Greg187, Charlestondiving Rob, Slay Ride Les, Gordo, and myself teamed up on the Slay Ride yesterday for a day of blood, guts, and killing. Rob, late as usual, came to the dock in the morning after he had prophesized about killing large african pompano and cobia in his dreams. We wanted to do something that we haven’t done before and that was to go WAY SOUTH… I mean Savannah style south… They wanted to try out some #'s from a friend that fishes down there where he had been doing pretty well with grouper lately. So we decided to give it a shot… The only drawback was that the guy has seen a couple large tiger sharks on his last 3 fishing trips there. That will make your nuts tighten up a little just before the cool water get’s to them.
Anyway, Rob comes up from his first dive with that crazy look on his face. Floating underneath him is two large silvery objects and a big brown one. Upon further inspection, it was clear that the prophecy had come true. Not only does he have a 45lb cobia, but he has 2 state record african pompanos with him. Enough to make any tiger shark hungry.
The pompano killing does not stop there. Les and Greg also get 2 state records. We end up with 5 on the day and each one of them easily breaking the SC state record. I think that the largest was 45lbs.
We finish the day with another 40+ lb cobia and a dozen nice grouper (half scamps, half gags), a red snapper, and an assorted list of bottom dwellers caught by master angler Gordo. Gordo pulled up some of the biggest black sea bass that I have every seen. I think we have a trident contender in his possession.
The cobia were thick. As I was strigering up a scamp with about 5 minutes of bottom time left, something told me to look up. I had a school of 50lb+ cobia come in and dance around me for about 30 seconds. I would say that there were at least 8-10 of them. With all the talk of sharks on the day, I caught myself talking to Jesus on my safety stop after bloodying up the water with a killing spree. My boy
Well the burn of fuel was worth it. Long long day, but fun. Glad you guys got to make it out. I’m excited to eat some Africans. Everyone did well. Filling the fish boxes by noon and “trophy” fishing/shooting the rest of the day was fun. I know I could have come home with more, but there was no need.
Saw a couple huge spotted eagle rays. That was cool. Viz was great. The bottomfish were on fire on Rod and Reel.
Good day on the Slay Ride…In Accordance with the Prophecy that is.
Since you were in my neck of the woods, I must ask, How deep were you? I might be willing to trade you some southern #'s for some up your way. Interested?
By the way, sweet slaughter! Sounds like an awesome day!
■■■■ im jealous, gota get my license. know killin’em with a spear would be a lot more fun than catching them. skinnee gota getcha out w us sometime. really wana see what we’re fishing on in a few of the shallower places that consistently produce nice gags. talk to carla and give me shout
■■■■ im jealous, gota get my license. know killin’em with a spear would be a lot more fun than catching them. skinnee gota getcha out w us sometime. really wana see what we’re fishing on in a few of the shallower places that consistently produce nice gags. talk to carla and give me shout
bulletsrcheap
pirate, shoot me an email. We are always up for diving new spots.
Nice trip,guys.Gordo,That is a reely nice BSB.Cracker, Those pompano are delish!I have had them in Jupiter FL where they are caught regularly on hook and line.One of the best on the grill.If you ever get down that way,try Schooner’s in Jupiter,near the inlet.However,I guess we could just go over to Club Slayride Sat and eat his African.Slayride,Watson is coming in today for a “Surf & Turf” weekend.We are starting today in St George and moving on to kill seafood Sat and Sunday.The fish are absolutely stacked up on NS structure right now.We smoked the btm fish on the Teaser2 Tuesday.I didn’t even fish the last 2 stops.
“That one-armed man said he caught one this long!”-Papa Sid,1975
African Pomp, must be bled first by slitting the tail. The meat is almost purple in color. Eating wise some say they are somewhat good others pass them up.
An African Popmpano isnt a true Pompano, its a Jack. Its a hard fighting fish, probably not the best table fare, considering whats out there.
