMG_6631.jpg

It was great sailing.

We were drinking a bunch that night that my buddy caught the one jack and 4 of the 6 of us decided to go in to the island and party for the night. So we jumped in the dinghy and took off not even thinking about the line I still had out. Well, my other buddy that stayed on the boat fell asleep and woke up to my reel screaming and went out and reeled in a jack bigger than the other one my other buddy caught. Well, these were, by far, the largest fish caught on the trip. Yes me, the guy that packed all the crap to fish, didn't catch the largest nor the second largest fish on the trip. So, Murphy's Law was in full effect that week. It's ok though because we had a great time and my buddies get to bust my chops for a while.

I appreciate all the advice you guys gave me, but the boat wasn't rigged at all for fishing nor did we get in waters that would've worked for the setups that you described. I still had a blast though and thanks for asking, but more so, thanks for all the advice.

[rburnett]

Ridiculous weather weekend up here in the panhandle, it was in the 70's both days.. sunny, and absolutely no wind. Hit up my local honey hole (flats behind my condo) and snagged a nice 26" stud trout on a mirrodine. Release to bite another day (hopefully the upcoming spring yak tournament).

Finally talked my buddy (gator7_5) out of his tree stand to go for some deep water beasts on Sunday. After the ride out the bottom machine lit up with fish all over the water column. I was eager to test out my new bottom fishing setup, shimano TLD star 15/30 w 65lb braid and shimano tallus rod. Immediately smoked an undersized AJ, then on the next drop before it even got to the bottom this monster took me for several drag-screaming runs (totally locked down 25lbs of drag)...

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-fpXoXzrMs2o/TwsRDU-EWFI/AAAAAAAAAmg/1Zj1kVnYdME/h301/StudAlmaco.jpg

There was some debate over whether this was an Almaco or Amber, what say you fishin fools?

We also caught a few more short AJ's and a Scamp, but ran into some fuel tank issues so headed back in to be safe. Fortunately, we did not run out of gas 30 miles offshore. Ate the scamp for lunch, watched Tebow do his thing, awesome cap to a great weekend.

[akaGATORHOOPS]

Thats a tough call, but AJ. You can usually tell by the dorsal, but it is not raised in the pic.
here are couple photos of each. . .

AJs:

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i193/gatorhoops/aj-joe2.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i193/gatorhoops/DSC00241.jpg

almaco:
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i193/gatorhoops/dauber.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i193/gatorhoops/almaco-1.jpg

I really think you got an AJ. . . and a beastly one at that! It is tough to see the fins, but the bigger almacos I have caught tend to be more stout and compact than the longer AJs.

[gator7_5]

Thats a tough call, but AJ. You can usually tell by the dorsal, but it is not raised in the pic.
here are couple photos of each. . .



I disagree. I've caught a lot of both and have zero doubt it is an almaco. That dorsal is extremely elongated and it was way more round and fat than an AJ. In fact it looked exactly like your first almaco pic. It's just a huge one, but that's how rburnett prefers them. Either way, it tasted good!

[rburnett]

We caught a few other AJ's wish we would have done a side by side pic to compare.. it was a beast, no doubt. I've caught personal bests about every time I've gone out with Gator7_5!

Smoked some on Sunday for some smoked fish dip, then marinaded and grilled some last night for fish tacos.. think that's my fav way to eat AJ's.

[akaGATORHOOPS]

I will defer to you. . . as you saw it first hand! I couldnt see the dorsal, but that is a beast of an almaco! Congrats!!!!

[rburnett]

Sooooo glad we went fishing yesterday instead of watching the Bball game.. hit the pass with Gator7_5 and got into the sheepies pretty good. Filled the cooler and had plenty for a fish fry. Really looking forward to the upcoming Cobia run! Really, fishing is so much more relaxing than gator sports.

[GatoRella]

Sooooo glad we went fishing yesterday instead of watching the Bball game.. hit the pass with Gator7_5 and got into the sheepies pretty good. Filled the cooler and had plenty for a fish fry. Really looking forward to the upcoming Cobia run! Really, fishing is so much more relaxing than gator sports.

We are going after the sheepies this Saturday weather permitting. The weather has been so bad for the last month I havent made it on the water, but my garden is going to be epic :laugh:.

When do the Cobes run in the panhandle RB? Thought it was April & May.

The reason I ask is we are doing a couples trip to Port St Joe Peninsula the first week in May and I haven't fished there before. Beautiful area and good red & trout action in the bay from what I gather, but I would like to know when the Tarpon & Bobes come thorough that area. If anyone has any intel on the Pt. St Joe/San Blas area I would appreciate it. We will be in a 21ft bay/offshore boat.

[gator7_5]

We are going after the sheepies this Saturday weather permitting. The weather has been so bad for the last month I havent made it on the water, but my garden is going to be epic :laugh:.

