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Fishing Report for Homosassa, Florida
Capt. Mike Locklear
April 29, 2003
Homosassa - Saltwater Fishing Report
Grand Parents Provide Lifetime Memories
Some fishing trips are memorable experiences that last a life time. Matthew Jewell’s grand mother, Nancy, provided the trip for her husband and the kids. Along for the fishing trip were Matthew’s parents Bryan and Nadine. Doug is the grand daddy and was also on board the Flatfisher 1, a 23-foot custom bay boat out of the port Homosassa, Florida. The group was on vacation from North Warren, Pennsylvania
The gulf waters were fairly calm and the seas were light so we headed off shore to a rock in about 10 feet of water. Matthew just turned 8 in November and was the one I was paying the most attention to. I found out later than he was the best fisherman of the group. I thought I heard his grandfather say something like catch another fish and I am feeding you to them.
Matthew did have a banner day, many species were caught. Among the multitudes landed, the most impressive was a 4-foot sand shark. Matthew had to have a little help with this fish from his Dad. Twice the fish went around the boat. The fish was too big for the dip net, so I grabbed his tail and he almost grabbed my leg with his mouth. The fish had me dancing. Nadine said to me, “good thing you already had your children.”
Among the hundreds of baitfish that were above the rock in the gin clear water, were several nice trigger fish swimming about. Matthew caught 2 nice ones and reeled them in with ease. Later, Matthew began catching some spot tail pinfish in which I cut up for chum and the crew began tipping their plastic jig tails with the sweet meat. Before long some grouper were caught, Key West grunt and Doug landed a nice keeper sized sea bass.
Nadine fished hard all day only to catch a couple, one was a nice Spanish mackerel. Later on, everyone began getting some mackerel bites. Again Matthew caught the biggest mackerel and the most. Several were boated for the fish dinner to be prepared later.
I guess what impressed me the most about Matthew was his willingness to help. He is a natural server. He would grab the landing net every time someone would hook-up. When we got ready to move, he would grab the anchor rope and start pulling it in. For his reward, I would let him steer the boat.
Yes there were some great memories made that day, even for the Captain, who found there are a few young people in this world who are eager to lend a helping hand. Maybe it was all fun for Matthew. Do you know what? It has always been fun to me and never a job. Work is for people who don’t fish.
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