This report is a preview to the first fishing video of "Chew On THIS" be on the lookout.
For the passed 3 or 4 months I had been planning on making a trip down to the 10,000 islands. But, for some reason it always seemed like the time we planned to go just wasn't right. Most of the cancellations occured due to poor weather. Finally, everything looked like it was going to click for an early Saturday morning trip to the Everglades.
Nelson, Jason, and I made a short trip at 1:00 a.m. Saturday morning to catch some bait at the Cape Coral Yacht Club. We were hoping for plenty of white bait and mullet but ended up settling for sugar trout and 25 or so ladyfish, which was good too. The only problem with those types of bait is they aren't very hearty and die quite easily. It really didn't matter though, because that was what we had to fish with, dead or alive. We loaded the boat on the trailer with an external bilge pump aeriating the well. It was getting quite late so we headed for the house around 2:00 in the morning. We decided to stay up the entire night seeing as how it was already so late. Captain Butch showed up at 4:00a.m. so we began to load the boat there shortly afterwords. At 4:45 bait and tackle were loaded and off we went.
We arrived at the Barron River ramp in Everglades City right at daybreak. I had never launched from there before, but thought it would be a good idea considering the location we usually start fishing first. Unfortunately, it wasn't a good idea considering we had to idle for about 40 minutes before we could get on plane. The manatee zones have even reached the everglades, what a drag. We anchored at our first stop as the tide was begining to end. We only fished it for 30 minutes or so. Nelson managed to get hung in the mangrove roots, well at least he thought. The next thing he knew the mangrove roots started moving and his 50 pound test leader soon parted. Other than that we didn't manage another hit because the tide completely died.
Next, we decided to make the 38 mile jaunt to the Broad river. I have only been there once before and didn't do very well but it looked so good I just had to go back. With big fish dreams dancing in my head it was unavoidable. When we arrived the tide was quite low and hardly moving out at all. However, while running through the mouth of the river we noticed several quite large fish in the 50 to 100 pound plus category scattering as we ran over the top of them. We ran on into the river and fished several mangrove islands but only managed one trout while casting jigs in towards the islands while idling around with the Yamaha. We really weren't able to fish the backcountry even if we wanted to because I have yet to get a trolling motor sponsor of good value. The only way we could fish the mangroves was by anchoring up at each corner we made it to. I soon tired of that and made the suggestion to try out front where we saw the large fish on the way in.
Once we arrived where we saw the fish spook, Jason dropped the anchor and Nelson began to chum with cut Ladyfish. I tossed out my 30-50 Man O' War Cape Fear with the Trin 30 on it, spooled with 130 pound test fins braid and 125 pound test leader and 10/0 Eagle claw tuna hook with 2 pound mullet hooked through the head on it. I then placed the Man O' War in the rod holder and grabed my EXT with the new Calcutta 700TE. I put a Ladyfish head on a 3/0 Eagle Claw black chrome hook with 80 pound leader and tossed it out. All four of us had our baits out and were hoping for some action. First my Cape Fear EXT with the 700TE takes off but when I tried to set the hook nothing was there. Then Man O' War goes off. About 50 yards of line screamed out before I could put the EXT down and grab the Man O' War rod. I flipped the lever over and dropped the rod tip down. Fish On!! drag is screaming off and I am holding on. I knew I had this fish, he was on the largest tackle set up I had. Not So! 2 minutes later leader cut. Not a minute after I lost my fish Nelson's line screams off. He sets the hook and the reel starts smokin'. Then the fish start jumping and flying out of the water with spins and splashes. About that time we all realized we were in a large school of Black Tip Sharks. While Nelson is fighting his fish, Jason gets a hook up. Now we have a double, the fish is screaming drag off of his line. All he could do was hold on and hope he didn't run out of line before the fish decided to turn. Luckily it turned and started heading back towards the boat. Captain Butch sent his bait out a moment or two after Jason's fish started coming back to the boat and Swoosh!! Shark fin out of the water and there went Captain Butch's live mullet. We have a Triple hook up, all three of the fellas were on the back of the boat fighting 50 plus pound fish at one time. What a site and what a feeling, the action was absolutely great. Five minutes or so later Jason's hook pulls from his fish and not a minute later the 125 pound test leader seperates from Captain Butch's fish. Only Nelson is left, he was the only one to start off with piano wire line for leader. Near the 40 minute mark Nelson's fish finally decided to tire out and Nelson tail wrapped him. Then he pulled him onto the front deck of the Pathfinder to take a couple quality snap shots.
