FISHING REPORTS - FLORIDA


Title/Location FL Dry Tortugas Slow Quality Pickings
Region Florida - Keys
Fishing Method Offshore
Posted By cudaman
Date Posted 2012-07-03 11:02:35


At the last minute I decided to jump on the 2 day Yankee Capts trip. I did not have much time to go out and catch bait on my own but I did look for Gogs but couldn’t find them so I loaded with white bait, small runners, and dork jacks. Nilson (rare) one of my fishing buddies gave me some more bait including some pinfish and so I went on my way to the Keys.
The boat left at 10pm on a hot night and to hot days to follow. We started fishing about an hour or more before sunrise. First day was slow pickings but some quality fish in 120 feet or so of water showed up which was a great start for some. The current in shallow water was great but as the captain moved to 200 and up it was insane. We were close to the edge of the Gulf Stream I tried up to 18 ounces and would not hold. The Captain did a few attempts on water close to this depth but the current was too much. We had to fish shallow and even in the shallow water the current picked up.
You all know what happens when you are that shallow in the summer, YELLOW TAIL ATTACK! Many switched to catching Flag Yellow Tails, but to those that kept pursuing the muttons and groupers it paid off. Some nice Red Groupers, Black Groupers, and one Scamp were caught. I did ok, I got 11 Muttons 4 of which were 5 to 8 pounds the rest were in the double digits one was 18 pounds and another was 16 pounds which made me glad. I know Jarvis, Dom, and Daniel got some 20 pounders as well as 2 or 3 other people. On the jigs I got 2 kings a keeper AJ and an Almaco that was used for bait. I finished my snapper limit with yellow Tails from 18 to 22 inches.
Here are some of the pics for your enjoyment:





Report Photos

Cudman with an 18 pounder

NOAA field biologist doing his research

Getting ready to get picked off

Muggers abound

Mutton and a Nice Scamp

Dom on the Meat!

Another Horse

2 bucks for 200 hooks gets you this

Re: FL Dry Tortugas Slow Quality Pickings

Postby Hawkboat » Tue Jul 03, 2012 12:52 pm

Thanks Herbert! ;)

That heat was insane, no wind, no seas to speak of, crazy currents it say the least. One day 4 OZ to hold bottom in 140 FT next day I couldn't hold with 12 oz's, go figure!

Tough bite but the Yellow Tails made for it, some up to 5 pounds :!: That stern was like Grand Central Station at rush hours. :lol:

Anyway, it was a pleasure fishing and meeting you, we had a good time, lots of laughs, some decent fish, and develop new friendships. Doesn't get much better then that. ;) That was some crew on the bow for sure.
CAPT. BILL
Hawkboat
 
Posts: 4413
Joined: Fri Oct 24, 2008 3:38 pm
Location: Cape Coral Fl, was LI for 52 years
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Re: FL Dry Tortugas Slow Quality Pickings

Postby cudaman » Tue Jul 03, 2012 2:33 pm

Absolutely Capt. Lots of fun and great pleasure to fish with you. I hope the ones going on the 4 day trip take lots and lots of water, the heat is very nice down here. For tomorrow Happy 4th of July to you and all!
cudaman
 
Posts: 21
Joined: Thu Apr 19, 2012 10:59 am
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