We got um!
Florida, as we have heard many times, is recognized as the 'Fishing Capital of the World!' Exactly how good is this tropical wonderland during the very hottest months of the year? Will we be able to say, 'We got 'um?' Or would the old cliche, 'That's why they call it fishing' be more appropriate? Let's go see together as we explore one of the best known areas in the state, the vast Florida Middle Grounds. The Middle Grounds, 100 miles North West of Central Florida, is know for it's natural coral structures, sharp ledges dropping thirty feet or more, and numerous ship wrecks, A true fisherman's paradise. The Grounds is home to over 170 species of fish. To adequately explore the Middle Grounds will take some serious time. Come along with me as we spend a week on the Florida Fisherman ll, Hubbard's Marina, Madeira Beach, Florida. Our journey will consist of three consecutive 39 hour over-night trips, with three different Captains. Will will cover the Grounds from the Southern edge, to the Northern most corners. The Florida Fisherman is well equipped for such an excursion. The food is great, the bunks are clean, soft, and very well air conditioned. Be sure to bring a cover, you will need it even during the hottest parts of the day. The hot showers help provide all the creature features of home.
Let the great adventure begin. First up, Friday afternoon, Captain Bryon guides the Florida under John's Pass bridge and punches in the numbers for the far Northern perimeters of the Florida Middle Grounds. Many troll for kings on the ay out; most hit the bunks. The great battles sure to come will be long & hard fought. It takes us until 2 A.M. Saturday morning to reach the Northern most edges of the Grounds. First up, the elusive mangrove snapper. This notorious bait thief is ever so hard to catch in 125 feet of water. The bite is immediate, and the fish are big. Way to go Rich:
Mister Scott, what a nice king:
Sir, now that's a nice way to begin the great AJ battle:
The Florida's # 1 huge fish box is all but full way before sun-up:
As that old sun makes it's daily appearance the American reds are big and full of fight:
Hold on! That's no red snapper; it's a mighty goliath grouper. Joe, our trusted mate, soon to be Captain Joe, goes the extra mile in venting the great fish. The huge grouper dives instantly, thanks Joe for a job well done, very well done:
The great mango bite continues. Look at the size of that snapper:
Wow! Talk about a great battle:
Mister Chris Hufstedler is using live pin fish in his quest for gag grouper:
The gags are getting even bigger:
The kings are ready for action:
Master Jerett Cook, that's a mangrove snapper to be proud of. Can't help but wonder how this young man would do on a really big fish. Will he get the chance? Only time will tell:
The great AJ battles continue:
OK! Master Cook, here is your big chance. Are you man enough?
Sir, your 'right of passage' is at hand. No more will you be called Master Cook, but Mister Jerett Cook, master angler. Sir, the eighth grade class of Osceola Middle school, Largo, Florida, can be very proud of this man among men. Wouldn't it be something if Mister Cook was to win the AJ jack pot?
Trip number one has now come to an end. Only one thing remains, who will be, 'In the money?' Mister Cook, take your place among men of the Florida Fisherman ll.
Next up, Sunday, three P.M. A private charter. Captain Garett Hubbard is proud to guide 'Fire-fighters & Friends' to the middle stomping grounds of the Florida Middle Grounds. A the sun comes up the Florida's huge number one fish box is, once again, all but full. This is getting to be a habit:
The mighty AJ's attack...I am stronger than you; I will bring you to your knees:
The American reds prove to be big & strong. See you in October:
Even the trigger fish are huge out here:
The gags refuse to be left out:
As we say good-buy to the second leg of our trip, Captain Garett Hubbard is so proud of us:
OK! It's now Tuesday afternoon, three P.M. Time for our final excursion of a long week into the fabulous Florida Middle Grounds. Captain Mark Hubbard is guiding us to the Southern edges of the Grounds. For those who troll on the way out the kings are running big and hungry:
Wow! Look at that mutton snapper:
Leo, now that's a king sized porgy to be proud of:
Mister Huy Nguyen's beautiful mahi-mahi comes with a story. A flying fish glided onto the Florida and hit Huy on the leg. This master angler put the flying fish into his live-well. A short time later Mister Nguyen notices a large mahi chasing flying fish. He tosses his live flying fish at the rainbow colored trophy, an instant hook-up. After a fifteen minute battle, and two mighty leaps, the great fish is gracing the deck of the Florida Fisherman ll. Kyle, filling in for a vacationing Will, and master chef Tammy are so proud of Mister Huy Nguyen. Great job, great job indeed!
The gag grouper are ready to challenge us:
Mister Huy Nguyen is putting on quite a show:
Mister Nguyen, and his friend Mister Ty bui, are fishing the bow of the Florida. Don't even think about trying to convince them that the only place to be on a head boat is the stern:
Oh No! Still another terrible lion fish. They seem to be more common every trip:
Roger, now that's an almaco jack to be proud of:
Way to go Mister Willis. That's really big for an almaco:
The kings join the party:
Master fisherman, Mister Justin Perlow, is determined to beat his personal best AJ. Well, 54 pounds is a lot of AJ to beat. Justin decides to try a large spade fish to entice a monster amber jack. Oh No! Let the great battle begin. On and on goes the fight of all fights. It's really hot. Justin is ringing wet. Forty-five minutes later we see color, the silver color of a huge AJ. Mister Perlow, sir, you have met the monster; the beast is no more. You have earned the respect of Captain Hubbard and everyone on the Florida Fisherman ll:
One final gag before heading home:
As all good things must, our week long excursion into the fabulous Florida Middle must come to an end. And what a trip it was. New friends, thousands of pounds of fresh fish, and memories to last a life time. Who could ask for anything more?
Back at the dock, Joe (L), Tammy, and Kyle are all smiles:
Captain Hubbard, thanks for guiding us on still another adventure to remember. An epic journey into the fabulous Florida Middle Grounds:
We will never forget this trip. How could we?
Justin's monster AJ easily won the jack pot. He sat a new personal best record of 80.7 pounds. And, Mister Huy Nguyen, fishing the bow of the Florida, won the snapper and grouper jack pots.
Exactly how good is this tropical wonderland during the very hottest months of the year?
One word says it all, Outstanding!
We got 'um!
Check out the action packed video. See Mister Jerett Cook, and Mister Justin Perlow battle the monsters of the Florida Middle Grounds.
(Click on the YouTube link)
Bob Harbison Florida Outdoor Writers Association
