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+--- Thread: Spring Action Heating UP!! (/showthread.php?tid=194988)
Spring Action Heating UP!! - KnotNancy - 04-11-2005
The hot fish on the offshore scene has been sailfish. There have been some kingfish around, however, not in the numbers like the spring run will be. That run could take place any day now. Dolphin are beginning to make their April showing. Frigate birds will put you on the fish very quickly, so keep a sharp eye out for them.
Meanwhile, the tarpon action continues to be strong at Government Cut. They are beginning to show some interest in crabs, so it is time to have both baits available for them to make a choice. Some evenings they'll eat only shrimp, while others it will be crabs, and yet another they'll alternate between the two.
Thursday (4/7) evening, the tarpon action started quick and then went into a lull until it got dark. We fought a large fish for over an hour only to have the hook pull. During the fight it took us into the deep water of the main channel where we dodged a freight, a tug pulling a barge, the pilot boat, and several small boats. When I put out two shrimp and a crab, the crab got the hit. Two crabs and a shrimp had the shrimp drawing the strike. We went 2 for 5 with the two fish that we landed and released going 90 and 110 pounds.
Saturday (4/9) I fish aboard Incognito with Tim Gipe and his 3 guests. The action started very quickly when we spotted a frigate bird beating the water's surface in 250'. That produced a 10# cow dolphin. Running back to another frigate and slow trolling herring got us a 10# bull dolphin. Then it got slow. We tired several areas for kingfish with no results. We worked the blue water both at the edge and out deep with no results. In the afternoon, we put the kite up and got a sailfish strike almost immediately. When we came tight to the fish, a tackle malfunction resulted in the line breaking. We made on more attempt at kingfishing with no results.
Sunday (4/10) John Masel, his father-in-law Rodney Raub and brother-in-law Scott Raub were looking for a relaxing time together and catching some fish. The relaxing came during the middle of the trip, but the beginning and ending were action packed. Within 10 minutes of putting out the baits, John was hooked up to his first sailfish that we caught and released after a 30 minute battle. Resetting and 20 minutes later, it was Rodney's turn to catch and release his first sailfish. The fish had another hook in its mouth and I was able to remove both hooks and send it on its way without wearing any jewelry. Then the relaxing part of the trip came. It got interrupted only briefly for Scott to catch a bonito. More relaxing and the rocking of the boat was lulling most everyone to sleep. I started to wind in the baits as the trip was coming to an end. First the downrigger bait and next the bottom rod. At this point I saw another free jumping sail coming straight at us. Another flatline bait was thrown in the general direction. The center flatline got hit and Rodney was into his second sailfish. The fish tangled with the back flatline and ultimately I ended up having to handline 25 feet of the back flatline to get to the leader and finally released the fish. That ended the day with a bang and we went 3 for 3 on sailfish all caught on flatlines.
Sunday (4/10) evening, Gussie Leech wanted to catch a tarpon to add to her list of caught species for the IWFA. The wind was from the NE/ENE @ 14 - 19 knots and we got all the protection we needed by fishing the south side of Government Cut. We warmed up with a bluerunner on the first drift. A few drifts later, it was a spanish mackerel. This was another species to add to the list, so it was a bonus. The dusk period arrived, and as if on queue, we got the first tarpon on. The incoming tide had us quickly making our way into the main channel where Gussie made quick work of the tarpon and her husband, Mike released the fish. A few drifts later, it was Gussie's turn again and this time the 50 pound tarpon was much more cooperative and stayed in the shallower water. One final drift and we called it a night with the main goal accomplished along with a bonus.
The action is good and will only get better. It's time to make that commitment and book a date to get in on the action, so call 305 620-5896 or email nkostyo@bellsouth.net me and lets go catch some fish.
Captain Dave Kostyo
Knot Nancy Fishing Charters
305 620-5896 Charter
305 965-9454 Cell
www.knotnancy.com
nkostyo@bellsouth.net
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