So, even though the forecast looked iffy I decided to troll for grouper off Dog Island. Buddy had done very well on Saturday so what the heck.
Dropped the Oh Hell, Mechele! in the basin before dawn this morning and motored out, armed with plugs but no bait. I was hoping I wouldn't need any.
As I headed south, the seas were building and the wind was starting to howl pretty good. Seas started out at about 2' and quickly made it to fours, and more. Every wave brought spray, most of which was deflected by my canvas. Upon arriving at my trolling area, it was rougher than a cob. I dropped the plugs down, and immediately hooked two undersized gags, one on each rod. Between rockin and rolling I was getting hits, although taking green water over the bow when trolling into the wind wasn't so much fun.
Did pretty well overall, though, with a 28" gag, two 25" gags, and a 25" red grouper in the fish box. Got slammed, rocked, and cut off twice by I assume big grouper. Caught 5 sublegal gags and 3 or 4 sea bass on the plugs. Those sea bass have really got some stones to hit a bait bigger than them.....
Decided that four nice fish was enough, so headed in about noon.
The wind had died off about noon, and seas calmed very nice for the ride in. A beautiful day, even with the rough morning. Like trolling for grouper . . .
Luck,
EJ
The Fish Box . . .
