On our first drop with the a 9" mullet we had a great hook up and solid fish!  however, the hook straightens out! DOH!!  K, make a small adjustment.  I guess a 6/0 isnt going to cut it on TLD 50 with 50lb test.   The TLD 50 rest for a minute.  We stay occupied with catching alot of small Amberjack 26"-28" range several short grouper and red snapper on lighter gear. 

Then all of sudden the boat gets a little chaotic!  I was thinking a big grouper because that it was we were outfitted and we were fishing a few cranks off the bottom.  I was able to get the fish off the bottom and further up the water column.  We are scrambling to get all lines in and I am getting tossed around the back of the boat trying to keep the fish on one side of the boat.  Stretching across the motor I almost see the blue water face first! A few head shakes later I am beginning to think this is not a grouper.  Finally get a look at it and I was shocked to see how big this AJ was compared to all the other shorts.  Ended up being at 42" Amberjack weighing 36lbs.  Sweet, good start. 

We hoped to boat another big AJ.  A few break off's later.  My buddy Chase hunkered down to muscle up this big 32" red grouper off the bottom.  We were starting to run out of good big baits and were out of good strips of bonito. 

Lets head back to a spot instate waters and loaded up with our limit of red snapper.  21" to 25" Six Total.

Cleaned the boat and fish.  Were finished up by 2:30 pm.  Tired and hungry!

J-hooks are now illegal for bottom fish. Not bashing (could care less), just pointing it out in case you didn't know.

P-cola_Native (10/13/2008)

---

Nice trip!

J-hooks are now illegal for bottom fish. Not bashing (could care less), just pointing it out in case you didn't know.

Really!?! Thanks for the heads up! It will be the last time I make that mistake of not having bigger circle hooks! Will not happen again!

Scott

Pictures

http://www.forumpictureprocessor.com/pictureprocessor/galleries/usergallery.asp?gallery=1238