2002 Fishing Reports

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1/9/02 Went out of the port with Nick and caught a 17# grouper, 7# king, and a few mangrove snappers. Was cold like freezing 32 degrees but well offshore it was a comfortable 58 degrees with water temp at 73. We caught live cigar minnows on sabiki rigs in 100' water. (grouper candy) Lost a few big ones! Not bad for a start of the new year.

1/12 Offshore with JohnB and his daughter Rochel we went to our favorite spot and caught a respectable grouper, few mangrove snappers, a spade and porgy. all caught in the morning. got the anchor hung in the wreck so we stayed most of the afternoon but with no luck. I guess cause we couldn't get in the right spot. The weather was good and had a good time. We did see an amberjack caught on another boat

1/26/02 This might look like last years but this one weighed 20#! Went to 100' out of Port Canaveral with some friends and hooked up on  amberjack, porgies, few red snappers, assorted other fish. Had a great time and the weather cooperated but poor Erica got sea sick once we got there and stayed sick all day. She did enjoy seeing the dolphins, turtles and rays. Bonitos were aggressive on top water. No lost fish due to break offs this day.

1/30/02 Had a blast today out with JohnB and caught a grouper, few snappers, and a cobia and watched JohnB fight a 38# cobia on 12# line! We saw a couple sails swim by in 100' water and there were lots of large cobia around the boat. The porpoises were around also hanging close to the boat. Weather cooperated and it was one of those better days offshore.

2/9/02 went offshore out of the Port in spite of what the weatherman said. He lied and it turned out great! It was a slow ride out with 2 to 3' seas but once we got to 100' it calmed down. Got some cigar minnows with the sabiki rigs. My buddy Kevin had 6/0 penns with 50# line but could not haul the fish that slammed his pole right from the start. I hooked into a couple slightly short red snappers and one keeper mangrove snapper. Then caught a couple beeliners and used them for bait but nada. Decided to use them topwater and he hooked a nice 16# bull dolphin, a first for my boat! Then I told him I need to get one and tossed one out on my 10# rig and sure enough got my wish and hooked a  15# sow while he wrestled a 17# cobia. Got his in first and fought mine for 40 minutes. Nothing like a good fight on light line. My camera took a dump and would not work for me AARRGGHH so no photo this time. Turned out to be a great day afterall!

2/25 Had an itch to scratch since the weather has been too rough to go out so had a snapper day. Few were caught and the weather was great. Started out in 9' seas and then it calmed down to 6' by 3pm. Not bad for an 18' boat. Low water visability.

3/2 - 3/11 winds have kept me landlocked for a couple weeks and was a good thing since I didn't miss anything and got to go to bikeweek for biking activities. My Bikeweek 2002 photos

3/14 Tried a new wreck today but I got skunked but johnB caught a nice 36" cobia on a cigar minnow. There were plenty of bait and you could see the wreck in 75' water. Went back to my favorite spot and nada. Then visited another wreck and saw what looked like a spearfish hitting the top of the water but didn't make it to my baits. I wanted to go again tomorrow but work has its priorities. Maybe Monday.

3/16 Went to Port Canaveral to do the cobia-thon and went out to the sub wreck to hunt the cobias. Saw a lot of them but couldn't get any to bite. Tried for bottom feeders, grouper and snapper but my partner Harold only got one keeper red snapper to the boat but a cuda took it away. Then my light weight pole did a singing and hooked a 5-6' sailfish! It danced on the water for a while and was too much for my 10# line. Tossed another bait after rerigging and off it went again but this time it made it in the boat. Didn't catch any cobias but had a blast for my first time catching such a beautiful fish. It made it back safely into the deep to fight another day.

