Rolled out around noon and looked for bait for about 2 hours.
Started getting frustrated and encouraged got2go and brianH to get on their A game or we wouldn’t catch any fish.
Got2go then pulled up a couple big live baits and changed the trip almost single handedly as I happened to find a school of big sardines with the sonar. A couple drops and got2go had the livewell looking nice.
I then pointed the boat at a spot a few miles away, and we got there slowly but surely through the slop. We surveyed the bottom for a little while and then dropped the hook. Reset once and had the boat set up right.
First one in was brianh, and he hooked a gag within seconds. Then, I pulled up a smaller one and turned it loose. Then, got2go slammed a bigger one on the deck. I thought I got each of us getting a gag on video, but the gopro screwed up on the last two tries before the battery died. Switched to another camera, but the action was over by then. 4th fish in the boat was another gag for me, so we packed it up and headed in.
Don’t think I’ve ever gotten 4 grouper on the first 4 drops of a trip before. The crew earned it though. All the work for the bait paid off.
Here are some pics. Check out the one gag that had an old hook in the corner of its mouth. Looked like about a 2/0 J hook with 30lb test. Not sure why anyone was using that kind of tackle, but it didn’t seem to have hurt the grouper any.
nice catch phin, need to get u certified this winter so you can stay out a little longer and add some scamps and cobia to your creel! this time of the year the 20/30lb gags are everywere, lots of big lobster and the viz is outstanding. most folks don’t have a clue how much life is down there this time of year, it is wall to wall fish from bait to groupers and the ars are thick as cigar minnows!
Nice catch. Little sporty out there I imagine. We were out in a 20’ bay boat that morning for a while and it was sloppy where we were. Came on in around lunchtime.
How is your camera attached to that pole? Made for that or you rig it? Makes for some different perspectives.
GoPro handlebar mount on the end of a cheap aluminum (lightweight) paint pole. Some of the mounts that come with the cameras will work too if you engineer up something on the end of the pole to stick a mount to. Having it as adjustable as possible is pretty handy though.
The running part of the video at the end was with a kodak waterproof deal. It always seems to come out jittery on youtube no matter what setting it’s recording on. GoPro video seems to always come out pretty well.
Good to see you got out there again Andy. Did you sell your Key West? Let me know if you want to tag along on one of our dive trips. Hope all is well with the family.
Phin, nice job as usual. Keep it up while the season is still open.
14’ Pamlico 140 Angler w/ rudder
Kayak, SCUBA, or both.
Nice haul.
For those brown critters I would have been out all day and both hands would be covered up in black sea bass cuts.
You make it as simple as going to the market and picking out what ya want.
Wes, as always, appreciate you putting up with the less than perfect crew. Always enjoy the conversation and fishin’ with ya’ even when the bait evades us and the ocean is sloppy. After those last pics, maybe I should have kept a filet or two…And, I must say those Raptor reels and Seeker rods are unreal!
Jordan, I’ve still got the Key West, but life has slowed me down a lot this year. I had right shoulder surgery in July, a baby boy in September, and right hand surgery this past Monday. The days of gettin’ beatin’ up on the 'ol bay boat are taking their toll I guess. I promise to tag a long really soon, but right now just making getting healthy and having good family time a top priority. Always enjoy your posts and glad things are working out for you!
“The problem that infuriates you the most is the one you are meant to solve.”
Nice haul.
For those brown critters I would have been out all day and both hands would be covered up in black sea bass cuts.
You make it as simple as going to the market and picking out what ya want.
Thanks for the invite Wes!
I baked some grouper last night too. It was delicious!
DG34YF, big baits slow down the small fish bite. We only caught two sea bass saturday.
Andy, make sure you get your fillets. I wouldn’t wait too long, or Wes will have done away with them!
Cape Horn 24OS
twin 150 Optimax
I don’t want to be rich,
I just want 1 dollar more than I can spend!
Andy, sucks to hear about the shoulder and wrist. Hopefully NuCor is helping out with the tab. My buddy Greg has a new 29’ with a cabin and hot shower perfect for winter fishing and dive trips. Lets get out and get some grouper while we still can.
14’ Pamlico 140 Angler w/ rudder
Kayak, SCUBA, or both.
