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Post by Diresword on Aug 18, 2017 8:03:14 GMT -5
My uncle and I decided to head out to the skyway since I was actually able to get a day off of work! We showed up to the pier at 10:00 PM Wednesday night. Tide was about to reach it's high point at 10:20. Rigged up with some cutbait (Ballyhoo, Threadfins) and started the hunt for the mangroves. Within 10 minutes we landed a half of dozen mangroves, all 9 - 9.99 inches.....I suggested we throw out to the rock piles and see if we can't find some bigger ones. With a bit of luck, we pulled in a few keepers, but kept finding undersized mangroves. One more cast to the rock piles, and the second my uncle tightened his line.....SLAM. big run, on a small rod. Finally he gets it to the surface, and to both of our amazement, it was a bluefish. Didn't know they were on the west coast. We kept throwing out to the rock piles, caught a few undersized gag and red grouper, my first red grouper off the skyway. Throughout this time, I had my grouper rod soaking, pinfish for bait, and had 3 runs, none I was able to hook into. Bait was still alive 2 of the 3 times I reeled in to check if I lost my bait, and the one time it was flattened, maybe a snook? The bite started to slow down around 4:00 AM, but we couldn't leave, it was my day off. Popped out some energy drinks and kept fishing right through the slack fishing. We walked over to the east side of the pier, and saw HUGE schools of 2-3 inch greenbacks, and squid. Tarpon were rolling in and out getting fat. Caught a few dozen with the net and saved them for morning. Morning rolled around, and we started free lining the greenbacks and dropping some bigger ones down on the grouper rod. Great morning it was, you could see the schools of predator fishing rolling in eating the baitfish. Within a matter of 15-20 minutes, combined we landed about a dozen jack cravelle. There were some mackerel, but I, of course forgot my heavier leader line. I was able to land one without him cutting through my leader. Grouper rod runs, this time I was able to grab the rod within seconds, and set the hook. Hammered down the drag and just cranked. Get it to the top, over the rail, measure it.........22 3/4 Gag. Surprised since the water is so warm was able to land one that big. 9:00 AM comes around and we are worn out, exhausted, hungry and just plain old cranky. Great night fishing with my uncle, here is a pic of what we brought home.  |
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Post by sibweiphutlong on Aug 18, 2017 9:12:14 GMT -5
Great work man! You are giving me hope that the bite is picking up again!
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Post by Mackerelman on Aug 18, 2017 10:37:35 GMT -5
That was a Great Report !  If those Mangrove Snapper are not at Least 10", always throw them back because they will somewhat shrink in size once they either Die or Hit the Cooler. You catching a Gag that Big in Warm Water, is not uncommon but wait until the Water starts cooling down. The Larger Gags will be biting. As for the Mackerel, Always have at least 40lb. Leader to eliminate unwanted Cut-Offs. The Fishing will pick up once the Waters start cooling off. Once again. Great Report !  |
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Post by Diresword on Aug 18, 2017 10:59:20 GMT -5
That was a Great Report ! If those Mangrove Snapper are not at Least 10", always throw them back because they will somewhat shrink in size once they either Die or Hit the Cooler. You catching a Gag that Big in Warm Water, is not uncommon but wait until the Water starts cooling down. The Larger Gags will be biting. As for the Mackerel, Always have at least 40lb. Leader to eliminate unwanted Cut-Offs. The Fishing will pick up once the Waters start cooling off. Once again. Great Report ! Yeah, that was why I made that joke about 9 - 9.99 inches. Some were smaller. but a lot of the ones we threw back were right on that 10" mark. But I have always followed the 0.25" inch rule. If it's not at least a quarter of an inch bigger, it will shrink to under the limit. And I was quite disappointed in myself that I didn't have my leader on me. I usually have 20lb to 100lb fluorocarbon on me. Got back to my house, and I found all my leader from 40lb and higher in my damn backpack I took with my on my hubbards trip last month. I got bit off 5-6 times, I was quite irritated. Can't wait for the cooler water to come around, ready to slam a keeper off the pier. Had a few close calls, like Thursday morning, but man it would be nice to have some fresh grouper. |
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Post by seabird on Aug 18, 2017 11:13:09 GMT -5
Great report. You really stuck it out and had a great night and morning of fishing!
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Post by karneei on Aug 18, 2017 13:41:24 GMT -5
Awsome report! Bluefish are here, but usually smaller in the gulf, but that's a nice size one. I've caught them before when fishing for Macks. I would prep them the same way, bleed and then straight in the cooler.
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Post by limelight on Aug 18, 2017 18:51:36 GMT -5
Very nice work,great report.
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