Author Topic: The Florida Fisherman does it again: (Read 4227 times)

harbison · « **on:** August 07, 2011, 02:32:43 PM »

Fifty miles South of the Elbow in 225 feet water:
Our 39 hour Hubbard's Marina, Florida Fisherman, trip this weekend was different. Instead of heading North West to the Florida Middle Grounds, we pulled out of John's Pass and immediately headed South West. Hopefully we could get away from the now, thanks for nothing NOAA, out of season American red snapper. We were looking for mutton, vermillion, yellow tail snapper, as well as the battling amber jack. We were ready for a fight.
In preparation for the great battles that were sure to follow, many regulars, instead of buying pin fish, catch these scrappy little devils either in traps, or on hook and line. Master long time experts, such as Dave, prefers traps, Mutton catcher, jack pot winner, Craig Scott uses hook & line. Boy did those AJ's ever put a good old Southern hurting on Dave. No worry! Dave knows how to relax.
We had a wonderful trip out. The weather was picture perfect. The roar of those two big old 1,150 HP Caterpillar diesels was pure music to our ears. And, as if that was not enough, our on board chef, Miss Tammy Koota, stuffed us with the best 1/3 pound cheese burgers in the entire universe. Gosh! What a life, and we even get to go fishing.
Speaking of fishing, take a look at that fish finder; talk about a classic ledge filled with fish. Problem was it was ever so difficult to get our offering, cut Spanish sardines, past those hungry, per NOAA...near extinct, American red snapper. looks like Lady Jane forgot to tell them they were in such bad shape. We were fifty miles South of the Elbow, and still, as on the Middle Grounds way to the North, the ARS were everywhere. We were fishing from 180 to 225 feet of water, too deep for mangrove snapper, but perfect for mutton, vermilion, and yellow tail snapper; not to mention the fighting machine known simply as amber jack (AJ). Want a battle of a life time? Try this monster! Are you man, or woman enough? Mister AJ says he can beat you. Mister Richard Dawson, Carol Kisner, & Mary Grasso decided if Dave could do it, so could they. Those fighting machines gave them their all, but, man power, as well as women power, won out in the long run. Good going guys & gals! You are credits to our sport. Grilled amber jack is becoming a Southern tradition. A tradition earned through battling this monster of the deep.
The vermillion snapper were not only plentiful, but big.They were running as large as mangrove snapper, and were there for the taking. It was never a question if they could be caught, but how many do you want? Vermilion snapper, sometimes called B Liners, are extremely good eating. They, like amber jack, are deep water fish. Next week we will, once again, be fishing the Florida Middle Grounds. We will not catch, as we did this time, over a dozen muttons; however, we will catch both vermillion & mangrove snapper. Next weekend can't come soon enough!
Bill Grasso & Craig Scott both caught very impressive muttons. Good going guys! Thanks Captain Hubbard for constantly finding the fish for us.
We also caught many yellow tail snapper. We do not see very many yellow tail, or mutton snapper on the Middle Grounds. Contrary to what we are constantly being told, the Gulf of Mexico is loaded with fish. If we go South we see muttons & yellow tail; North, towards the Middle Grounds, we see mangrove snapper, gag grouper, amber jacks, and tons of American red snapper. We who fish on the water, not from behind the desk, know what is actually our there. We know what is in 225 feet of water to the South, as well as 100 miles to the North. How much do you know, NOAA? Bob H.
Dave catches pin fish: