Terry Frankford

Fishing Report 11/28/2007 – Capt. Terry Frankford

King Mackerel, Spanish Mackerel, Lesser Amberjack, Barracuda, and Little Tunny have been on the near shore artificial reefs off of Sarasota. Scaled Sardines, Pinfish, and Finger Mullet have been the baits used aboard the Reelin & Chillin for near shore trips.

Redfish, Ladyfish, Snook, and a few Sheepshead are around docks, mangroves, and grass flats in shore. Scaled Sardines, and hand-picked shrimp have been the baits of choice aboard the Reelin & Chillin.

Just a quick review of a few trips aboard the Reelin & Chillin this week:

David and Amy Stewart with Amy's brother John Duran mixed it up a little with near shore and in shore action. Starting at an artificial reef just off Lido Key Spanish Mackerel, and Bluefish showed up to provide some great light tackle action. Amy picked up the big one, an eighteen pound King Mackerel she caught using only fifteen pound test line. In shore David picked up a nice twenty inch Sea Trout, and John wrestled a four pound Sheepshead from a dock in Little Sarasota Bay.

Dave Mathias, David DeFratus, and Alan Sutcliffe enjoyed a six hour near shore trip with slow but steady action. We were armed with Finger Mullet, Pinfish, and Scaled Sardines for live baits and the MG-CD11 Rapala's for lures. We headed to M5 first where Alan and Dave picked up a couple Little Tunny's trolling the Rapala's. Anchoring up for a short time didn't provide much action with the exception of Dave's Barracuda that went about thirty inches. We then headed to M7 where right off we ran into feeding Little Tunny. Dave hooked up on one and barley got it to the boat - a huge Barracuda swiped at it lacerating it's tail section. No sooner after anchoring up we saw a school of Lesser Amberjack that were hungry for our Scaled Sardines and Pinfish. We landed several, however only three made the slot - the rest were to big. David also picked up a Cuda just over thirty-six inches.

Dan and Doug Cormier hit the Silvertooth reef with me for a morning trip and the action was great. Spanish Mackerel kept them busy in between the four Little Tunny and Doug's big King Mackerel. These fish were caught using fifteen pound test line making for great light tackle action. A few times we had to chase down the fish because the line was screaming off the reel so fast.

Ben & Kellie Evans had none stop action on a near shore reef just off Big Pass in Sarasota. The Spanish Mackerel were reelly on, they couldn't resist the Scaled Sardines being chummed around our boat. Fifteen plus Spanish Mackerel were caught on the trip. Kellie then hooked into a screaming ten pound King Mackerel it almost stripped the line off her reel, however she did manage with great angling skill to get the fish to the boat. Then it was Ben's turn, he hooked into a seventeen pound King and we chased it all around the reef before Ben finally got it under control - Ben won the battle and it was King on the grill for a pre Thanksgiving dinner.

Tight Lines & Good Times, Capt. Terry Frankford

Reelin & Chillin Charters Inc.

941-228-7802

www.charterfishingsarasota.com terry.frankford@verizon.net

Fish Species: King & Spanish Mackerel, Amberjack, Little Tunny, Barracuda, and Redfish
Bait Used: Scaled Sardines, Pinfish, Shrimp, and Finger mullet
Tackle Used: St Croix rods, Okuma rods & reels, Betts nets, Evolution rods
Method Used: Spin casting and trolling - live bait and lures
Water Depth: Between 2' and 12' in-shore & 30' and 50' off-shore
Water Temperature: 68
Wind Direction: Varied
Wind Speed: 5-15 knots
David caught this big Cuda using only 15lb test line
David caught this big Cuda using only 15lb test line

Great on the table - this crew picked up some nice Lesser Amberjacks
Great on the table - this crew picked up some nice Lesser Amberjacks


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Terry Frankford

About The Author: Captain Terry Frankford

Company: Reelin & Chillin Charters Inc.

Area Reporting: Sarasota

Bio: Fishing experience in the Sarasota area for over thirty years - mostly salt water inshore and nearshore. Became a full time guide in November of 2003 after retiring from Verizon Communications as a Network Planning Engineer. U.S.C.G. licensed Master #1125021 – includes Commercial Assistance Towing. Completed Auxiliary boating Skills & Seamanship course. Certified in Senior Lifesaving, Advanced First Aid, CPR, and Open Water Scuba Diving.

941-228-7802
Click Here For Past Fishing Reports by Captain Terry Frankford