IT’LL DO left the dock at 7 am with a crew of 8. We all had our sons on board for the trip. It was actually Ryan Harding’s first offshore trip to see and experience what his father has done so many times. We stowed the rods, spearguns, and dive gear for the 30 plus mile trip from the Jetties to the ARS spot we found 2 weeks ago diving. The water was perfect with us running 45mph with almost no winds all day.
We dropped lines on the first set of numbers and proceeded haul in lots of BSB. We had to wade through the BSB to find a few ARS and grouper. Enough of that for over an hour, Rob and I put on the dive gear. On the bottom, the ARS were not thick as we observed 2 weeks ago, but on the last minute of the dive, we found our first one. I missed! My first shot with the gun and I missed.
We moved a few miles to a spot that lit up on the sonar. We fished for awhile and pulled in a few nice fish. We also pulled in numerous BSB over 4 lbs and a few triggers. We had to dive this spot with the action we were getting with the rods.
This area produced some great fish. My first ARS with a gun weighed in at 22 lbs on the Bogo. I shot him with a line gun and sent him to the surface.
It was a very enjoyable trip and many thanks to Rob, Allison, Brian, and all the boys. We ended the day with 6 ARS, 8 grouper, 4 triggers and wishing we could have kept some of the BSB we were pulling over the side.
I took the ARS to DNR yesterday so they could get the data. They were most appreciative to receive the snapper. They loaded us up with t-shirts and other stuff. Hopefully the ARS data will provide enough info to increase our season next year.
Ryan’s first offshore trip
Wilson holding up the Gag
[IMG]http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j206/lowcLB/image-6_z
