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Ruby Red Lip
 
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Last Login: Yesterday @ 12:54:09 PM
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| The wave forecast for Saturday the 6th was not good, but the buoy report that morning showed things calming down a bit, so we decided to give it a shot. Launched the flats boat and ran to the pass; stopped near Ft. Pickens and loaded up on Herrings and a few LY's and headed to about the #2 buoys. It felt like a weekday out there - very few boats. I imagine it was a combination of fuel prices and the forecast. Anchored up just east of the channel and set two surface baits and one on the bottom. Didn't take long before the bottom rod went off and my 8-year old caught a nice 3.5-4.5' shark. Because it started calming down (just a nice big groundswell by about 9:30), we eased a bit further out and reanchored. The first line out was nailed by a nice 15lb King and my son had a blast. We had a fresh dead herring that we decided to butter fly and put on the bottom. Before he went out I remember both of us remarking that something was going to nail that bait fast and, sure enough, not 30 seconds goes by and that rod doubles over. I grabbed it and thought it was just a big shark or maybe a big bull red. We are 15 seconds into the fight and he launches out of the water. My first thought was this was the whitest shark I had ever seen. Then, on the second jump, I realized it was a big-ass tarpon. He went ballistic and broke me off after that second time out of the water. It was exciting to say the least. Definitely going to go back a bit better prepared next time (circle hooks, longer leader, my biggest spinning rod). On another note - there were probably a total of 15 boats that day in the pass - running, trolling or otherwise getting set to fish. I had to wave off four of them. I was anchored outside of the channel and had one guy literally drift up on my anchor line. One other was running out and decided that, rather run out in the channel, to come right up my slick to within 75 feet of my boat. Two others were trolling and just had to get as close as possible, even though I was the only boat in sight. If you ever see anyone anchored up - especially out of a navigable channel - give them plenty of room. Sorry to vent but it's frustrating when you are in open water with fewer than five boats within eye sight and you have to wave people off to keep them from fouling lines.
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Ruby Red Lip
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Last Login: Yesterday @ 5:41:24 PM
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| I agree with common courtesy however the channel defined by the bouys is usually only used by large vessels. I think you are still going to have to accept more close encounters in the area you are fishing.JMO. Capt. John.
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White Marlin
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Last Login: Today @ 11:17:12 PM
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use a 6/0 Owner SSW circle hook (you can actually wait to feel pressure and then set the hook, plus it helps get the fish to) and about 3" of 60lb flourocarbon .... you really only need the fluoro because their gill plates are so sharp... and when they jump, point your rod at the fish... this will give it some slack and help keep from breaking you off when they jump... hope this helps, they are a truly amazing fish
-------------------------------------------------------------------- i'd rather be fishing. 
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Sailfish
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Last Login: 8/17/2008 7:12:55 AM
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Sweet report man! Gald to see your kids had some fun too!
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Sailfish
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Last Login: 8/17/2008 8:28:10 AM
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Thanks for the report. Next time maybe you will get the tarpon to the boat.
Mike
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