My fishing date with my daughter fizzled out at the last, so I wound up going by myself. Tide was very low right at dawn, and the North wind was blowing, although not hard. Even so, I didn't think I could get the Oh Hell!, Mechele out of Lanark under those conditions, so I put in at Carrabelle, Dockside. Even there, it was a little dicey, but did O.K. although quite cool (45) at 7 a.m. Putted out of the river mouth, then buzzed across the bay, out the pass, and offshore. Wind was about as forecast, 10k or so, and a bit choppy as I headed SE from East Pass right into the rising sun. To first area in 45', where I put out two stretches and soon had a really nice (29") gag in the boat, then another at 26", then nothing for a while. A short, then nothing much for an hour or so. Tried anchoring once, not a bite on bait.
Headed east, still in 45', and boxed one more, at 24, and another at 26". Continued east, to a popular area, where several boats were trolling. One more zing, and I had my five. Time to head in at 1 p.m. Wind had dropped some, but still close to 10k out of the N. Zipped close to the beach at Dog Island, always fun for me to dodge the sandbars and appreciate how lucky we are to be able to live and boat in such a fine area.
Rounded the corner and made it back to the ramp about 1:30. A fine day to be on the coast. Stopped in Crawfordville on the way back at Hammaknockers for some take home barbeque, as I wouldn't be cooking the fish tonight. Just got the fish cleaned by dark, and hit a nice warm shower after I vacuum packed the fillets. Should last me for a while, and just nice to be able to troll quality fish up.
Regards,
EJ
Carrabelle Grouper Trolling 11-18
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