Today was one of those days. It was full surprises in many ways both good and bad. My day began like it usually does; up at 5am, on the water and underway by 6am in search of bait (Greenbacks preferably). After what seemed to be the net throwing marathon of a life time, I filled both wells full of really nice whitebait. Pleased with my results I took time to drink a bottle of water and clean up the boat before heading out to pick up my charter customers at Punta Rassa. It was a group of five people. They were really nice folks, all the way from Montana. This was going to be their first saltwater fishing experience and I was really excited to be the first Skipper to take them out.
As I pulled off the flat I noticed that the steering wasn't working so well. I quickly surmised that my hydraulics were failing. Not wanting to cancel, I limped the boat to the Punta Rassa docks and made some hasty repairs that involved a lot of steering fluid, wrenches, and some elbow grease. Thankfully, it worked and all was well or so I thought! When I finally lifted my head from the bilge I was greeted by what had to be 30 pelicans raiding my bait well. They cleaned me out! Note to self: Never leave your bait well open while there are marauding birds around. Thank goodness that they didn't get into the second well but unfortunately they had enough time to leave me a lot piles of well, let's just call it stuff. I quickly cleaned the boat again, thinking that my customers would be there any minute.
As it turned out that they called and told me that they were going to be a little late. That gave me some time to do some fishing of my own, which paid off in spades. I caught my personal best snook! It was the biggest to date. Like I said, the day was full of surprises and this was certainly a pleasant one.
Once my customers arrived we headed off to Redfish pass for the snook bite. Today there was a hard outgoing tide that the spawning snook just love. We started catching fish right away. The snook bite was hot! We landed multiple fish over 30 in. and a few over 35 in. Then the afternoon showers rolled in or should I say storms. We received over 3 inches of rain and most of the roads were closed. That's Summer time in Florida for you. The snook didn't mind though, and neither did John and his great family from Montana. Thanks John for the fun and for sharing your family's first saltwater fishing experience with me. All in all it was a crazy day, but a good day. So get up, get going, and" GO CATCH EM"!
Captain Jason Marsh
239-246-3579
www.anglerschoiceoutfitters.com
