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Got down to Lanark fairly early, perfect weather. Launched, scored some pinfish on the back of Dog Island, and set out for the first time. Hit Dog Island reef for some trolling, but only hooked spanish, so decided to head out a bit more to those Two Dogs things to try out the GPS/SONAR and some practice with anchoring. Never really seemed to find any structure, so after about an hour or so of chugging around in zig-zags and circles trying to locate something on the bottom, I decided to just try and anchor over the GPS coordinates of one of them. After a few attempts we were close, and I figured might as well drop down some pinfish while I screwed with various lengths on the anchor line. Dropped one down, and my buddy dropped one on a rig with 12lb test. Not sure why he didn't use the 40lb rig that was in the pole holder, but who knows what the hell he does most of the time. I was looking at the GPS/SONAR to see if we were holding our position, and to check out the bottom, when I saw a bunch of large fish register on the SONAR. I glance back and sure enough my pole is doubled over. About 15 minutes later we boat this:

Figured it to be about 35lbs, and you can't really get a sense of how big it was from this camera-phone pic. It was FAT! Biggest red I have ever caught. Anywho, my buddy hooks one on the 12lb rig and proceeds to break it off. What an chump! After catching more spanish (they were all over) we headed out to some wrecks that were on the default GPS map, but never managed to find anything. I should have written down a few more from the list here, but didn't think we would be going out very far on our first trip. Boat performed very nicely! I think our next trip will be launching from the Cut at St George, and heading out to the old SGI bridge reef. That thing is huge so I should be able to find it. Probably also hit the West Pass for some crazy tarpon fun.

All-in-all it was a good first trip, mostly a learning experience.

Sweet red, welcome to the zoo.

Very nice Red most of the numbers that I fish, I have found by trolling stretch 30's , marking the spot , and trolling around it some more to try and zero in on their holding area It's also a hoot to see structure on the finder, mark it and then Gage when the stretch will go over it, then grab the pole when one hits it

Do what Wevans said and you'll find all the holes you could want to bottom fish. And, Oh yeah, nice redfish. WTG.

Thanks for the tips! At what depth should I start trolling this time of year?

I start around 35 foot and work my way deeper but if I was in something besides a Bass boat I would probably start closer to 40 foot and slowly work my way deeper there are a lot of ledges just a few miles off from Dog Island and Saint George Island

The fish seem scattered as of now for me, i've caught them between 25ft to 40ft. The weather hasn't let me get much past that but i know they are all over. Just pick a depth of 25 or more and get going , stay in close if the weather is questionable or head on out if it looks good... the grass has been a pain in the @@@ for trolling as of late but should get better towards fall. Don't spend a lot of time anchoring on new stuff just have the crew ready to drop, pull up on it with the boat and if somethings home and hungry you'll know then you can mark it and anchor if you like. frank

I'd like to catch that guy on 12lb. test!! szzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

WOW !

Coach, thats a nice red.

You've been offered some good advice. The only thing I would add is go every chance you have, and keep your string wet.

Also, if you're out there trolling and see some idiot in an aluminum G3 bass boat 15 miles offshore, I'll give ya a dollar to run over him.

Hey Coach, Just because you're a new poster doesn't mean you can get away with that PhotoShop stuff!

It's OK to say you didn't catch anything... I get to say it often

Welcome aboard - sounds like you're in it for the long haul now.

TC said.....

if you're out there trolling and see some idiot in an aluminum G3 bass boat 15 miles offshore, I'll give ya a dollar to run over him

I'll match that offer

Ya gotta catch it, before ya can run over it