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Today we fished with Capt. Lee Egan of Sea Horse Charters. He owns a 46' Deltaville built Markley.....a fine drift fishing machine. On board was was 13 year old Patrick Sullivan and his 3 uncles Joe Shallcross, Mike Schulte and me. This kid loves to fish!! Our mate was Matt and he was assisted by Harry. I think this was my 5th trip with these guys....always fun!
Actually, Capt. Lee could not fish today so Capt. Frank took control of the boat. We had fairly calm seas, a light breeze and a few sprinkles but the sun was out most of the time.
Today was also the maiden trip for my new drift rod that was built by Todd at June Beach Bait and Tackle. He did a great job and I was looking forward to fishing it. I paired it up with an Abu Garcia 6600 C4.
We did not have to travel far to start drifting when Patrick got the 1st fish....a very nice Yellow Tail Snapper. Dinner was going to be good! He also got a Blue Runner before anyone else got a fish!
Joe got the next one....a nice King Mackerel! Then....I get a hit and a nice fight ensues as I bring up a False Albacore (Bonita, Little Tunny, Albie etc). Interestingly, my reel handle somehow got messed up (after market power handle) but I was still able to get him in the boat but my reel and new rod were done for the day.
While the fishing was not super hot (NO complaints), it was incredibly interesting.....I personally had a smorgasbord with the Albie, a Yellow Jack, a Queen Triggerfish (aquarium quality) and a nice Mutton Snapper.
Mike was shut out for the entire trip except....the last drift....where he caught four very nice Mutton Snappers. Now we know that dinner was going to be good!
Also caught were a Porgy, a Red Grouper and a regular Triggerfish. Go ahead....count 'em! That is 10 different species of fish!!
When we got home, we had a crowd of 10 people expecting to eat our catch....and I was the cook! I cooked four different species of fish four different ways and if I may say so myself....it was GOOD! Also served; rigatoni, green beans with tomatoes, sweet corn, sweet potato, French bread....what a feast. The group also had quite a selection of fine wines; Stags Leap Petit Syrah, Stags Leap Artemis Cab. Sauvignon and Camus Cab. Sauvignon. I hear these are good (I have no clue) and the crowd seemed to enjoy them!
Fishing on this boat is always a blast. The Captains are top notch as are the crew members. Harry is a regular who helps out as well. You would never know you were on a charter trip.
Pictures next week!
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Patrick with a Porgie!
He's having way too much fun!
An Albie on my new rod....then the handle broke!
Harry's Triggerfish!
Monster Mutton Snapper!
Capt. Frank holding the Queen Trigger!
This guy came pretty close....
Harry caught this big Albie!
Dinner!
Matt holding one of the Yellow Tail Snapper!
Blue Runner....
Mike with another nice Mutton!
Lights out!
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I need to add that while we were docked, getting ready to go, we saw some VERY large snook (easily over 25 pounds) and jacks (15 pounds) eating the discarded fish carcasses....the pelicans had no shot at 'em!
Matt (our mate), rigged up my rod with some bait and the moment it hit the water, a Jack took it and headed for Spain. Luckily, he turned left at a piling and broke off. Otherwise, I would have been spooled in a minute! It was the wildest 12 second ride I have ever been on. What power!
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Those are some sweet looking fish!
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What a great mixed bag.
It's like fishing in a grab bag, you never kow what you might bring up.
I have only done that way off shore and with electric reels and 16oz weights. I like the way you did it better.
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Nice fishies!! I'm salivating while reading the description of the feast...any pictures of the dishes
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Jeff- it's basically a Carolina rig (1.5 oz weight) and a triple hook at the end of 6-7' leader. The fish are in 70-100 feet of water in the reefs so you need a little beef to hoist them up. It's cool fishing with a great Capt. & mate which makes it that much better.
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Pacemaker wrote:
Jeff- it's basically a Carolina rig (1.5 oz weight) and a triple hook at the end of 6-7' leader. The fish are in 70-100 feet of water in the reefs so you need a little beef to hoist them up. It's cool fishing with a great Capt. & mate which makes it that much better.
The coral will slice your line, so I figure you were using metal leaders?
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FishSauce wrote:
Nice fishies!! I'm salivating while reading the description of the feast...any pictures of the dishes
No pictures...totally forgot! I know that the left over Mutton Snapper was made into fish tacos on Monday night by the crew that lives down there.
CozUF2001 wrote:
The coral will slice your line, so I figure you were using metal leaders?
They use a 40 lb shock leader and then a 30 lb leader coming down from the 1.5oz egg sinker. The bait "flutters" around. We only got snagged once. I did lose my rig at the knot between the shock leader and the braid but that must have been a fish 'cause that is way up the line.
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That is a scup.. just because it is sporty to say it that way..CT lingo you know..
Capt Mike
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