When do the Cobes run in the panhandle RB? Thought it was April & May.

The reason I ask is we are doing a couples trip to Port St Joe Peninsula the first week in May and I haven't fished there before. Beautiful area and good red & trout action in the bay from what I gather, but I would like to know when the Tarpon & Bobes come thorough that area. If anyone has any intel on the Pt. St Joe/San Blas area I would appreciate it. We will be in a 21ft bay/offshore boat.

You wont have a cobia migration at Pt St Jow (the fish cross the gulf from Tampa and hit around Panama City), but there will be some resident ones on markers and bouys that time of yr. First cobe over here will be caught around March 10th and the run will end in late April. A warm winter makes for a trickle migrations which can be harder fishing. When we get aharsh wintter and quick spring warm up, they fish pile through and it gets really fun.

Tarpon action in the big bend area is, I believe, dead winter. I wouldn't bet on the info, though.

[rburnett]

It totally goes with the water temp.. but It can be good March, April and May. It's been really warm so I'm expecting to see some reports soon. I start looking at reports for Panama City and then they will be here a few weeks later. I've heard reports off st pete already.

[GatoRella]

Thanks guys. That is really interesting to hear the that they cross the gulf from S. Pete to Panama City, I didn't know that. I always thought they traveled the continental shelf in the gulf during the winter and came north and into the shallows.

rb I agree 100% with the water temp, the lucky number in my area of the big bend for pleagics is 72. Last year we hit that temp on March 30, and we caught two 30lb Cobes that day.

[rburnett]

Heading to Belize in a few weeks and going to do some inshore fishing.. anybody been and have captain recommendations?

[G8rChuck85]

What do you guys think about moving this thread permanently to the Gator Tail Pub Picture Gallery? That way there's no chance we lose all these great pics.

[G8rChuck85]

Any updates? Also, any input on permanently sticking this thread as one of the threads in the GatorTail Pub Picture Gallery. I don't want to do it unless you guys want it there.

[rburnett]

I vote for leave it... I don't ever go into the pictures sub-forum. If this page falls back a few pages I always search for it here. If some users who haven't fished in a while don't know it was moved, they may not find it and think it expired... just my .02

[GatoRella]

I agree with rburnett, belongs in the main pub area.

Also, I just saw a fishing report that indicated the Cobia have showed up in Tampa Bay in earnest. Wont be long now :yes:

[G8rChuck85]

Main pub it is..Thanks for the input.

[rburnett]

I agree with rburnett, belongs in the main pub area.

Also, I just saw a fishing report that indicated the Cobia have showed up in Tampa Bay in earnest. Wont be long now :yes:

Watchin this week's FL Sportsman TV show from Destin catching um.. Not too far away. Gotta get one from my yak this year. Just got some big ole sand wheels for my yak so I can get it to the surf a lot easier.

[beachpiratefla]

Drum Run will start soon up here in NE Florida...

[gator7_5]

Just a tease..

While I've spent countless hours lobbing mingo snapper and eals on some real slobs (Over 100lb) to no avail, this is my biggest to date (on my boat, not angler). Right at 70 lb.

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/bighoos/Jason__LL67.jpg

[rburnett]

you're a d*ck.. call your cousin and let's go!

[evergator]

Fished with my seven year old grandson last Saturday. He caught five Snook between 31 + 35 inches. Not big enough to hold rod normal way so he places butt of rod under arm pit. The only time he needs help is when he gets the Fish to the boat.:yes:

[rburnett]

Fished with my seven year old grandson last Saturday. He caught five Snook between 31 + 35 inches.

he's already got my personal best beat! 5 times!

[sneakygator]

Fished with my seven year old grandson last Saturday. He caught five Snook between 31 + 35 inches. Not big enough to hold rod normal way so he places butt of rod under arm pit. The only time he needs help is when he gets the Fish to the boat.:yes:

That's awesome stuff!
Taking a kid fishing is the best. I can't wait for grandkids.
I have plenty of nephews and nieces that keep me busy for now.

Congrats to your grandson!

[beachpiratefla]

Gator trou are tearing it up right now...last of the outgoing, first of the incoming...area creeks...Egans being the best bet...

[deathroll]

Caught the trolling motor last night; put up a helluva fight. Pulled line for maybe 8 - 10 seconds before I/we realized what was happening.

[sneakygator]

Caught the trolling motor last night; put up a helluva fight. Pulled line for maybe 8 - 10 seconds before I/we realized what was happening.

Hahaha! Been there done that! Those suckers are hard to land!:laugh:

[gator_nica]

Big fan of this thread!

[toon66]

Hitting the morning session down in Boca Grande this Saturday. My guy tells me the reds are thick as hell rt about now.

