We in Florida love our warm weather. However, for the last few weeks the temperature has not been that warm. We have actually seen forty five degree nights with days struggling to reach even seventy five. Our Gulf of Mexico temperature has plunged all the way down into the sixties. Will this cold Winter weather have an adverse affect on our offshore fishing? Will we still be able to catch, 'Tuna, Tuna, and Much More?'
Sit back, relax, and join us as we find out together.
Three P.M. Friday afternoon, adventurous anglers from all over the country join the many regulars on Hubbard Marina's Florida Fisherman ll for a thirty nine hour trip deep into the very heart of the Gulf of Mexico. Our destination, the fish-rich Florida Elbow. The Elbow, eighty miles West of Beautiful Madeira Beach, Florida, is best known for very large fish, and plenty of them. Leading the charge is young Captain Garret Hubbard. Garret is a hands-on Captain with years of experience:
We will be challenging the monsters of the Elbow for twenty straight hours on actual fishing time. We simply must be at our very best. A good nights sleeps is absolutely essential. But first, it's Chef, Jersey Girl, Tammy time. When Tammy goes Italian we are all winners. Spaghetti with the finest sauce, and meat balls as big as golf balls, who could ask for anything more? Mister David Burton is all smiles:
Eleven-thirty P.M., Captain Garret tames those two huge 1,150 HP Caterpillar diesels, and calls for battle stations. Let the fights begin!
The fishing is very slow; hope this is not a sigh of things to come. Mr. Joe May, fishing out of spot number 3, catches a live squid:
Joe, a very experienced angler, knows that live squid is a fine bait of choice. Joe uses a small sinker allowing the squid to sink slowly. An instant hook-up. What a fight! this thing is powerful and so very fast. Finally, after a great battle, Joe sees color, the color of a beautiful black fin tuna. Quick, the gaff:
Tuna, big, powerful, and ever so fast tuna are all over the place, and they are hungry.
Mr. Ian Keith, fishing spot number 2, wins the great battle:
Oh no! The dreaded lion fish. Did you know hat it's against the law to return a live lion fish to the water? One of six caught on this trip:
Captain Garret loves fishing as much as we do:
Even the great tuna is no match for the very experienced Mr. Richard Sipple. Rich fished spot number 10 to out-do this beauty, and many like him:
Mister Craig Scott, spot # 1, is one of the best at what he does:
Young Mr. Robert Downie, spot number 5, is visiting from Charlottesville VA. Charlotesville overlooks the majestic foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains:
This young man is an expert among experts. Robert's father, Mr. Bruce Downie, is so proud:
Mr. Dominic Malin, fishing spot # 11, can be proud of this trophy black fin:
Richie is sore from catching so many tuna:
Ian is also very good at catching the elusive, hard to fool, mangrove snapper:
These Elbow mangos are really nice:
Lonnie, that's one to be proud of:
Mr. Lynn Saltzman, Sir, we are proud to have you on our team:
Kyle is so proud of us. Kyle, in defense of our country, drove an Abram tank. We are winning many great battles:
As morning approaches, we are starved. Tammy time! Time for Country sausage and gravy over biscuits, hash browns, eggs, and bacon. Tammy, you are the best!
As the sun tries to do its thing, the tuna are still on fire. Mr. Phillip Johnson from the great state of Illinois:
Mr Craig Scott, that's a trophy in anybody's language:
Dave is having quite a work-out. It's a good thing Tammy fed us so well:
They grow them big out here:
Mr. Shafat Ahmad, fished spot # 41 to land his trophy. Shafat is so proud:
Mr. Chet Soukup, we are proud to have you on our team:
See you in June:
Mr. Carl Kisner, that's a gag to be proud of:
Mister Craig Scott, a real expert, moved from the stern to the bow to do battle:
This is turning into a very good catch:
Dave caught this American red on a jig:
Tammy is so proud of us:
Only one thing lacking so far, the mighty amber jack. Let's take a well deserved nap while Captain Garret takes us to one of the many wrecks dotting the Gulf. Look at the AJ's stacked up along that wreck. Hope they are hungry:
They are, and they are fighting mad:
A proud dad, Mr. Bruce Downie, Lakeland, Florida, is proud of is son, Robert, from Charlottesville, VA. That boy can fish:
We are keeping the mates busy:
Dinner time; it's Tammy time! Dave is at it again. Can't blame him. That Chicken with brown gravy, mushrooms & green beans is really something:
Hope the fish are still hungry. They are! Catch you later:
Nice going Carl. This place is American red snapper & gag city:
Joe & Dave are showing us how to catch the very tasty vermilion snapper:
The gags and American reds refuse to leave us alone:
The red grouper are big & hungry:
Well! All good things must come to an end. But before bed time, one more Tammy delight; a perfect ending to a most successful trip, a big slice of Boston cream pie. OK! Captain 'Coach' John take us home. Our Captain unleashes the brute power of those mighty diesels; Madeira Beach here we come.
Time to get up. Now that was one quick night. Will & Kyle hand out a mountain of fish:
In the money jack pot winners:
Will this cold Winter weather have an adverse effect on our offshore fishing? Will we still be able to catch, 'Tuna, Tuna, and Much More?
If you do not watch another video this year, you owe it to yourself to watch this action packed one. (Click on the Youtube link)
Bob Harbison Florida Outdoor Writers Association
Just look at what we are forced to put up with in Florida.
My AC has been running all day!