3/19/02 Went out to 100' water but didn't have much luck except for my buddy bill who caught the 13# mangrove snapper below. Then about noon I decided to try another place but had a buddy in another boat that had motor failure. I forgot to ask prior if he was a Seatow member and of course he said I will be tomorrow. Not a good plan! I felt bad for him so I decided to end my fishing day and spend 5 hours towing him back to the Port. Lesson learned, from now on anyone buddy boating with me will either have Seatow insurance and will inform them that I will not be towing anyone with my boat anymore. Now I hope my motor wasn't damaged from all the pulling! 

3/25/02 Took Anthony out of the Port to my favorite haunts and caught some red snappers, Mangrove snapper, and an aj. All i caught was a barely legal mangrove snapper. JohnB had Anthony's buddy on his boat and he caught a cobia and some mangroves. Those guys showed us up! Still was good to be out and watch them wrestle some fish. Seas were 2 - 3'

3/4 Took Matt out of Sebastian Inlet to 90' and caught a few keeper snapper and a red grouper along with a king and seabass. The water was calm and wasn't that bad. Thete was an Eastcoast FS Bash that weekend but the weather was way too rough for offshore fishing. So we fished the inlet to only catch jacks and bluefish. A great time was had by all.

5/2 After 4 weeks of not being offshore and  being cooped up and laid up after surgery I decided it was time to try again. Went out with JohnB and Matt out of the Port to some wrecks and reefs but the bottom bite was not in existence. Both me and John got skunked but Matt showed how to fish by catching Kings and cudas. The first king was caught from the bottom but a cuda wanted part of the catch but we were able to salvage 80%. They blamed me for snoring too loud around noon when I had a bad case of the sleepies. If anything I did learn a new way to rig baits for kings. Some days are good and some days are slow but anyways it was nice to be out on the water.

Went fishing a couple times since my kidney surgery but my luck hadn't recovered until today 6/1. Took a new boat I purchased a couple weeks ago and had a good luck streak with JohnB and we both caught our limits in lane snapper (20) and 4 dolphin in 120' water out of Port Canaveral. One of the dolphin were hooked by both of us and was possibly the one I lost due to a miss gaff and not having my reel set right. Then it was my turn to miss the gaff of one of Johns fish. Not bad for rookies tho. The weather was beautiful and the day went well. Got a few bugs to work out on the boat but all in all was worth the trip out.

6/4 Got another day of calm weather and decided to try another day of fishing like the last, but it didn't turn out as planned. Didn't see any dolphin but did see plenty of cudas. The forecast said partly sunny, what's up with that? Anyway took Matt and he got a couple mangrove snapper and 2 kings. It wasn't my day but did manage to catch this 22# african pompano! That was the fish that saved me from getting skunked. The water was 80º and we were fishing in 82' water. We did have some a**hole on the Ocean Lady from Merritt Island cruise right up on us circling us and when they saw us catching bait they decided to pull up about 50' next to us to try and get some too!! The Captain of that boat managed to screw up a catch for Matt by tangling their lines into his fish and they took off and cut off his fish. Guess the ocean isn't big enough for some idiots. If anyone knows this boat please email me so I can contact him and give him a piece of my mind.

6/18 Went out of Port Canaveral with JohnB to 100' water and the winds were 15-20 mph out of the SE and waves were building to 4' but it went well as far as fishing went. I caught a lane snapper, couple short 19" red snapper, and a 16 (on 10# Power Pro line) and 13# dolphin. Took me 45 minutes to land the 16#. John had a slow start with a nice triggerfish and later hooked up to a 12# dolphin and a cobia that pegged the 30# boga grip. It was a slow wet ride back but missed the rain till we hit the cleaning table. Needed the fresh water rince anyway. Another successful day on the water.

6/24 Went out on JohnB's boat for night mangrove snapper fishing. We caught a few lanes, muttons, and mangrove snapper but the bite was slow. Matt caught a king along with a nice cobia and lost one due to a miss gaff. The end of the trip was when I hooked a huge fish and it wouldn't budge. It just swam below the boat while I sat there holding the pole for about 45 minutes and then gave the pole to Matt. Not sure what it was and tugging on a tld25 locked all the way down and 150 Power Pro line can sure wear the arms out but as it went the swivel finally gave and we were relieved of that fish or what ever it was. The photo below was taken at 430 am and think Matt was tired.

