It was another one trip week, but it was a grand time with some great new customers. My party was Herb Smith and his lovely wife, Beth, of Baltimore, Maryland. Herb is a college professor, and an avid fisherman. He has been on many guided trips over the years, and was looking for a good guide in this area. I hoped I'd fill the bill.
Herb and Beth weren't real keen on getting up with the chickens, so we agreed to meet at Punta Rassa at 0730 hrs. I'm always up before the chickens anyway, so I was at the ramp and on the A span throwing the castnet before the sun was up. We'd been in a bit of a warming trend, and I figured there should be plenty of bait, even though it would be small.
And, there was plenty of bait, and it was for the most part small. I worked my way across the A span throwing at each pylon on the down-current side. I was about done, and at the third pylon from the west end when I made a major hit that had a lot of beautiful bait in it. It was a nice way to end the bait routine, and gave me some nice baits to toss.
I was back at the dock well before Herb and Beth showed up. I wasn't thrilled with the tide we had to fish, which was outgoing for most of the trip, but it looked as if we'd been blessed with a nice weather day, and I hoped we could turn some of that live bait into fish. I'd planned on targeting snook and winter trout unless Herb indicated otherwise.
As soon as I met Herb and Beth I knew it was going to be a fun day regardless. They were really nice folks and good company. It was fun for me to have Herb share his insights about other guides he'd be with, and why he liked or disliked them.
Our first stop was a a beautiful spot pretty close to home. It can be hot as blazes or cold as ice, and this morning it was cold as ice. We did get marginal interest in our chum, but I don't think we caught the first fish there. We moved on to the Sound.
At our second stop it wasn't a whole lot better. We did catch a couple of trout, the first snook of the day, and a mangrove snapper or two, but the fish just weren't ready to eat. I promised Herb and Beth I wouldn't take them where there weren't fish! After fishing a few spots along a beautiful mangrove shoreline, we moved on. I was looking for action!
Our third spot was the charm. We had snook busting glass minnows way back under the overhangs. And, they were more than willing to crush our live chum. We had plenty of snook mixed with quite a few mangrove snapper. If the snook didn't get on the bait pretty quickly, the snapper would devour it. I had to move the boat a time or two in order to get a good angle to present our baits back in the mangroves. Every good cast was rewarded. Once it tapered off, we moved a short distance to another spot, and were again back in the action.
This time it was snook and big winter trout. In fact, Herb was more excited about the trout than he was the snook, and repeatedly mentioned that he hadn't seen trout like these back home in decades. These trout were running 3 to 5 pounds, and were nice to see. I don't know how many snook and trout we caught there, but it was a great bite for some time. But, like all good things, every good bite eventually comes to an end.
At our next spot, which would be the last stop of the day, we again had good snook and trout action. Herb was really enjoying both fish, but Beth had for most of the day been out-fishing him. But, he made a good run on Beth toward the end of the day and drew things about even before we headed to lunch. His last snook was the best of the day, and it was on that nice 27 inch fish that we decided to end the day on a great high note, and head to lunch.
We had a fantastic lunch at the Waterfront Restaurant, and from Herb and Beth's comments, I'd say it lived up to the billing. It certainly did for me. It was the perfect end to what had been a near perfect day with a great couple. And, they were both good students and skilled anglers, which made my job that much easier. I look forward to their return.
Finally, it has been a very tough year in this business, and for most folks, as well. I've heard stories of countless guides around Florida giving up on the business, and our ranks have thinned here, as well. I want to thank each and every one of my friends and customers who have made it possible for me to be here now, and in the past. And, I want to wish each of you a most blessed Christmas, and a 2009 full of good health, great hope, and renewed prosperity.