Sep 10
Today we were in search of good eating fish and as much action as possible. So we loaded up Larry from South Carolina, Wayne from Tampa Florida, Craig from Houston Texas and Wilbur from Ohio a cooler full of beer and we were all set all we needed now was just a little luck.
As it turned out we had plenty of luck on our side.
We started out trolling the reef catching plenty of king fish and bonitos. As we got to a ship wreck off the coast of Holly Wood Florida we brought in all the trolling gear and sent down a live bait right down on the wreck and BAM the rod bent over and we were Hooked Up.
Wayne jumped in the chair and the fight was on. At first we did not know if Wayne had a fish on or if a fish had Wayne on. (LOL) this fish had no intentions of being caught but after a good 15 min of back and forth fight Wayne finally got this 40 to 45 pound greater amber jack to the boat.
Way to go Wayne and FYI we never did see to much more of Wayne after this fight he seemed to spend the rest of the trip relaxing on the couch in the AC.
After a few laughs and some high fiving we went back to bottom fishing only this time we dropped what we call a chicken rig which is 5 hooks in a row with a lead at the bottom.
We were trying to catch some snappers and that's just what popped up after our first drop.
We did a few more drops catching snappers and having some laughs.
We ended the trip by going off shore looking for some dolphin fish but sorry to say we never did find any dolphin.
I'm not sure why but this has been the slowest year for dolphin fishing I've ever seen. The only silver lining I can think of is that maybe next year will be twice as good.
Guys thanks again for fishing with us aboard the Hooked up and hope you guys enjoyed your fish fry.
Captain Taco (954) 764-4344 or toll free (877) SEA-4344
Sep 11
Today we had a shared charter with Francois and his brother Jean from Switzerland who had fished with us a couple days ago and Andy from Atlanta Georgia who now lives down here in South Florida and Danny and his son Cody from Lexington Kentucky.
We started out trolling the reef just trying to get a few fish in the box to break the ice but as it turned out trolling the reef was just not producing any fish.
We were talking about switching up and trying something different as I trolling over a ship wreck when all of a sudden we got a bite. Cody jumped in the chair and the fight was on. This fish was pulling harder than a king fish or a bonito. We figured it was a foul hooked fish so I slowed the boat down almost to a stop when all of a sudden I seen something way back on the surface and it was brown so I knew it was not a king or bonito. As Cody got his fish closer to the boat we could not believe what we had on. It was a 20 to 25 pound grouper. Holly cow a grouper ate a silver spoon. (A spoon is metal artificial bait)
This was the first time I've ever caught a grouper on a spoon. Never the less we were all happy about this strange catch. Way to go Cody.
We were all talking about our catch and joking around about it and I said we do this all the time aboard the Hooked Up as a matter a fact I said watch I'll do it again. (I was kidding) As we trolled around I made another pass over this wreck and I was more shocked than anyone else when BAM the rod bent over again and the fight was the same as the last one. This time Andy jumped in the chair and son of a gun another 20 to 25 pound gang grouper. Way to go Andy.
Well if it worked twice what the heck lets go get another one BUT that was not to happen as you can image I made about 1,000 more passes over this wreck but that was all it was giving up was the two big groupers.
Ok back to trolling the reef. Now it seemed as if the reef came to life Cody caught a big barracuda Francois and his brother were catching bonitos and king one after another and now things were clicking good aboard the Hooked Up.
We ended up with a box full of fish and everyone ate well today.
Thanks again to all of our anglers today. Today will be one of those fishing trips I will always remember.
Captain Taco (954) 764-4344 or toll free (877) SEA-4344
