Lets get straight to the daily reports.
Monday (11/20) David Larson and his friends Bud, Joe, and Keith from Minnesota fished a three quarter day trip. We were presented with a light
north current and wind from the NW/NNW @ 14 - 23 knots. Bait fishing was a snap with the herring at Government Cut being very cooperative. Everyone got in on the action and contributed to filling the livewell.
Our first drift started in 100' just north of the Cuban Hole and we were pushed offshore very quickly. Once we reached 200', I worked the kite back inshore to 115' and set up our second drift. The first action came at 160' on the downrigger. David made quick work of an eight pound kingfish on a 12# spinning outfit. The next drift was made without any excitement. While working the kite baits back in to shallower water, a sailfish ate the goggle eye on the long kite in 168'. Keith got to pull on the fish for a few minutes until the sail made its third jump and threw the hook. We immediately put out two herring on flatlines and slow trolled them in to 125'. As we made a turn, both flatlines got hit and we had a double header of sailfish solidly hooked up. Keith and Joe each caught and released their first sailfish. We continued to work the 120 - 200 foot range with no other action other than birds picking our baits off the surface until it was time to head back to Spinnaker Marina.
Thursday (11/23), James Snelgrove along with Roberta, Hank, and Averil got in a half day of fishing. The herring at Government Cut were playing a little hard to get, however, a quick run out to the bent range marker had us quickly topping off our livewell. Roberta and Averil had the hot hands with the sabiki rods and James finally got the hang of catching the herring.
We ran offshore and started outside of the Cuban Hole. We had a light north current and with the wind coming from the NNW/N @ 13 - 17 knots, it made for some bumpy seas. We got a bite on the first drift and James caught a large summer size bonito. It wasn't to long before we had one seasick angler. They hung in there for another drift and we got the sailfish we were looking for. Once again, James fought the fish as the others were busy holding on, taking pictures, and not feeling to well. After a quick boat side picture, the fish was released and the decision was made to call the trip at the half day mark. Despite some very heavy live chumming, we got no other hits in the final half hour. Once we reached calmer water, the symptoms of motion sickness disappeared and the one angler felt like normal again.
Friday (11/24), Jeff Godel treated his friend Bob Seltzer to a fishing trip. Bob is normally a casual boater and had not done any fishing. The herring returned with a vengeance at Government Cut and Bob caught on very quickly to the technique of using the sabiki rig. He and Jeff quickly filled the livewell and we added a final baker's dozen for good measure.
The wind today was NW/NNW @ 13 - 18 knots. Combined with a south current, we had 1 - 2 foot seas. The action was terrific and was so good, that I couldn't get a bait out on the kite before we got a hit on either a flatline, downrigger, or both. I finally just pulled the kite in and fished flatlines and the downrigger. We started with a kingfish. Then Bob was tested by his first sailfish. He passed with flying colors. Next, it was a 10 pound dolphin, followed by another kingfish. Next drift was two more kingfish. As we drifted out a bit deeper, the bonito found us and the fish we were fighting had buddies with it, so it was very easy to get a second and then a third fish hooked up. After the third bonito, both Jeff and Bob said no more. The sum total for the half day trip was 1 sailfish, 1 dolphin, 4 kingfish, 3 bonito, several chopped baits, a couple of mono leaders cut off, and two tired anglers. All the action came in the 110 - 180 foot range south of the Cuban Hole.
Saturday (11/25), 11 year old Luke Langston was treated to an offshore fishing trip by his grandfather, John Burrows. Luke had a blast catching herring and his grandfather was amazed at how easy it was. The herring today were on the smaller side, however, they were perfect kingfish size baits.
The wind today was from the NNW/ENE @ 10 - 16 knots. Mostly, it came from the NE. This had the seas beginning to build. Once again, like yesterday, the current was south. Within minutes of putting out the first baits, Luke caught a bonito. Then the downrigger rod got hit and we were making good progress until the fish ran under the boat and cut us off. Next drift, we got hits on the flatlines and downrigger that didn't hook up. We got more hits on the flatlines that didn't hook up and it was beginning to get a bit frustrating. Finally, the downrigger got hit and hooked up solid. This time Luke prevailed and put a nice 10 pound kingfish in the box. On the next drift, the downrigger scored again and this time John fought the kingfish. Meanwhile, the bow flatline got hit and finally hooked up to another kingfish. Then as if someone turned off the switch, the kings shut off. We ran out deeper and found some weedlines in 250 feet. They produced no action. I slow trolled back to 200 feet and set up a drift. At 145 feet, the bow flatline took off and John was hooked up to a sailfish. Luke got his video camera out and got some footage when the fish got close to the boat. The sail posed for a quick picture and was released to give someone else on another day the same pleasure John had just gotten. That was our last hit of the day and it ended with 1 bonito, 3 kingfish, and 1 sailfish.
The sailfish and kingfish are here. Dolphin are migrating through our area as they head south. The cold fronts are starting to line up and come through on a semi regular basis. The fishing is good and it's time to book a trip. Give me a call for details.
Another year has quickly passed by and we are fast coming up on the Holiday Season. Gift Certificates are available for that hard to please angler in your life. They make a very special gift. Call me for details and thrill that special someone with a fishing trip gift certificate.
Do you want to fish with Goggle Eyes, but don't know how to catch them or just don't have the time to catch them? Then there is good news!! Captain Gil Gutierrez and I now have goggle eyes for sale on a reservation basis. Call 305 965-9454 for details. Would you like to have a pen full of these great baits in the canal at the back of your house so you can just load them in your livewell and go fishing? We'll install the pen and fill it with your order. Call 305 965-9454 for details. With a minimum order, we'll deliver the gogs to your cage or boat in the Haulover to Government area. Call 305 965-9454 for details. Do you need gogs for the up coming sailfish and kingfish tournaments? Call 305 965-9454 for details and to reserve your baits. Let Captain Gil and I take all the mystery and lose of sleep on your part out of the equation for you. We'll do the work and you'll reap the rewards of fishing with these highly sought after baits.
See you on the edge!!