The winds calmed down for a five days between Nov. 8 and the 14th and I was able to get out into the waters around Cedar Key and catch some of the redfish and speckled trout there in the shallow waters. We caught both species with cut bait from fresh mullet I managed to procure from a local net fisherman I met earlier at the dock. As we fished we caught small pinfish we sliced up for strips of great bait. I also brought along fresh shrimp that is always good bait. I had also a box of different colored jigs that caught trout under a popping bobber. The fish are everywhere around the keys. We caught 12 keeper trout, with a few at 19 inches, as we sat fishing on the north west side of North Key in 4-5 ft of water. I was running back and forth netting trout and cutting bait when I heard Pete, at the bow, yell,"whoa...this one is really big". His line was zigging and ripping back and forth. Not exactly like a trout behaves when hooked. We had to clear lines and fisherfolks from the side of the boat he was fighting this special fish on. Pete managed to pull his fish up close enough for us to get a glimpse of it and I saw it was a whopper pompano. The `cadillac of the ocean` was brought alongside and I quickly snatched it up with my dipnet. He was 16.5 in. from tip of nose to the fork of his tail. Check out the picture of Pete and his pompano. The day before I took 4 folks out and one of the ladies had never been fishing before. Ursula was a nice German grandmotherly type. Of course she caught the biggest redfish at 23.5in. long and was so proud. I was proud of her too. You can see her displaying her 1st redfish in second picture.
Today is the 16th and there is a little wind out there. Not too bad. Wish I was out right now. If you want to experience great fishing and have it turn into a great adventure, call me at 352-221-5463 or e-mail me at shanadan50@hotmail.com and I`ll provide all you need. thanks, Capt. Dan Click Here to Go to My Website |