Adding salt to my diet

**up2specks** · 07-15-2020, 06:43 PM

Had an unusually long saltwater switch-over this season due to some close to home freshwater recon missions. Typically I make the change around April 1st but thankfully my new found fishery has kept me "busy"! Anxious to plate up some fresh trout/redfish filets, today's unexpected rewards were gladly accepted. Although the trout/reds proved elusive, the high jumping ladyfish, hardhead cats, and a couple legal sea bass were given the net massage. The two significant catches, although unexpected, oversized and out of season, were Mr. Snook. The first behemoth, after a couple scorching drag burns, found freedom from my med. spinning tackle after burying in some rocks in 10 fow fraying my 20 lb floro. #2 took his turn with identical tug o war tactics, but he was destined for the photo-shoot. Taping out @35" he would have been 2 " over FL. West coast limit(28 - 33)so after the boat-side revival/release. Second spot was about a mile from 1st Snook location and I'm anxiously looking fwd. to Sept. 1st Snook season. Had unsuccessful multi-cast attempts at a beautiful keeper tripletail that was staged next to a channel marker. They typically are easy prey with a free-lined live shrimp, but I was doing my usual artificial presentation. I have landed 5 on artificials the last few years. Arriving back @ramp, a middle aged man was cleaning a 15 lb Tripletail MONSTER, that fell victim to Live-lined shrimp after he spotted it next to a crab pot float. He also revealed numerous oversized Reds and Tarpon that he caught on Live shrimp! I get my jollies on artificial lures both fresh/salt. Both Snook were caught on 1/8 oz 3/0 heads with Mirrodine 'lil John(rootbeer/red sparkle).