Vortex Charters Fishing Report
03-10-2004
Captain Chuck MacIntyre
Vortex Charters of Tampa Bay
www.vortexcharters.com
Last week, we enjoyed above average temperatures along with superior fishing.
With highs in the 80’s, the offshore water temperature rose to the high 60’s.
Last Thursday, my clients found the Red and Gag Grouper hungry as their sore arms attested to the large numbers of fish brought over the rails.
It is not uncommon to catch 50-60 Grouper on a half-day trip in March and April.
While we only keep a few, the rest of the day is spent seeing who can catch and release the most fish.
Inshore, the water temperature was 70 degrees on the grass flats on Friday. Tampa Bay Buccaneer and now Arizona Cardinal QB Shaun King brought his Dad and a few friends out prove to the women-folk back home that they could provide them with a fish dinner.
The Spanish mackerel and Sea Trout obliged. Between the four of them, they managed to catch over a dozen 20+ inch fish, only to have a couple break them off at the boat.
Using handpicked shrimp as bait, the Spanish mackerel proved how voracious they are, as the ratio to Sea trout was 2 to 1.
On Tuesday, March 9th, brother and sister Earl and Kristen Boysen teamed up for some friendly competition inshore. Earl, who we dubbed the “Trout King”, landed over a dozen Trout and large Spanish Mackerel. Kristen, not to be outdone, added the largest Spanish of the day and was crowned champion of the day with a 3 foot Shark.
Good Fishin’ to ya!
Capt. Chuck MacIntyre
www.vortexcharters.com
