Opening snapper report

[Stinky_Hooker]

We got the boat in the water about 7pm an headed to catch some bait. Right about the time we pulled up I got a sunset shot.







Bait fishing was SLOW. We pecked away at our goal of a live-well full of white trout for several hours. Darren's brother caught this fine specimen that probably got snatched from a member of the spark plug brigade.







I made the call to head on as I could tell the winds of change were in the air. The wind had been turning from S/SW gradually all the way around to W, N, NE, etc...I was fearful of being caught running in hard East that was forecast for later on so we ran...

We finally headed south around 11PM and things were gorgeous once beyond the lighthouse. It was very calm and perfect conditions. As we made it to the spot about 15 miles out the wind started picking up pretty good. I got the hookup on a white trout and handed it off the Robby since he had never caught a snapper. He fought until he finally put this nice chunk in the boat. * 8)


Here he is, proud as can be.










After that the camera got put up and the poles came out fast before things got bad. Notice I said "before" things got bad... I laugh as I look back on that sentence now *::) ) We eeked out 3 more snapper about the same size and the bite went from slack to nonexistent. We picked up and headed just 7 miles further south to a wreck in hopes of a few more fish.

As we approached our destination the wind was honking and it was pretty rough. * :o




We caught about 10 short 15" fish there and Darren lost a NICE reef donkey right AT the boat. :x *It would have been his first and as the leader broke he went into the floor. Very upset about loosing that fish, he was. * ;D



I layed down in the cabin to chill for a little while and was dozing off when Darren said, Uhh I think we should go. As I got up to ask why, my question was answered when my head came out of the cabin and my hat blew off against the transom and STUCK there for a brief moment before falling into the bilge. *:o


The wind was picking up fast. * :o *We rolled things in and attempted to get the anchor loose, but too afraid of loosing a member of the crew on the bow Darren made the call to "screw the anchor, I got two more at home!"

We cut loose, headed north and pounded our way home slowly. At this point I was doing lots of this > *:o as I looked to each side and seen the walls of water surrounding us. * :-X It was BAD, but I was very impressed with how the boat handled things. It took the waves outta the east with alot of grace and no complaining. It handled it like a boat much larger thanks to the bracket install. *8)


The dock finally came and not a moment too soon. As I stepped onto it soaking wet and began kissing the wood planks I advised a couple boaters there awaiting daylight in some smaller center consoles to GO HOME! * ;D


They did this * :o :o *but just sat there.


I doubt they listened as some of us never do. * 8)



I just woke up and the fish are @ his house so no finishing group pics. I'm too bruised and beat up to care right now. * :P

[Airslot]

Well, you caught some, lived to fish another day, and got another great story out of it. What more could a guy ask for? ;D

Thanks for sharing...

[THEFERMANATOR]

Not the SNAPPER I was expecting to see from old STINKY. The thong incident is still fresh in my mind :-X.

[Parrot_Head]

Nice report. We gotta get together and go. Buddy boat or something.

Scott

[willy]

Glad you fellas made it back safe, ;)

[randlemanboater]

A bad day fishing in the dark, in the wind is better than a good day of wishing you were fishing, or something like that.

I bet those are some tasty fishies!

[phester]

I didn't get to uncover the V yesterday, I needed to be on the water instead. Took the tin boat out for the first fish of season 07. Water temps are still cold here [41*- 43*] but we thought we'd try and wake up a few winter flatties [flounder]. Had two chumpots deployed, dual anchor set-up, about six ft. of water. Took about 40 mins. or so for the first hit, just a little nibble. Ten mins. later fish on! Nice flattie, about two lbs, loose him at the side of the boat. Half hour later, fish on, feels bigger than the first, lost em' at the starb. gunnel. D#$n!! He was a good one , he put a good bend in the uglystick,took a little bit of line before I turned him around .He was better than 2 1/2 lbs, couldn't believe he got off >:( I didn't expect to get any sort of action at all so the two fish were a bonus. Today I'll get to uncover the V and drop in the batteries and fire her up :D

[macojoe]

Nice fish and nice story!!

Been there done that!! I always push tyo long and have to hammer home! But I wouldn't have it any other way!

[C YENSEN]

nice job stinky, glad you got some fishing in ;D