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Date: A Good Angler Can Adapt
Title: May 16, 2004
Date: 18 May 2004
Time: 22:20:32 -0400
“Wind was a blowing” Four days this week the wind blew steady in the morning at 15 knots. Seas were blowed up from 3-5 foot, 4-6 foot and I measured two waves, off sonar, 8&9 foot. That translates into I saw what people had for breakfast in the morning and last nights meal. On the bright side, the seas calmed down after one and let us finish the day. If you’re going offshore, and it’s nasty in the morning, at least slow down or, better yet, lay back inshore and wait and see if conditions improve. It’s better to be safe for a couple of hours than end up in a harrowing situation or, worse, dead, in my opinion. Heck, kicking back in a slough, between the grass flats, baited up with live bait to tangle with cobia, sharks and, possibly jump a tarpon, ain’t a bad way to ride out some inclement weather. I did it on Wednesday and popped a 25 pound cobia along with some good shark action. There’s more than one type of big fish that swims in the sea. Some of the biggest fish I’ve caught, seen caught or just seen have come from waters less than a couple of miles from shore. Inshore fishing does not translate to lesser fish, if you know what your doing. The point is... don’t jeopardize yourself and others to catch ‘the fish’ when conditions are poor. Exercise plan B. The fun option. If you’re a good fishermen, you can make some fun when it ain’t all good. A tug on the line, regardless of species or size, is far more better than a spanking on the butt, any day. I enjoy fishing not pounding. When seas are rough, anglers' don’t need to bang guest or clients around, abuse their boat and equipment, and not enjoy the day to go for grouper, etc. “Boy, it was rough today but we limited with 15 grouper after enduring a two hour boat ride out and the same coming in; total weight was 100 pounds” says offshore only man. “Well, we decided not to take the beating and opted to layout live bait in the sloughs inshore. We picked up two cobia; one 23 pounder and the other was just over 40 pounds. We, also, hooked up five sharks; the largest around 125 pounds. Then we jumped a tarpon! The battle lasted about five minutes before it popped the line. And, can you believe it, this six pound trout took the biggest pinfish we layed out on a float rig” says the guy who used his head. You do the math and figure who had the best day. Which boat would you want to be on? I vote the boat I could have a comfortable picnic on, myself. But, I’m a cobia nut. If conditions are rough yet tolerable and the evening forecast is for subsiding seas; slow down, take it easy and set back deep diver plugs closer in to attempt to pick up some grouper and king fish. It’s an opportunity to find something new for you. No need to beat yourself up to catch fish at the ‘honey hole’, right away. Save the ‘honey’ for the encore. Enjoy the first part of the day without abusing your crew. They’ll appreciate not taking an hour or more beating. As another option, anchor down, closer in, on some hard bottom and enjoy some pink mouth grunt and sea bass fishing. As an aside, flip out a free line or float rig off the stern for kingfish for a possible Kodak flash. Whether or not you scream a king, the fillets from the grunt and blacks will fry up great and family and friends will praise you for a great meal. Saltwater fishing gives you a slate of options. Choose wisely and come out a winner. Myself, I like the big fun options, as opposed to, butt thumping on ‘the’ routine. It’s your choice; you’re driving. This week, grouper have been caught between 45 and 68 foot on cut bait, frozen bait of your choice and live bait. Grouper have also been caught on the troll. The green colors aren’t bad. You’re moving around on the troll and move the anchor position as need be and you’ll catch some grouper. Trout reports have been quite good. Straight jigs, jigs under corks, plugs, pinfish, or ‘shiner tails’ on the jig head are picking up trout, as well as, redfish, bluefish, ladyfish, sea bass, Spanish mackerel, etc. The list goes on to the point, David Woods, from Perry boated a 46 inch kingfish drifting a pinfish off the leeward side in seven feet of water. You never know when you add salt to water. Take care of yourself, boat and tackle. Capt. B.