SUBJECT: # 38914: Gags Biting, Big Snapper, Bay Not Too Shabby: SW FL Fishbuster Dave

Submitted by Fishbuster Dave from FLORIDA on 12/14/03 4:32:00 PM

Monday, I fished the bay, by the channel toward Wiggins Pass, with brothers Mike and Charlie Kell. We caught and released a small snook and a small redfish, and boated a keeper redfish and keeper sheepshead, all on live shrimp.

Offshore Tuesday, in 47 feet west of New Pass, I had a great day fishing with Clay and Monica Hall. We got five keeper gag grouper, a 28 incher, two 27 inchers, a 26 inch and a 24 inch. We also got keeper mangrove snapper to 15 inches, triggerfish and grunts. We used live shrimp, small blue runners, and small coral snapper (sand perch) for bait.

Thursday, I fished Wiggins Bay and the channel toward Wiggins Pass with Leon Dargis and son, Brett. We caught a small barracuda, which is a bit unusual in that area. We also caught four keeper sheepshead, and released lots of smaller sheepshead around Hell’s Gate, all on shrimp.

Friday, we had a chilly start, but it was a great day fishing with David Bloomfield and sons, Paul and Dave. We fished south of the 240 ledge with shrimp, and caught about fifty big mangrove snapper to 19 ½ inches, releasing all but our three limits. We also caught a 24 inch gag grouper, Spanish mackerel, and triggerfish. We released gag and red grouper shorts, as well as an odd fish known as a guitar fish.
We fished again together on Saturday, just off the Registry, and caught a 25 inch gag grouper on a tomtate, as well as releasing about 90 fish, including keeper mangrove snapper, grunts and small gags. We also caught and released a 175 pound goliath grouper, which was tons of fun! Find complete info and fish photo album at www.fishbustercharters.com