I went a little Off Course

[Slab]

Wifey and I booked a charter outa Key Largo yesterday with Off Course Charters. It was just the two of us on a small 22ft center console with Captain Henry. What a great trip. It was better than the usual party boats we've previously taken here in the Keys. This trip was on the Gulf side. We fished in the Everglades National Park. We required an extra permit for that. A $15 one day thing per person. No big deal, as it was way cool there. We seen Shark, Manatee, and all sorts of birds/fish.


Here's some pics I thought I'd share.


I caught the first Jack Cravele. Wifey actually missed three, they got off the line. She set the hook way early. With live bait and circle hooks we're supposed to let'em take it for a three count I'm told.



Wifey caught the first keeper. A Mangrove Snapper. We released all the Jack Crevele. I guess they're not good eating. We wern't here for eating fish anyway, just wanted playing fish.


Wifey caught the first Snook. cool




This Tarpon would not take live bait. He hung out all around the boat, and I tossed a live Mullet (I think it was Mullet, dono, forgot to ask) right in front of it's nose and it did nothing.

Here's a super short video (below). Look close though. You'll see a wake coming down the channel. It's a school of Jack Crevale. Super wild event to see. It was awesome. There were so many, and those are big fish. They go in and out of that channel. I think they did it three times while we were there, but then they stopped, and we moved to a new spot.




I was able to throw out a bait in front of the wake twice, and it was snapped up immediately. Then it was on. Unreal how strong those fish are. You literally have to fight them to keep them out of the mangroves. Wasn't easy. I lost the first one, but not the second. Wifey caught one here as well.

[DockShootinJack]

They are brutes. Given a chance they will take all the line off a reel in a hurry.
Sounds like and awesome trip.

[silverside]

Great trip it sounds and looks like. Thanks for sharing it.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

[Billbob]

Great trip


Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

[deathb4disco]

Unreal how strong those fish are.

Jacks are insanely strong. I go to Florida a couple of times a year to fly fish for them (along with snook, etc.) Jacks are almost uncontrollable on a fly rod.

[keeferfish]

Did you also post this on JackCravele.Com?

Very Cool!

[BuckeyeCrappie]

What fun you guys had, thanks for sharing

[SuperDave336]

What a cool looking trip. Sounds and looks like you had a blast. Thanks for sharing trip with us.

[kycreek]

That had to be fun.

[BobC]

Thanks for the ride along on a great trip! Loved seeing those bruisers you guys caught!
Bob