6/28 Went out of the port on straight east to bottom fish in 115-120 feet of water. Water was very clear, current strong from the south, few weeds, temp 80 degrees. Marked bottom, caught grunts and beeliners, bonita, and a cuda. Finally put a 6 pound flounder in the box. Tried a couple of different places, same result. Moved over to Pelican, tried 4 or 5 places same result except added seabass. Water was not too clear over there, current was still ripping from the south. Saw a couple of weeds, but no defined lines. Put 2 dolphin in the box, hooked up some kings, bonita, cudas, etc.  Great day weatherwise, I just need to quit fishing during the days following full moons.

7/3 Met up with Dave (Dabull trouble) at my house and he was willing to pull my tub to Crystal river with his truck. Got there around 11am and got setup at the hotel and took off scalloping. Being new to the area I just followed the 100s of other boats out to the area. Did hear from JohnB on the radio that he was going in so missed him till later. Found a spot clear of all the boats and got my limit in about an hour. Headed in and met up with Dave in the river. The FWC were all over the place checking everyone for what they caught. He didn't go and could hardly believe he was out on the river to meet up with me. Anyways we met up with JohnB at the springs and chat for a while and making plans to go offshore the next day. I was more geared at taking the Mrs. out to scallop since I gave her a crach course last weekend snorkling. The next day we went back out and the jellyfish and slowdy high tide water made it difficult to find them and then the storms came. Dave met up with us and waited it out with us. There was just a few boats that stayed and weathered the storm We decided to go snorkling in the rain and we did get a few as the tide was going down and then the sun came out. Found a spot that looked untouched and got our limits pretty quick. Headed back in for dinner and to get ready for fireworks. Dave had a surprise of some heavy duty fireworks and decided to go on his boat in the bay. It looked like a weekend of shrimping in Oakhill with the number of boats out there. Shot a few fireworks off the bow of his boat and got some ooos and aahhs waiting for the big ones to start. When they did start they were farthur away than expected and wasn't as entertaining as ours so every once in a while we would send one off and seemed the crowd were more impressed with ours. After the fireworks went back to the hotel and called it a night and planned to go scalloping again the next day. Well woke up to thunder and lightning and decided to pack it in and head home. Was a great experience but the cost of our scallops were very high. Well I am thinking of going out of the Port in the morning and see whats biting. Good luck to all this holiday weekend.

7/7 Went out of PC at 4pm. The start was a lil rocky since a drunk and his family were cussing and hollering because I launched my boat in front of theirs and didn't seem to like that but what the heck. Headed for 8a for bait but managed only grunts. Then went to 82' water and found some nice cigar minnows. Dropped one down and brought up a 26# cobia. Them the top water got us 6 bonitas, well lets say 5 1/2 fish and one not cut in half by the cudas. Them my buddy bill had to show off and get this 36# cobia. After dark we didn't get even a grunt hit but sure was a lot of cudas around the boat. Got bored and went back to 8a but the lower unit took a dump and would not go in reverse, probably from a hit out at the gulf side last trip. A storm come up so we called it a night and came home.

7/12 Met Rod a new member of the EC forum and went out of Port Canaveral. The seas were a lil sloppy at first and then calmed down 20 miles out. Not much to boast about but did catch a dozen porgies, a triggerfish and a couple remoras. The snapper weren't biting but did manage a half a lane. The ride in was good and didn't get wet.

7/16 Early morning at PC caught a 22# cobia, one keeper redsnapper, schoolie dolphin, and lots of assorted fish all in a couple hours first thing this morning. Lost some nice fish to the rocks in 100' water but thats fishing.

