Steinhatchee Inshore w/pics. Saturday, 10-22 05 (Cobia)

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Big Bend Brian
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Location: Ponte Vedra/Cedar Key

Steinhatchee Inshore w/pics. Saturday, 10-22 05 (Cobia)

Post by Big Bend Brian »

On Saturday morning the boat was ready by 6 a.m. but with showers on the radar we waited a bit for the rain to clear. Hurricane Wilma was to our south and the weather in our area was questionable with NOAA calling for Small Craft Warnings. Around 9 a.m., my sister-in-law Sylvia, myself, and four excited kids boarded the Bare Necessities and left the Gulf Stream Marina/Motel dock not quite sure what to expect from the wind and weather. The plan was to stay close to the river and either catch sharks using 3 blocks of chum or if the winds were light, to catch pinfish and put them out for trout. Jason (10), Nicky (birthday boy who turned 8), Casey (6) and Kaitlyn (4) were chomping at the bit to put a hurt on some Steinhatchee fish.

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Raining in Steinhatchee

Around channel marker # 22 a light rain began and by the time we hit the end of the No Wake zone it picked up to a heavy rain (good idea on waiting for it too clear up…). We continued idling offshore until the rain let up a bit then ran 2 miles to the north to the first Bird Rack. We anchored in 6 feet and put out a chum bag. As I was rigging rods the kids started catching catfish. As more catfish were caught I started getting behind the power curve keeping rods rigged and releasing catfish too. Too many catfish were coming over the gunnel with not enough time to re-rig the rods. Meanwhile, the rain is coming down pretty good at this point so the raingear goes on. After 40 minutes of rain and too many catfish, the kids continue to catch catfish (not a single pinfish) but the youngest is starting to get cold.

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Catfish break (Sylvia, Kait’s, & Casey)

We decided to head in, put on dry clothes, have lunch, and go back out when the skies clear.

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Grunts & Grits bristling w/ rods (fishing nearby)

On the way back we stop off at a favorite cobia marker and throw out a small catfish (still raining). After the third cast and drift I see the back of a fish come out of the water and take the catfish. As I set the hook the fish takes drag and heads for the marker. Here’s where it gets interesting. I tell Sylvia, who has never driven a boat, to put the boat into gear and motor forward to help pull the fish off the marker. The fish continues to take drag as I, even more excitedly, tell her to “Go forward!!â€
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GC
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Post by GC »

Great trip! :thumbup: :D
Nice report too!
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mjsigns
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Post by mjsigns »

What A Great Trip.... Doing what you love most with the people you love most and on a Little ones birthday cobia.... Those memories will be life-long... :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:
Time is the most precious commodity we have in life, stay focused.
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manley
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Post by manley »

You always post the best reports! :)
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Sir reel
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Post by Sir reel »

Simply an outstanding job of getting the most out of a trip and a beautiful job of reporting. Many thanks for including us! :thumbup: :D
"Good Judgement" comes from experience, ... and a lot of that..... results from "Bad Judgement".
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noleflyfisher
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Post by noleflyfisher »

Awesome report and wonderful pics. :thumbup: :thumbup:
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wevans
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Post by wevans »

:thumbup: :thumbup: :beer:
“Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them and you have their shoes.”
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ragansm1
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Joined: April 6th, 2002, 8:00 pm

Post by ragansm1 »

Great report!! Where is a bird rack 2 miles north of Steinhatchee. Have never saw one that close.
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Fighting Conch
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Post by Fighting Conch »

You have a hardy family - and created for yourselves a great experience. Congratulations.
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dave7
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Location: Tallahassee

Post by dave7 »

outstanding. :thumbup:
"The charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope." - John Buchan
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