Fishing Charlotte Harbor Area (Tampa, Homosassa: things to do, nurses, allowed)

[wpc691]

Originally Posted by MikeM8560

im gona follow you

Make sure his wife is with him :-))

[Messing About]

My off-shore days being few and far between now, I have decided to cancel my SPOT subscription (set to renew $179 this week). If anyone would like to pick up a Satellite Personal Transmitter for checking in with home and having 24/7 access to USCG rescue, whether on the boat or (heaven forbid) in the water...send me a PM.

[pcozad1]

It's the captains job to put people on the fish. One thing we do different from most is 12-15 lbs mono straight to a number 1 or 2 red hook with a big split shot up about 15". No leader, no swivel nothing to make the big fish not bite. The down side is if you can't work a drag or don't understand the importance of keeping your rod tip up you lose alot of fish.
I am sure my wife is going to hear " don't horse it " everytime she is reeling in a fish just like I hear " squeeze that trigger easy boy " Everytime I shoot

[wpc691]

Originally Posted by pcozad1

It's the captains job to put people on the fish. One thing we do different from most is 12-15 lbs mono straight to a number 1 or 2 red hook with a big split shot up about 15". No leader, no swivel nothing to make the big fish not bite. The down side is if you can't work a drag or don't understand the importance of keeping your rod tip up you lose alot of fish.
I am sure my wife is going to hear " don't horse it " everytime she is reeling in a fish just like I hear " squeeze that trigger easy boy " Everytime I shoot

Red hooks have worked well for me, too - must look like a line of blood to the fish. It must be a pretty well-kept secret, as there aren't many to choose from - Gamakatsu, maybe one other. If I'm using a black hook, I always add one or two pink or red beads above the hook.

[Dukenyc]

Originally Posted by pcozad1

It's the captains job to put people on the fish. One thing we do different from most is 12-15 lbs mono straight to a number 1 or 2 red hook with a big split shot up about 15". No leader, no swivel nothing to make the big fish not bite. The down side is if you can't work a drag or don't understand the importance of keeping your rod tip up you lose alot of fish.
I am sure my wife is going to hear " don't horse it " everytime she is reeling in a fish just like I hear " squeeze that trigger easy boy " Everytime I shoot

I am amazed that ypu are able to keep the fish from biting right through that line. 12lb mono won't stand up to teeth, or fins for that matter, in salt water. A 25lb flouro or mono leader is all but necessary in this area, and even that is a bit light for the larger or toothier fish around.

Even with a circle hook, if you try that for sea trout, mackerel, snapper, or any toothy critter, you are just going to be giving the fish nice red jewelry for their lips.

Btw, when I am back down next, I will likely bring an offshore boat to compliment the ElPescador (a 24' flats boat). I would be interested in going out with a few people to some of the near shore reefs and wrecks of off the barrier islands.

Next trip will be for 4 weeks, fishing each day.

[Tymbee]

It was nearly THREE years ago that I happened on this thread and posted this message where I wrote in part:

On our last couple of yearly visits to FL I assured my partner Jill-- who loves fishing-- that we'd do just that. But for one reason or the other, it never happened.

Now the pressure's on and if I don't get my act together and come up with some kind of fishing trip I'm going to be in BIG trouble.

Ideally we'd like to connect with an experienced local fisherperson. We don't bring any gear with us but more than willing to pay any/all expenses + fee if we could make suitable arrangements.

Not only did I not get my act together back then, but we were not able to make it back to PC since! Needless to say now that we've finally been able to arrange for a one month rental in January 2015 the pressure is back on-- to say the least!

Not to overplay the whole pity thing, but if any of you intrepid fisher-people out there might be interested in such an offer, please feel free to PM me. Any/all offers considered!

[Messing About]

Welcome back to the thread and an advanced welcome to the area. January is a great time to both visit and fish here. Keep us informed and be sure you post reports and pictures of your catch!

[Tymbee]

Thanks Messing! In fact, Jill does the fishing and my role will be go do any grunt work there is to do while documenting her adventures digitally for less fortunate family members stuck up north. Not that we'd ever dream of rubbing it in of course...

Originally Posted by Messing About

Welcome back to the thread and an advanced welcome to the area. January is a great time to both visit and fish here. Keep us informed and be sure you post reports and pictures of your catch!

[Salty Dave]

August must be to hot to fish haven't been any posts for awhile, come on guys n gals put something on here for us northerners... enjoy the reports and pics.

Dave

[wpc691]

Originally Posted by Dukenyc

I am amazed that ypu are able to keep the fish from biting right through that line. 12lb mono won't stand up to teeth, or fins for that matter, in salt water. A 25lb flouro or mono leader is all but necessary in this area, and even that is a bit light for the larger or toothier fish around.

Even with a circle hook, if you try that for sea trout, mackerel, snapper, or any toothy critter, you are just going to be giving the fish nice red jewelry for their lips.

Btw, when I am back down next, I will likely bring an offshore boat to compliment the ElPescador (a 24' flats boat). I would be interested in going out with a few people to some of the near shore reefs and wrecks of off the barrier islands.

Next trip will be for 4 weeks, fishing each day.

Now, there's a debate we can sink our teeth into (ha-ha). Although I rarely fish Boca Grande or the deep holes with anything less than 50# fluoro (80# if chumming for sharks), or 30# fluoro under the mangroves, I routinely fish the flats with 12# fluoro. Although I've had a couple break off (1 shark, 1 mackerel), I've landed everything from sharks to pinfish, including big bluefish and mackerel, notorious line choppers. Biggest fish landed on 12# was a 29" cobia. I agree with pcozad that a stealthy presentation makes a difference. I'm stuck on braid over mono, but I use extra long leaders to make up for it, along with the lightest wire hook I think I can get away with, and always a loop knot for a more natural presentation.