The Proof is in the Pudding

Took my "new" 2004 20' deep vee Pro-line Sport out of Port Canaveral. A rough ride in 2-3 foot chop took myself, Steve, and John down to Pelican flats. Within 5 minutes of trolling, the downrigger got a 32" kingfish on a dead ballyhoo. 4.5 hours later, only one little bite on the plug, that let go immediately.

Finished the day off with some bottom fishing @ Pelican flats. John reeled a 3-4 foot eel-like thing up to the surface, and I had a reel nice fight with a big shark that let go of the rest of the Black Sea Bass i was reeling up.

Vero Reefs & Bethel Ledge - Take 2

Same deal, lots of Black Sea Bass, some snappers, grunts, and this ugly bastard out at the ledge at Bethel Shoal. Identified it later as a Spotted Scorpionfish. Not deadly, but will put you in a world of hurt.

Vero Reefs & Bethel Ledge

Went by myself in Steve's Sea Fox down to catch a lot of grunts and black sea bass down at the Vero Reefs. Went to Bethel Shoal and got a couple sharks.

Then went to the ledge off bethel and hit into a school of Trigger fish, landed about 6 or 7. Great fight, turns out although they are really tough on the outside, they are a highly prized food fish. Ah well, next time i'll keep one. Also got what I believe is my first Vermillion Snapper, correct me if i'm wrong.

Stick Marsh in Jan

Took Shawn's Key West flats boat into Fellsmere stick marsh. 4 large-mouth on the day, the largest came on a domestic shiner, 2 on worms, 1 on rattle trap. 3 were caught in the SW bedding, 1 was caught in the NW stumps. If anyone finds Shawn's blue jacket on the water, just call.

Mosquito Lagoon Again

Went back to the channel, a couple of break-offs, but nothing of decent size in the boat. Finally got two black drum, including this one. I'm not impressed with the meat quality. Pretty mushy.

Winter-Time Mosquito Lagoon

No luck in the flats, finally setup shop today in the channel near Oak Hill in Mosquito lagoon. Got a lot of decent snapper, 2 or 3 big break-offs (probably grouper) and 2 grouper, the first is 18" the second was 24". All went back into the drink. Guess who had the hot hand.

Shorty Snook

Found a great little spot just south of sebastian, for catching shorty snooks off a little jetty. Here's a sampler....

Also caught a few big "Look-Down" fish

Catch of the day, big Jack. broke my rod.