The Fabulous Florida Middle Grounds
One reason why Florida is highly recognized as the 'Fishing Capital of the World' is the Florida Middle Grounds. The Grounds, located in the Northeastern Gulf of Mexico, covers an area of 460 square miles:
Water depths range from 80 feet on the ridge crests to more than 150 feet in the troughs. Near-vertical bank edges consisting of overhangs and caverns plus a supply of nutrients and warm tropical waters from the Loop Current have created environments rich in tropical and subtropical fish. This makes it easy to see, 'WHY WE FISH THE FLORIDA MIDDLE GROUNDS'
And now the rest the story.
Join us on our home away from home for the next 39 hours, the Florida Fisherman ll, as we fish the Florida Middle Grounds and vicinity.
Let's go!
Open wide John's Pass Bridge, we are on a mission, a mission to catch fish:
On the way out there is always plenty to see.
After all, this is Florida:
Will is off this trip. Jon shares his vast knowledge with us:
After a hot off the grill 'Jersey Girl' meal it's nap time.
Then!
1:30 A.M. Saturday morning we are deep into the very heart of the Florida Middle Grounds. Let's go to work. Young Mr. Alex Babcock, Nolan Middle School, Lakewood Ranch, Florida, shows us how it's done:
The mangrove snapper are on fire:
Saturday Morning...the number 1 fish box is full. We are hungry. It's 'Tammy time!'
New and old friends getting together for quality time on the water is what head boat fishing is all about:
As always Mr. John Martin, the Florida's fishing advisor, 'Leads by example!'
John's AJ was so big it took two grown men to lift it onto the deck:
It was vented & released to fight again:
All American reds were also vented and returned to their rocky homes:
Nice king caught while trolling in between stops:
