We had a fantastic day fishing last Saturday. Up early and on the ocean by 7:00 AM, it was suppose to be 6:30 AM but it took us a few minutes to find the boat…. Once aboard we made our way up the fresh water estuary and out to the ocean. We only traveled a short distance (maybe 5 minutes) and saw some fish activity on the surface so we stopped and cast for a while. No bites so we carried on. Just before the last bend to open ocean we went inside a bay which seemed like our captain’s own fishing hole. The area was huge but we had the area to ourselves all morning! The small bait fish (sardines or similar) were in areas that made the water look as if it was boiling; So many bait fish that we could no longer see to the bottom in shallower areas. On many occasions while fishing for Rooster fish we would see as many as 8 or 9 Rooster fish following our lure! Very exciting! We ended up taking home a Needle fish which Pat brought in, 2 Spanish mackerel and a Jack fish. I brought in 2 Rooster fish the first broke the line escaping under the boat; The second one [pictured below at about 35 pounds] and a Pompano both of which we released. The 35 pound Rooster fish put up an amazing fight; I must have brought him close to the boat at least 6 times or more. Each time that I got him close he would get spooked and make the rod sing as he swam off. It took 20 – 30 minutes to land him. Here are the highlights:
First Rooster fish! *Tick* that one off the bucket list! Beautiful and formidable opponent!
Pierre pondering which lure will be the best to try next!
Mary-Ann fishing off the bow… She caught at least 3 of the fish for the day!