Members hoover25 Posted January 11, 2006 Members Posted January 11, 2006 Can't wait to get back to trout fishing...but I have kept busy.
Root Admin Phil Lilley Posted January 11, 2006 Root Admin Posted January 11, 2006 Let's see... which one would like least likely want to tangle with... I think I know some of these species but you should name them for us hillbillies. Details man! It looks like you only fished at night and off the surf or piers... Just watch... I'll have one of those under my dock in the FishCam one of these days.
Greg Posted January 11, 2006 Posted January 11, 2006 Man am I jealous. My family and I do an annual trip to Florida - and I've never caught anything like that! Greg "My biggest worry is that my wife (when I'm dead) will sell my fishing gear for what I said I paid for it" - Koos Brandt Greg Mitchell
Members hoover25 Posted January 11, 2006 Author Members Posted January 11, 2006 Well, we just got back from Boca Grande and had a wonderful time. This was not really a fishing vacation.....I have a 4 and 1 year old to deal with, but I did manage to get out a couple nights. Boca Grande is on Gasparilla Island in southwest Florida. It is the tarpon fishing capital of the world (they say). Overall, the fishing was spectacular. I actually got BORED of catching snook.....out of season and can't use them for shark bait. It seemed that the entire backside of Gasparilla was holding snook and sheepshead with the occasional jack, flounder, and ladyfish. Day 1: Ok...so I got some nice sheepshead for dinner one day and decided to use the carcasses for sharkbait. I was using a 6'6" shakespeare tidewater 80lb rated rod with rollers, 80lb PP, and some 4' leaders made by a guy who surf fishes in Texas. I believe it was 500lb weedeater line attached to 240lb black coated cable and a 9/0 circle hook. I was fishing off the end of a dock of the backside of the island near the phosphate docks. The first cast had an entire sheepshead carcass. About 10 minutes later...BANG! A really nice run and sold hookup. Unfortunately, it got busted off on the barnacles just as I touched a leader. I know, no pics = no fish. But to me it looked like a solid 5 footer...blacktip I think. I was pretty dismayed at the lack of pics...but no less than 5 minutes after I cast out another carcass I got another hookup....and landed this beast. It forgot to measure it, but it looked about 6'. The guy I was fishing with had to leave....so the smart thing to do would be to stop fishing for sharks, but I am not real smart. And I had to land the next beast by myself. I used my hat for reference...it measured 6'1" total length. I was way too tired at this point and decided to call it a night. Day 2: I could not find any freaking bait this day...only snook. Luckily I saw a small kid catch a small ladyfish so at least I had one bait for the night. My sister-in-law came out with me for good luck. I must have hit the shark on the head because I got a run immediately after I cast out the ladyfish...before I could even turn on the clacker. Got another 6 foot beauty. If I did not mention it....I released all of the sharks. Since I was out of bait, that was it for the night. Day 3: I was now determined to get bait.....luckily I caught a jack, ladyfish, sheepshead, and some large mullet. This night was even better because I went out earlier than usual and brought my son. The first shark of the night was a small 4.5 footer, but still very nice. The pic with my boy. The next two were quite a bit larger. Measured 6'7" and 6'9" total length. One of them i barely caught....oh I got my sister-in-law into the fighting belt for a few minutes. Some of the fights were lasting 30 minutes. Oh and I almost forgot...caught a couple of these goliath grouper. By the way...they will "tail" when the water is warm...which means (in theory) that you could flyfish for them. You would probably need a 14 weight....the fish I measured was 6'6" and about 200lbs. All I can say is that I left Boca Grande a very tired and very happy camper. I'll be back in June for tarpon hopefully. Oh how I love that place.
gonefishin Posted January 11, 2006 Posted January 11, 2006 WOW! Looks like you had a great time. I have never caught anything like that. Did ya bring any steaks home? Bud I would rather be fishin'. "Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote." Benjamin Franklin, 1759
Members hoover25 Posted January 11, 2006 Author Members Posted January 11, 2006 Species in the pics: Snook (looks kinda like a walleye) -- Very fun to catch, they bolt for cover which is generally covered by barnicles. Sharks -- Blacktip and Bull -- Self explanitory. Its kinda like cat fishing except of steriods. They will "charge" you as well as go airborne. Sheepshead -- Great fighters, great eating, hard to hook with thier teeth. Count to three and set the hook on one. Southern Sting Ray -- Very common. Very good fighters, they turn sideways in the water. Watch out for the stinger or you'll be in the hospital. Small one can make great bait. Goliath Grouper -- Used to be called the Jewfish. they changed its name for obvious reasons. Totally protected as thier population in not great. They get to like 800lbs...I have only caught them to 250 lbs (estimate). They fight like a swimming volkswagon....very tough. I have seen a pic of one trying to EAT a 100lb blacktip shark. I'd be happy to answer other questions, but I'll stop for now before I get too long winded. Most of these pictures represent at least a 2-3 beer (or soda) long story.
rainbow Posted January 11, 2006 Posted January 11, 2006 I really like Boca Grande. Been Tarpon fishing there a couple of times and my biggest is a 150 caught a 3 am in the Boca Grande Pass. We always stay at the Gasparilla Inn, where do you stay? If any of you want to have a great multi species trip go there in the winter. Great weather and fishing. don't go there after June 1 or you could get hammered with a cane. Nice job on the sharks and goliath.
tippet7 Posted January 11, 2006 Posted January 11, 2006 You caught the grouper off a pier? Dang I have always thought those were in a little deeper waters. Man I am jealous. Those are some nice fish. did you son get to reel any of those bad boys in? or at least make an attempt. You are so stupid you threw a rock at the ground and missed.
Members hoover25 Posted January 11, 2006 Author Members Posted January 11, 2006 I really like Boca Grande. Been Tarpon fishing there a couple of times and my biggest is a 150 caught a 3 am in the Boca Grande Pass. We always stay at the Gasparilla Inn, where do you stay? If any of you want to have a great multi species trip go there in the winter. Great weather and fishing. don't go there after June 1 or you could get hammered with a cane. Nice job on the sharks and goliath. My family (not me) owns a place on the south tip of the island...you can see BG pass from the deck. I let my four year old try for snook, but not the sharks.....they almost pulled me in a couple times. The hurricanes are a pain, but the snook fishing after June 1 can be awesome. I have seen guys pull in 40" plus snook regularly.
Greg Posted January 11, 2006 Posted January 11, 2006 Hoover - Is it possible to fly fish for the snook around there? I've caught a few snook off the beach at our family condo in Clearwater FL - I've fooled around with a fly rod off the beach but never caught anything. The few snook I've caught were on a spinning outfit with a big silver spoon. Greg "My biggest worry is that my wife (when I'm dead) will sell my fishing gear for what I said I paid for it" - Koos Brandt Greg Mitchell
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