Had a fun day fish'in the flats with Dad and friend, JIm. Got on water about 9 am, tide rising and water rough on flats. Stopped at 2 favorite spots and only got 2 short trout and short black bass. Made it to another good spot toward Aucilla and finally got a keeper on white gulp. Drifted in same area, just passed a crab trap and Wham! Big trout. Then Dad gets another biggun, about 18''.
By this time we are real happy and suddenly hear the unmistakeable sound of a rod going over the side-TWWAANNGG!!
I said, DAD, a big fish just stole your pole! We played around for probably an hour trying to drag that rod or line up, lost a big snatch hook on bottom, had another big trout chase a sinking mirrolure used to drag for the line, finally Jim hooks the line on his jig and brings up the line, pole, and guess what- the 18'' trout is still on the line!
We pulled him over the side like a hand line, box him up, and went on to get 10 good trout in all. But they bit slow most of the day. Also got a keeper flounder 13'' , keeper black bass 10.5'', and something none of us expected, Jim lands a 14'' pompano.
About 1:30 pm it got slick, then very hot. Water temp was 83 deg. and bite almost stopped. Got several hardhead cats, blue runners, had something cut 20 lb. test spiderwire. Heard several big cobia slosh the top and threw to some but no hookups. The schools of jacks and blu runners are still out there working the top. Left water at 3 pm, tide going out fast. Made it home, cleaned fish and boat, now I'm one tired white boy. Fun day. Highlight was getting the pole back with fish stilll on!
