The fabulous Florida Middle Grounds:
Last year we, on the Florida Fisherman, Hubbard's Marina, had a record year. The fabulous Florida Middle Grounds proved, even with all the regulations we are now under, Florida is still the, 'Fishing capital of the entire world.' The Middle Grounds, known for its twenty foot plus ledges, rocky-corral bottoms, and numerous ship wrecks, is a natural aquatic wonderland, a dream come true for the serious angler. And, much to our delight, this year looks to be even better than last. The hard to fool, delicious eating, mangrove snapper, are abundant. American red snapper are hard to get away from. Often forgotten, vermilion snapper are thriving. Porgies, some really big ones, are a delight to both catch and eat. The, I am going to put a real hurting on you, amber jacks are more than willing to give even the strongest a real battle, a battle that, more often than not, pins the angler against the rail of the Florida Fisherman. And then, Florida's signature fish, the gag grouper. Even when not targeting gags, they have proven to be almost impossible to get away from. Last weekend we caught vented, tagged and released over fifty gags. This year we have a four month gag season. It should really be something. Suggest booking early for American red snapper and gag season. The Florida Fisherman over-night trips are so popular, they will sell out quickly. Last weekend we had over forty fishermen/women, near capacity, and we could only target mangrove snapper and amber jacks.
OK! So what can the serious angler expect when challenging the monsters of the Florida Middle Grounds? We will be leaving Hubbard's Marina three P.M. Friday afternoon. However, there is so much to see and do around John's Pass. Most arrive a couple of hours early, relax in the very comfortable waiting area, and watch the half day boat returning home. The Friendly Fisherman, loaded with happy anglers, docks at one P.M. The target fish, grunts. Grunts, one of the finest eating fish in the sea, are very abundant, and fun to catch. Mackerel, and an occasional hog fish, make these half day trips very popular. As we were watching the Friendly Fisherman unload, a full dolphin watching boat was laving. Captain Chris, one of the most experienced Captains to fish the Gulf of Mexico, guided the Hub, Hubbard's charter boat, on an excursion into the Gulf of Mexico. This is one busy place. So much to see and do.
For those waiting in the lounge the excitement level was at a fever pitch. Then comes the word we have all been waiting for, 'Pick up your live pin fish and board the Florida Fisherman.' The roar of those huge twin diesels signals the beginning of our trip. The John's Pass Bridge opens wide. Captain Mark Hubbard guides the Florida under the bridge, and immediately heads North West, North West for the one hundred mile trip to the Florida Middle Grounds. Madeira Beach is really beautiful. Even in March so many were enjoying the crystal clear water, sandy beach, and abundant sun shine. For the most daring among us, there is even parasailing. Think I will put that one on the back burner.
Now, let's talk about a subject close to our hearts, food! On the way out we had fresh caught fried grunts and Tammy burgers. I am still trying to figure out which I liked better. Guess more test are needed. Early Saturday morning Tammy's, fresh off the grill, grilled cheese sandwiches really hit the spot. Breakfast time, Country sausage gravy over biscuits, was most welcomed. Not to be left out, chili cheese dogs and chicken sandwiches for lunch were a hungry fisherman's delight. And then the show stopper, dinner. A very fresh tossed, all you could eat, green garden salad followed by shrimp and yellow rice. And, some how, we even found time to actually do some fishing.
One A.M. Captain Hubbard eases back on those diesels, we hear the anchor chain being released. Time to challenge the Florida Middle Grounds. And that we did. Beautiful mangrove snapper immediately came over the deck of the Florida Fisherman. What a sight, full moon over the Grounds, beautiful snapper, and, get this, many very respectable gag grouper were gracing the decks of the Florida. As usual, we had Butch and crew, FWC biologist, with us. These dedicated scientist would immediately vent our grouper, both gags and red, tag them for future study, and send them home, home to fight again. We caught numerous grouper with tags in them. These fish had been caught before and survived. Venting really works.
The fishing, was never really fast, but steady. We had many experienced, dedicated anglers on board. Mister William Tippett, Richard Sipple, Leo Smith, and Tony Baker, just to name a few, represented many years of fishing experience. Jim, Peahlada, Chris, Roger, out of towner Brown, Richard Sipple, and Brittany, what a fisher-girl, and many others, challenged the Florida Middle Grounds. Even Master Dylan Hubbard, Captain Mark's son, home for Spring Break, joined us. Some battles were won, some lost, a great time was had by one and all. And, speaking of battles won, Mister Dan Jackson fought the battle of his life. Dan fought, and landed a huge black tip shark. What a fight, what a monster. Dan was equal to the task.
As the sun sinks into the Western horizon, we are still catching mangrove snapper and gag grouper. Mister Derek Jones, late Saturday evening, finished his trip with a most respectable gag, what a beauty!
It was very choppy the entire trip. That big old cat, Florida Fisherman, handled the rough water very well. I saw no one sea sick, I saw nothing but happy, tired, stuffed, thanks to Tammy, Miss Tammy Koota, chef supreme, anglers. Anglers ready for a good nights sleep. Oh! were those bunks ever appreciated. Next stop, Madeira Beach, Madeira Beach, home of Hubbard's Marina, home of the Florida Fisherman, Friendly Fisherman, and the Hub. Next 39 hour trip April 6, and then, April 20, a deep water trip. Deep as in 200-400 foot. Chances are very good of seeing fish we do not normally see. Is April here yet?
The fabulous Florida Middle Grounds, just one of many reasons why Florida is highly recognized as, 'The fishing capital of the entire world.'
Bob Harbison, Native Florida Recreational Sportsman, member Florida Outdoor Writers Association.
Fried grunt dinner:
Tammy burger:
Early morning hot grilled cheese sandwiches:
Breakfast of champions:
The show stopper, shrimp & yellow rice:
Night fishing on the Middle Grounds:
Woman power:
Day time on the Middle Grounds:
AJ's and gags, what fighters
The Marines get in on the action:
Will finds time to check out a Florida Fisherman article in the January issue of Woods'nWater Magazine:
Ever see a bar jack, smaller cousin to the amber jack, excellent eating:
Butch Ayala, FWC Biologist, takes bar jack DNA samples. Real, up to date, scientific data is available:
FWC collecting real, on the water, up to date, data, venting, tagging for future study, and releasing fish. We caught numerous previously tagged fish. If you catch one, please report it to the FWC. The number is on the tag. The tracking, survival rate of fish is very valuable information, Information that can help all of us.
Glad to see some smaller American reds. Stock for years to come:
Butch studies a nice gag:
Jon, FWC, records the data:
Master Dylan Hubbard, and Joe, displays Mister Dan Jackman's black tip shark, and what a shark it was:
Evening on the Fabulous Florida Middle Grounds. What a breath taking view!
Mister Derek Jones adds the final touch to a wonderful experience, a thirty-nine hour trip to the Florida Middle Grounds, a beautiful gag grouper. Our four month gag season, beginning in July, should really be something to behold:
Check out the video of our trip. Eleven minutes thirty-eight seconds well worth watching. (Click on the link & enjoy)
(Sorry about the audio quality, the wind was pretty strong.)
[youtube=640,390]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03MtIn3jdwA[/youtube]
