After a client had to cancel, I had the itch to go anyway so I got together a last minute crew for Saturday and we left the dock approx 7:15. As usual, stopped off at D.I. Reef and loaded the livewell with pinfish and assorted other baitfish and headed due south to 100ft
![8)](./images/smilies/icon_cool.gif)
As we made the 1 hour, 15 min trip I was checking the Sirrus weather radar and it looked like the few morning storms were dying out and we would have a good day. Of course, as anyone who was on the water on Saturday will testify, that all changed around 1:30. But first we were able to hit three holes that were showing some fish, both on the bottom and what looked like snapper holding about 20ft off. First drop produced a nice Red Snapper that went 14lbs on the Boga. It was the first time out for Sherman and the biggest fish he has ever caught!
![;-)](./images/smilies/002.gif)
![Sherman's Red Snapper!](./download/file.php?id=430&sid=702576c41f79988ffaf6868643986554)
- Sherman's Red Snapper!
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The snapper hit a small live pinfish on the bottm. I had some of the guys using cut bait/squid and holding off the bottom and some with live bait on the bottom. We put a couple more nice ARS and a couple more decent Red Grouper in the box before moving onto the next stop. That is where we landed some very nice Red Grouper. We had 2 go 28inches and approx. 15lbs on the Boga, including this one that Gary caught.
![:D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
![Gary's 15lber!](./download/file.php?id=431&sid=702576c41f79988ffaf6868643986554)
- Gary's 15lber!
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We put a couple more in the box before we started catching short Gag and Red grouper
![:-?](./images/smilies/icon_confused.gif)
Once we started releasing fish, the big bite stopped, so we decided to try the next stop. Once we got anchored for the third time, we had a triple hook up instantly, all three were nice 22-23 inch ARS
![:lol:](./images/smilies/icon_lol.gif)
Then we began catching short grouper again. It was about this time that I began taking serious note of the darkening sky to the West. I once again pulled up the weather radar and new immediately that we were in for a ride. The squall line stretched from Lanark in a straight line south out to 50 miles. No way to go around it, no way to out run it, time to batten down the hatches. I told everybody to keep fishing while I made preparations. About 15 min. later, I pulled everyone off the deck and up into the helm and/or cabin, pulled anchor and began idling into the mess, my preferred method of riding out a storm. Of course the seas became quickly sloppy and confused and the wind gusted to about 35-40, but the worst part was the lightning which was striking every couple of minutes for about 10-15 minutes. Once that was over, it was mainly rain and sloppy seas. We had intended to be back between 3 and 4 so we had to leave earlier than planned due to the conditions not allowing us to make as much time.
Anyway, we made it back safe and sound and we all had a good time despite the "Storm"! Back at the dock, we had 7 Red Snapper, 5 Red Grouper and a couple Lane Snapper. All were quality fish which made for a nice box. :lick
![IMG_3471.JPG](./download/file.php?id=432&sid=702576c41f79988ffaf6868643986554)
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![IMG_3472.JPG](./download/file.php?id=434&sid=702576c41f79988ffaf6868643986554)
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