While out on the previous charter a man came down to the water named Perry from Texas when he saw Clay from Tennessee loose a big snook around the piling. He asked us if we knew anyone to take them fishing. I promptly gave him my card and he set up a trip the next afternoon after his Surgical Seminar. I was originally supposed to pick Perry, his friend Larry and Larry's fiance Debbie up at 2p.m. but his seminar ran over and I picked them up at 4:30 instead. Perry told me over the phone Debbie had never been fishing before and they really wanted her to catch a fish. So naturally I focused most of my time on helping her land her first fish.

First we had to get bait. I headed over to the Causeway and in 4 or 5 throws I had enough Threadfins to last the evening. Perry wasn't sure about what type of fishing we were going to do, especially since it would be dark shortly. I told him not to worry late evening and night fishing is one of my specialties. I baited Debbie up first and casted her bait into the rushing incoming tide. While showing her how to use the rod a Snook busted her line and screamed out drag. It soon broke free but Debbie was now "Hooked" herself. I finished going over the instructions on how to fight and ultimately land a fish. I baited up Perry and Larry while closely watching over Debbie. For some reason the Snook couldn't catch our baits and then when they did they would break us off.

Next, Larry rigged a fresh Threadfin and tossed it into the channel so it would drift back into the mangroves with the current. Before long SLAM!! Larry had a huge fish on his Cape Fear. I was screaming off on a long run. I thought to myself with a run like that it had to be a big Jack. Boy! was I wrong a hefty snook comes busting out of the water and the battle was on. Larry did one heck of a job fighting such a large snook. He was able to turn its head away from the mangroves and eventually onto my Boga Grip. I am not sure but I think it may have been Larry's first snook ever. Larry now understands why trout aren't quite as popular over here as in Texas. Larry said the fight was awsome.

While Larry took a break after his battle, Perry and Debbie took front stage on the bow of the boat. It seemed as if every fish Debbie would get on would eventually get off somehow. Meanwhile Perry gets slammed and taken on several long runs. Then the fish started to circle the boat, that's when we knew it was a Jack. It was kind of funny seeing the Jack run Perry all over the boat. We all had a good laugh. He said it was his angling skills which allowed him to land the fish. The bite soon slowed so we left for another spot.

Off to the Snook lights we went. They were in there thick. We probably saw a good 30 or so at the first dock we stopped. I told everyone it was very important to be quiet. I baited Debbies rod and tossed her bait into the light. Pow!! Snook on but unfortunately Debbie was a little over excited and forgot what to do and lost the fish. Oh well time to go get another one. I baited her back up and tossed it into the light. As I was handing the rod back to Debbie a Snook hit and I hurried up and put the rod in her hands so she could set the hook. Debbie layed into that snook and the fight was on. For most of the night Debbie was all smiles but when she hooked that fish the everything turned serious. After a minute or so I boga gripped the Snook. As it turned out Debbie's first fish ever was a keeper Snook. I love to see someone be successful for the first time fishing, it is a great feeling. We managed a few more hits before we spooked the whole school.

Finally, it was Perry's turn to get in on the action. We left and went to another light to see if we could get some action. The snook were there so I was hoping Perry would get one. We tossed his Thread into the light and within a couple of seconds Snook On!! Perry was finally hooked up with one of our Florida Linesiders. He brought the Snook in and I boga gripped it. Perry and I had a little battle during the trip about who's state has better football Florida or Texas. He hated it when he ended up with the smallest snook, in some wierd way it kind of proved my Florida footaball point. He was a good sport though and a great character too.

In conclusion, we had a great evening. All of us wanted to see Debbie succeed in getting her first fish. Since it was a Snook that was a plus, a very big plus. I really like late evening and night snook fishing, it seems as if everything is focused on the fish. Larry, Debbie, and Perry all said they had a great time and really enjoyed the night fishing. I look forward to seeing them again since they have two or three conventions at the harbor a year.

If you are looking for some tackle busting, leader fraying, excitement then give Captain Chancey a call @ (239)540-7529

Until next time may you have line singing, leader fraying, and tackle busting action!!!!