Troutarama with Jim Bohrer and Record numbers: over 100 each

Hi,

I have a couple pics that I'll put on later. We didn't catch many decent trout- probably three around 20" but we caught more trout than I've ever caught. Jim said he caught 111 trout and I caught by my best guess 101- I was more into the catching than counting. It was a day so active there wasn't enough time to drink water or eat. I also caught two fish at one time- more on that later. Trout, trout and more trout!!!

That 's 212 trout in about 6 hours woah!!!

Fishing Report 6-4-16; on water at 7:30 am Round Island (West Side) Water temp around 83, air temp about 78 then around 90 by 1pm, light wind from the east - later blowing about 12-15mph. Water clear to murky. Tide incoming then outgoing. Topwater early then Cal jigs with different plastic baits.

When Jim texted me to go with him I knew my only good rel was in the shop being repaired. My second reel worked but  it has a small spool. I put on new line that was way too heavy and so when we started fishing I got snarls and couldn't cast far.

We put in at a Marina off Dixie Hwy and as we went out Jim gave me a topwater to tie on. There was some bait 50 yards off shore spanning a long flat. We started casting out topwaters. Jim told me to slow it down and I did. My third cast a trout hit my plug and knocked it in the air!! Then it hit again and wham trout on!! I reeled in a nice slot unhooked it, and cast again. There were trout feeding everywhere. Jim caught a couple on top and I was getting a strike on almost every cast. They'd hit it three or four times before one would attack it and get hooked.

                                     One of my nice topwater trouts (click to enlarge)

In thirty minutes I caught about 12 trout topwater and had 40 strikes. It was awesome. I was still fishing topwater when Jim switched to a jig. Finally my line got snarled for the 5th times so bad I had to cut it. Jim caught 3 or 4 trout while I was messing with my line. Finally he tried to help me but decided to give me another rod and reel to use instead. Then I really started catching trout!!!


We had been following bait with the trolling motor across the flat in about 4 feet of water. The tide was almost high and the bait had gone under the surface. Jim stopped and we fished a spot next to a white buoy. I cast deep and got a hit- missed pulled it up got another hit- trout on-- it came in near the boat- then flipped off and I caught another trout following that one 15 feet from the boat which I released!!! Crazy!!!

We had double trout on probably 25 times and once I caught two and released them while he caught and released on. In that spot and another spot just 50 feet South we caught over 150 of our 212 trout.

I also caught two fish at one time!!! I caught a small trout and when it splashed near the boat a bluefish came up and grabbed it. The trout was to o big to swallow so the bluefish grabbed it's tail- but it wouldn't let go!! So I pulled both out of the water and when I swung them over to the boat the bluefish came off.

We tried some other spots in the area and still caught trout but not at the trout for every two casts rate. Here's a pic of Jim with a nice trout he caught in the morning on topwater:

                                                       Jim's Trout

Eventually we went back to the same area we fished in the morning and caught a few here and there at a steady rate. Finally I caught one nice trout in the afternoon,

                                                              Richard's Trout

So it started getting windy and it was hot and we were tired- tired of releasing trout, so we headed in. What a day.

Our totals: Jim caught 111 trout and I guessed 101 plus we also caught 4 jacks, one around 4 pounds, 2 bluefish and 1 puffer fish. A beautiful day on the water.

A Day with Mr Trout --May 10 Fishing Report

Hi,

I finally hooked up with Mr Trout- Jim Bohrer, and we went fishing in his boat at Round Island. We got a late start and the tide wasn't right and we both had trouble retying lines- but in the end- it was fun and we caught a few fish too!!!

Jim is the president of the Rod and Reel Club and an all-around great guy. He has caught more big sea-trout than anyone in this area and maybe more than anyone in the country-- after all this is one of the best big trout areas in the country. I guess his biggest is around 34 inches and 14 lbs and he has the pics to back it up.

Fishing Report 5-10-16 around 9am at Round Island dead low tide to incoming- Windy from south-east mostly South--fishing in Jim's boat with different plastics on jigs.