[gators4life]

Went down to Sebastian Inlet last week and limited on shrimp. Large to Jumbos. Pretty good time except for going to bed when the sun was rising back to back days.

[GatoRella]

I just got the first report yesterday of a Cobe caught in my part of the BigBend FWIW.

To say that I am excited would be a great understatement........ We are heading out this Saturday for some verification :yes:

[rburnett]

I just got the first report yesterday of a Cobe caught in my part of the BigBend FWIW.

To say that I am excited would be a great understatement........ We are heading out this Saturday for some verification :yes:

I've seen one caught from a pier near Panama City and just yesterday the first caught from a boat in Destin.

We're going offshore for some bottom fishing, but will keep our eyes on the water for sure.

[mexicanconnection2002]

Getting married in a few months...so my fishing oppurtunities have been extremely limited lately. Hope to get out there soon, been getting good reports of big trout in the area.

[rburnett]

Went out Saturday and caught so many red snapper that my left arm cramped and is sore today. Game plan was to chum them up to the surface and try to pitch bait to the ones we can actually keep (blacks aka mangroves). There were so many reds and they were eating on the surface @~100 feet deep. It was out of control.

Here's a nice 30" we caught several around this size.. Weighed one at over 15.5 lbs
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lkNX9g3XBm4/T2dF-_C9xbI/AAAAAAAAAoU/JO80HdHfFsc/s640/2012-03-19

Here's another 30" red and the lone keeper black.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MWz5lKLIgmY/T2dGDB7EvcI/AAAAAAAAAos/tkT0EvKlaks/s640/2012-03-19

We also caught all kinds of other species.. short AJ's (27"-28"), 1 scamp, remoras, triggers, sharks. It was a fun day on the water.

[gator7_5]

Killed em. Coolers gonna be heavy on June 1.

[akaGATORHOOPS]

Went out Saturday and caught so many red snapper that my left arm cramped and is sore today. Game plan was to chum them up to the surface and try to pitch bait to the ones we can actually keep (blacks aka mangroves). There were so many reds and they were eating on the surface @~100 feet deep. It was out of control.

Here's a nice 30" we caught several around this size.. Weighed one at over 15.5 lbs
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lkNX9g3XBm4/T2dF-_C9xbI/AAAAAAAAAoU/JO80HdHfFsc/s640/2012-03-19

Here's another 30" red and the lone keeper black.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MWz5lKLIgmY/T2dGDB7EvcI/AAAAAAAAAos/tkT0EvKlaks/s640/2012-03-19

We also caught all kinds of other species.. short AJ's (27"-28"), 1 scamp, remoras, triggers, sharks. It was a fun day on the water.

Take me! Take me!

God. . . I have not fished in over a month. Very depressing!

[Speedofsand]

I've been in Ohio for a month. I'm going fishing the day I get home! Hopefully just another week.

[GatoRella]

We had a great day this passed Saturday. We absolutely loaded the boat with Sheepies, but no Cobia to be had. We threw back a bunch of keepers and still ended up with 30, which is about twice as many as I wanted to clean.

The spot we went to was an artificial reef in about 35ft made of cement culverts. The water was crystal clear, and about 70 degrees. So we threw on a masks and went down and popped a couple 9lb slabs, along with a few in the 6-7lb range. It was the highlight of the day to be sure.

Still waiting on pics from my buddy.

[Jupgator]

Hey guys. Haven't posted to this thread for awhile. Live in Jupiter, FL and fish around here and in Everglades National Park (Flamingo and Chokoloskee). The freeze a couple of years ago killed about every snook down there due to the shallow water that got very cold. Looks like they are back. Got 15 snook to 31" a week and a half ago and lost several that looked larger in Flamingo. Going to Choko this coming weekend and I'll let you know. Lots of Reds down there and snook coming back, so should be fun.

[beachpiratefla]

Huge Black Drum (60-90 lbs.) eating it up on th northeast coast.

[GatoRella]

Pics added. Don't worry my buddy didn't hurt himself extending his arm to make his look bigger :roll:

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z197/gatorella420/542233_10150897146622468_603542467_12966246_792064 337_n.jpg

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z197/gatorella420/552806_10150897146912468_603542467_12966249_186268 3304_n.jpg

[gator7_5]

those are some stud convicts right there.

[rburnett]

good **** Rella!

So pumped for Belize / Costa Maya.. leaving Sunday

[beachpiratefla]

Nice sheepies

[PMCGoldenEraG8R]

Pics added. Don't worry my buddy didn't hurt himself extending his arm to make his look bigger :roll:

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z197/gatorella420/542233_10150897146622468_603542467_12966246_792064 337_n.jpg

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z197/gatorella420/552806_10150897146912468_603542467_12966249_186268 3304_n.jpg

Congrats on a great day Rella! Wow..... :)

I'm so glad that this thread is still here, even though I haven't been around the Pub in a long time.

Last year was hit or miss for me for fishing, but I'm off to a better start, as I got a nice fat 32" red the other day. I'm hoping this is a good sign!

Looking dorky in my hat, but need to keep that good ol' Florida sun off my face.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d68/G8Rpmc/Fishing/IMG_0293-1.jpg


Now, to go back and read some more of the past posts here. :) Love it!!

[PMCGoldenEraG8R]

OH......BTW rella, my friends went out this morning (Thur. Mar 29) and they limited on trout and had some nice keeper reds, one was exactly 27". They were stopped and inspected by "the man" and he measured that redfish, asking my friend, "Did you pinch the tail?" My friend said that he sure did pinch that tail! :) They passed the "inspection".

They went out of Waccassaa. I just looked again at the picture of that 41" redfish that your friend caught when ya'll fished that area. We hope to go out this weekend in that same area. Lordie, I can't imagine hooking a biggun' like that one! :) I'm sure I'll be thinking about that when we fish for reds there!

I caught that 32" red with a gold spoon. I love it when the reds like to be "spoon fed" but I really love it when they will hit a top water lure!

I can't wait to get back out there on the water! Hope all the fishing fools here are having good fishing days (and fishing nights!) :)

[akaGATORHOOPS]

Went out yesterday for the first time in weeks. . .
A bunch of jacks, ajs and almacos. Got a few decent fish on the reef. . yellowtails that came home for dinner. Put a big, liv e blue runner out hoping for a big cobe or wahoo. Ended up wrenching in a 250lb bull shark. On way home got a nice slot snook. Ss my buddy unhooked it, it threw the treble into his thumb. TThe fish was released to the icw. . my friend released from hospital 3 hours later. LOL!

[PMCGoldenEraG8R]

Hoops, you really do have some amazing fishing adventures! Hope your friend and his thumb are doing well!

Rella, anything that you would like to share?? Hmmmm??? Like a great picture that I saw the other day on another unnamed web site?? :-)

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d68/G8Rpmc/Smilies/Boatfloatingbigsmilie.gif

[rburnett]

Ss my buddy unhooked it, it threw the treble into his thumb. TThe fish was released to the icw. . my friend released from hospital 3 hours later. LOL!

Sounds like another story for the magazine!

[LittleBlueLW]

Pine Island Reds!

Got into them thick last weekend. Caught well over 50 fish in the slot and one bruiser. Limit of trout, macks and a dozen or so snook (catch and release) to boot.

Cool thing about the reds is they were all in one school on one bar we had to ourselves on rising water. They were trying to push past us but we kept a bait in the water the entire time and after 45 minutes, me and a buddy of mine looked at each other and said 'enough'. We left em bitin.

Unreal fishing.

[PMCGoldenEraG8R]

Really glad you had a great time of fishing, LittleBlue! I hope to fish that area one day.

I'm sure that was hard to leave them "bitin." Must have worn you out for sure!

[rburnett]

FINALLY got my gps/sonar combo mounted on my Hobie.. I say "finally" because I bought this crap about a year ago. First attempt to fish in the Gulf I got flipped and never went back. I wanted to take it for a test run before I really go after some serious Gulf species. A friend sent me some GPs #'s for wrecks in Pensacola Bay and tried them out Easter morning.

First spot was a sunken boat in 40', just a few hundred yards off our national park, Fort Pickens.. Caught 1, broke off by 2...
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-V1-G-TlOlTw/T4NHnuKPQzI/AAAAAAAABIE/CBt7XJ9DC1E/s903/1000000294.JPG

I bumped it up to 50 lb test, was only using 20lb floro at the first spot... it definitely slowed down the bite. I then moved to try a few more holes...

Next spot is an old (100years plus) wreck in the bay, and popular diving spot. It's got some pretty awesome structure and was holding gags. I caught 2, and missed a few more before I ran out of bait.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EUID4IRVWvg/T4NHnqlhx0I/AAAAAAAABIE/XaKSRBVOaZ8/s903/1000000302.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XyGMHeaKCOg/T4NHnkFnDoI/AAAAAAAABIE/Vj_6USNnUG8/s640/1000000305.JPG

All released to bite another day (in season).. Caught 1 nice spanish trolling a spoon on the way in, made a nice lunch..

[Speedofsand]

Yak it up ! :joecool:

[gator7_5]

He killed it! RB tried to get me to go..but I told him I'm a motor boatin son-of-a-bitch.

[GatoRella]

Pam nice to see you back around theses parts! You have any pictures to share? :joecool:

Haven't been able to get out much (read enough) lately but the Big Bend fishing is really en fuego at the moment. The pelagics have moved in, and the inshore bite is great from what I have heard.

