The 4th Annual Catch and release Fishing Tournament was Friday. Thursday night was dinner and silent auction at the Aquarium. If you have not had the opportunity to visit make plans, check them out at www.flaquarium.org.
My day started early getting bait at the Skyway Bridge then make the 30 mile run to downtown Tampa. A brisk E wind and thunderstorm made for a wet and long morning ride. Captain Steven and 25 charter Captains picked up our anglers at 830. An hour later Captain Steven was still sitting on the dock as my anglers had not arrived. Captain Mike Anderson of the Reel Animals came down the dock with 3 new anglers. I had the great pleasure of having 3 of the Florida Aquariums volunteers onboard.
With the wind blowing we stayed in the downtown waterways. I focused on nearby docks tossing frisky white baits. Dan was first to hook up, a lively snook jumping all over the place finally coming un buttoned at the boat. Brittany's (please excuse me as I am struggling to remember her name) rod bent big time, after 5 minutes of fighting Brittany was nowhere near landing the snook. Shortly thereafter I got a glimpse of the tail and I knew we had a good snook. Moments later the bruiser won the battle.
McKenzie was next to get into the action catching a 3 spine snook (catfish) then she hooked a jack that gave her all the fight she wanted! After several moves we moved to a rock wall where the tide was running stronger. The location looks really fishy but we had no action until Dan had a huge hit! The rod bent and reel screamed. Dan had his hands full and did a great job fighting a nice jack. Sadly like the snook he caught it got off as I tried to get the Boca grip on it. Bright and bold yellow colors and a solid 8 pounds at least. Pound for pound jacks are amazing fighters. Truly a memorable morning with 3 great people.
Now I had to cruise the 30 miles across the bay back to O'Neill's marina. I wasn't a mile into open water and realized it was unsafe to make the trip so I ran back to the Davis Island docks and tied up and let the storms pass by. 3.5 hours later I got back to my marina.
The weekend its back to tarpon fishing and chasing snook on the beaches and maybe see if the big redfish are still here.
Capt. Steven
