Saturday afternoon I had made my decision to stay inshore around Palm Valley when I got a call from a friend that Eddie McGowan (well known JOSFC member & fisherman) was looking for some kids to take fishing as his invited crew had an unexpected change of plans that left Eddie without a Jr angler. I immediately called Eddie and within just a few seconds got a trip lined up on Eddie’s boat, a 210 Sea Pro aptly named Bite This.
Fathers Day: We left Mayport and hit the beach southbound looking for pogies-along with a few other boats. We drove quite a ways without seeing anything until Eddie made an astute observation that the other boats, at least 4 others either ahead or abeam of us, didn’t pick up on. With a single throw of the net we were welcoming 3 dozen frisky 8 inch inshore secret weapons into the live well.
Straight into the live well (photo by Casey)
Happiness is a live well full of these guys
We then ran to a favorite part of the beach that Eddie likes and started slow strolling. Things were slow at first and the water temperature was 76.5 °F-a tad chilly. The first hit was unusual and the drag slipped just for a split second and the rod tip was bowed but that was it. Since Casey was the designated first angler Casey got on the rod but there wasn’t anything fighting back as Casey reeled it in. However, at the boat we saw it was a LARGE Spanish mackerel but unfortunately it came unglued next to the boat. That was one large Spanish! Large enough to attack an 8 inch live mullet.
After awhile with no other action Eddie set a course for another area he likes to hit and within 30 minutes we were approaching it and we noticed the water had warmed to a little over 78 °F. After the first pass we circled back and then saw a huge surface commotion on a short line. Casey got on this rod just as the shotgun rod went off just screaming drag. Wahoo!! A double! The second fish was a much bigger fish and I got the rod to give to Kaitlyn which again she was a tad hesitant to take as the drag was screaming.
Double
Eddie & I then cleared the remaining lines and the kids started working their fish in. Casey’s was first to the boat.
Start of the gaff pull
In the boat
Casey & Eddie with the Casey’s first king of the day
I had to help Kaitlyn with the rod as she reeled so I didn’t get any photos of Kaitlyn fighting this fish. Up until now Kaitlyn had not caught a kingfish before so this was special. It took some team work to get the king to the boat and after a good gaff shot Eddie, who was using one hand to bring it into the boat, was in a stalemate with the fish as it struggled and his hand on the gaff was going further down toward the water. Just as I was starting to reach out to help, Eddie brought the fish over the gunnel and we all celebrated a nice king-Kaitlyn’s first king too!!
With a lot of hooping & hollering Kaitlyn’s first ever kingfish hits the deck!!
Kaitlyn, Mr. Eddie, and a nice solid 20 lber
Working end (quite the gape)
We trolled this area making a few more passes without any other strikes and Eddie decided to go to a spot in 55 feet. We struck lines and headed east. There were a few boats at this location including one boat that had just picked up their divers who were spearfishing. We put 5 live mullet back out and after the first pass we had another strike which was odd; it didn’t take any drag and it didn’t fight back-it was just heavy. I forget why but Kaitlyn got the rod and it took her a while to bring it in.
A little help (photo by Casey)
As we’re speculating about what species it is (guesses ranging from cuda, cobia, crevalle jack, or shark) Eddie see’s it and say’s it’s a dolphin and it’s lite up blue! After working it back and forth to the boat (with no jumps!) Eddie makes a good gaff shot and the cow hits the deck. That was a mistake as it’s jumping ALL OVER the place and it’s going ballistic. Eddie strategically positions himself between the dolphin and the open stern in an attempt to keep it from launching overboard and I’m off to the side- both of us using our feet as blockers (too funny). This little dolphin is going crazy flipping all over the place, throwing blood all over, its chaos, and we’re trying to keep it in the boat. It finally stop thrashing and Eddie gets a death grip on it. WOW that was crazy!! Albeit it’s a small dolphin, that was a perfect example of why they say to put a dolphin straight into the fishbox (we knew better….)!
Flipping CRAZY!!
All this from a little bitty 10 lber
We then get the cow cleaned up and Kaitlyn get’s her photo with her first dolphin ever. That was a fish to not forget!
Kaitlyn’s FIRST dolphin (Kailtyn & Mr. Eddie)!
Time is running out before lines out of the water but the next fish on finds Casey on the rod and it’s a cuda. After a short fight we box it for the tournament aggregate weight. We did a couple more passes with no other action and then pulled lines in at 3 p.m. and headed back to Mayport for the weigh-in. What a trip!
King & Queen treatment
At the dock the kids & I jump out and Kaitlyn and I are walking hand n’ hand together discussing her first kingfish and her first dolphin when Kaitlyn sums up the day by stating
“I’m never gonna forget this day!!”
At the JOSFC scale Kaitlyn’s kingfish came in at 20.8 lbs and her dolphin went 9.9 lbs. Casey’s king and cuda came in at 10.5 and 13.6 lbs, respectfully. Together the three of us with Mr. Eddie had an awesome day of fishing together and we had a lot of fun in the tournament.
I couldn’t have asked for a better Father’s Day!!
Hoo Yah!!
Brian
Good report.
