Here fishy, fishy

Just a couple quick shots from under our dock.  The little ones are glass minnows.  The others are mangrove, schoolmaster and yellowtail snapper.  

Big surprises in little water.

Last night my family and I were fishing off the dock for snapper.  I've been haunted by a black grouper that has been stealing fish off our lines.  I was looking under the dock to see if it was around when I saw something out of the ordinary.  It was a Goliath grouper.  Just a juvenile but it had to be close to 60 pounds and three feet long.  I managed to get it to eat a dead pinfish but failed on the hook set.  Hopefully it will come back and give me another try.

Today we went out and the girls were fishing when a 30 or so inch Barracuda came and tried to grab the fish my oldest was reeling in.  That was a very surprising sight, and a little scary.  We were snorkeling in the canal just a couple days ago.  I've rigged up my heaviest rod with 50 pound braid and 66 pound steel wire.  I'm ready for anything!

Full house, Jacks over ladies

It was a calm with overcast skies last night, perfect weather for jack fishing.  While most people consider jacks and ladyfish nothing but trash, on appropriate tackle they they are extremely fun.  Jacks travel in schools so when you catch one you can be almost certain that there are others.  Many people say that pound for pound the Jack Crevalle is the hardest fighting fish in the water.  I won't deny it.

Last night I landed three small jacks and a pair of very aerial ladyfish.  All were caught on live shrimp free-lined into the slow current.  Weather permitting I'll be back out there tonight.  Hopefully with a few more shrimp!

A day on the flats

I got out for a couple hours this afternoon on the flat in Lower Sugarloaf Sound.  It is a very beautiful place.  I had a blast catching small barracuda on the fly.  The wind was nice and calm and the cudas were hungry.  They were all small and not a great challenge on a 7wt but boy do they put on a show.  I'll be dragging my 5wt along next time :D

Mr. Grouper, I'm coming for you!

There is a large grouper hanging out under our boat lift.  He is tormenting me by taking my bait when I am on a very light rod.  I've gotten him to eat once on a heavy rod but he still cut me off on the structure.  I think I've got him figured out now.  I spooled up 50 lbs braid on my rod and moved up to 60 lbs leader.  Tonight Mr. Grouper I will invite you to dinner.

Flat calm flat

Woke up this morning and was greeted with this

I'm going fishing now :D

Vicious predators of the canals...

well they could be if you were a fish. 

I caught these over the past couple days.