Now it was my turn to put down the camera and get in on the action. We each hooked at least three more fish apeice but evertime either our leader or mainline would break. I finally quit being stubborn and put on some of Nelson's piano wire. That was the ticket, the fish hit and took off on a long run while the rod was in the holder on the Cape Fear EXT. I flipped the lever over and dropped the rod tip, Bam!! hook set and the drag was screaming. The Black Tips make wonderful leaps and jumps while fighting and this one was no different. Since I was fishing heavier tackle I was able to put a little more pressure on the fish and land him a little quicker. You would not believe how stong they are, not to mention how beautiful. In our guestimation he probably went in the range of 50 to 70 pounds. I was a little scared to lift him all the way up because I didn't want to suffer a nice gashing shark bite out of my leg.
Next, it was Jason's turn to get in on the action. For some reason he just didn't get as many bites as the rest of us. But he did manage the most spectacular one of the day. We all three were fishing on the right side of the boat when we see a swirl and Jason gets a manbending jerk on his line. Not 2 seconds later one of the largest fattest Tarpon I have seen in a long time skies about 8 feet out of the water and spits Jason's hook. We didn't get to fight him but what a great site anyhow. Jason tossed a new chunk of cut mullet out and before long Fish On!! off goes Jason's line just a singing. Luckily for him the fish decided to turn before he was spooled. Five minutes into the fish the line breaks and Jason went empty handed once again but fortunately for thim the other rod takes off singing and Jason is back in business. While Jason was fighting his fish Nelson manages to get another one on a fresh mullet head. Right about the time Jason was nearly completely wore out the fish decided to give up to. How about this for a nice Black Tip shark. What a fantastic day we were having.
In the meantime, Nelson was still fighting his fish. He was using alot smaller tackle than I was, which made for very long fights. Eventually, he finally managed to land the last shark of the day before we decided to take the 38 mile journey back to Choko. On the way home a cold front moved in and started to really kick up some nasty chop. The waves like usual had to be coming from a quartering sea position. Which is the absolute worst direction in my opinion. Nelson put the trim tabs down and cranked up the engine to 4400 rpm's and through the waves we went. I was pleasantly surprised at the ability of the Pathfinder to cut right through a quartering sea for 38 miles without beating us to death. We never even took one wave over the side of the boat or any spray or mist. I have not owned a Pathfinder for long but that ride really won me over on quality and ability. If you are looking for a quality, well built boat, with great shallow water capabilities and even better ride in the chop then be sure to check out the Pathfinder series by Maverick.
Finally, we made it back to the cover of the barrier islands. We even had time to hit our first stop from the moring one more time. We all baited up with 1 to 2 pound mullet and tossed them up under the mangrove shoreline. Nelson was able to land a Jewfish that went 8 pounds, Captain Butch caught a nice 23 inch grouper, and I missed my one shot because of a circle hook. I really hate those hooks. In order to get a gap large enough to catch the fish I go after you would have to fish with an 10 or 12/0 hook. I believe we could have done even better but nightfall came and with nightfall so does the ravenous bugs of the Everglades.
In conclusion, we had a great time. Nelson and Jason said it was one of the best times they have ever had. As for me I have never seen or caught that many sharks in shallow water in my life. What a wonderful day and great feeling we left with. None of us can wait to get back. It really made us ask, "What took us so long to get back down there?"
Until next time may you have line singing, leader fraying, and
tackle busting action!!!!
If you are looking for
some tackle busting, leader fraying, excitement then give Captain Chancey a call @ (239)540-7529