We finally got some great weather last Tuesday so we decided to head after the cobia that had apparently moved into the area. And the idea was to get my boss on his first Cobe (he lost one at the boat last year that was 60lb plus, total heartbreak). Well he got some redemption! We went 3 for 3 on cobia in the span of about 30 minutes. It was fast and furious! All three fish were between 22-25lbs, so nothing huge but great eating to be sure.

on the ride out
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z197/gatorella420/4-3-125.jpg

Boss finally getting one in the boat!
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z197/gatorella420/4-3-126.jpg

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z197/gatorella420/4-3-124.jpg

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z197/gatorella420/4-3-127.jpg

Buddy got his first fish on his new custom gator rod.

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z197/gatorella420/4-3-121.jpg

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z197/gatorella420/4-3-122.jpg

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z197/gatorella420/4-3-129.jpg

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z197/gatorella420/4-3-128.jpg

[PMCGoldenEraG8R]

Fantastic rella!!! Cobia!!! Great pictures!! Ugly fish, but so fun to catch and great to eat! I'm sure your boss was a happy guy, on the boat and at the dinner table! I'm sure I can say the same for all of you! Congrats!

Only recent pic I have is the one I posted under your "sheepies" catch. Caught a nice 32" red. LOVE catching them, and I'm hoping this means I'll have a better year of fishing! I'm off to a better start, for sure.

rburnett, wow! Glad you had a great day also! I don't know how you do that from a Hobie! I'd be flippin' that thing and spend more time in the water then fishing! Like 7_5, I like a boat! :)

Love seeing all the pictures here and reading about all the fishing adventures! :)

[GatoRella]

RB I have never heard of someone mounting a GPS/Sonar on a yak before, that is sick my man. Nice work. Those "endangered" ARS better watch out in a couple of months.

Also wanted to share a couple of food pics, since I had a world of cobia to eat last week. In really enjoy cooking and I'm always looking for new ways to cook our catch.

Sushi!

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z197/gatorella420/Resampled952012-04-039519-31-5495782.jpg

Picatta

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z197/gatorella420/2012-04-03_19-08-06_412.jpg

Cobia Tacos

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z197/gatorella420/2012-04-04_19-16-00_473.jpg

Marinated in soy/ginger then grilled

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z197/gatorella420/2012-04-05_19-18-15_47.jpg

[PMCGoldenEraG8R]

Woah!! ALL those dishes look fantastic, rella! I know they were so delicious!! I've never thought about doing a picatta with fish, and I LOVE picatta! I'll have to try that for sure!

My husband is going fishing this weekend with a group of guys.(He's going to Steinhatchee.) I'm going to a wedding. I hope he brings home some fish for our meals. You've inspired me! :)

Yummmm!!! :)

[rburnett]

Damn, that cobia looks good!

Yeah, well our yakkable water is not limited to inshore.. we have wrecks in 40-60 ft of water in the bay, and also near shore wrecks and artificial reefs within a few miles of the beach. I am definitely going to load the freezer this summer.

The beauty of my setup on the hobie is that I can use the foot pedals and make slight rudder adjustments to hold me perfectly on the bottom spot while still having hands free to fish. I just put the machine on splitscreen GPS and bottom. I don't need to anchor, and some of these spots are too small to effectively drift. It's pretty amazing, comparable to those GPS iPilot trolling motors for holding the boat over a spot.

I don't even bring the machine with me if I'm just doing inshore, I don't need it to tell me it's 2 feet deep, kind of pointless. I can rig it up a lot of different ways. I have a drift chute, cajun anchor, lights for fishing docklight @ night, big ass soft wheels for launching on the beach.. The Outback is a fishing machine.

[GatoRella]

RB you have GOT to post some pics of the the Outback that sounds like a sweet rig, and given the price of gas very cost effective. Also its crazy to think you are in 60ft in a couple of miles in the bay, when I have to got 25 miles to get to that depth where I fish. That's a lot of paddling boy!

PMC I wish your husband good luck, he is going to need it looking at the wind forecast supposed to be NASTY.

[akaGATORHOOPS]

Finally got out yesterday, but ou trip was cut very short b/c of one of the guys got seasick. It sucked going in b/c we were on fish but did have 10 phins and a tuna at that point. All of them were under two frigate birds. . .
Nothing huge, but fun on the lighter spinning outfits. . .

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i193/gatorhoops/phin-chicken.jpg

[rburnett]

good eating and nice boat!!!!

I have a big yak tournament this weekend.. haven't been able to pre-fish because work is owning me and its been windy as hell in the evenings.

[rburnett]

Saturday was our big spring tournament for yakkers. I fished this tournament last year and won first in speckled trout and 3rd in redfish. I fished for 5+ straight hours trying to find a trout to win the slam, but couldn't pull it off. I've had nightmares about it for a year, been ridiculed by friends and family about it (in fact, my weight was so good from those 2 fish, I had the slam guy beat with his 3)... But today was a new day, and I was dialed in.

