Here is a little prelude to the report. I will not soon forget the events that happened in order to create this report. My mom came down for her birthday and a day of fishing. We began the day around 8:30am in the morning due to the heavy fog that had blanketed the Sound that morning. I tried to be a big boy and make it the entire way without the GPS, but got a little turned around and had to take the long way to Picnic. Once there we chummed and put a good 100 baits in the well before the hour was up.
First, we headed for the hole where I shot the Grouper edition of "Chew On This" Saltwater Fishing Show. They were foreworned of the pending doom they faced. As everyone does they just shrugged of my warnings and instructions. First my brother is taken to the cleaners, then my stepfather, and then my mom. She really never had a prayer. With the type of fishing I do, if you don't have a tight line at all times, you will get busted off no matter what! The strike order continued for a good 30 minutes or so. Each one of them were pasted 5 or 6 times apiece. It seemed as if every fresh pinfish that hit the water was just thumped, time and time again. On several occaisions my brother and step dad just froze up and didn't know what to do. The grouper were pulling so hard on them, once they hooked up they were in disbelief of what was transpiring.
Eventually, my brother Dan was able to get his bearings and land one of the little guys. Many people just don't realize how hard a 15 to 20 inch grouper can hit and fight in 5 foot of water. It really is truly amazing at their power on inshore spinning tackle. Pound for pound they are truly the top knockout artists of all shallow water fish. Once Dan landed his fish John got in on the action and landed the largest one of all of them. It went 4 pounds and just under 22 inches. It took awhile but they both finally put fish in the boat. I have used so many Eagle Claw hooks at that dock it is rediculous. Neither one of them could quit talking about the beating they just took.
Next, we went ladyfishing for bait. I don't know why but the ladyfish just aren't as prevalent as they used to be. We worked hard to catch ladyfish and only managed 2. Thankfully two was plenty to go and tackle some 50 pound plus fish. I gave my brother the 30 to 50 pound class Cape Fear Man O' War spooled with the 130 pound Fins Braid, tied with a uni to uni to Teamfish 125 pound fluro leader and a 10/0 Eagle Claw Tuna Hook. They are the absolute baddest hooks I have ever used bar none. The only thing getting bent when you fish with these is you as you get bent over the edge of the boat. Dan was armed and ready to go with instructions included. We dropped the bait down. Dan let it hit bottom and we heard the diesel crank up. Dan felt a tug, set the hook, and proceeded to get pulled right into the rocks. Time for a new rig. I hooked up the next ladyfish and Dan dropped it back down. Two minutes later, that diesel cranked back up inhaled his ladyfish and steamrolled him back to the structure and busted him off again. Oh well we were now out of bait. Time to go ladyfishing again.
However, the lady's just did not want to cooperate. We fished for a solid hour without even one hookup. So we decided to switch our attention over to Snook. I have started to see them creeping up all over the place, but the first two or three places didn't produce a thing. Not even a nibble. We finally found fish at one little mangrove cut. They weren't as thick as the other places but they wanted to eat. I was on the front deck when I saw a Snook coming from under the bushes. I tossed my white bait to the fish and handed the rod back to my mom. The Snook popped it and then inhaled it. Mom set the hook and the battle was on. She was quite cocky before we got out there about how she usually out fishes everyone. But when that Snook decided it wanted to get away it put a big hurtin on her and took her right in the mangroves. I kid you not, we waited for five minutes with the Fins braid wrapped around and through the mangroves for the Snook to come out. The tree limbs were actually shaking with the fish trying to get itself free. Mom gave me the rod and I kept a tight line on the fish. We pulled the anchor and I began to pull the boat towards the mangroves with my rod. Nearly 30 feet away the Snook shook itself loose from the mangroves and I had a chance of getting him. I tried to give the rod back to my mom but she declined. 40 seconds or so later the keeper sized linesider was on the Boga and ready for pics. I guess my mom had forgotten how strong a Snook can be when hooked.
Guess what is was time to do again? That's right try and catch a ladyfish for one last shot at the big boys. We hit hole after hole and just couldn't find any. We found trout but no ladies. We fished for 45 minutes before finally landing one. Not two casts later we had another.
Grande Finally Time!!! We went to the monster hole. Dan even had to pop his back to prepare for the action. Dan baited up the Cape Fear and I drove him to the hole. He dropped his bait over the bow and got in his ready to catch a monster stance, at least he thought. Thump!! I yell "Dan you got one." He pulls his rod tip up a little to feel his bait. It felt heavy, so he rared back and set the hook. When Dan set the hook, he got way more than he bargained for. He did a great job of getting his rod tip high in the air on the hookset. But then he froze and forgot to reel down to gain more line. I hollered "REEL DOWN." Then it clicked and he reeled down to pull the huge monster of a fish up. That is when it got really scarry. The Trinidad was on complete lockdown and with 130 pound test Fins braid and a 30 to 50 Cape Fear Man O' War it is just you and the fish Mano y Mano. The next thing I know Dan gets jerked off the front of the deck onto the floor of the boat. He was able to keep his balance when he landed but he wasn't able to keep himself from being pulled right out of the boat. My mom grabbed him around his waist and my stepdad grabbed her around her waist. Great thinking on their part because it kept Dan from taking a drink. I reached for the rod to help him keep the fish up off of the bottom. However, Dan was able to gain control before I had to help. With Dan pulling with all his might and the fish pulling with all of its' might the Cape Fear rod was only bending about a quarter of the way. It is the strongest rod I have ever seen by far. Dan started pumping and reeling down. Eventually, a 50 pound or so Jewfish pops up out of the depths. We were hoopin' and hollerin'just like when the Bucs won the Super Bowl. It was Dan's largest fish ever. I was proud to see him land such a nice fish. I was also a little jealous that he caught one bigger than I ever have.
To conclude, catching a huge fish is an absolute blast. It is even more rewarding when you have to work so hard to get him in. Dan will surely remember that day and fish for all times. Be sure to hurry up and book because all of my days for the next 3 months are nearly gone. Book Now if you can!
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