Great day today!!!

[Stinky_Hooker]

Ok guys...launched at about 7AM this morning with a plan to run south of the West End of Dauphin Island and do some catch and release on snapper, and maybe bag a sheepie to weigh for my local club tourney that was goin on today. We have several inshore categorie with sheepshead being one of them. I was definitely in good company as I had my regular fishing partner/friend onboard with someone he invited along(with my permission of course). The new fellow was not "new" to fishing,just hasnt done alot of saltwater stuff is all. To make it all better though, he is my buddie's drill instructor and a fairly decorated sargeant in the Army. I definitely enjoyed his company and conversation about the war and such things and overall he was a really great fellow and I am proud to have had him on my boat as well as serving this country. He has been in service for some 17+ years and has seen combat for a great deal of that time head on. He was stationed in Alaska for some time as well and I enjoyed hearing about some of the fishing/hunting he did up there.

Back to the fishing, we had smooth seas, beautiful skies,and crisp clean air all the way out. The first rig we stopped at was the 864 about 5 miles off the gulf side of the west end.We caught a good many nice sized snapper right off the bat and released them to fight another day. We also boated a couple of small triggers and undersized grouper too. (returned as well)One of which I am pretty sure was the smallest grouper I have ever seen and could not long been out of the egg. Before leaving we were greeted by some really nice Mississippi marine police that said they were working for the feds today and just needed to see the captain's I.D. and ask a couple of questions. I gave them my I.D. and answered their questions and they were on their way.

We then picked up from there and ran another 8 miles south to the 952 in hopes of some larger grouper. We caught and released many more snapper and caught a couple larger than before grouper, but no keepers.We finished out the day here with some snapper on light trout rods(so much fun) and then headed back North to call it a day around 4PM.

We got back at the launch and gave a really sweet black lady fishing off of the bank my couple of legal fish, and some ice before we headed for home.She was thrilled to say the least..."what... a triggerfish...can u eat those?" ::)

Overall it was a wonderful day on the water and I was blessed to have great running conditions and good friends with me. I have made a new friend today as he has a nice bass boat that he wants us to go out in soon. He mentioned as well that he had a great time and hopes that our newfound friendship will continue. No sheepies to weigh, but oh well. ;D

[macojoe]

Sounds like you had a great day!!! I am happy for you!

CB, and I went to a fishing show today and I got some new to me stuff to try this year. We had a good day also!

Won't be long before we hit the high sea's here!! And I can't wait!!

Keep the fish stories comming to keep me going for about another month!!