DAY ONE - 35' of Water at Pasco Reef #2
Ted and Dave flew down from Richmond late Wednesday night. Todd was not able to join us on Thursday, so the three of us headed out to Pasco Reef #2. We all caught multiple under-sized grouper (both red and gag), a few keeper Mangrove Snapper. But Ted put the first keeper in the box with a nice Hogfish. It's been a long time since we caught one (and they are one of my favorite eating fish). And his luck rubbed off...I landed my first in a long time.
These tasty snapper and hogfish ended up in some nice Fish Tacos, with Jean's special fixin's.
DAY TWO - 65' of Water Offshore
Todd was able to join us on Friday, and the wind was forecast to be flat calm again. We got an earlier start and went 30 miles offshore to a spot we call the 'Whatsit'. (Some big structure on the bottom in the middle of nowhere, and we're not sure what it is.)
We caught one Amberjack after another. Freelined pinfish or greenbacks on a circle hook was the ticket. These 'wreck donkeys' earned their name, and we were sore and tired after catching so many strong fighting fish.
They started small and grew from there. It was the first AJ for Dave and Ted. Ted's was the biggest of the day, just barely 36 inches to the fork.
This was my personal best AJ - 34.5 to the fork. Caught on a 4000 reel (not a big reel!).
In the afternoon we shifted from the top of the water column to the bottom, where we caught some Yellowtail and Lane Snapper. This was my first Yellowtail Snapper caught in this area (I've caught them only in the Keys). And it was my first Lane Snapper. And Ted's first Lane.
And this is just a cool shot of a random White Heron who was interested in the bait we were catching at the start of the day.
DAY THREE - Short Day of Shark Fishing
We were all pretty tired from the long day and long ride in, so we slow-rolled the morning with a nice breakfast prepared by Chef Todd. We stayed inshore looking for blacktip sharks at Anclote Key, but the boat traffic was too much for us. We moved off to another location reputed to be 'sharky' by one of the shrimpers at the marina. A bit breezier, and a weird tidal flow vs the breeze made for a weird chum drift.
Dave was the only one who managed to catch anything - one small shark (we think Dogfish?). But we did have a group of Manatees hanging out near the boat, so when we were done for the day we drifted over to say "hi".
DAY 4 - Shallow Rocks (18')
It was even windier on our fourth day of fishing so we stayed close. Small mangroves and grouper were there, but the fun came with the Spanish Mackerel. 24" to the fork!
DAY 5 - Stayed on Land
It was very windy on the final day of their visit, and we were so exhausted that none of us could think about going out anyway. Todd had to work.
Instead, we drove around and saw some sights. We crossed the Skyway Bridge and went out on the Skyway Fishing Pier (South). Then we headed to Fort Desoto and did some easy shelling on the beach. Then on to Whiskey Joe's right on the water on the Courtney Campbell bridge for a snack, a drink, and a rest. We killed some time there until it was time to head to Ulele's to meet Todd for dinner. After amazing food there, we headed back home, and said goodbye until next time!!
(Dave and Ted on the Gulf Pier at Fort Desoto)
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