Caught the redfish just after sun up pitching a live shrimp under a hot dock in my little bay that I live on. 26 and 1/4 FAT red.. weighed in at 7 Lbs on the dot (took first in Redfish). Then I immediately moved to the flats to go for my gator. Trolled around a big live croaker for a while and threw various lures off the front (top dog, mirrodine, paul brown) and caught a ton of non-tourney trout.. then all of a sudden the big rod goes screaming... 21 inch fat trout in the box. (weighed 3.1)

I'm thinking, "oh god, here we go again". I call up my buddy gator7_5 - where is the best place to catch a flounder, what should I use, etc. Took his advice on a jighead/jerkshad, tipped with croaker fillet and drag it around slowly. Also got a tip from another buddy on where he caught a flounder that morning and the 2 pieces of info sealed the deal for me. I went Mike Iconelli when I got that thing in my net. 18in and weighed in at 2.5lbs, 2nd overall in flounder.

I was done by 11 and the weigh in wasn't final until 5:00. I fished a little more trying to get a bigger trout, but the prime time had passed and my spots were heavily pressured with over 170 yakkers out that day! I floated around and drank beer and stressed out... but the results were locked in at 5:00. 1st place slam winner, new all time tournament record 12.6 lbs.

I won a brand new 2012 Hobie Outback.. It's actually the same rig I use, lol.. but I can't sell it.. it's an awesome trophy. Plus wife and friends can use it.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-fG6a1WqiPQE/T58GPxbKjtI/AAAAAAAABOY/aM7G-6cAhwQ/s921/1000000332.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ZoNETYzXr1c/T58GR4Y-fhI/AAAAAAAABOo/QMT3PgaA2xo/s924/1000000331.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Ii7pNxI-hEk/T58GL4nsS3I/AAAAAAAABN8/HOsvLEUtKGU/s691/1000000334.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Jiwg3toKAPk/T58GOQ370VI/AAAAAAAABOM/BQMLfdIqrx0/s921/1000000335.JPG

Incredible weekend... Go Gators

[Speedofsand]

Wow. Congrats on the Hobie. I didn't get to make my kayak trips, but made it to the races in Homestead. It rained so much ducks were drowning.

[GatoRella]

Great job on taking down the tourney my brother, it was an epic day indeed. And Im not surprised you got Mike Iconelli excited, lol :laugh:

We are heading to Port St. Joe tomorrow, anyone have any up to date reports for that area? Ive heard the Mahi are at a weed line 6-10 miles out.

[gator7_5]

That huge tourney and an impressive trio of fish. Even from a boat. Hell, I went half Iaconelli when I got the text about the flounder. :crazy:

[rburnett]

Great job on taking down the tourney my brother, it was an epic day indeed. And Im not surprised you got Mike Iconelli excited, lol :laugh:

We are heading to Port St. Joe tomorrow, anyone have any up to date reports for that area? Ive heard the Mahi are at a weed line 6-10 miles out.

During the yak yournament saturday, in the offshore division a nice sailfish and mulitple mahi were caught from yaks off the beach... the sail was caught within a mile of the pier.

[akaGATORHOOPS]

AWESOME, Rburnett!!!!!!!!! MAJOR CONGRATS!!!!

I took some buddies out this weekend. I thought the super moon and a few days of east wind would make things lively. But the water was pea-green out to 400'. Ugh.
We managed 2 schoolie mahi, 4 blackfin tuna to 11lbs, 1 10lb skippy a nice King and a swing and miss on a nice sail.

[G8rChuck85]

Congrats rburnett! That really encourages me to get out there!

[GatoRella]

Just got back from a nice little 4 day vacation in the Panhandle at Port St. Joseph State Park. First of all what a beautiful area! Gin clear water with awesome beaches, and HUGE sand dunes. The park has to be one of the best in the state, and a cabin that sleeps 6 for $100 a night right on the water, may be the best deal ever.
Back door:

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z197/gatorella420/156533_10151098306217468_603542467_13421027_398719 034_n.jpg

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z197/gatorella420/536017_10151098272207468_603542467_13420842_840559 277_n.jpg

We took the wives along so we had to adjust our schedule from fishing all day long, to something a little more accommodating for the ladies. So our game plan was to wake up, catch trout off the back yard, then cook breakfast before heading out on the water for a little half day fishing trip. Come back have lunch, offload gear, grab the wemens and post up on the beach for the afternoon.

