 |
Fishing Report for the Florida Panhandle
Capt. Alex Crawford
August 23, 2003
Carrabelle - Saltwater Fishing Report
Short and sweet for a change. Have had trips every day this past week and I’m just bone tired. So, we’ll break from the normal wordy reports to an abbreviated version. Anyone looking for a new profession that requires daily manual labor, pulling anchors, scrubbing squid blood off boats until the late hours, awakening at 4am to catch bait, maintaining 2 dozen rods and reels, etc. etc. Just jump in, the water is great! It is a real luxury lifestyle, so cleverly disguised as a job of privilege. Privilege is the operative word here. And don’t forget the wonderful opportunity to put privileged people on your boat. In life, how one deals with inconvenience dictates a higher level of happiness and well-being. OK, enough philosophy and satire.
One of our best fishing adventures this week was shared with two class gentlemen from Dallas. We also took the wives for an eco/fishing combo trip later in the week. Brad and Greg wanted a deep sea adventure and asked if we could target “dinner party” species. Of course, I am always going to oblige that customer request. Since they were staying in a giant ocean house in the Plantation, we planned a rendezvous at the dock in the Cut. What a joy it was to be able to get to know these two very interesting guys. The best part is meeting new people who have terrific lifestyles and learning new stuff about what goes on in this crazy world. People can be fascinating, if you just ask the questions.
My mission was to help these guys collect a dozen red snappers. So we punched in the numbers sixteen miles south and put her on cruise control. Upon arrival, we searched for 15 minutes looking for fishes. Idling in figure eights around the waypoint will eventually produce a show of finny critters on the sonar.
First order of business was to get the flat lines in the water. Later in the morning, we were rewarded with a fat eight pound red snapper on a dead cigar minnow on a fluorocarbon leader. The kings will cut you off, but kings were not on the dinner menu this day. We made bait and by 11 am, we counted the box and, wonder of wonderments, an even dozen that included the Captain’s limit of 4. We set sail for the Northern hill and cold cervezas by lunch at the dock. Short and sweet!
The camaraderie of the experience was what made this trip so much fun for all. The joking, the laughter, the poking fun are all the best memories. It is not only for the pure love of fishing, it is just being out on the wild blue yonder and sharing a good time with new friends. Celebrate absolutely everything, particularly the unadulterated joy of being alive.
Till next tide, tight lines and solid hookups,
Captain Alex Crawford
www.topknots.com
Proud Member Florida Outdoor Writers Association
Proud Member Florida Guides Association
More Fishing Reports:
|
|
|
|