We launched at the Round Island ramp and headed out through the deeper cut. There was some chop on the water. The bait was flipping on the top behind two small islands which blocked the wind. Jim slowed down and told me to cast to the islands. My third cast- trout on!! It wasn't big and I lifted it up and unhooked it and back in she went. We went out some and the wind drifted us across a flat- usually there was grass there - but all he grass died in late August, a truly devastating loss for the fish and the fisherman. Grass=bait=shrimp=crabs and that's were the fish go to avoid being a bottle-nosed dolphin's slurp. Where are the trout? Everywhere but they aren't stacked in a nice grassy spot.

I got a snarl and had to cut my line. Jim wanted to show me one of his knots but then just tied it while I fished his pole. Trout on!! I caught a nice slot on his pole!!! I had two trout and Jim's a hell-of-a-fisherman so that wasn't going to stand. I got another snarl and it took 5 minutes to get it untangled and my line was messed up so I cut it and retied. In the ten minuted that took Jim caught two very nice trout, one about 19" and the other a slot. We drifted through and I got another trout then he caught one more. after another drift we headed to one of his special spots. But no grass was there and no bait was there and no trout were there.

We headed across some boat markers to the East bank and let the wind and Jim's trolling motor (hand operated with a remote control from the back of the boat by Jim) guide us. We were drifting shallow along the mangroves looking for redfish. Jim caught another trout- which surprised us. Then he caught a small snook. Then a redfish followed his lure to the boat and smacked it. Jim set the hook but the fish popped off- no slam today.

I lost a small fish then lost a nice one before hooking a 24" snook which came to the boat and flipped off. Jim wanted a pic but I catch a snook every day bigger than that. Jim hook a nice fish that splashed and pulled drag- "snook" he yelled. Then we saw it - a big trout. It wasn't long- maybe twenty-one inches but it was fat, He weight it- over 4 pounds. What a fatso!! I took a couple pics and will post one soon.

                                                  Jim's fat trout (click to enlarge)

We headed back and drifted. I immediately caught a nice trout and Jim got caught up in a tree and busted his line. We drifted all over while he retied, I caught and small snook and missed a fish or two. We each caught another trout and he aid the total was 11. I knew he caught 6 so that was good. 

We moved to another spot and caught a bunch of ladyfish. I had to go help my girlfriend so we had to head back with only 4 hours or so on the water.

                                                     My crazy girlfriend (click to enlarge)

Out totals- 11 trout with one over 20 and 4 pounds, 3 snook, and a bunch of ladyfish. a great windy day on the water.

My Biggest Redfish and other true lies

Hi,

A few days ago, Sunday May 8 to be exact. I caught my biggest redfish. How big was it? For wading Walton it was a monster!!! I didn't get a picture so I had a choice: Do I keep it and eat it or throw it back to get bigger? I threw it back. I did measure it on my fishing rod and it was around 30" long give or take a half inch. How heavy was it? I guess it must have been at least 10 lbs-- it's mouth was huge and they have small mouths. More in my fishing report.

May 8, 2:30pm Walton Scrub. Tide outgoing and fairly low. Air temp around 86 and water temp in the mid 70s. Wind about 10mph from the east. Water clear to murky.

I went shallow and didn't get a bite until I reached the 1st pier. Then I got a bite- wham!!! My drag whirred and a 26" snook jumped. I tried to keep it away from the pier- and I got lucky and it went away from the pier and to the shallower water. I've been having some tough luck on piers- got broke off 4 times a few days earlier- twice on the pier and twice on big snook breaking my line. Only one of them was my fault- I didn't retie. Today I unhooked the snook and it swam away- beautiful!!!

At the third pier I hooked a bigger snook that really gave me a run. It too went away from the pier. When I released it I saw two people standing on Indian River drive watching me. Hey, ty Mr. snook!!! The water was getting low and the last two piers didn't produce a strike. I saw some bait deep, so I went across the sandbar.

It's been slow deep. There are some big jacks and occasionally some ladyfish and bluefish but no trout. The feeders just come in, hit some bait and they are gone. So today was no exception: I fish deep then I'd see some feeders busting bait. I go over there and -- nothing. I saw three schools of feeders and by the time I got close they were gone. I'd cast and cast but nothing. I fished deep over a mile and not one bite.

