Rough Weather FISHING
As can be expected during American Red Snapper season the weather leaves a lot to be desired. The snapper are there, but getting to them can be a challenge.
June 18, 2019, as we prepare to leave for the far off Snapper Grounds
we know it's going to be rough. Just outside of John's Pass Bridge the white-caps are huge. Here is where a 72' long catamaran, the Florida Fisherman ll, is really appreciated. You would not believe how well that BIG CAT takes rough water. To push a boat that big, that heavy, through rough seas takes a tremendous amount of power. The Florida has two massive 1,150 HP Caterpillar diesels:In what has become a tradition... The Great Line Toss:
Tammy is ready for us. That Italian Sausage Sup with all the trimmings is heaven-on-earth:
The Florida is an eating, fish-catching, sleeping machine:
In addition to Red Snapper, the Gag Grouper fishing has been good:
The night mangrove Snapper and Gag Grouper bite has been on-going, but slower than we would like. Many of us are resting; after-all, we will be challenging the creatures of the deep for twenty hours; being well rested is essential.Early Wednesday morning... The smell of hot off the grill hickory smoked bacon fills the air. Are you hungry yet?
We are not the only ones ready for breakfast:
It's really rough
but we still have a stable platform from which to fish.Look at that Mangrove Snapper.
Hard to fool, no closed season, and great to eat makes the Mangrove a prime target. Our two day possession limit is 20. Twenty Mangrove Snapper is a very good catch. Add Grouper, Vermilion Snapper Kings, etc., and it's easy to see why Florida is the Fishing Capital of the World. And, never to be left out, is the American Red Snapper.Catching you first ever American Red is a memory that will last until the end of time:
The bite is not fast, but on-going. Captain Bryon, Will, and Rich are very proud of us:
The fish are not the only hungry ones. That's not just a burger; that's a Tammy Burger. That's not just potato salad; that's the very best red-potato-salad:
It's wonderful seeing the younger generation interested in fishing. This young man , this real man, is off to a great start. Drugs? NO WAY! 'I have better things to do!'
Mr. Larry Miller flew in from Canada to 'catch' our American Red Snapper season. This is special, a very special time of the year:
The ladies are showing us how it's done: