Sounds like an awesome trip
could easily define today's Saltwater excursion. AXES = Pre-dawn, West coast, Sunny Florida temperatures were listed as low 40's and my pre-trip advisory to Slab was to dress appropriately. His early hour 45 minute due West drive to my driveway along with his self-expressed little sleep relay that was confirmed repeatedly by his noticably incessant Yawning Nasty temps, high, cold-front winds unfortunately forecasted by high-salaried specialists folks were easily >10 mph over the 10 -15 NE. Water temps started at a frigid 57 degrees only to slightly elevate to 59 As a responsible host/guide, I always have Guest-goals in my personal "to do" list. Chose NOT to touch my rod/reel for the 1st 20 minutes after tying on Slab's "ticket" lure. I asked Slab to bring his personal rod/reels for reasons, especially obvious to me, with the Saltwater denizen of the deep scenario hazards. While witnessing/evaluating Ed's, decent enough for now, casting proficiency, he experienced the Braided-line Wind KNOT that was Second to NONE!! TEN pairs of non-Amputated hands couldn't help solve what a pair of Scissors eventually DID! Shortly thereafter, Slab accomplished my 1st of many "guest to-do" list! = Undersized Snook Slab kept chiding me to pick up my rod to show me how it's done! I said I wasn't quite ready yet!(I was busy cutting/retying "stuff") Moving to another high-potential spot, I again gave Slab the proper regard to instruct him of his casting parameters. I then started my day, and was excited with the "tick of excitement"! I told Slab that I would appreciate his help with the NET!! Even before the 2 minute drag-blistering, head-shaking runs, I knew top-slot Mr. SNOOK had been fooled with my artificial-only 'lil John. Multiple 30-40 yard runs, made me glad I decided to put on an Extra set ofundies! Unfortunately, apparrently Mr. SNOOK had a slight psychological disorder with Social gatherings with strangers or possibly even a bit Camera-shy You guessed it, he came unbuttoned with a violent head-shake @the surface about 10 yards from Slab's yet to be evaluated... netting skills!. Well the list of AXES continued to mount all throughout our day with ME missing some sizable keeper trout. My hooks, although religiously kept sharp, were offset by the soft, tentative bite(so far). As the lowering tide was exiting @Mario Andretti record speed aided by the NE/E wind direction, Slab(way NORTH(Illinois) native "I can't feel my fingers! I knew I should've brought my ICE fishing portable catalytic heater along! Well, as if I had planned(prayed) for it...my "PLANits started to come into alignment and with it started to take the edge off of the AXE! Winds noticably reducing, water-temps bump, Slab now feeling his fingers, about an hour from Ebb tide, our Sleigh-ride was about to start receiving our well-deserved Presents! I already could start seeing the "signs" that Slab's newby status could afford him, so I audibly kept assuring him to "buckle up his helmet" = You ain't seen NUTTIN' YET! j
Just HOLD ON! ACES= Only minutes later was Slab's tick(knock @the door). I quickly assured him that I'll have the net! What unfolded couldn't have been scripted any better by DISNEY! I was hoping that Slab had done a double undies earlier this morning b4 leaving home. All's I can compare this fish's contempt with is the RUSH to the White House earlier this year!(sorry no political sway intended) Slab's open-eyed excitement easily exibited his "6 yr. old 1st box of Cracker Jack's "the prize"! Upper slot, wild-eyed, thick-shouldered, defeated Ed Moes' personal best Mr. REDFISH!! Oh yeah! Guess that's about it, guys...oh my gosh, almost forgot, there's more!. Shortly followed with my bigger, sorry Ed...it's bigger BROTHER? Sorry, hopefully maybe Slab could share some day's pics he snapped.
Well, even notched another off my instructional wish list for Freshwater Guy to experience my reason I may exhibit some crabbiness! Gotta admit, Slab was Excersized largely 2day!
In closing, let me say(if needed), I typically try to refrain from overstating too much, but the day's variables(+-) that I/we both were handed = this is one for the BOOKS for me! Thanks Slab for fittin' this trip in...FINALLY, after all the STUFF you've encountered!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Thanks for Ridin', Reelin', Readin' along with us!
u2s
Sounds like an awesome trip
The love for fishing is one of the best gifts you can pass alongup2specks thanked you for this post
Great trip for sure. Doug, as usual, went over and above on planning and executing fishing trip. Those that went to the Monroe Slabfest know what I'm talking about.
The trip shoulda been called Fishing and Fooding, not Axes and Aces. Doug put us on the fish and put us on the food.
I'll get back to the fishing later. The food was just as spectacular as the fishing. Little did I know but while I was getting my stuff out of the boat, Doug was setting up for a cook out, Pony and all.
I learned how to catch crab (Blue Crab), cook crab, and eat crab from a Maryland native while here in Florida. What a country! lol
More about the fishing later, but take a look at this pic and tell me which fish is bigger?
Mine is on the right (in my left hand). hmmmm
Thanks for taking me along guys!
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And the fishing was awesome even though I was freezing! It was sub zero conditions, at least it felt like it particularly since I've been a Floridian now for quite a while.
Doug definitely know what he's doing in these salt waters. We hit his hotspots and laid into them good. It was a ton of fun. Even picking up the crabs was cool. I really enjoyed the trip Doug. Here are some more pics.
looks about the same Slab. also looks like a fun day with multiple species encountered which is always fun and then running the crab traps too? Then eating said crab? what a day!
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specs, redfish, snook and crabs? what a day and experience with a great guide like Doug!
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way to go guys ! looks like a lot of fun.
OK! - Rebuttal = Sorry Slab, although I'm not a paid Photographer/Editor, even a sight-challenged viewer could see the advantage that Sunlight plays in optics. Please take notice of the "Scarred" fish(yours) and the COMPLETE sunlight advantage that it has over my thick-shouldered BRUISER(left side) that YOU "accidently"(?) made happen ! (Half of the fish is SHADED!) WORSE than if you had asked me to challenge Sharon(your wifey) to a FULL MARATHON...jealousy is a bad trait to encourage your viewers. Forgot to mention an appropriate story that happened to me the day b4 our trip. It seems that a lady I know moved from Miami to a town that change it's name. Unfortunately, it actually may have been a more appropriate location for your newly built house= FROSTPROOF!! True story!
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Even though your Trophy was much SMALLER than mine, it should be an enjoyable(one-of-a-kind table TROPHY) as your 1st attempt @Grilled REDFISH on the half-shell for your Thanksgiving dinner(as you mentioned). Enjoy!
Last edited by up2specks; 11-25-2021 at 10:46 AM.
Thanks for checkin' on me! CURIOSITY takes me there, SUCCESS ushers me back!
I almost forgot to mention the best part. Well maybe the second best part after the nice Redfish I caught. The second best part was the Crabcakes. Those of you that attended the slabfest know exactly what I'm talking about.
Blue Crab was superb but you had to work hard for the meat. Crabcakes, were superb, and you didn't have to work for them. Someone else already did the work! doh. Thanks again Doug. And I never said my fish was bigger but pitchurs don't lie! just sayin'
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