Since none of us had fished the area we pretty much stuck to the published artificial reefs. And I must say you guys have a major American Red Snapper problem up there RB. I have never been snapper fishing but I have watched enough fishing shows to know if you chum they will come. We set up on the Mara Barge and I start throwing out chunk up mullet, and about 30 seconds later I couldn’t believe my eyes…..There were endangered Snapper EVERYEWERE and they were HUGE! We pulled out our medium spinners and caught trashcan lid sized snapper till out arms were sore. Although we didn’t have a scale on board most of the fish we caught were in the 17-25lb range. Somehow in the malay we got water on the camera, which is a total bummer, because I really wanted to get a couple blown up….

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z197/gatorella420/536655_10151098278602468_603542467_13420867_150029 1493_n.jpg

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z197/gatorella420/536505_10151098275912468_603542467_13420856_230519 191_n.jpg

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z197/gatorella420/522310_10151098274217468_603542467_13420851_160851 8521_n.jpg

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z197/gatorella420/529822_10151098281417468_603542467_13420883_159067 7057_n.jpg

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z197/gatorella420/582142_10151098295992468_603542467_13420979_967832 692_n.jpg

Stud!

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z197/gatorella420/560622_10151098280902468_603542467_13420879_214013 823_n.jpg


We also slipped offshore (about two miles from the snapper spot) and trolled up four nice dolphin.

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z197/gatorella420/546100_10151098285882468_603542467_13420910_100195 1189_n.jpg

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z197/gatorella420/541223_10151098288677468_603542467_13420935_989434 187_n.jpg

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z197/gatorella420/544965_10151098287637468_603542467_13420927_172564 3702_n.jpg

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z197/gatorella420/154785_10151098290427468_603542467_13420949_254598 575_n-1.jpg



Had a great time at the beach as well, caught four Pomps which got baked whole for dinner

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z197/gatorella420/150750_10151098297197468_603542467_13420983_213160 9804_n.jpg

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z197/gatorella420/522942_10151098301507468_603542467_13421009_104058 8866_n.jpg

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z197/gatorella420/577746_10151098305232468_603542467_13421023_152612 7818_n.jpg


We plan on doing it a couple months later next year when we don’t have to throw away all of those beautiful Red Snappers.

[LittleBlueLW]

That is awesome. How far away was the ramp/dock from the cabin?

[GatoRella]

That is awesome. How far away was the ramp/dock from the cabin?

Its probably a little over a mile, but its a nice ride and a nice deep water ramp.

To think that novices could go up there and do what we did…….they really need to take a look their “stock assessment” methods.

[toon66]

Haven't been to the panhandle in years. How far offshore for the wreck and the dolphin?

Great pics, btw.

[GatoRella]

We were less than ten miles out the entire trip, could still see land.

[g8tr96]

Good stuff Rella. Got my little vessel in for some electrical work. Hope to get her back today or tomorrow, and then, weather permitting, hit some back creeks Sunday.....maybe late Sat afternoon if possible. All depends on the weather for now.


As an aside...


If you, or anybody else hasn't seen this vid yet, check it out. The guys in this vid make stupid ignorant people look very smart.

I can't link here it as it has F-bombs in it. But here is the search link on Youtube. The vid is titled "Best Shark Attack Ever"

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=best+shark+attack&oq=best+shark+attack&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_l=youtube.3...177.268.0.1513.2.2.0.0.0.0.0.0..0 .0...0.0.



Gator attacks kayak
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kj8fED5Otmo

[toon66]

We were less than ten miles out the entire trip, could still see land.

Damn, dolphin that close in, sweet!

[rburnett]

That's how we do it up here in Pcola... how much fun is it to "sight fish" for red snapper. I could watch fish eat all day and never get bored. Did you see any big mangroves mixed in with those reds?

Looks like you ripped your britches rasslin' with those big ole reds! LOL


To think that novices could go up there and do what we did…….they really need to take a look their “stock assessment” methods.

Well, to be fair, you had some good advice from 2 incredible panhandle snapper fishermen from this board :joecool:

But I do agree with your comment about stock assessments. Commercial fishing is lobbying hard to keep us little guys out of their pockets. The latest assessment was that the proportion of mature fish to younger fish is still out of whack... IMO, that is because we only keep the big ones (2 per only open june and half of july) and throw 50-100 small ones back each trip. It's depressing to fish for them out of season because you will slay the big ones and watch them get crushed by flipper and jaws.

[toon66]

My spearfishing buddies tell me they sometimes have to push gags out of the way to get a good shot on a hogfish. I haven't bottom fished off of Pinellas in some time but I understand we are stacked with gags, too.

[G8trGr8t]

congrats on the tourney win. those are some real pig red snapper. I may have to check out that park nest spring/summer. How far in advance did you have to book the cabin?

what is the opportunity to rent a boat up there. probably close to a wash from dragging mine from Ft. Myers. wifey worries when we drag it very far and it kills the mileage on the yukon

gags not real think off Sanibel, at least not out to 80' or so. haven't stuck any in a while but fishing hasn't been that great for gags.

