THE FISHING TRIP: February 24TH, 2012
Aboard the “REWARD WON” with Captain Wayne
Offshore Key Biscayne, Florida

Weather: sunny, 5 to 10 knot winds then to 15 knots later in the afternoon

Seas: Calm in the morning and around 2 to 4 in the afternoon

Water: Clear in the morning and less visibility in the afternoon

Fish catches: Small Amberjack, small Almaco Jack, Mutton snapper, trigger fish, a kingfish, and bonitos in the mix

Biggest size : Type : Amberjack around 7 lbs

Technique: Jigging and fishing with live and chunk white bait and speedos

Jigs :100-300 gram; pink worked the most on this trip.

This trip was a last minute one for me as the weather cleared up for Saturday fishing. The weather has been crazy around South Florida lately. Weak cold fronts and then as hot as summer time. This seems to have shut down most of the fishing. We had the VHF running all along the trip and heard other boat’s catches and most were the same “Pretty slow day today”. Then the wind picked up just a tad bit and a report of a Blue Marling and a couple of Sailfish with some AJ’s on the mix were heard. We started jigging with only bumps and missed fish, looks like the fish wanted slower jigging this day. A small AJ was caught on jigs, then on bait a small snowy came up and was released followed by a double hitter of muttons, and a trigger fish. As the day went on a tilefish, another mutton, and a king mackerel were landed. I did not see who caught them since I was loading up on spedoos for a coming trip. The mate put out a kite to see if would change our odds but unfortunately there was nothing interested on those live baits. On the last try we hit about 4 wrecks with jig quick no catch move fast to another and had no luck. Maybe next time. The captain tried hard again for us and were back at the dock at 4:30 in the afternoon.

Her are a few pics that I took:








Until next time

Nice

slow but still a go.


Thanks for the report Herbert

Nice color on the mutt

Thanks for the report, Herb. Was Chris the mate on this trip? Next trip I will put duck tape on his mouth so he doesnt say wahoo again and gives you a heart attack....

Nice report Herb, were the speedos in the chum slick?

Thanks guys.

Ron, those mutts did have a very nice color. Nelson, it was not Chris, it was Danny from another one of the charter boats in that Marina. Rory, yes they were in the chum slick. It was hard to get them interested on the sabikis but we got two dozen of them and I was left with most of it just enough for my back up bait.

Cool day of fishing for you guys. Guess you could see the weather change coming at you. Then a cool breezy afternoon. Your reporting method will make for some easy research in the future for those who do that kind of thing.

Thanks John, we sure did see the weather change as the cool winds started hitting us and the cloud wall was approaching. I should have taken a few pics of that.

Herb where the Mutts caught on jigs or bait?? Beautiful fish!!

These were caught on live pilchards. The other on a chunk of speedo. Ricky was getting some nice Vermies on speedo chunks I think.

Herb, Ricky, good job fellas. It looked like a great time to be out.

Always good to see them Muttons come up man, haven't been seeing too many of them around lately but soon enough that's going to change.

Take it easy.

wow!!! really worth the money when are you going again so you can sign me up

Thanks Juan

Floridahogfish, next trip maybe in a couple of weeks. I need to let my wallet rest a bit, LOL. If they do one before I will let you all know.

Here is a little video:

Very nice Herb

Thanks Ron

Herb, let us hit Capt. Wayne (he wanted to do it) the first open night of grouper season. We should do an all nighter & start to set something up now cause I know a few of us will always be ready for that!! Anything will be better than the Gulf Stream last year - Just need to pick up fluff as the mate

Nice pics and video Herb! Slow day, but fun, those squid jigs are real vermillions killers!!!!

Yeah Nelson, trips for Groupa opener already on the works.

The vermies do go nuts on those lucanus style jigs.

Hey Nelson....
SHHHHHHHH!

Nice video as usual Herb!!!

u and me both shud go and we can show them how to catch muttons with shrimp jigs

I ran out and Rick at Anglers told me he didnt have any in stock

Bring it on

LOL all good

LOL, I would love to see a mutton on a shrimp out there in 240 feet of water. But you will need an 8 ounce jig, LOL. The boat is open to everyone so go out and try.

Thanks Sehoon

I'm dropping sandfleas in 450. Lookout!!!!!!!

Man, why you giving the secret to catching tile fish?

I'm planning on going on their all day trip Sunday, any general idea of what/how many setups people are bringing on a trip like this?

I bring 5 sets and should only use one at a time

Just to give you an idea:

1-For jigging Saragosa 10K on OTI G3 300 gram rod
2-For jigging Saltist 4500H on OTI Fanthom 200 gram rod
3-For popping or plug casting Saltist 5000H on 8 foot custom
4-For live bait and chunk bait: an Accurate BX600 6:1 on a Calstar 800H
5-For trolling a Penn 6/0 or and Accurate 665H 4:1 on a 5 foot Penn Trolling rod (had it for >20 years and the tip has not broken yet)

Most people only bring 2 rods

Trolling rod, once you get pass Gov. Cut let them go. Herb, you still got the big lure? I left it in your crate & forgot to get it when we got off.

Have a rod ready for pitching out bait if the bite goes off. 20lb main & 50lb to 60lb leader 5/0 6/0 hook. (Fins) Have another for Flat-lining for kings & if you want another for yellow tails. (15lb) You pretty much can use one rod for all the above, but you wanna be ready if the bite goes off.

A bottom rod & braid backing might be a plus if he goes into deeper waters. Just have enough mono on your main line.

4-5 rods max.

Forgot about the jigging - that as well if that is what they going to do