I started collecting bait very late as I had many family outings that preventing me from going in the search for bait on a daily basis. I usually start one week before the trip and load up on as many fresh baits as possible. This year it got tough I looked for goggle eyes and spedos but was only able to get a few goggle eyes and a few baby bonitos. That was not a problem as I was planning on jigging in the daytime and using baits at night time only. Below is my bait setup at one of the local piers and before you ask there isn’t a specific pier where you can get your bait, you must visit all of them and then when you find the bait you go there as often as possible.
Before I loaded up the car I made sure to include 3 pitch rods, 2 bottom rods, and 3 jigging rods and one of the jigging rods to double as a heavy grouper rod. The Capt had contacted me through the office as he was out there fishing and told me to bring heavy weights as the current was very strong. I notified everyone and was glad I did since some times I needed to use 2 pounds to keep my bait on the bottom, but vertical jigs of 200 grams and up were no problem to hit the bottom.
We got to the boat and as always it was on to the Hogfish Grill for a nice Hogfish lunch and a drink. Once lunch was over it was back on to getting the boat loaded. Sorry for the pic below it is not meant to offend anyone but its towards Captain Rare who on the last minute made us all look for a replacement. I know he was glad to see this picture. He was missed as he is always part of the fun.
With everyone there all the trucks, cars, and vans were parked it was time to go on this adventure.
While on the boat, we all got together upstairs and talked about the plans and giveaways of goodies donated by Osage. Everyone got a bag with 3 items or more in them, randomly given to everyone of the fishermen. Plus a white hat in case they needed one.
We got there early morning and the bite started. Here is William with a nice Red Grouper.
Jordan with a Mutton Snapper.
I hooked up a decent Scamp Grouper on the slow pitch jigging depot jig right before sunrise.
Eugene hit it hard with this nice Porgy.
I kept on the slow pitch jigs and hooked up on this Amberjack that was released.
Dan got a nice Red Grouper while jigging.
I saw some top water action so I threw an H4L Wingman to get me this nice Black Fin Tuna.
Alex got this Grouper pool winning Fire Truck Red Grouper.
On Jose’s first trip he hooked up nice on the Red Grouper as well.
Well, morning have to start with nice fishing and a nice breakfast right? So here my my custom breakfast by Chef Chad. Here is his menu.
https://yankeecapts.com/yankee-capts-galley/
The day went on slowly but surely, Robert hooked up another nice Red Grouper.
Double hook ups triple hook ups were still seeing around noon.
Dan got a Nice Scamp Grouper right before we drifted into sand and the the Slippery Dicks started to show up.
The Red Grouper kept on coming I think just about everyone got a few of them or even their limit.
As I kept on and off with the slow pitch jigs I hooked up another Blackfin Tuna.
Another nice Scamp Grouper this time by Robert.
Robert did great with the slowpitch jigs and his 10 bucks plastic squid, here he is with a nice wahoo.
The Shake and Bait double D’s Dan and Dan also did great vertical jigging all styles.
As you know all good things must end, it was our last chance at fishing and we we got to the spot it was filled with hundreds of Barracudas and Amber Jacks, but William was able to get through them and catch this last mutton of the trip. after that it was home bound.
And what a way to enjoy it with a nice beer, meal, new and old fishing buddies! Even if there were a few name callings, a few screams for getting lines crossed, a few “HEY who drank my Gatorade? In the end we all ended up smiling and drinking the night away on the way home.
When we got back to the dock it was only a short wait to get our fish. The totes were overloaded with them and we had had a nice sleep before we got to the docks in the morning.
Here is Donald who won biggest Snapper with this about 14 pound Mutton Snapper.
Not only did he win the pool for biggest snapper but also a nice goodie bag with the Havana Club Rum donate by Captain Rare and Churchill cigars donated by Osage.
Here is Robert again with biggest fish. He also won the pool for biggest fish and a goodie bag with a Stag knife, braid tantrum, Yo-Zuri Chrystal 3d, and detachable rod butt.
Below is Alex with biggest Grouper. He won a bottle of 12 year Old Flor de Caña Rum donated by Suarez Liquors located at 799 West 29 st Hialeah FL 33012 and Churchill cigars donated by Osage.
Mario got a goodie bag from donations by Osgage and my self. This was for catching the first grouper.
Victor got a goodie bag from donations by Osgage and my self. This was for catching the first Mutton Snapper.
Robert got a goodie bag from donations by Osgage and my self. This was for catching the first and only wahoo.
I hope you have enjoyed the report. It was awesome fishing with you all! Keep your lines Tight and until next time!
And my apologies to Captain Greg for getting so loud on the last day while coming back home, but we threw a party to celebrate our success.
A great thanks to:
Captain Greg for making this trip affordable to all of us.
Osage for donating the vast amounts of items for the giveaways
Captain Rare for supplying the rum for our celebration and for biggest mutton
Suarez Liquors for supplying the 12 year old Flor de Caña rum for biggest grouper
