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Post by swampdog on May 29, 2024 8:06:45 GMT -5
To help meet our “fishing forum quota”:
As I’ve “matured” along the fishing highway, mangrove snapper fishing is running neck and neck with fishing top water for reds as my favorite. Something about being able to target a species for a fish fry anytime of the year is one of life’s little pleasantries.
I even have a couple of favorite setups for snappers. One is an Ambassador 4500C with a stiff rod and 10 lb mono for setting the hook on them. The other is a small Diawa SS Tournament 1300 with braid, on an old Scabbard rod that is pure harmony. I like the Scabbard so much I let a friend redo the guides and the finish to like brand new. He added more guides and upgraded it for the price of the parts. Everyone that has used it has claimed it and got a little chagrined when I said nope, it’s going home with me.
Big plans to take the youngster’s fishing a lot this summer with school being out.
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Post by cyclist on May 29, 2024 8:56:22 GMT -5
I love it all. Particularly enamored with inshore wading for reds. Think some western steelhead river fly fishing would be a hoot.
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Post by cracker4112 on May 29, 2024 9:22:23 GMT -5
At this stage of life with my kids, I’m just the guide, mate, and boat bitch. The best days are when we catch a lot of fish, species be damned. Lately snappers and Spanish macks have been doing it.
If I ever get to fish, it’s still big snook on big baits for me.
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Post by Pressure Point on May 29, 2024 10:02:04 GMT -5
When I lived on the east coast, it was dolphin. Moved to Tampa area and now it's gags.
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Post by conchydong on May 29, 2024 10:37:23 GMT -5
I like all forms of fishing. Not too much into targeting sportfish but if I incidently catch a Sailfish/Marlin etc. and it's legal it will be harvested, grilled and/or smoked. Mostly just deepdrop now days but that is even getting tougher with the amount of people with electric reels and fancy electronics in my area.
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Post by whitebacon on May 29, 2024 10:50:36 GMT -5
Restricting my comment to back home in Florida and not here where I live now.
We bottom fished for 30 years or so in SW Florida. Favorite was running out to 90' or so and fishing the wrecks and springs. Anchor and chum. Get the yellowtail snappers to come up almost to the surface and get them to stay in the chum line.
Gear was a light rod with a spinning reel with 12lb mono, 30lb leader, and no swivel, line to line knot. Free line with cut bait, live sardine, or live shrimp, getting the bait to go at the same speed as the chum coming out of the chum bag.
We had many days that I could mention, but the best was around 40 yellowtail snapper, all 6 pounds or better. Every fish we caught, I actually saw them bite in the gin clear water.
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Post by swampdog on May 29, 2024 10:53:26 GMT -5
Caught and released a huge Goliath grouper several years ago. It was a lot of work and I’d willingly let someone else do it, if a next time rolled around.
Not salt, but did catch some migrating salmon in Alaska a few years ago. That was fun and they eat really good.
Enjoying our outdoorsy lifestyle is the best thing we have going when it comes to relaxing.
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Post by tonyroma on May 29, 2024 12:05:11 GMT -5
I like slow trolling nearshore for kings. No million dollar boat needed. Used to be sight fishing cobes off the rays but that cat got out the bag years ago. Six boats chasing one ray. Everybody is strapped, fights at the ramp. Getting too old for that shit.
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Post by richm on May 29, 2024 13:05:03 GMT -5
I like bottom fishing and trolling for kings.
The whole bottom fishing thing is for good eating and you never know what’s gonna grab on.
Love it when a king grabs a bait and tries to melt the reel. Plus is we eat them.
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Post by tampaspicer on May 29, 2024 14:05:48 GMT -5
Love catching gator trout and big snook in the passes.
I miss Pier 60 being open 24/7. There are some slobs there in late spring/early summer as the bait shows up.
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got1on
Junior Member
Posts: 29
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Post by got1on on May 29, 2024 14:06:22 GMT -5
I am completely addicted to hunting Tarpon, Snook and Redfish in the backcountry of Everglades National Park!
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Post by 4ward on May 29, 2024 18:07:43 GMT -5
I have done all of it Florida has to offer. Growing up from one end of this state to the other was awesome.
I thoroughly enjoy everything from panfish to groupers and dolphin to c and r marlin and sails.
Snook have been my ultimate passion since I was 5 and headed to the spillway alone( I got my butt whipped that day and a few times after BUT STILL NEVER GOT OVER IT)
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Post by bswiv on May 29, 2024 20:28:37 GMT -5
To help meet our “fishing forum quota”: As I’ve “matured” along the fishing highway, mangrove snapper fishing is running neck and neck with fishing top water for reds as my favorite. Something about being able to target a species for a fish fry anytime of the year is one of life’s little pleasantries. I even have a couple of favorite setups for snappers. One is an Ambassador 4500C with a stiff rod and 10 lb mono for setting the hook on them. The other is a small Diawa SS Tournament 1300 with braid, on an old Scabbard rod that is pure harmony. I like the Scabbard so much I let a friend redo the guides and the finish to like brand new. He added more guides and upgraded it for the price of the parts. Everyone that has used it has claimed it and got a little chagrined when I said nope, it’s going home with me. Big plans to take the youngster’s fishing a lot this summer with school being out. Light tackle is part of it. And being able to eat well after the trip is another part. And when you mention mangroves you catch my attention........caught about 35 or so in St. Augustine Inlet today.....and a few lanes, a couple of which were keepers.....and a stray mutton. Plus.....a red, a drum, a blue, a couple of jacks and a dozen or so flounder....all but one of which were too small. And two whiting, both of which hit minnows.   |
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Post by swampdog on May 29, 2024 21:31:32 GMT -5
Great mess of fish Bswiv!
