Happy New
2012 started with a double header back to back charters starting at 8am then picking up a new group at 1pm. The morning could not been any more beautiful with slick calm waters and a pretty sunrise. Bait (live greenbacks) were once again very easy to gather. At this time a year ago I was having to purchase shrimp for most trips. And while shrimp is a great bait it's the greenbacks that are taking the big gator trout.
My anglers today 2 Father Son Teams Stewart and Trip and Tom and Cale had a plan for first, biggest and most fish. We were targeting spotted sea trout in 4-6' water a grass flats just a short run from O'Neill's Marina in the Ft. Desoto area. Locals will remember just 6 years ago we had a devastating Red Tide the decimated the trout population. Today the population is flourishing.
Stewart had the first trout but it fell off prior to getting into the boat. You all know the saying if its not in the boat it doesn't count! The action was steady from the start. We would catch 4-5 trout then the action would slow and I would let us drift to another section of sandy potholes. Rigging was 3' of fluorocarbon leader with 1/0 circle hooks 3' under a float.
As it was time to head back Tom spotted a shark and watched it hammer his bait. The drag began to scream and a few minutes later Tom had bragging rights on the largest fish a 3' Bonnethead shark. Tom and Cale won the overall fish count 21-19. Great group of guys and young men.
Captain Steven Markovich
