St. Marks Lighthouse 7.10

[Badbagger]

The wife and I put in at the lighthouse this morning about 6:30. It was flat as glass. Started out in about 5' of water. The wife tossed out a Gulp with a cork and had a keeper within 2 minutes. I tossed out a Zara Spook and got slammed on the first cast. We went fish for fish for a good while while losing some and a few shorts but not many. We ended up limiting out by 10:15. I tossed a blue & white Zara Spook out just over a big commotion and then WHAM it was on. My 7' Ugly Stick was bent in half and my Penn Battle 5/0 had line peeling off it faster than I could adjust the drag. The run went on for somewhere in the area of about a minute and the fish was all over the place. In the end, the fish and I parted ways WITHOUT him making it to the boat. I have no idea what it was. It was BIG what ever it was so I'm going to guess a Red or a Speck. It's been a long long time since I've had a fish do that to a rod. He's still out there lol and we're going back to find him soon. All in all, the top water action was HOT. Almost as hot as the damn sun even under the t-top!

[silverking]

Since you didn't mention any jumps, I'm guessing a big jack crevalle or possibly a cobia or shark. Nice thrill, regardless. Sounded like a good morning.

[bbb]

I've had a cobia hit my topwater plug about 10 feet from the boat before. They fight really good on 10# test and a baitcaster.

But if it was a fast swimming fish, think Jack or big Spanish.

How was the visibility on the flats?

[Badbagger]

Thanks and it was a really good morning. No jumps, one big commotion and it was on. And fast? Greased lightning! Water clarity was actually pretty decent. A fair amount of bird activity and a visit from FDLE lol. Officer was a pretty decent guy and we chatted a bit about working in law enforcement for the state which is also what I do aside from being a PI.

[FishWithChris]

FDLE stopped you? In aboat marked as fdle? Or was it FWC? Interesting.

We'll be out there in the am

[Badbagger]

Boat was marked FDLE. The officer was FWC. Not sure where you are going but we stayed basically dead in front out the lighthouse and drifted with the outgoing tide. Once we hit the buoys and close to 12+ ft of water, we made our way back to the 4' to 5' mark which is where we did our damage. If you catch a beast with a blue and white Zara Spook, it's my lure lol!

[FishWithChris]

I'll make sure to bring it back with me tomorrow

[Badbagger]

Thanks lol.

[mjsigns]

... Water clarity was actually pretty decent...

.....What is decent water clarity measured in feet and inches? What was the average water temperature?
Either way it sounds like an excellent trip if the captain is out fished by his wife !

[Badbagger]

Water temp was 80. We were able to see down about 3' give or take.

[FishWithChris]

didn't find your spook, but we did hook up to a couple niiiiiiiiiiice sunrise reds this morning somewhere east of the lighthouse!