Ran about 20 miles to one of the many public artificial reefs in about 100' of water. Wasn't exactly smooth but easy running all the way, as we arrived at the reef seas went almost too flat as there was zero breeze and it was HOT.
I dropped my bandit buoy (lots easier to see than constantly trying to find the reef when drifting) and got the girls rigged up with a standard knocker rig, 10 oz of lead, 7/0 circle hook and 80# leader. We were prepared for AJs but never got one on.
Started getting bites almost as soon as the bait hit bottom but this was the first time they had been bottom fishing so took a few tries to get it going. Current was pretty strong so dropped the Minn Kota and engaged the spot lock over the reef, that thing is the BOMB. My friend could not stay over the reef for very long and they were breaking off lots of tackle due to the drift. We never moved from the spot unless I manually disengaged it and the girls never broke off.
We caught red snapper almost from the time we got there until we finally just left. Ended up with one mangrove for the cooler but of course all the ARS went back after a quick picture and venting
Had a huge cuda circle the boat the entire time we were there but never messed with our fish, he did remove a few snappers from my buddies lines before they got them to the boat. My buddy also got a couple of mangrove and released several short gags,he ran across some bonita crashing bait and while he was watching them a 5' sail fish cruised by, he tried to get it to eat a jig as he didn't have a cigar minnow rigged but couldn't get it to bite.
We both tried a trolling closer in but the water was really dark and got no bites. My buddy had been over a week or so before the storm and caught kings, spanish and dolphin in the same area so they are usually there just not this time.
We headed in around three, my wife and two daughters were exhausted in a good way, my wife is ready for me to buy a 30' boat (I did point out a nice Yellowfin with triple OBs in the marina - and the gas pump showing $318 and still running) and my daughters are still discussing which of them caught the bigger fish. I never picked up a rod other than to help out my youngest when she hooked up as I was too busy cutting bait, baiting, removing and venting fish etc. so they could keep on snagging them... my definition of a good time!
We stopped at Crums going and coming, on the way over I told my girls we were going to stop at the mini-mall, they were a little disappointed when we pulled up but they wanted to stop there again on the way back home!
