March winds means Nearshore loss
Capt. John GiddyUp-Bunch
March 6, 2009
Fort Myers - Saltwater Fishing Report
So, how do you like the play on words in that title? Pretty good for an old salt huh? GiddyUp is off to speak on the "Offshore Stage" at the Florida Sportsman Magazine Show in Sarasota on Sat&Sun March 7th and 8th. I'll be staying at the Indigo Inn with a hot 31 year old woman who works at a cosmetic counter. She thinks the Captain is very cool and to be honest, I think she is mentally challenged. No mattter what, I'll be on top of my game onstage and offstage this weekend. Is this a wonderful Country or what? Onward before I start to get obnoxious. GiddyUp!
Inshore this week (Pine Island Sound) was tough for me but really easy for some Captains more accomplished than GiddyUp (yeah right). The water temps inside were a chilly 57-58. The fishing was slow and the winds were 20-30MPH. In other words, conditions were flippin' miserable.
We caught 4 Keeper Trout to 23" and 1 undersize Redfish of 22". A Redfish under 24" (in my opinion 24" undersize). For the record, any woman is oversize if she exceeds 140 (midgets included).
Nearshore: On Thurs it was cold and tough to 5-7 miles out. All I could think about were those lost NFL players. At 7:30AM the wind was blowing 20KTS, the water temp was 56, and we were freezing while fully clothed and dry. To be honest with all of you, I wish I could have been with those fine young men last Saturday. The rules would have been as follows.
1) In your 21FT Everglades, we will be fishing at 5 miles today and not 50.
2) As soon as the seas began to get rough, we pull anchor and leave. If the anchor is stuck in the wreck or reef, we cut the anchor line and haul ass. ONCE THE WEATHER STARTS TO CHANGE FROM GOOD TO BAD, NEVER DO I TRUST THE WEATHER TO BE GOOD AGAIN.
3) If a boat flips over for any reason, it will NOT right itself again. Swim down and get under the boat and use the avail air supply so created. You will be sheltered from the weather and Coast Guard divers check there first.
4) Invest in a freakin' personal EPERB at 600.00
5) Always-always carry a back-up WATERPROOF VHF RADIO.
Cell phones are pathetic emergency communications. If you must, invest in a Satillite Phone. If you go out with anyone, even me, take a backup portable VHF (then we will have 2).
During this miserable day on Wed, we limited out on grouper but released all. All barbs were depressed and all rear trebles were removed. As well, we caught 1 undersize Cobia.
50 Miles out for GiddyUp? Maybe aboard the USS Lincoln or a Cruise Ship loaded with Hooter Bebes. To this end, a Totally Doofous well known Surgeon in Ft Myers wanted me to go on his boat to 25 Miles in November. Another Captain lived right down the street from this penny pinching clown with a D- boat. My buddy looked at the 28' boat and motor, called me from his cell, and said (Swear) "GiddyUp, I wouldn't go to the May Reef off Ft Myers Beach in his Genuine Piece of Sh*T." GPOS forever more!
Losing those broke my heart. I wish I again I would have been with them. It is impossible to go nearshore or offshore and not think about them. Trust me when I say this. "The Gulf of Mexico will eat you up and spit you out. She deserves your every respect."
Sorry to get soft on you but I was out there looking around for them on Wed. It was not a good feeling so you might say I deserve this weekend. Thank goodness she is only 31. Guaranteed to have serious GiddyUp! Her job will be to help me forget about things. GiddyUp!
More Fishing Reports:
