011707
This evenings anglers are Irwin and Ken, Tarpon is the Specie we are looking for. We started tonight out just south off of Haulover Inlet. There was a big weather system to the north so we kept an eye on it. We started out with 2 rods with jumbo live Shrimp. The small Mackerels were stealing the shrimp so I rigged up 1 Crab rod. The Crab was hit very hard but the fish missed the hook somehow. We continued to watch the storm move out and south when I heard some whistling noises from behind our boat; I looked up and saw a huge water spout coming at us. I told the guys hold on we have to get out of here, I fired up the engine and with lines in the water sped away. I ran down to the inlet and we sat and watched the funnel. The wind seemed to kick up right after that so we ran inside the bay. we tried a few spots but the Tarpon had no intentions of eating. It was getting cold and we called it a night.
011807
Today's trip is a group charter 12 boats in all, as the group arrived I saw 2 guys with a 12 pack of Corona. I walked up and said lets go your with me, knowing they were just looking for a fun day on the water. On our first stop the Tarpon were rolling and we tried a few different baits and techniques; we managed a few nice Jacks, Blue Runners, Snappers and Cudas. The weather today was high 80's and really hot. This was a short trip they drank all their beer and were happy with the results.
011807
I'm fishing with Bill Johnson again its his last night in town, we fished on Tuesday with one nice Tarpon hook up. He has his work buddy Jamie out tonight. I was hoping for a banner night, but it started out slow on the shores of South Beach. The fish were not active so this had me worried, sometimes seeing them and knowing they are there gives you the confidence to stick it out. Saying that I along with another Captain moved to the south side of the inlet where he hooked up right away, this is what brings confidence. We heard over the VHF radio the bite was good up at Haulover Inlet from another captain;so I knew it was a matter of time. We were drifting and talking when the drag started to scream, this is what we had been waiting for. The Tarpon pulled 30 yards and then made a complete somersault 6 feet in the air. Jamie was going nuts (screaming) as Bill grabbed the rod, we cleared the other rod and got situated to fight the fish.
The Tarpon made a second jump and started running towards the inlet we followed him closely but he managed to cut across the rocks on the tip of the jetty and cut us off. The Tarpon's first jump will leave a lasting impression in all of our memory banks for a long time, it' an awesome sight to see 150 lbs make a jump like that. The had to be at the airport early so we called it a night.
011907
Today's trip back to the shores of South Beach for more tries at the "Almighty Tarpon". Gene, Vladimir and another guys name I cant pronounce. A cold front came through over night and sometimes that will spark up the bite. We started out on our first drift and put out the jumbo shrimp. The only problem today is the surface action, Mackerels and Blue runners are chasing Pilchard schools with the birds dive bombing on them. This made it hard because they kept eating our Tarpon baits. The Tarpon were rolling everywhere around us; so I rigged up some jig and Gulp Shrimp for the guys. It didn't take long and they caught a bunch of nice Mackerels, Blue runners, Jacks, and Snappers. I decided to try the south side of the inlet but it was quiet as well. These guys were good anglers so I took them inside the inlet to see if we could jig up some action. It didn't take long and gene was hooked up and it was really pulling, the suspense was great!
gene finally got the fish up and it was a 20 inch 3 lb red Grouper. This fish on fairly light tackle was a fight, next it was Vladimir's turn another Red Grouper a little smaller but a great fight. It wasn't over yet; the third guy was hooked up and he had the biggest one of the morning, 23 1/2 inches and 6 lbs. The amazing thing is we were using Gulp Shrimp, not bait! The Groupers snappers and Goliath Grouper love the scent of the Gulp Baits. The reason I like using them is the small fish will steal your Shrimp quickly, but not the Gulp! In turn the more bottom time for the bait results in more fish hooked up, this is just common sense! We ended the day early and will meet tomorrow morning at Flamingo.
012007
We got a late start today around 8:35 am. The weather today is absolutely beautiful and the place is packed!
I started Gene and Vlad in a great little spot the Snook we there but no takers. We worked it hard and did not produce a bite. Today is one of those day's, we fished good spots but the fish didn't respond. we caught some bait and went to East Cape Canal this is a high catch percentage place. We put out the baits and waited for the tide to switch, nothing happened for us or the other boats there. We finally had a big bite on a heavy out fit which straightened out Mustad hook. My thought it was a goliath Grouper the way is fighting back and forth but not really running very far. A short time later we ran to another creek, as I anchored up I noticed a bunch of Snook lying in the top of a fallen tree. Gene pitched a bait into the tree and had a big hit, the fish hit it so hard the hook fouled in the bait. Later Vlad caught a pretty nice Trout 23 inches. The day wasn't without it share of problems Genes glasses blew off as we were running and made him visibly upset. I understand having had that happen on more than one occasion. We called it a day.
Let's go Catch'em
Capt Jim Hobales
www.CaughtLookinCharters.com
305-333-8149 |
