A week with some of the best Captains in the business: (Part 1 of 2)
Why is Florida known as, 'The Fishing Capital of the World?' Is the title justified? Let's find out for ourselves with three of the best Captains in the business. First up, Captain Mark Hubbard, and the Florida Middle Grounds.
Many years ago it was a great honor to fish with the father of fishing as we know it today, the legend himself, Captain Wilson Hubbard. To many, Captain Wilson was fishing. Have a question about fishing, about life, talk to Captain Hubbard. This man among men would help one and all in any way he possibly could. Fish or no fish just being with him on the Florida Fisherman l was an experience in itself:
And now Captain Wilson's son, Captain Mark Hubbard, carries on the family tradition. Captain Mark often Captains the thirty nine hour trips on the Florida Fisherman ll. Going to the fish rich Florida Middle Grounds with Captain Mark is an experience not soon to be forgotten. As was his father, Captain Mark Hubbard is a very hands on Captain. Have a question about fishing, Mark will know the answer. Let's go to the Grounds! Gosh Sir! That sure is a nice snapper:
This is a very special weekend for us. Once again we are honored to have Mister Richard Dawson's South Florida Fish Hunters Club with us.
These dedicated sportsman take their fishing very seriously. Hold on! We just left Madeira Beach and look at that beautiful king:
Oh well! Let's hit the bunks. We want to be at our best for the long day ahead.
One A.M, that 'Super Moon' is doing a real number on the current. Captain Mark is finding it next to impossible to anchor the Florida. Some very nice mangos hit the deck. Now that's different, the banded rudder fish are tearing us apart:
And, speaking of different, ever hear of a sheepshead porgy? Man! That's a big one:
Sun-up, Hope the American reds are hungry:
Mister Willis, way to go sir, way to go:
Now that's a nice mangrove snapper. Boy! the 'Fish hunters' are serious:
The mangrove snapper are determined to eat and run; some don't:
Partner, we will see you again come July first:
Gag season is going to be something else:
Fishing by our standards is slow. Never-the-less, we are working on a respectable catch. Look at the amount of ice on those fish. Non colder, non better:
Considering the 'Super moon' we did well. Richard, fried vermilion snapper is a meal fit for a king; fit for a 'South Florida Fish Hunter.'
In the big money jack pot winners:
The Middle Grounds did not produce the numbers we would have liked. But the Florida still came back with well over a thousand pounds of fish, and that's without gags or amberjacks.
Well! We have a couple of hours to kill before sailing with our next Captain. I want to talk fishing. Let's go see Master Captain Glen Taylor. Captain Taylor has become a legend in is own life time. As I enter the Captain's 'Boardwalk Grill,' John's Pass Boardwalk, I am greeted by the man himself. Bob, thanks for stopping by. Hope you are hungry! Try these special gourmet hot dogs. You will love them. Wow! I have never had anything like that before. Thank you Captain.
Captain Taylor and I are soon joined by 'some of the best Captains in the business.' Want to talk fishing, this is the place. Man! that was a quick hour. Captain we want to know why Florida is known as the 'Fishing Capital of the World.' We want to see for ourselves. We just came back from the Middle Grounds; next up, the Elbow. Bob, who will be the Captain on your trip? Glen, Captain Garett Hubbard will be guiding us. Captain Taylor wishes us luck and tells us we will be fishing with one of the best, "They just do not make them any better than this young Captain."
