Myself, Steve Brantley, and Calvert headed out of the St. Marks about 9:00 am last Saturday for the HHA event. We went East to some rocks near Peter's Rock and anchored up. To say that the action was consistent is a vast understatement. From about 9:30 to 12:00 or so, Steve and I were both in constant motion trying to keep up with Calvert - baiting hooks, passing rods around the boat with fish attached, and re-rigging lines.
I have no idea how many fish we caught, but included in the mix where - about 12 or more sharks, sea bass, a 24" trout that was so big around he looked like a torpedo, many blue fish, many lady fish, and some very large sea creatures that humbled us and we never caught a glimpse of them.
About 12:00 or so, the tide and the action slowed, and Calvert really wanted to go catch a grouper. So, with the wind still calm, we pulled anchor and headed South. About 8 or 9 miles out, we hit a spot where giant schools of very large baitfish rippled the surface for as far as we could see. We put out some rods and the action began again. Steve B's new reel got put to a severe test when a large Bonita decided to take his bait to Pensacola. I cranked the boat up and kept Calvert facing the fish as he slowly cranked in nearly every foot of line that was on that reel. I've never seen a reel empty so fast.
We trolled the bait schools and caught fish until we ran out of spoons due to the high speed cut offs near the leader knot. Then we anchored down over some live bottom and went back to catching sharks and ladyfish.
About 3:30 or 4:00, the wind picked up enough that a wave washed over the bow and through the boat. That was enough to convince us to head for the hill. The ride back in was wet and rough, but on the way home, I asked Calvert - "Next time, would you rather fish inshore and stay in the calm water, or go offshore after grouper and chance a rough ride?" He says he is ready for an offshore trip, so we may run out of Lanark.
Calvert really wanted to take his wife and daughter with him this year, but I was supposed to have another angler on board, who did not show up. So, rather than wait for next years HHA event, Steve and I plan to take Calvert and his family out of Lanark after some grouper as soon as we get a chance.
We only had a chance to snap four pictures. Here is my first attempt at posting them. If any other Captains have pics, please email them to me at sws@bdi-ae.com or bring them to the meeting on Thurs. I would like to put a slide show together to show the Rotary Club the results of their efforts. The Good Lord truly blesses this event each year.
