A Perfect Fishing Day On The Deep Blue Sea
Capt. Alex Crawford
June 19, 2009
Carrabelle - Saltwater Fishing Report
A few days ago, Douglas White and fellow anglers from Charlotte came down for a fun day on the big pond in search of some world-class piscatorial memories. They found idyllic weather and an absolutely wide-open bite.
Adrenaline levels were high as we ran southwest into the Gulf with the new day sun boiling up on the port gunwale. Expectations are a heavy burden, so I made a promise I could keep. A box full of good-eaters were the target of the day and we would never get zilched.
We began our search for good fish (are there any bad ones?) in 80 feet and soon the sonar announced loudly, park here! This obvious explosion of life on the bottom-machine had the Captain and crew grinning like possums eating persimmons out of a wire brush. We anchored on the show and began cutting pogies, cigar minnows and squid. Wham, first drop a triple hook you up! For the next 6 hours this Captain unhooked 100 plus finny critters, plus a big, hungry sea turtle. It would be fair to say our sojourn into the sun produced multiple personal victories. Basically, someone was pumping and winding all the time, even through lunch. These guys had a huge want-quotient. I call it the "where's the beef" mentality.
Since luck is the residue of great planning, we broke out the fluorocarbon leaders and Owner 5/0, stick in your thumbnail sharp, hooks. Twenty pound class spinners with 8 ounces of lead were the tools for this group of accomplished anglers. They knew the drill. Drop a well-hooked bait to the bottom and come tight to feel the sinker bounce. Point the rod tip at the water and stand ready. At the first nibble, raise the rod tip sharply with the wrists and get half a dozen quick cranks to lift his head out of the coral. Then, slowly and smoothly cranking down and pumping up puts riders in the box. Not a real high degree of difficulty, but technique is the trick.
The fish gifts for the day's perfect adventure included gag and red grouper, several yummy little flounder, beaucoups of black seabass, tasty triggerfish and dozens of throw-back snappers. All of this on a gorgeous day in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Not a single day is promised to us, so remember, fishing is not a matter of life and death, it is much more important than that.
Till next tide, tight lines and solid hookups,
Captain Alex Crawford
Proud Member Florida Outdoor Writers Association
Proud Member Florida Guides Association
Proud Member CCA Florida
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