This is our Florida
Last week's full moon Florida Fisherman's over night trip deep into the heart of our Gulf of Mexico returned Sunday morning with the entire boat completely limited out, two day limit 20 each, of Middle Ground's sized mangrove snapper:
Can we do it again on the dark side of the moon phase? Only one way to find out...let's go see together:
It's always an honor to have ladies fishing with us. Joining us today for her first 39 hour snapper trip Is St. Pete's own Cynthia of 'Paintings by Cynthia.' This young lady is a real pro at catching the very good eating grey snapper on 1/2 day trips. Can she master the 'art' of harvesting
the hard to fool deep water mangrove snapper? Keep an eye on the lady in the green shirt as we find out together:
As we leave beautiful Madeira Beach, the weather is picture Florida perfect. Low humidity, a balmy 85 degrees, and a gentle breeze over crystal clear warm water...'This is our Florida' in November.
Ok! Let's get serious about fishing. Will, an expert's expert, shares his vast experience. When Will talks; we are all ears:
Mr. Sumrall shows us how to troll for king fish. Catch 'kings on the way out' 1:30 minutes into the video at the end of this report:
The heavens are on fire:
Let's get ready to beat the elusive mango snapper at his own game. He may be tricky, but so are we:
Here comes out lady in green. To date Cynthia has sold well over 300 paintings. Looks like she has also mastered another 'art' form:
This fishing thing is getting serious:
Here comes the sun. Hope the fish are still hungry:
They are:
Deep water kings:
Between stops let's troll for tuna:
Watch Ed's fight, 'TUNA POWER' with a blackfin 4:15 minutes into the video:
Here comes the gags:
Dan, sir that is a mahi to be proud of:
This is turning into another major mango catch:
Fish like that will put smiles on anyone's face:
The mangrove snapper have been feeding all night and day. 'This is our Florida!'
We are, 'fished-out,' and hungry. Time to visit Chef Tammy. Wonder what feast our 'Jersey Girl' has for us this evening? Let's get ready for some serious good ol' Southern eating. Nothing beats tender pot roast seasoned to perfection with the best red potatoes, and tender young carrots:
Cynthia, your dad, David, Mineola, Texas, can be proud of the woman you have become. What an honor to have you on the Florida Fisherman ll. The only thing that would have made this trip even better would have been if your dad could have joined us:
Back at the dock it's all smiles and a mountain of fish:
The in the money grouper hit the scales at 16 pounds, and the snapper weighed in at a whopping 9.5 pounds.
Check out this short, action packed, video of our trip:
On 11/13 we have another shot at mangos, and then, November 19, is another big one; the last deep-drop trip of the season. We will be fishing in waters approaching 1,000 feet deep. This is going to be big; really BIG!
The best of fishing, hunting, food, weather, and people.
This is our Florida!
Bob Harbison Florida Outdoor Writers Association