Arrived at the hatch around 7:30am stopped by Seahag for bait busy but not crazy, they were out of cigar minnows etc. but got some squid and some kind of frozen baitfish my buddy picked out of what was available. As we left Seahag and got within sight of the ramp parking lot traffic stops and we wait in line for an hour to drop the boat. No parking spaces in the field 1st time around, on second loop TCSO deputy stops vehicles in the road saying no more parking available and not to drop boat w/o available parking, when she stopped me I pointed out I had already paid to park and dropped the boat. Finally wiggled into a non-traditional spot in the field once I confirmed w/same deputy that I wouldn't be towed. Headed offshore to slightly choppy conditions but relatively ok water.
Ended up in 60’ more or less w/no live bait due to delay in launching. Our party of 4 landed 4 keeper red snapper all 24” or better and 2 gags with one just shy of 32” that I caught on a frozen squid. We fished hard and ran all over the place but couldn’t find any more snapper and never caught a short red snapper. Did release a few short red grouper and my buddy had trouble with some new line breaking off so we should of had a limit of snapper.
Back at the ramp we waited 1 1/2 hours to load up, same deputy was directing traffic onto the road from the parking field, some roads closed to non-boater traffic and they had a couple of guys directing traffic in and out of the ramp area. People were considerate, pretty much paid attention to the guys directing traffic and seemed to be loading relatively quickly. Basin was full so there were boats waiting in the river to load. We had planned on local dinner but no way we were waiting 1 hour + to eat so headed home to clean fish and eat left over pizza...
Returned in my boat on 6/25 with an early in the week forecast for east winds and 1’ or less which altered my plans for a summer boat “shake out“ trip inshore. Ramp was not busy and plenty of parking
Boat had been idle since last summer due to family priorities/CV19 and some minor repairs but after getting on the water wife and I decided on heading offshore for some more snapper action. We churned out to 60’ or so in 1-2 with a SW wind after putting some pins in the livewell. Also had some squid based on prior trip. We ended up with 2 24” red snapper, 1 25” gag and 6-8 short red grouper that had to be released. Oddly I don’t think we caught anything on the squid and the snappers/gag and most red grouper were on live pinfish so spending the time to catch bait worked out this trip. Second trip with no short red snapper landed. Hit Fiddler’s for dinner this time with no wait, new owners, somewhat different menu and food still about the same.Not sure how much this trip will end up costing me as wife has decided she prefers snapper/grouper fishing to inshore fishing and she has started boat shopping for something mire offshore capable
Think I’ll stay with the week day trips