It may have been the tide-- it was about dead low.  By the time it started moving I was all the way back. I was reeling slow and steady while I looked at my line for a snarl. Suddenly wham! I felt the bait being scooped up and I set the hook. Fish on!!! I didn't take long for me to know this was a gooood fish. I started to bring it in but no- it took out 10 yards of line. I thought it was a jack but it didn't go around me in a circle. What was it? I'd pull it in then it would take line out. Five minutes later I finally got it to me and pulled it up. Redfish!!! What a monster!!! This redfish was twice as big as any I'd caught at Walton and any I'd seen at Walton. The spot on his tail was as big as my fist. I pulled him up-- what should I do? I could take him to shore and get my camera out of the car but that would take 5 minutes at least and I only have 8 lb test. I had to let him go- I couldn't even pick him up with one hand- I tried- he was just too big. I put my pole under my arm lifted him up with two hands -- he was well hooked. I lipped him and measured him against my pole, I put my pole back under my armpit and unhooked him. He swam away --no problem!!!

I was shocked- what a fish! Next cast I got a hit then I caught a small trout, it flipped off before I could unhook it. Two casts later - wham - big hit!! Missed it- woah!!! Then on my next cast my jig was absolutely crushed. Fish on!! This was another big one. My drag whirred the fish leaped in the air shaking it's head-- bluefish. This was the biggest bluefish I'd hooked and it went absolutely crazy. I had water all over me- it was jumping everywhere. When I got it to me it was huge-- over 5 lbs. In the lagoon this was one of the biggest I'd ever caught- usually they are 2-3 lbs. I got my pliers out and fought it keep it from cutting the line before I could get the hook out- what a struggle! I squeezed the hook and shook the pliers- back in the water it went!!

I fished for 10 minutes and went North- then back- the bite just died. I headed off the water.

My totals: 2 nice snook one a slot; my biggest redfish a whopping 30" and around 10 lbs, 1 bluefish and 1 small trout. a beautiful day on the water.

Brief Fishing Reports 4-20-16 Slam and 4-21-16

Hi,

I've been fishing and the water in the Lagoon has been very high all week, at least 1 foot higher than normal. There's some sign of grass trying to grow shallow but the deep water and wind keeps the sun out so this isn't helping. With the full-moon it's prime time to fish but it's too windy especially on the West side.

The fish-of-the-month at the Stuart Rod and Reel club is largest trout. Yesterday I caught a 24" and a smaller slot, the day before a 21" and the day before that a 23".  I have a pic of the 23" and 21".  I measure them on my fishing pole which I have taped.


      Gotcha!!! A nice trout 23" from Monday

Yesterday I had an inshore slam- lot's of wind. Today I caught a big snook!! Here's a brief report:

Fishing Report: 4-20-16, 10:30am Walton Scrub-- Wind SE 14mph gusting, water high incoming then outgoing. Water temp 73 air temp 80. Water slightly stained and stirred up. Fishing Cal 1/2oz then 1/8 oz with different CAL paddle tails.

There were two people fishing live bait in shallow so I went South to fish the piers. One of the guys fishing with live bait caught a nice trout as I went by. He was fishing a live shrimp. It was very deep shallow with waves so I stayed to the shore. It would be high tide in 30 minutes so I tried to get moving. I caught a small ladyfish that leaped in the air twice. I pulled it in and it shook off. The first pier was dead. I cast 30 times and finally got a strike- missed it. I fished the short second pier nothing and the long third pier nothing. I didn't even fish the ends because it was so deep. The water was finally going out and I had little to show for my day so far.

I blanked on the 4th pier and started fishing slower. I had a heavier jig on because of the wind and waves. The 5th pier was dead too then suddenly after I cast shallow through the pilings I felt some weight- my line just stopped. I set the hook- fish on! nice fish, I thought it was a jack because it stayed down then saw it redfish!!!


          Small-medium redfish, had two spots

That was exciting then headed for "snook cove" which is an open area with mangroves. I cast off the white pilings and immediately had a fish on - trout!! The trout jumped twice and I wheeled an 18" beauty over to me and released it. 


                    18" Trout, my first

"Now all I need is a snook" I thought. I worked my way into snook cove and wham!!! Fish on!! It was a snook!! It came halfway out of the water then took off pulling drag and turning me sideways. I pulled it to me and it splashed again. I pulled out my camera, pulled it up and go a shot- it was about 30" a small slot. Then something weird happened I lifted my rod tip and my line broke- for no apparent reason- I guess fishing piers will do that- wear your line on barnacles.


    Slot Snook- it flipped over and broke my line!!!

