From woods to water in a weekend

[Jared D]

I had my uncle in town this past weekend from Maine. He wanted to experience the outdoors in the south, so Thursday we went pig hunting. If you want the story, Pig hunt 2-28
Heres the pick of the swine. Great hunt, and it got his hairs standing on end.

Saturday, I took him to fishing with a buddy of mine. The plan was too stay in close, even though the bite has been a bit off of late due to the cold weather. We stayed within 20 miles in 60.8 degree water. The bite was slow, and we had to earn each fish, but final tally for the day was 6 keeper snapper (10 shorts), one 12 pound gag, 2 triggers, 6 big flounder, and a bunch of big sea bass. We also saw two right whales on the fishing grounds.
Absolutely an amazing day, and a great weekend to spend with the uncle. He admitted that this was a lot more fun than Haddock and cod fishing.
Heres a few of the picks.



Too bad he has to spend the rest of the time with my aunt on a cruise. We were having a blast and filling the freezer.

[SeaBiscuit]

Oh my God Jared D! Now you gone and done it! Those are some beautiful snappers man! What is the size and creel limit in Fla?
Would you be willing to point Slip and I in the right direction if we showed up down there little boat in tow? Is spring the best time of year to target them rascals?
Thanks for the great post and pictures man. You got my blood boiling!
SeaBiscuit

[HOLWACHAGOT]

Jared D-
Lord have mercy what a cooler full of jewels! Those are some very fine looking fish and a wonderful report. I agree with Biscuit, the blood is flowing now. Thanks for the pics.
Holwachagot

[Eddy]

Dang, Snapper ham. TASTY. What time do we eat?

[WAHOONBOX]

DUDE....THE BISCOTO IS SALIVATING! YOU WILL BECOME HIS IDOL!

YOU'RE SICK DUDE....ABSOLUTLEY EL SICKO! GLAD I FOUND YOUR WORLD!

THANKS FOR BRINGING IT TO MINE...

[Rhodekill]

Very nice!

That is some surf and turf I could get used to.

[WAHOONBOX]

WAIT.......WAIT JUST A FREEAKING MINUTE........................

IS THAT SUPPOSED TO BE ...ICE ON THOSE FISH....IN THAT 2 LITER BOTTLE?

I MEAN DUDE!......GOT ICE???? HOLEY SMOLEY DUDE!

DID YOU SPEND ALL YOUR BREAD ON BROADS? .....I MEAN BROADHEADS?


ROCK ON.....

[Jared D]

WAIT.......WAIT JUST A FREEAKING MINUTE........................

IS THAT SUPPOSED TO BE ...ICE ON THOSE FISH....IN THAT 2 LITER BOTTLE?

Yeah, that be the ice for the critters during the kill spree. They get the full ice bath-o-death after the carnage.
Biscuit, they bite well in cooler water. We catch some in the summer, but the biggest ones are found in slightly cooler water then the summer temps. Usually bite well around 65 degrees to 68. It does depend. The biggest hurdle to snapper is learning their bite. They kind of tap..... tap...... tap tap...... tap..... wham a bait.... well the smaller ones anyways. When they get over 10 pounds they become animals on the hit, like a gag. The good thing about a snap is he's not going for a hole. They just buck and fight the whole way up. Usually keeping the line tight is the biggest goal with snaps, where as with groups (as you DEFINITELY know) its keeping them from home sweet hole.
You come down, and I will get you sent to the right spots. Another guy went out deep (40 miles +) and put the wood to them. We were one of the few boats that stayed in close that did well. Oh, be warned, out past 40 miles you start hitting 100 plus deep water.... and thats home to the BIG NASTYs... Gags of 40-50 pounds frequent that water. I wont condone it , but a lot of the smaller throw back snapper (Florida Atlantic side they must be 20 inches, and 2 per person) get sent back on a large J hook and are often then consumed by big nasty!

Glad yall liked the report. I am getting married in 4 days so that will likely be the end of my reports for a couple weeks!

[Dave Sikorski]

Great report.

I was at the fish market and saw a pile of those snapper's little brothers yesterday. Wonder where they came from?

Definitely some bad ass surf and turf.

-D

[WAHOONBOX]

YOU'RE GETTING MARRIED?????????NOW I FEEL LIKE WE ARE GETTING DIVORCED...


IT'S OVER....NO WONDER YOU HAVE BEEN ON A TEAR LATELY!

LORD....BLESS THIS MAN ...FOR HE IS ABOUT TO RENDER HIMSLEF VICTIM TO......................HIS BABES BALL & CHAIN!