[rburnett]

We are heading that way this summer for scalloping. There are tons of boats to rent.

[GatoRella]

Well, to be fair, you had some good advice from 2 incredible panhandle snapper fishermen from this board :joecool:

Thanks again for the advice!

We did see a few nice mangos, budget there were too man reds to get to them :no:

[G8rChuck85]

Nice "cuda"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTw9QapciPg&feature=player_embedded

[akaGATORHOOPS]

^^ Caught a monster cuda yesterday. I was thinking of this video as I reached down to tail it!!! :)

Also got a 2 sails, 2 blackfin tuna, an almaco and too many bonitos and runners.

[gator7_5]

^^ Caught a monster cuda yesterday. I was thinking of this video as I reached down to tail it!!! :)

Also got a 2 sails, 2 blackfin tuna, an almaco and too many bonitos and runners.

You ever smoke those sails? My cousin in Miami kills one a year and tells me it's the best smoked fish around. Not sure I could stick a hook in a billfish, but I am curious if it's that good.

[akaGATORHOOPS]

No. . . I have never smoked one. I'm like you . . . could never get myself to stick a gaff in a billfish. I suppose if one dies during the fight, I would bring it home. . . but I am really careful so to avoid that. I keep em in the water and revive. Yesterday we actually moved away from the sails and pulled 2 baits away from 2 other sails that wanted to eat. We were aiming for the big blackfin, so we didnt want to lose bait and time on sailfish. In retrospect, I've become a bit spoiled. They really are beautiful fish and a blast to catch. I should enjoy it a bit more.

[GatoRella]

Passing up Sails these days Hoops? you are spoiled!

We went out this passed Saturday. The wind was supposed to be 10 mph, but was closer to 20mph. Long story short it was a nasty, uncomfortable, and unsuccessful day.

We did have one surprise catch, got this guy on a wreck in 25ft of water. Farthest north we have caught one.

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z197/gatorella420/5-19Snook.jpg

[rburnett]

damn, nice snook! I suppose the bigger ones out deep are better able to handle the cold? That fish has to be 5 years old or so, right?

10 days till snapper slaughter!!!!

[gatorbill]

Wow, great pictures.

[Speedofsand]

saw the SpaceX rocket go up, then my friend caught this 36" red for a picture.


http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s203/speedofsand/caacc6d6.jpg

[beachpiratefla]

Nice Red...How did the launch look...really bright? Damn 4:00 in the morning...You got my respect...

[supagator]

saw the SpaceX rocket go up, then my friend caught this 36" red for a picture.


http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s203/speedofsand/caacc6d6.jpg

Nap time!

[PMCGoldenEraG8R]

RB you have GOT to post some pics of the the Outback that sounds like a sweet rig, and given the price of gas very cost effective. Also its crazy to think you are in 60ft in a couple of miles in the bay, when I have to got 25 miles to get to that depth where I fish. That's a lot of paddling boy!

PMC I wish your husband good luck, he is going to need it looking at the wind forecast supposed to be NASTY.


You were correct Rella, as that trip was cancelled due to the winds.

rburnett, congrats on that big tourney win! That Hobie is beautiful! Now that you have two of them, I guess you will have to invite some friends to go with you!

Still loving all the posts here....seeing the pictures and reading the "fishing tales." So many accomplished fishermen here! :) Hoops, you never disappoint!!

That Port St. Joe trip....WOW! Those snappers.....incredible! I'd love to have some more info about that place where you stayed. We are always looking for places to go where we can fish. We don't get to go often enough, but it's nice to have options.

Husband is off this week, so we have been fishing. Taking today off. We've been fishing in the area out of Yankeetown. Hubby and friend caught some nice reds yesterday. The reds have had lock-jaw for a little while, so that was nice to get a keeper or two in the boat. Trout have been good to us, and our friend with us caught a 25" tripletail, which you know is a big deal for us! Rella catches monster "trips" all the time! :) I'll try to post a pic soon.

I hope all the fishermen/women here have a great holiday weekend, and that ya'll can go fishing! Stay safe on the water and have fun! :)

[akaGATORHOOPS]

Haha.... my friend sent me this pic from a short trip on Sunday. In the pic I am hooked to a 70-80lb sailfish. I wanted to get that thing in fast. . . a storm was bearing down and the rods started buzzing. Anyone who has fished in a storm, knows that sound. It is eerie. I wanted to get the hell out of there.... and my friends found my concern amusing. So they took a picture of my anxious expression!

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i193/gatorhoops/sail-3.jpg

[GatoRella]

Brent I know that sound all to well, if you have heard it once thats once to many. We bounce immediately.

Pam, congrats on the triple! 25 inches is a good one. We are going after them tomorrow, ill let you know how we do. They are certainly in, my buddy caught four last Sunday.