Shared Delusion

We decided to start real early - maybe too early. We could not find any baits on the flats or by the skyway. Other reports of bait we good - so we must have just left early. So we trecked on with shrimp and sardines. The sardine problem appears solved, New sardines from India were perfect. We did not see much bait out Egmont channel, except one small school. For the entire trip out - not a single surface bait crashing or feeding

We stopped at the Whitsler bouy and saw a guy sabiki up some Spanish sardines but we did not want to cramp him and at the rate he was bring them in, we did not feel the effort was worth it. One to the Area S/SW of the Mexican pride, our target for the day. Once we hit 110-130 feet the bottom showed no signs of life. I was frustrated, the bottom should have some showing. We motored around a few spots - some out to 138 feet - All SW of the pride. Really just stopping to ping the bottom for a minute or two. Terry said, can we jsut drop while we decide? Next thing you know, four baits - 4 keeper Red Grouper, One was released due to 3 people on the boat. One grouper was so hungry it ate both Roberts and Terrys baits - it was a half hookup? I dropped Shrimps that got nipped off. One drop got a 13″ triggerfish. But still the depth finder showed hard bottom but no life signs????? It seems once we hit 100 feet or so, it takes some big fish to make the depth finder pickup anything. Only sharks, AJ’s, huge grouper and bait balls 20′ across make the screen So I will adjust my tactics for that area next time. I only wish we could catch other fish besides the Red Grouper, their are too many of them and they are so aggressive, they take anything before a snapper or even a grunt. I dont like to watch one float away, so its better to just stop. We spent 10 minutes saving the 4th one, but eventually it swam to the depths of its own accord.

Having maxed out on Red grouper in 15 minutes, we decided to try the Mexican pride. The Pride had schools of Crevalle Jacks, spade fish, Amber Jacks, Almaco Jacks?, and Barracuda all near the surface. It was very cool to see so many fish. Also many deep water looking jellys and chain jellys went by us. They had a neon blue and red spots on a perfectly clear body, not the normal white or yellow bodies ones. Nothing took a bait but the night before was the 2nd night of full moon, so it was to be expected. The boat next to us caught some Amberjacks on a jig and a tube lure! We tried it and Robert hooked up twice but lost it due to cutoffs or Goliaths?

Over all the fishing was not so great but the trip was terrific. The weatehr was beautiful, blue skys, slick water, no wind. The 2 hour trip back was easy - I trimed the boat out and it drove itself with only a few adjustments. Most of the time back was trying to stay awake - i had taken a full draminine

Next time 1/2 and more coffee

Happy fishing, 
Eric