I Finally Made It Out! (Offshore Fishing Report 2/1)

[Bergertime]

The weather Gods and my hectic schedule finally aligned and I got to take my Osprey offshore for some much needed  blue water exercise.  The NOAA weather guys were slightly pessimistic (usually the other way around) and with the exception of some good swells in the morning the seas out 25 miles were slick calm.  However, the fog with thick running out the Manatee river before sun up and even thicker offshore with vis a low as 50-60yds in patches.  The grouper showed up for the bite late morning and me and a friend put a few in the cooler.  Sad to say we had to let a couple monster Gags go back..  Almost teared up doing that.  We did not catch as many total fish as last time but the keepers all were 24+ as it's usually a conveyior belt of shorts with a keeper mixed in here and there.  I lost a MONSTER on a SPRO jig that almost spooled my jigging rod before he holed up ending in a broken leader, lost fish and lost jig!  :rambo:

Intersting thing... On two occasions we both caught the same fish. The second one (pic below) ate both our baits and what seemed like a double hookup was us bringing up the same fish with both hooks in his mouth.  Interstingly, it was the largest grouper of the day.  That was a first for me.  I also attched a couple more pics of notable fish and our take-home bag for your viewing pleasure.










Calm seas and tight lines...

B

[slvrlng]

Nice haul!!!!!  
Looks like a beauty day as well!

[Georgie]

Nice work!    Definitely a bit jealous.  I'm mid-engine rebuild after blowing another cylinder a couple weekends back...and struggling through the worst head cold I've had in years.  let us know how the porgy, margate, and jack taste (and how you prepare them), considering SB's recent post about jack crevalle and the discussion that ensued.  

[Bergertime]

I am a fan of Amberjack but the others (Jacks) I usually let go after what is typically a spirited fight, although I have to admit that I have never tried to eat any others.  As for the AJs... I usually cut the blood line and red meat off and either fry em' or cook them on the grill.  I think they taste just as good as some of the more common species for table fare.  

Anyway -Take this from a guy who also likes to eat Sail-Cat.  When you grow up hunting squirrels and rabbits for fun and food Sail-Cats are a treat!  The Jolt Head Porgys are absolutely delicious!!

B

[Circle Hooked]

Very nice, it's a damn shame we can't keep Gag's right now

[ceejkay]

you guys cant keep gags? or are we talking federal water fishing

[bondobill]

NICE !!!!
"Damn" must be nice to be able to fish in the winter with just a teeshirt on.  

Bill

[futch13]

Nice!!  Makes me want to put work to the side and get back on the Proline

[seabob4]

NICE !!!!
"Damn" must be nice to be able to fish in the winter with just a teeshirt on.  

Bill

Bill, couple of days ago, I was in a t-shirt and shorts and actually broke a sweat doing some glassing...but today?  Low 60s and raining...sorta like Seattle in the summer...