BigBendFishing.Net

My family and I got hooked up today with a nice couple during the Hands Helping Anglers event. We has a great time even though we had to head in a little earlier than expected by a storm in the south. We managed to send the two home with a few trout and a pompano. This was the first time a pompano has visited my cooler. We caught it in about 4' of water on the west flats. Is this common? I'de sure like to catch some more. Too bad tomorrow's weather won't let me get out to give it a try.

That is a jack cravelle. Don't want to eat that!!!

Ah, bummer. I researched and could figure it out. It seemed like a Pompano based on the pics I saw. How can you tell them apart. It seemed the Jack's have more of a squared off head. Perhaps it's the other way around.

Pompano, like to swim in fast moving, clean water, generally below 82 degrees. Pompano bodies are usually all silver in color, Jack's will have brown and yellow in the bodies. Jacks have a give away black spot usually behind the pectoral fin. The best way to cook pompano is little mojo marinade and garlic on the grill. Best way to eat jacks, is to marinate over night in mojo, fresh garlic and then on a cedar plank. Cook them on a super hot grill, for 1.5 hours then get some salsa, throw the fish out, then eat the cedar plank.... Other note, I had a blast at that event, even though my angler was a no-show.

Them folks try eatin that Jack and they'll never eat a Pomp I brought one home ta try once, couldn't get past the filleting before I throwed it to the cats and they wouldn't eat it neither

Pompano or jack it was still a good fight. I took my angler along with his wife and helper out yesterday for the hands helping anglers event. Had decent action until the weather kicked up. A few trout and a shark that hit a free lined pin out the back on a ballon. The excitement on there faces when the drag started screaming and the 3ft black tip was aboard was worth every bit of my time. It's a shame the weather limited us to bout 3hrs of fishing. The bite started to get good just as the front was rolling in. Look forward to doing it again next year!!

We had a great time as well. I had 2 anglers on board, but because of the looming clouds we never made it past 27 bar. We caught a few jacks and 2 big blue fish. And of course, about a hundred catfish. We had a double hookup, looked like a chineese fire drill. Both fish under the boat, lines twisted with a blind guy and another fella that couldn't move around the boat quickly. Lost of fun. We also lost a couple of big mystery fish. It was good seeing everyone, enjoyed the adult beverages at the cleaning table. See y'all next year.

I had a blast, helping out where I could. Since my angler was a no show, I offered to take one of the coordinators out. Hung around the 17 bar, cause of weather. Bite was slow to nonexistent, i was marking fish, but couldn't catch a buzz if I had a bottle of Jim beam in front of me. Moved back in to #27, ran into SaltyGator, once his his guys cleaned up the catfish and blues up. I was able to land a 23" red on cut bait(thanks for the tip, Doc!)

I brought up with SaltyGator and the coordinator(Sarah); it would be fun to actually make this a fun entry level tournament. I think there should be some of the regular tourney categories, but some fun ones as well. I am sure that I could raise funds from locals to help offset costs and or prizes for the 'Anglers'. If there is anyone on here from FDOA, or the Rotary, send me a PM, so I can help out with next year. All and all great time on the water, and thanks again to SaltyGator for the adult libation at the cleaning table. Till next time, Tight Lines...

Had a blast. Nice talking with everyone at the ramp. We ran a little further making our way to Palmetto Island and Peter's Rock. Our angler left with 4 trout and a nuckleheaded seabass. Like most folks, the highlight was a 3' blacktip that couldn't lay off of a pinfish..

Thanks to everyone for making this the best HHA event yet! We took 60 anglers and their helpers fishing and had over 30 boat captains for the event. While the weather wasn't the best, I've heard from several folks that they had an awesome time.

Special thanks to the BBF volunteers - tallykenj, saltygator, showboat and k8show, CaptReelThyme, PirateDiver850, bigsquirm88, snatch-n-reel, and Steve Stinson. I'm sure I missed one or two as well. I owe you all a

ReelThyme - I'm one of the organizers of the event, we're always looking for new blood to help plan the next year's outing. Give me (Casey Cook) or John McBride a call if you're interested. My number is 850.228.8559 and John's is 850.570.3467.