It was hot and hazy, but nice and calm. On board were myself, Phin, Dragonmouse and his two sons (10 and 13) for their maiden voyage offshore. They did real well, but we let them reel up an AJ out of the gates to tire their arms a little and set the pace for the day. Wouldn’t you know it, they put the first grouper on the boat. Phin had the hot hand of the day catching 5 keeper grouper and I got 2. Phin also pulled up a real nice yellowtail snapper that was a first for my boat.
I also pulled up some healthy size Fernando mackerals from the bottom. Thought I had me something nice like a cobia until they came up and showed their teeth.
Ended up the day with:
8 keeper “broomtails”
24+ vermillion (kept a dozen or so)
10-12 Pinkies
3 triggers
1 yellowtail snapper
1 Jolt Head
5-6 AJ’s
Every grouper in the box was about the same age. They would not mess with live bait and the bite was soft. They were lazy yesterday for some reason.
I should have tried a jig now that I think about how they were biting, Edistofisher. Skinnee even asked me why not. It was hot, and I was lazy like the fish! Lots of walterboro wahoo under the bote also.
Skinneej where is the dive? I figured you would have shot something and brought up some lobster? You have a reputation for this now. You must not leave these new roots.
“Don’t worry, I have a plan!..
Great a plan, Custer had a plan.”
All Rise - 31 Contender Fish Around with a pair of 250 Yamahas
Negative, fish seller. I outfished him because his thunderstar rig had mechanical difficulties out of the gate. This forced him to use one of my Penn 113HN’s on a broomstick while I used an Avet HX5/2.
I tried to utilize some of my experience with Purpose One to help get the thunderstar rig into operation, but electric reels and power pro require a much more advanced skillset than I possess.
Negative, fish seller. I outfished him because his thunderstar rig had mechanical difficulties out of the gate. This forced him to use one of my Penn 113HN’s on a broomstick while I used an Avet HX5/2.
I tried to utilize some of my experience with Purpose One to help get the thunderstar rig into operation, but electric reels and power pro require a much more advanced skillset than I possess.
Skinneej where is the dive? I figured you would have shot something and brought up some lobster? You have a reputation for this now. You must not leave these new roots.
I couldn't find a dive buddy and viz has been poor. The trigger fish are angry and it was shark week last week. All that being said, we may try to suit up this weekend and some next week.
I agree. The Avet I referred to is a little lighter (same size generally though) with a 2.3:1 ratio and a 5.8:1 ratio. BUT… it costs a couple hundred more. I have two of each, and I usually only keep the Penns rigged with heavy leaders and circle hooks for big live bait on the bottom. The Avets are more comfortable to use all day long, so I have them set up more for snapper or generic bottom fishing with cut bait if not jigging.
