The Push for 100

[Ham]

Gulf Kingfish 

[Ham]

Southern Kingfish

[snagged in outlet 3]

Pinfish are the bait of choice for big snook down near fort Myers.  

[Ham]

Northern Kingfish 

[Ham]

60) Florida Pompano.   I have read that there is a very nice “run” of Pompano along the beach in the Spring. I did not expect much since I was 3 or so months late. 
I was throwing out past the first bar looking for a group of Pinfish I had seen while snorkeling. I got a lot more than I hoped for. 
Hard bite. Long runs. What did I have?

a couple minutes in I see that I have a pompano. On 2 pound line, with a 4 1/2 foot true UL rod. 
amazingly,  it worked out. I was able to beach it. While fumbling around trying to get my phone out and get a picture, the pampano threw the crappie jig and rode a receding wave to freedom.

i hope this will be the only fish in the thread without a picture. 

[Ham]

61) Black Nosed Shark  Lifer

After my surprise pompano the day before, I broke out the big guns, I set up my 7 foot Air Stream which is more of a Light than a UL. I had my usual 6 lb nano and 6 lb leader. 
I when with an 1/8 oz crappie jig head and a bigger piece of synthetic shrimp chunk to appeal to a better fish. I wanted another pompano for a picture. 

I waded out to the first bar and could cast out to just beyond the second bar. It didn’t take long and I got a heavy hit. Long peeling run ; I sure was glad I had the 6 lb line. A few minutes later and I’m still waiting to see my pompano. A couple minutes later and I finally see that I won the lotto. 
I had hooked my first shark. I sweated it out for a few more minutes until I could beach it and we went a little further up on the sand this time. 
my little crappie jig was in a perfect spot. You could just see it peeking out the corner of the sharks mouth I let him keep it. 
My first shark of any kind ever. 

[snagged in outlet 3]

2 hours ago, Ham said:

My first shark of any kind ever. 

How long is that beauty??

[Ham]

Hey Pete, probably about 30 inches or so. That species doesn’t get Huge. It was plenty for 6 lb line. 

[snagged in outlet 3]

Just now, Ham said:

Hey Pete, probably about 30 inches or so. That species doesn’t get Huge. It was plenty for 6 lb line. 

Oh yeah I bet that was a great fight!!!

[Johnsfolly]

3 hours ago, Ham said:

61) Black Nosed Shark  Lifer

My first shark of any kind ever. 

Sharks are such a cool fish!

With our failed offshore outing, I think that I missed my window to catch two species of shark including a dogfish this year. Dogfish stay local year round so I still have a chance to partially meet my 2020 goal.