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cortr
Junior Member
Posts: 26
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Post by cortr on May 30, 2024 5:03:05 GMT -5
Inshore for redfish, trout & flounder in Louisiana
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Post by lemaymiami on May 30, 2024 5:43:34 GMT -5
Heaven help me - I like it all. Saltwater, freshwater, and everything in-between... Still working charters day, night whenever, wherever -but nearing the end of my string... Whenever I'm asked at one ramp or other about our day (or night) - my usual reply is "it went great... I didn't break anything...". What I don't mention is that I'm not only talking about my skiff or my gear... Must say that our best trips are when someone brings kids.
"Be a hero... take a kid fishing"
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Post by tampaspicer on May 30, 2024 8:07:54 GMT -5
I also enjoy bottom fishing for grouper and snapper. I just don't have the tackle or means to get out there anymore.
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Post by JS84 on May 30, 2024 8:11:05 GMT -5
Inshore reds, mangrove snapper, and trout
Nearshore macks, kings, trigger fish
Offshore grouper and snapper
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Post by bridgeman213 on Jun 1, 2024 9:01:02 GMT -5
I really enjoy catching snook and reds in the mangroves, haven't got any trout yet but I'll figure em out. A couple of middle ground trips (charter) will keep the freezer stocked. Love Florida
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Post by mackeralsnatcher on Jun 1, 2024 10:23:55 GMT -5
Wading the flats or grouper digging
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Post by tampaspicer on Jun 3, 2024 10:50:00 GMT -5
I really enjoy catching snook and reds in the mangroves, haven't got any trout yet but I'll figure em out. A couple of middle ground trips (charter) will keep the freezer stocked. Love Florida Try fishing deeper grass flats this time of year. Trout don't like the warmer water as much as snook and reds. |
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Post by bridgeman213 on Jun 3, 2024 19:56:09 GMT -5
I really enjoy catching snook and reds in the mangroves, haven't got any trout yet but I'll figure em out. A couple of middle ground trips (charter) will keep the freezer stocked. Love Florida Try fishing deeper grass flats this time of year. Trout don't like the warmer water as much as snook and reds. I'm heading out Thursday on a quest.. pop corks, shrimp and swim baits. Thanks for the tip. |
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Post by richm on Jun 4, 2024 5:12:27 GMT -5
Try fishing deeper grass flats this time of year. Trout don't like the warmer water as much as snook and reds. I'm heading out Thursday on a quest.. pop corks, shrimp and swim baits. Thanks for the tip. Look in 3-4 ft of water to start. |
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Post by duckman on Jun 9, 2024 14:25:12 GMT -5
I love it all....
But taking my grandkids trumps anything by a wide margin. Having your granddaughter manhandle a nice slottie snook....then go catch a shark at night...or another granddaughter catch a 25 & 27 lb King.
Those are the best....
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Post by jmarkb on Jun 9, 2024 20:31:47 GMT -5
Ain't nothing like watching a big yellow fin bust a top water lure and go off pulling 200 yards or so of braid behind him. Swords at night are close, though. Not with freaking electrics, either. I love it all with just a few exceptions. Fresh water fishing and catching AJ's over about 30 lbs. I used to think that was fun, not anymore.
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Post by bridgeman213 on Jun 10, 2024 11:43:29 GMT -5
Ain't nothing like watching a big yellow fin bust a top water lure and go off pulling 200 yards or so of braid behind him. Swords at night are close, though. Not with freaking electrics, either. I love it all with just a few exceptions. Fresh water fishing and catching AJ's over about 30 lbs. I used to think that was fun, not anymore. Agree with you 100%. I'm 61 and choose not to argue with anything over 100lb if I can help it. |
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Post by bridgeman213 on Jun 10, 2024 11:49:09 GMT -5
I'm heading out Thursday on a quest.. pop corks, shrimp and swim baits. Thanks for the tip. Look in 3-4 ft of water to start. Spanked em on Thursday and Saturday, caught about 20 each day. Also got a 30" cobia that i released. Thought it was odd to get one in 4 feet of water but what do I know. Only my 3rd month fishing saltwater in my own boat. Still learning for sure |
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Post by tonyroma on Jun 10, 2024 13:24:33 GMT -5
Look in 3-4 ft of water to start. Spanked em on Thursday and Saturday, caught about 20 each day. Also got a 30" cobia that i released. Thought it was odd to get one in 4 feet of water but what do I know. Only my 3rd month fishing saltwater in my own boat. Still learning for sure Them Cobes ain’t very smart, they will show up out of nowhere with the commotion of catching fish. We always keep a heavier pitch rod ready with a big grub or eel jig. Glad you are figuring out the Florida fishing. |
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Post by JS84 on Jun 10, 2024 15:30:49 GMT -5
Had one come up into Rocky Creek hanging on an eagle ray while I was kayak fishing. I thought it was the biggest remora I had ever seen. By the time reality hit me, they'd disappeared and I was cursing myself.
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Post by gandy on Jun 11, 2024 8:41:25 GMT -5
Hands down favorite fishing I have done for pleasure and work, YFT out of East central Florida.
Strong 2nd is loading the cooler with Black sea bass, Vermilion snapper and other tender vittles.
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