Gil Coombes

We started this weekend fishing the Inshore Division of the Frances Langford Memorial Tournament. With our game plan of getting a "slot" Snook in the boat and then going after our Trout and Redfish last. We started out on the 10 Cent Bridge tossing live greenies at the pilings. This method didn't take long to prove that it would produce fish. With "lines in" at 630 the first bait in the water took less than a minute before a nice sized "Gator" Trout took the bait and was in the box to be weighed in. We continued to work the area and the second bait had no longer hit the water and a monster snook well over the slot slammed the bait. With a big fish hooked up that was not a keeper and the tournament clock ticking down I threw on the brakes and broke the fish off and rerigged. As soon as the 3rd bait hit the water another monster took it and I once again broke it off. This action continued for over an hour and 15 baits with either over slot Snook or Goliath Grouper inhaling the baits as soon as they hit the water. With it looking evident that catching a "slot" fish was going to be nearly impossible we decided that we needed to make a drastic change. Fired up the Yamaha 150 on the Hewes and rocketed north to Harbor Branch and finding clear water. Within minutes we had the first Trout on the bait taking a DOA Shrimp. We continued to work the area since we were in an area that consistently produces Trout and Reds and it paid off! We put another very large "Gator" into the box and new we were now in the money. With rough water on the Indian River we opted to make the run back south to weigh in. We ended up placing third for the Inshore Div. just wishing we could have found that Slot Snook.

Fish Species: Snook, Trout
Bait Used: Greenies and artificial
Tackle Used: Crowder Rods with Okuma Reels
Method Used: Structure fishing
Water Depth: 2' -16'
Water Temperature:
Wind Direction: East
Wind Speed:

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Gil Coombes

About The Author: Captain Gil Coombes

Company: Smokin Em Charters

Area Reporting: Ft. Pierce/Stuart/Miami/Key Biscayne

Bio: Capt. Gil has been fishing for over 20 years from the waters of Delaware to Florida. With a passion for the sport, not only has he strived to become one of the best Offshore Captains to fish the Treasure Coast area but also one of the top Inshore Captains. Running a 45' Trojan Custom Sportfishand 37' Luhrs Sportfish out of the Ft. Pierce are and a 20' Hewes Flats he continuously is placing fish on the docks. From Sailfish, Dolphin and Wahoo fishing Offshore to Snook, Tarpon and Redfish fishing the Inshore waters. Now with an added charter location in the Miami/Key Biscayne area fishing a 30' Ocean Runner CC is able to offer charters and his fishing knowledge in that area as well. No other charter service can provide the enthusiasm for the sport or knowledge like the crew of Smokin Em Charters.

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Click Here For Past Fishing Reports by Captain Gil Coombes