I got a call from Capt. Dusty Powers (D.P.) last night asking if I wanted to join him and our good friend Tim Land for an adventure today. I graciously accepted and we decided to sleep in just a little and that Capt. D.P. would call me when he left the house in the morning. Well ... my phone rang at around 0830 and after stopping for fuel and bait we met at the ramp a little after 0915. We launched Capt. D.P.'s beautiful 24' Shearwater, a boat I have been fortunate to fish on a few times before, and were underway.
Our first stop was minutes from the ramp. We eased along some docks, pitching GLUP shrimp on jigs, and boated two nice (but short) Redfish. We really wanted to scout today, so we left to check some other "fishy" areas. The shrimp in the well were big enough to put on the grill so all we needed was a few Pinfish and Bull Minnows to top off the well. We made a quick stop at one of our bait holes and within 6 throws of the net Tim had managed 5-6 dozen baits. To the Gulf for us!!
One quick drop on an inshore reef netted two Ladyfish and a short Gag Grouper. South-bound again. We fished pretty hard in the gulf, checking wreck after wreck to find the ones that held the best/most fish. On many spots our baits were inundated with green algae; and a few we looked for we just could not find. The days equipment consisted of 10#-17# tackle, perfect for lots of fun and a few lost fish. We caught a bunch of short Red Snapper (and a few legal ones too!!!), Two nice Lane Snappers, some Triggerfish, a Remora or two, and Tim lost what was probably a BIG Grouper on 15lb tackle. Tim pulled this fish out of the structure twice, but after getting in a third time the fish refused to come back out.
The clouds over the beach began to get very dark and a thunder clap or two told us it was time to get home.
Dusty and I remarked all day on how nice it was not having to do all the things we usually have to for our customers; such as bait other peoples hooks, re-rig other peoples lines, and worry that the fish won't cooperate. As Capt. D. P. and Tim drove away I realized that the nicest thing I didn't have to do all day was CLEAN THE BOAT.
This was a great day with great friends. Thank you D. P. and T Land for an awesome trip. I hope we can do it again soon (especially if i don't have to clean the boat again!!!)
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