It counted because I could have easily netted it. I was upset that it had to swim away with a hook in its mouth!!! In about 15 minutes I had an inshore slam. Wow!! I fished snook cove and up to the pier nothing. On the way back I cast where I caught the trout- I had a hit then another trout on!! This was big trout woah. It was easily around 4 lbs and I measured it on my pole and it was just less than 25".  The pic didn't come out- sorry.

On the 4th pier going back I caught a nice 2 lb jack and another ladyfish. I headed deep and got a hit immediately- missed it. I fished deep back and suddenly about 15 feet from me something slammed my jig- my drag whined and it just popped off. That was big- don't know what it was. I fished back and caught another small ladyfish.

My totals: 2 trout, one big around 24", one redfish, one slot snook, one jack and 3 ladyfish. A beautiful day on the water.

 ________________________

Fishing Report 2: dated 4-21-16, 8:30am Walton Scrub-- Wind SE 16mph gusting, water high incoming. Two-three foot waves.Water temp 73 air temp 80. Water slightly stained and stirred up. Fishing Cal 1/8 oz with different CAL paddle tails.

Today it was very windy and I only had three strike- but two of them paid off!! Nobody but me was crazy enough to fish the West side!!!  I first fished south to the piers- nothing. There were two foot waves with occasional whitecaps on every cast. When I made it to the first pier I patiently fished it. I cast toward the deep end and there she was- wham!! Big snook on!! She came out away from the pier quick then bellied half-way out of the water. Woah!! I tried to pull her North even farther from the pier but her second run went back to the pier- pulling drag the whole way. I couldn't stop that run but just when she made it to the pier I turned her and she went shallow away from the pier. After a couple minutes in the open water I got my camera out and got two pics. This is the best one:



       A submarine? No!! A big snook around 40".

She was well hooked but tired and after measuring her against my pole, I unhooked her. I moved her in the water till she swam away. I'd say she was over 10 pounds. What a fish!!!!

I fished all the way up to the 5th pier and had a vicious hit under that- missed it. By now I noted my jig was falling apart the led had separated. I headed back fishing quickly in the rising tide with huge waves.

When I got to the open stretch near Walton Scrub I fished out from the second mangrove and wham!! Snook on- another big snook. This one hit it- missed it then hit it and I set the hook and my drag just screamed. It went right out in the deeper water and splashed around but wasn't hard to bring in.  Here's a close up:

                                                    A very nice upper slot around 32" beautiful fish!!!


What a windy day- two snook one around 40 and one around 32.

Recap of the last month

Hi,

I apologize for not posting - it's not like I haven't been fishing :) just not writing about it. The snook fishing has been good. It got cold and for a week or so in March the snook were trying to keep warm. Then the water really started warming up and the bite was on. I've been catching one or two snook on bad days and 5 or 6 on good ones. They have been hanging around piers and cruising the shoreline chasing bait.

In my snook contest for March (Stuart Rod and Reel Club) I caught 20 snook but the meeting in March was cancelled because it was merged with another event. So I'm not sure how I would have done-- 20 snook in a month isn't very good for me.

Still I haven't had a big fish for quite some time and the biggest snook have have been in the 34-36" range. My neighbor Jim, who I fish with most of the time has had 3 monster snook on but all three have either broken his line or in once case broken his hooks. He was throwing a plug with a rusted treble hook and a big snook hit it and broke off two off his three treble hooks!!! That was a shocker.

There is still no grass in the lagoon- the grass died off in the high water of late August and September when it couldn't get any light. I'm sure pollution and water quality didn't help. Hopefully with warm water and conservation efforts: we (SRRC and other organizations) are dumping oyster shells and planting grass- the grass will come back.

Because there's no grass the trout are very hard to find. Look for them in shallow water 4'-5' maximum depth with access to shallower water. I caught a 24" trout (4 1/2 pounds) two days ago and have been catching one or two trout a trip. Last year it was 6 or 7 trout per trip this time of year and I averaged 15 trout a day in early summer. I know Jim Bohrer has been catching some big trout and I'm not sure of the numbers which I'm sure are less than last year-- he fishes Round Island in Vero.

I've seen some Redfish now that the water clarity is better and they're dumping less water from Okeechobee. But I've only caught three redfish this year and all were small. My neighbor caught a nice redfish at Bear Point a few days ago. He's also caught more redfish, possibly because he fishes slower.

