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Date: Permit Me...
Title: June 27, 2004
Date: 28 Jun 2004
Time: 03:34:10 -0400
I appreciate everybody who comes fishing with Lil B and I. Some folks have money while others have to save up to go fishing with us. I’m painfully aware of how expensive it is to have the privilege to float well offshore in the Gulf of Mexico and, at the same time, thankful people choose the spend their hard earned money to go with us. We try our best to exceed the expectations of what people want out of their fishing experience. I know some fine captains’ in this area, as well as elsewhere, that feel the same way about giving a great fishing adventure. But for the folk that set up standing reservations, they become like extended family with a common link of loving to fish and we try and give more. More time on the water, more fuel, more distance offshore, setting aside some spots just for them and so forth. Saturday’s trip was with a band of fishing brothers that I give the extra ‘mile’. They rewarded me. Big Steve tossed a green jig over a structure in 90 feet of water and gave me my first permit on the boat! A beautiful 14 pounder that gave him the fight of a lifetime. We thought Big Steve hung a brute amberjack but, surprise, when it flashed sideways, I saw a permit. The inflection in my voice, “PERMIT”, alerted Lil B that I wanted that fish, bad. He missed the first gaff shot. He doesn’t do that often but I had him pumped. The second shot, in the fishes butt, a crap shot, but it worked. We had some Kodak time, which should be seen in Woods n Water’s next month. Thanks Big Steve for fighting the fish well and giving me a portion that I’m going to enjoy tonight. You never know when you ad saltwater. Oh, the rest of the story, we drifted over live bottom with threadfin herring and bonita strips to wack some the biggest red grouper I’ve ever seen in my life. We had 8 truck reds that weighed a 120 pounds to anchor down the rest of the box of grouper. For an hour and a half, Lil B and I handled grouper at a rate that, sometimes, fell short of the demand. A grouper rally of one’s dreams. Bobcat, one fellow, said it was the best bite he’s ever been on. We were glad when it stopped. No kidding. Then again, I wish it would happen like that every day, myself. Saltwater is magic fluid... Sea water temp is hanging around 85 degrees, at the surface. The warm water temperature means fish will hanging deep in the cooler waters. Trout fishing is best on deep grass beds between 6 and 12 feet depending on tide. Bounce a jig or ‘shiner tail’ over the deep grass beds to catch some keeper trout. Expect to encounter some other species, such as, puppy sharks, blue fish, Spanish mackerel, sea bass and flounder, while trout fishing. Grouper fishing is better deeper. This week I’ve taken good grouper in as little as 43 feet but the best bite is beyond 70 foot. If you take your time and move around allot, you will manage a nice mess of grouper between 45 and 65 foot. Furthermore, you’ll be entertained with many shorts to bend that rod over. Best bait? Frozen baits are working well. Pinfish will be a benefit. But, have a light spinning reel with a sabiki rig ready when you see clouds of bait on sonar to collect bait of choice, scaled sardines. Strips of bonita are fantastic and easy to acquire, if you take the time to toss small jigs or spoons into bait pods that are being fed upon. There is not a fish on this planet worth your life, so if your going far offshore be sure and file a float plan with someone, have your equipment in top order and pay close attention to weather. Mamma nature don’t always play nice and she doesn’t care who you are or how many children you have. Always be safe and conservative. Safety, fun and fish is the order of my business. Always and everyday. Take good care. Capt B.