Relentless Offshore Adventures

Not sure what to say… Mom always said something about if you don’t have anything good to say, don’t say anything at all. Unfortunately, being the author of this column, I am required to submit something for the editor to put in print. I guess I better start of by saying “Sorry Mom”.

When it comes to the National Marine Fisheries Service and the South Atlantic Fisheries Management Council, I just can’t find anything positive to say… It’s more along the lines of National Marine Fisheries DIS-SERVICE and the South Atlantic Fisheries MIS-MANAGEMENT COLLUSION. All of which is overseen by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or NOAA, to which it is commonly referred. More realistically, it stands for No-ah, you can’t keep that fish. Or, No-ah, we are not for the sale of domestic seafood and we will not stop until all seafood in the US will be farm raised crap or imported junk! Or, No-ah, we will not stop until every US commercial fisherman is on the unemployment line! Apparently it’s ok for foreign countries to overfish every fish possible so that they can ship the cheap imported seafood into the US, while the US fisherman can’t even keep a fish with an obviously strong stock like the red snapper. The irony would be comical if the situation were not so threatening to the livelihood of so many fishermen and their families. The other aspect that’s about as funny as a kick in the junk is the negative impact on the entire recreational fishing and tourist industries, from hotels to equipment manufacturers and retailers to the angler who can’t keep enough fish to feed a family of four. The whole situation is just a giant steaming pile of sh#%!!

Continue reading “February 2012 Fishing Report”

Not really sure what to say about last month except “Holy cobia”!! Its rare when you get the fish and weather to cooperate like they did in March. It was almost as if we won the cobia fishing lottery. I honestly can’t remember a March where we had such beautiful weather and such reliable cobia fishing. It will definately be something to look back on in the upcoming summer doldrums. But, let’s not look that far ahead, there’s still the upcoming dolphin season followed by a bit of grouper fishing.

There may also still be hope for more cobia in April too. As I sit down to write this column (late on the deadline as usual), there’s a strong current pushing the cold water south, back down the beach. This could prolong the cobia run well into April if this cold eddy stays around for a bit. Fortunately, it happened just as the fish seemed to be making the move north around the Cape. There also seems to be more manta rays than ever this year and the south current could keep them here too. The trick will be finding the 68 to 72 degree water with weed edges, rays, bait pods, color changes, free swimming cobia and/or any combination of the latter. Jigs have been working well, but when the fish get snooty, a frisky live bait should do the trick.

Another bright spot last month was the early arrival of some dolphin. The size and numbers were nothing crazy, but it’s aweful early to start seeing them… Could this be a big year for the phins? Being slightly gravity challenged, I’m not going to go out on the limb just yet… I’m just saying that I’m cautiously optomistic.

The strong south current that may help the cobia fishing is not exactly what a dolphin fisherman wants to see, but there is a silver lining associated with the cold green water.. Somewhere offshore, there should be a pretty amazing edge where the southbound green water meets the warm blue water of the northbound Gulf Stream. This could be a troller’s dream if things line up properly, but keep in mind that theory is not always reality. When you do find the Yellow Brick Road to troller heaven, have some ballyhoo rigged on mono and some rigged with lure combinations. Along with the dolphin, there should be a pretty good chance of a sailfish or wahoo too.

But wait, there’s more.. As if all that hope and promise wasn’t enough, the kingfish showed up on the reef again. Toward the middle/end of last month, there were several days that the kings were as good as it gets on Pelican Flats. The only problem is the influx of cold green water will likely shut that bite down for a while. But, when conditions improve on the inshore reefs and wrecks, look for the kings to fire right back up. The live pogies have been relatively easy to come by, but spinning minnows will do the trick in a pinch.

I really should be more careful, this article sounds way too optimistic. I guess I better prepare myself for the taste of flip flops and the look of donkey ears…

See ya on the pond!!!