Carrabelle 5 Jan- a late report
Posted: January 8th, 2005, 12:09 pm
I missed a chance to go grouper hunting with neighbor, Freddy P, this past Wed due to other obligations. And, dern it, he and two friends got into them pretty good. Their catch amounted to 9 gags weighing in at nearly 100lbs.
So, with this fresh on my mind, Thursday morning when he shouted over, that he and two others were going out around 11, and I was invited; I jumped at the chance.
The other two guest were Capt Bobby Millender and his nephew Tony, lifelong residents of Carrabelle and master fishermen.
We put in at the Tiki-Hut ramp (condos going up there, like crazy) 'Not many folks out with Only 3 or 4 trailers parked. One of them(trailers) really impressed us. It was big enough to haul a small tug boat. 'Shoulda took a picture of it, but I didn't.
I guess it was about noon as we headed out.
The CG cutter Seahawk is back on berth in the river after doing duty over Pensecola way or whatever- I'm guessing.
It was a little foggy, but vis improved as we hit the open water beyond DI. Seas were a good 2-3, so the going was slow with 15-20 being about all we could make in Freddy's 21' Cimmaron.
'Anchored down about 18 off Dog at 42', and got nothing for 'bout half an hour before moving.
Second stop was at the hole (63') where all 9 fish were caught the day before. The bite was slow, but two keepers(twin 26"er) were boated.
3 or 4 small whales (big porpoises) and quite a few birds were working the area and looking for a handout.
After about an hour, we moved about half a mile to a 51' spot. Picked up another one (25") before it dried up.
About 2:30 a wall of fog moved in, reducing the vis to about 100'. Also, about the same time the water calmed considerably.
We had a boat come to within shouting distance, and I think anchored for a few mins before moving on. We never saw him.
The last move was not to, but in the vicinity of where we started, with no luck there.
All of us got shots at what was estimated to be 'dang good fish' (always, if ye don't get a look at 'em), with several lost to break offs.
The trip in coulda been tricky in the near zero-zero conditions, but with gps(2 onboard) it was a piece of cake.
'Back at the house by about 5:30.
_
_
top left Capt'n Bob Millender- top right Tony Millender
I really enjoyed fishing with them 'Millender boys'. We had a good time and lots of laughs. And, watching them skin the 3 gags was almost entertaining and as skillful done as a beni hana chef- It was easy to see they'd been doing it a long time.
I hate to mention it, but Freddy and I got skunked- no shorts- no grunts- no nothing...Just one of those days.
Good thing is, We will be trying it again Monday, if nothin' don't happens.
So, with this fresh on my mind, Thursday morning when he shouted over, that he and two others were going out around 11, and I was invited; I jumped at the chance.
The other two guest were Capt Bobby Millender and his nephew Tony, lifelong residents of Carrabelle and master fishermen.
We put in at the Tiki-Hut ramp (condos going up there, like crazy) 'Not many folks out with Only 3 or 4 trailers parked. One of them(trailers) really impressed us. It was big enough to haul a small tug boat. 'Shoulda took a picture of it, but I didn't.
I guess it was about noon as we headed out.
The CG cutter Seahawk is back on berth in the river after doing duty over Pensecola way or whatever- I'm guessing.
It was a little foggy, but vis improved as we hit the open water beyond DI. Seas were a good 2-3, so the going was slow with 15-20 being about all we could make in Freddy's 21' Cimmaron.
'Anchored down about 18 off Dog at 42', and got nothing for 'bout half an hour before moving.
Second stop was at the hole (63') where all 9 fish were caught the day before. The bite was slow, but two keepers(twin 26"er) were boated.
3 or 4 small whales (big porpoises) and quite a few birds were working the area and looking for a handout.
After about an hour, we moved about half a mile to a 51' spot. Picked up another one (25") before it dried up.
About 2:30 a wall of fog moved in, reducing the vis to about 100'. Also, about the same time the water calmed considerably.
We had a boat come to within shouting distance, and I think anchored for a few mins before moving on. We never saw him.
The last move was not to, but in the vicinity of where we started, with no luck there.
All of us got shots at what was estimated to be 'dang good fish' (always, if ye don't get a look at 'em), with several lost to break offs.
The trip in coulda been tricky in the near zero-zero conditions, but with gps(2 onboard) it was a piece of cake.
'Back at the house by about 5:30.
__top left Capt'n Bob Millender- top right Tony Millender
I really enjoyed fishing with them 'Millender boys'. We had a good time and lots of laughs. And, watching them skin the 3 gags was almost entertaining and as skillful done as a beni hana chef- It was easy to see they'd been doing it a long time.
I hate to mention it, but Freddy and I got skunked- no shorts- no grunts- no nothing...Just one of those days.
Good thing is, We will be trying it again Monday, if nothin' don't happens.