7/20 thried out of Ponce Inlet for night mangrove snapper fishing but ran out of oil 8 miles out. After 4 hours of waiting for Seatow to rescue us the winds and waves came up and had no choice but to head back in. I guess Seatow was not the company to go to this year since they already got my money they took calls for other nonmembers first after I already called them! no fish that night except bait.

7/22 tried again for them nocturnal feeders and managed 3 mangrove snapper one to 9#. Caught a few short red snapper and one small margate. These were caught at 8a reef.

7/26/02 went to the East Central Florida Sportsman Bash at Ponce Inlet. The night before had a blast drinking, eating blackened fish, and just partying and think I had too much to drink. Planned to go out at midnight and fish some new spots i haven't been before 12 miles out. Got a call to pick up matt at a marina I didn't know or how to get there. Sailcat volunteered to take me to get him and we managed to get stuck on hidden island. Couldn't move the boat so got DaveL to rescue us and pick up Matt. Well after we go him we hopped on my boat and headed out and tried 5-6 spots and saw nothing and then 12 miles out found some good bottom. Anchored up on it and said have fun guys and climbed  in the cabin and took a nap. Was rudely woken up to fish flopping  in the boat. Tried to fish a while and my headache sent be back to the cabin. Sun came up and saw 6 mangrove snapper in the cooler. Lesson learned, will not drink prior to a fishing trip..

7/31 Went out at 6am to 120' water. Tally for the day... one mango, flounder, cuda, and 2 kings. Then the bananas came out of the cooler. You know the rest of the story.

8/06 out of Port Canaveral was not a bad day. It was slow but was able to nail a 26# bull dolphin and Matt a nice cobia out of JohnB's boat. We did catch the usual bonitas and sharks. No cudas this trip.

9/28 went to Sebastian with the 23' with new twin Suzukis. The saes were calm and the ride was great. Ended up with 8 dolphin and 3 cobia. Loaded the cooler and headed back in at 130pm. There was action all over the 75' area.

10/3-6 Went to Longpoint Park for some camping and fishing but thing were slow. There was a FS bash that was taking place and had a great time with some fine food going Thursday - Sunday. Never lit my stove that weekend.

10/12 headed out of Port Canaveral to city service tanks for deep digging but only sharks and cudas biting. The current was ripping. Came in to the noaa weather bouy and found mahi and was able to manage 18 before they turned off. Came in to 120' and caught a couple mangrove and a 8# mutton snapper. Couldn't stay anchored on the area due to the direction of the n wind Stopped one more spot in 80' and hooked into a few short red snappers and some of the biggest cudas I seen in a while. Water visability was poor even in 100'. Trying to unhook the anchor caused damage to the bow pulpit and dicovered the wood was rotted and couldn't handle the strain so its back to patching it up. 

10/28 Headed out around 530 with Mr. Dave and Bill. Got mullet at the ramp. First stop the sub wreck provided 4 baits. Next stop, Carol Lee, one beeliner. Hoping this luck would change headed to NOAA bouy. Still nada. Next stop was the 21F and found a rip with weeds. Got a couple dolphin and they stopped feeding. The bottom only produced lots of sharks. Moving around we found another rip with more dolphin feeding and lost all but two. (need to rig leaders prior to departing) Lead wreck was boring. Saw a plastic barrel floating but nothing under it, took it home. Then saw a large cable spool and was full of small trips but saw grandpappy deep but couldn't get him to bite. Tried Dutch and 8a but nada. Total 4 mahi no bottom fish.

11/3 Went to Port Canaveral 530 am. Tried for mullet at the ramp like the last trip but only managed a few so went to the draw bridge and lucked into a few dozen large pinfish. Took off to the sub wreck and landed a 26" gag 10#. No more bites so tried Carol Lee but no luck there. Headed out the 27f but stopped on the way to try a rip with weeds but no one home or hungry. When we go to 27f we had fun with ajs. Funny how each fish that came up was bigger than the last.

After wrestling with 8 of them we decided to head back to the weedline and see whats up. Found them and set out a chum bag and it worked, brought 9 dolphin  before they just stopped biting. Stopped at the lead wreck and fished near the Orlando Princess for a while, got bored and headed home. The weather was great and the seas not too bad.

11/9 Back to Port Canaveral at 5am. Gathered some bait in the port and headed straight to 27f. right off the bat we nailed 4 ajs. Tried a few more times but that was it so went to Carol Lee, anchored up and chummed with no luck. The sub wreck was interesting seeing my first whale shark. No bites so decided to troll to 8a. First hit was a nice dolphin but managed to tangle up in other lines and break off. A king made it to the cooler. With having no luck with the bottom dwellers we made our last stop at Dutch. Two lane snappers made it to the cooler and 3 snook eluded the cooler due to their size. 37"- 35". Called it a day and went home.

11/12 Checked out Sebastian Inlet for night fishing. We didn't get any snook but JohnB did get a nice red. Lost the rest of our bait to tarpon, jacks, and sharks. the front hit about 830 so we packed it up and came home. The seas were flat and weather good. Didn't see anyone else catch any snook.
 

11/25 Went out of PC in JohnB's boat with Aquaholic. tried for bait in the port but no luck so we went to the sub wreck and was able to get some bluerunners and sardines. Headed north to Vera Cruz and found more bait. Another boat came up and dropped his line and wrestled up a small aj. Decided to go farther north to Manacamp. Right off the bat I get an aj around 30# and no other hits. Fished there for a while but no success. We decided to go back south to a place we saw that was fishy on the way over and low and behold jackpot. Strawberry grouper and red snappers mostly keepers bowed us up.

Caught all our fish within and hour before they shut down. We were able to take 4 strawberry grouper and 3 keeper redsnappers! Not sure the weight of this fish but it was heavy. We were using 100# Powerpro line, 16oz. bank sinker, 12' of 100# mono, with a #16 circle hook.

11/30 Went back to that spot on my boat with Jim, Linda, and JohnB but all that was caught was one strawberry 10# by Linda. This was caught with the similar rig.

12/3 Tried again in this spot with Aquaholic, Zenfish, and Cindy his wife and got the same results but was 9# by me. Both of these days short redsnapper were caught also but I didn't count them. 

12/17 It started out with waiting for the windscreen to defrost to get going. late arrival to the ramp, no bait in the port, a nice criuse out and successfully able to get some bait in 75'. Headed to 120' and Marlin44 got a keeper red snapper. After a few shorts we headed to city service tanks Where we observed a manta do a summersalt where he flies out of the water and crashes back in. This happened twice. The current was running swift, with 10' vis, but all we caught was the tank Had enough of that so we went back to 120' but nothing. Decided to go half way to Sebastian 3 miles south of pelican flats and found some hungry fish. Optomistic Angler landed a keeper red snapper along with Jparker's nurse shark.

 (released) final toll 2 red snapper, 5 lanes, seabass and porgies. The ride in was rough.

12/22 went out with Don out of Ponce Inlet in his contender, going 45 mph thru 3-4' seas. It was kinda bumpy going out but worth it we picked up 3 nice mangos ,3.5 muttons,a 20 lb grouper,25 lb A J ,37 lb pompano and misc kings, bonitas, big blue runners and for the really trash fish a 6'+ nurse shark and a sting ray the size of a small car hood...not a lot of keepers but a fun day

12/23 Went out with Reeftails Monday to 80'. Our first dive didn't produce much but the other team BottomDwell and Ian managed a couple slippers and misc. fish. I did see one bug but as a newbie that one got deep and out of my range. The second dive, same cenario but Ian got a nice grouper. I didn't see any bugs. The third dive was much better and with 8 lobsters. I am still waiting for the photos aarrgghh. I can not believe I left home without my electronics and camera. I want to thank Reeftails and the others for their patience and sharing their experiences with me. I hope to do this again real soon. Total 12 bugs and assorted fish.

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