For those who have never caught a blackfin tuna you cannot begin to imagine the fight this speed demon is capable of giving the unsuspecting angler. Trying to gaff an 'out of control' run away tuna is a real challenge even for the experts. Good luck! You are going to need it:
An now the rest of the story.
1:00 P.M. Thursday afternoon, we watch in amazement as our Florida Fisherman ll returns from a 1/2 day morning snapper trip. Richard Lilley & Sandy Hamilton are all smiles. Good job! That's some fine eating:
3:00 P.M. sixteen serious, dedicated, anglers are ready for a 63 hour 'Deep Drop Florida Style' trip deep into the very heart of our Gulf of Mexico. Beautiful Madeira Beach, Florida, home of the Florida Fisherman ll...so much to see and do:
Speaking of 'things to do,' things to eat, the entire Tampa Bay area is well known for Cuban Sandwiches. None better than our own Chef Tammy's version...Central Florida's signature Cuban bread piled high with the finest roast pork, baked ham, and imported cheese, served with black beans & yellow rice is a real treat for any 'Florida Fisherman.' Enjoy!
Let's get as much rest as we can before the battles begin; before 'Deep Drop Florida Style.' After all, we will be challenging the monsters of the deep for well over twenty four hours of actual fishing time. This is going to be good!
Finally! Let the fights begin. Rich, even the porgies are 'monster sized' out here:
The bar jacks, smaller cousin to the amber jack, are coming in two and three at a time:
Mr. Chuck Erwin, fishing spot #5, that's a scamp grouper to be proud of:
Tammy, let's remember this one:
The bar jack fishing has been on fire. Many consider these smaller jacks to be much better eating than the much larger amber jacks. Wonder what the morning will bring?
Well! Wonder no more. The big boys are here:
Captain Bryon is amazed at the size of the vermilion snapper:
That's no vermilion snapper; it's a 2 gaffer:
Captain Mark Hubbard is proud of this one. What a fight. Rich, look at the size of that 'donkey!'
The fights continue:
Let's go deep:
Ever see snowy grouper?
How about yellowedge?
The fish out here are 'king-sized!' But this is ridiculous:
The mighty Brown Reef Shark:
Three monster Brown Reef Sharks were brought to gaff on this trip. All were released un-harmed. They gave 100%; they earned their freedom.
Representing Annapolis, Maryland, Mr. Karl Hiller. Mr. Hiller traveled 965 miles to fish our Florida waters.
