March Madness means different things to different people:
This is 'March Madness Florida Style' :
As Hubbard's Florida Fisherman ll reaches the far off Florida snapper banks 'March Madness' is in full gear:
The Florida's huge fish boxes are filling fast:
The action is non-stop !
Even the gags are hungry:
Speaking of hungry...We are starved! It's time for a famous, hot off the grill, 'SOUTHERN TAM SLAM.'
Chef 'Jersey Girl' Tammy...You are the best.
Man! After a meal like that we are ready for anything. Bring on the tuna; we are good and ready:
We are even ready to challenge the mighty amber jack. Look at the AJ's stacked up next to that wreck:
Those 'Donkeys of the sea' thinks they can fight. Little do they know of our 'TAM SLAM' Power !
Mr. John Lehman left a very cold 14 degrees in Bloomington, Illinois to challenge this fighting machine:
Wow! This man from the North can really fish. AJ number two put a good ol' Southern 'hurtin' on our new friend. Bloomington will never be the same:
Looks like these 'donkeys' are taking 'March Madness' seriously. But so are we:
Jersey Girl Tammy is not only our much appreciated chef, but also our nurse, shoulder to cry on, and fishing advisor:
We all know how much our fishery needs modern, up to date, real SCIENCE. Welcome to on-the-water data-based SCIENCE. Welcome FWC biologist Mr. Ernest Jaramillo & Mr. Joseph Tarnechi. These dedicated men of SCIENCE worked the Florida Fisherman ll nonstop from stern to bow. They meticulously analyzed every fish they could get their hands on. What an honor watching REAL FWC SCIENCE at work:
Want a longer gag & American red season? Ernest & Joe counted, vented, and released dozens on this trip alone.
While trolling in between stops this blackfin tuna hit like a ton of bricks. What a fight it gave Mr Ed Sumrall:
During March red grouper cannot be kept in waters over 20 fathoms. Not a problem:
Young Master Max Geller has proven to be an expert at not only catching huge king fish, but also:
One of the best of the best...Mr. John martin:
Sunset 100 miles off Madeira Beach, Florida...PRICELESS !
After a 'cooked to order' Chef Tammy steak dinner, with all the trimmings, let's top off the fish boxes.
Rich, that is some cobia:
This is turning into a major mangrove snapper catch:
OH NO! Shark attack:
The gag action has been non-stop. NOAA is considering opening gag season in June. Ernest & Joe's data as to what is actually out there should be a BIG help:
Back at the dock...still more FWC REAL DATA:
Mr. Joshua Woodcock flew in from Midland, Michigan to fish our Florida waters. Midland will never be the same:
In the money jack pot winners:
Red grouper...11.0 pounds:
Mangrove snapper...8.4 pounds:
Amber jack...39.8 pounds:
Next weekend we do it all over again. Then, on March 17, it's hunting the mighty Florida wild boar at Perry, Florida's own Two Guys and a Hog. This trophy has my name on it:
Here is one we do not see too often. I know what it is. Do you?
Catch the adventure live in this short action packed video.
(click on the Youtube link)
Bob Harbison Florida Outdoor Writers Association
