The Florida Fisherman ll Does Deep Drop

[harbison]

    The white-line bottom machines of yesteryear were good, very good. However, they could not even begin to compare with today's state of the art fish finders. Before we go deep, really deep, take a look:
(bottom machine photos by Captain Bryon Holland)


Come along as together we see exactly what these modern day bottom machines are capable of. Let's board the Florida Fisherman ll:
Before boarding the Florida for our 63 hour Deep Drop adventure, long time first mate Mr. Will McClure says good-buy to his real ladies, wife Kara, and daughter Madison:

See you Sunday morning. We are out of here:


Madeira Beach's warm, crystal clear, tropical water is ever so hard to leave:

But leave we must. Tammy, you make leaving easier:


After a good nights rest it's tuna time:

Early morning is, once again, time for:


And more fish. Jeff, that's a BIG BOY!

Must admit, food is always on our minds. Would you believe pineapple upside-down cake 125+ miles off Madeira Beach? Believe it!

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Looks like the fish are hungry also:

On these over-night trips we catch a lot of fish, however, it's the people that make the trip. People like Vilnius Lithuania's Mr. Vytautas Zukauskas:

Due to the architecture of Vilnius, this 'Jerusalem of the North' has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site:


Mr. Zukauskas is a PhD candidate at the ISM University of Management, University of Angers:

Vytautas has never caught a fish over a couple of pounds. Can he catch our Florida fish? Well! Even Captain Mark Hubbard is amazed:



Jeff, they are beautiful:

Way to go, Ed. From past experience we know Ed can catch the BIG boys. Wonder if he can catch the really BIG ones?

Captain Hubbard is so proud:

Craig, way to go sir:

Captain Bryon Holland; one of the very best:

Those very deep water long tail bass are really something:

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Look at the size of Ed's bar jack:

Proud:


All that 'catching' has left us hungry, really hungry. 'Jersey Girl' to the rescue:

Wonder if Ed can catch the really BIG Boys? Wonder no more!


Barrel fish are fun to catch, and even more fun to eat:

Get-um Captain Mark Hubbard:




Nice tuna:

Speaking of nice:


We do not see this too often. This is our Florida; plenty of room and fish for everyone:

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yellowedge grouper:

Long tail bass:

Bird:

Here comes Chef Tammy with the finest, cooked to order, steak dinner:

Mr. Zukauskas, welcome to blackfin tuna town:


Vytautas says this trip will be one of the most memorable experiences this Summer. "The crew and the fishing buddies were great and fun. It was great to meet you, Bob."
Mr. Zukauskas notes..."I am in love with a Florida girl, so, I might come back."
'MIGHT!' How about will be back. No one leaves a Florida girl.
After a fine dinner, and a good night's sleep, it's back home until we do it all over again. Is it Friday? Yet!

Captain Dylan Hubbard, his mighty dog, Sid, and Vytautas's, 'Florida Girl,' Corey, inspect a great catch:


Tammy can't believe her eyes:

Can Ed catch the really BIG Boys? Well!


Deep water mystery fish...what are they?


Guys/Girls, only one more Florida Fisherman ll deep drop trip his year, 10/12/17. As of now all 18 positions have been filled. This is going to be another great one. Suggest calling and being put on the waiting list.
Check out the action packed video of our trip:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ixz6Ygyl0I

Bob Harbison Florida Outdoor Writers Association

[njbob49]

I hope you are feeling much better Bob. Thanks for the great report and pics.  I will watch the video later when I am eating dinner.  What type of fish was that big one that Ed caught as I don't think you mentioned it in the report?  It looks like that the bird is giving you the "stink eye" for taking its picture. 

Tight Lines,
Bob G   

[harbison]

    Feeling much better, thank you! 
Ed's big fish was a Warsaw grouper.
That darn bird.
Hope U like the video as much as I enjoy bringing it to you.   Best!  Bob H.

[fluke - u]

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