I've been fishing Walton; Walton Scrub, and on the east side -Herman's both North and South and have fished Bear Point once. For a while I was catching some big jack a few around 8-10 pounds. I even caught a 10 pounder that was hit by a shark on the way in. It was cut up but lived to swim away. We don't see many sharks but when we do my neighbor starts heading for shallow water!!!

Right now the deep bite on the other side of the sand bar in all areas has been horrible. You can fish deep and for 30 minutes not get a bite. There are ladyfish and an occasional jack but no trout deep. No grass beds to protect the trout.

The spring mullet run is on!! Most of the mullet are too big for small jack, trout and snook but perfect for bigger fish. I've had good luck fishing shallow around bait and fishing piers. I haven't been fishing the bridges but they are probably getting to be good. Some of the snook will head out to the inlet to spawn soon.

I may upgrade my line from 8 lb to 20lb since I've been fishing piers and got broken off twice. 8lb is good for trout or anything in open water but a big snook around a pier is a different matter. I still fish primarily a 1/16 oz jighead with CAL 4" paddletail or fork tails usually white but I change colors. I have fished the larger paddletail and caught trout and bluefish on them.

I have some pics I'll put up someday and will do fishing reports,

Tight lines and true lies,

Richard

18 but who's counting :) Fishing reports

Hi,

Where's the grass in the lagoon gone? Long time passing. Yes, the grass is gone. Will it come back? I believe it will - sometime in late May or June. The snook are also gone. When it got cold the snook moved-- and they haven't returned. . .yet. So what do you don't if you can catch a snook in the lagoon--catch one in the ocean!!! So that's what I did, I went to the ocean tonight and got snook number 18 in the fish-of-the-month club. I almost caught number 19 but didn't get a good hook-set. . .that's the way it goes.

Briefly I'll recap some lagoon trips. It got cold last week and on one trip I caught lady-fish, bluefish and a few jacks. After 4 or 5 ladyfish I want to catch a trout since the snook are gone- no trout. Another trip in a brutal SE wind and high incoming tide I couldn't find  the ladyfish and bluefish deep or the trout-- I caught 5 jack and three of them were small. Tough fishing! Here are two reports:

Fishing report Walton proper 3-2-16 about 8:30am low tide incoming. Air temp 72-77 water temp 71.  Water murky. Fishing jigs 1/8 oz with paddletails.

I went to Walton proper and went out deep- it was almost low tide. Two guys were fishing deep South of the last pier- one was fly fishing. I went straight out to my top spot and after two casts I slowly lifted my jig and felt some weight- wham fish on. The trout opened his mouth and skied back on the top 10 feet then went down and came up jumping a foot in the air. I wheeled him to me and grabbed for my camera--it was gone. I left it sitting on the hood of my car!!! No pic. I'd have to go get it soon. I released a nice slot trout around 17".

A couple cast later, fish on!! Another nice trout came wheeling in. I got splashed good and released it. I looked at my car on the bluff- nobody around - my camera was safe. Two casts later I got a swirl and a bump but missed it. I cast deep and as soon as it hit- trout on!! This was smaller about 14" and in 5 minutes I caught three trout. Time to get my camera. 10 minutes later I was back in my spot casting everywhere- no trout. I did catch a nice jack and two ladyfish but the trout bite had stopped. The fly fisherman had come down near me and I recognized him and said "Hi."

"Catch any trout?" he asked.
"Three," I called back.
"Just landed a ladyfish" he said
"Me too," I said, as he said, "bye" and got off the water.

I worked my way North then back south and caught a few more lady fish and another jack. I cast deep and wham fish on- this was a nice fish and it didn't jump-"probably a jack," I thought. I was wrong it was a big trout, very nice and it splashed me twice while I grabbed my camera and took a couple pics [upcoming]. I measured her against my pole - 22 1/2 inches, very nice and heavy too.

I caught two more lady fish and lost a few more before I reached my 2nd spot a shallow point before the water got deeper. Two casts later I caught my 5th trout a small slot around 16". I lost a trout when it came up and landed another ladyfish. This ladyfish jumped 3 feet in the air but right into me. When I put up my arm the hook cut my left elbow. Unreal. I already had a cut thumb from releasing a jack.

