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Hit the water about 7:15, wind NE 10K, 1 foot chop, temp. 45, not bad turning into very nice.

Went to an area in 35' where a friend had caught 5 nice grouper last week and anchored up. Lots of bull sea bass, but after 10 of those and no grouper bites I decided it was time to troll. Put out the Stretches, and boom - a nice 30" gag in the box. Another run, and I added a 28" gag, then another, same size. A half hour more of trying this spot with no hits, then on to an area in 45'.

Dropped the plugs, another gag at 26", then finished off with a small one at 22". With a limit of gags in the boat and 10 bull sea bass, I headed in about 11:00. Tide was real low but I got in O.K., and headed for the barn.

While I like trolling for grouper this time of year because it is so productive and painless, but they just don't fight the same as they do bottom fishing. Sort of meat fishing, but hey, I saw grouper for $15.95/lb at Publix a couple of days ago, and I bragged today to the wife while I was cleaning fish.

She deflated me a little by reminding me that those fillets cost way more than that! Something about a new boat.........

Luck,

EJ

Nicely done, EJ.

EJ, sounds like an excellent day on the water. Good for you for having an early day. I just can’t seem to stop fishing when I’m out there and come in early. Guess that means I don’t get out enough …….?

I agree with your comment about trolling and meat fishing. Certainly bottom fishing rules in the grouper department IMO but it’s good they bite on the troll too.

Brian

Big Bend Brian wrote:EJ, sounds like an excellent day on the water. Good for you for having an early day. I just can’t seem to stop fishing when I’m out there and come in early. Guess that means I don’t get out enough …….?

I agree with your comment about trolling and meat fishing. Certainly bottom fishing rules in the grouper department IMO but it’s good they bite on the troll too.

Brian

Brian:

One of the reasons I head in early (usually no later than 1) is simply time and a long day - It takes me at least an hour to clean the boat in Carrabelle (I have always washed every area I can reach with soap and water), then 1.5 hours to drive back to Tally, then a hour to clean fish if I am lucky. When I get up at 4 to go fishing I like to finish by dark or before. Even yesterday, I was done about 5:15 p.m., still a long day.

This nice long weekend I have extra time to rest up, but normally if I go on Saturday I really need Sunday to recover for workday coming!

Luck to you,

EJ

Nice mess o fish

nice catch of good size grouper
yea I would rather bottom fish too but ya have to put meat in the boat to make it worth the $

Sounds alot like work to me, but I know it is at least enjoyable.
Good Haul

mjsigns wrote:Sounds alot like work to me, but I know it is at least enjoyable.
Good Haul

Yes. It's a tough job, but somebody has to do it.

EJ

EddieJoe wrote: I saw grouper for $15.95/lb at Publix a couple of days ago, and I bragged today to the wife while I was cleaning fish.

She deflated me a little by reminding me that those fillets cost way more than that! Something about a new boat.........