the only way to describe today's return to my saltwater s/p cast-a-thon. It's been non-characteristically almost 5 months since my last salt outing, but what a day of fun-filled "finesse" fishing. Attempting to beat the mass o' scallopers tomorrow and the 4th of July celebrants this weekend, coupled with friendly winds, it was Game on! Driving to the launch, I encountered a large, black sow piggy w/her entourage of 5 piglets grazing on the shoulder of the road. Didn't make my 1st cast 'til 8 am which yielded a beautifully marked, undersize Gag Grouper. About 5 casts later, I netted a beautiful 20.5" spotted trout and realized that this day could prove notable. Florida changed it's trout regs. last year that is dependent on region fished. My region, West Central, tightened it's slot from 15-20"(5 w/one per angler over 20")...new regs. are 15-19"(5 w/one per BOAT over 19"). My next trout pegged 19" so I opted to try for 3 more @19". While accomplishing that goal , I also netted 2 beautiful 15" Southern Flounder. Now, this year FWC changed my region's Flounder law from (12" min.10 per angler) to 14" min. only 5 per angler). Numerous Jack Crevalle and Ladyfish tested my drag "often". Quite the "welcome back" that was accentuated after my hiatus.
Thanks for coming along...What crappie??
12 lb braid/15 lb flouro/Vudu shrimp were today's armaments-
u2s