As I went to the last pier, fishing deep, a guy came on the water with a bobber and live shrimp and started fishing the pier- now I couldn't fish it. While he was fishing the pier I caught a trout, two jack and 10 ladyfish (unhooking about 5 of them :) So he came out and started fishing deep too. But he wasn't catching a thing. So I went over and showed him my jig and then went deep fishing. He tied on a jig and 5 minutes later caught a nice trout!!! When I came back I saw him catch a ladyfish and another trout- "Way to go!!" I yelled to him.

I fished shallow but there was nothing there so I went back deep and fished back. On the way I caught my 7th and 8th trout the 7th was over 20 inches and I took a couple pics [upcoming].

My totals: 5 jacks, 12 ladyfish (a at least 12 more that flipped off) and 8 trout. A beautiful day on the water!

Fishing report 3-3-16, 4:30pm Ocean at Herman's Bay, Tide medium low- outgoing. Air temp about 80 water temp about 71. Wind SW. Fishing jigs with my neighbor.

It was nice to be back on the Ocean. Jim took off South and was 1/2 mile ahead of me. I got a strike and it tore the tail off my paddletail. I saw some big fish feeding in the distance- way too far away. I cast along trying to catch up with Jim. I got a hard hit- fish on!!! this was nice fish but it wasn't a a snook- just a 3 pound jack. I released the fish with some difficulty since it swallowed my lure- it swam away ok.

I caught up to Jim who had blanked and then I caught a small jack in the first cut near the shore, I had several strikes there and one took the tail off. Jim foul hooked a small jack- his only fish. We headed back casting along. Jim was leading the way 50 yards ahead. I was casting in a shallow trough only 3 foot deep that was cut along the shore. Suddenly I saw a fish dart out of the shallows and slam my jig. Snook on!! I called to Jim but he didn't turn. The snook took off and ran right past me only 10 foot from my rod tip. It cut left toward the beach and I pulled it on the beach, a chunky 23" snook. This took about 15 seconds I grabbed the leader, went to unhook it and it flipped twice- the hook came out and a wave swept the fish way. Wow!! my 18th snook!!!

I cast shallow all the way back and 3 minutes later another snook nailed my jig. This time it jumped and threw my jig. Woah, can't count that one!! Then a minute later wham!!! Fish on!! This was good fish. I called to Jim again but he didn't hear me. This time it was a 5 pound jack. Although I was disappointed that it wasn't a snook, it was a good fish. I got no more action and we got off the water as it was getting dark.

My totals: 3 jack, and 1 snook.

My Biggest Trout- (so far) Fishing Report 2-27-16

Hi,

We thought it was going to be a good day to go fishing-- it wasn't. It was cold and the windy blew steady from the North and then North East at 17-20mph with three foot waves and breakers. But something good did come out of this day that was so hard to fish. I caught a 28 1/2" trout that weighed an estimated 8lbs. What a monster- details follow.

Fishing Report 2-27-16 Walton Scrub about 12:30pm high tide incoming then outgoing. Water was about 68 and air was about 66. Windy about 17mph NE. Fishing 1/8 jig with CAL paddletails.

I went fishing with my neighbor Jim. we saw the waves breakers and knew it was windy. When we got on the water we found out how windy- it was almost unfishable especially since there's not much of nothing shallow- it's been dead shallow except when the snook were shallow but the cold has moved them out. Just brutal conditions.

We both went deep and made it past the sandbar. I got a strike as I pulled my jig up near me- I couldn't see the fish but it wasn't big. We went to our spot deep and I got another strike, then fish on!!! A wild an crazy ladyfish jumped out of the water, then again and again. I got her over to me and unhooked the 3 pounder- a fish at least-- and. . .they fight. Jim put on a heavier jig and he caught a ladyfish, then a small jack. I fished North and ahd two strikes but missed them. Then I caught my second lady fish, this one I didn't have to unhook as she jumped near me and threw my jig. I caught one more ladyfish but it was too windy to really feel your line so I went shallow. Jim stayed.

I fished shallow all the way to the 1st pier- nothing, not a strike. I carefully fished the first pier- nothing. Jim had come down and was fishing deep off the first pier. I fished the short 2nd pier nothing. Then I went to the long third pier and it was high tide so I went down nearer the shore. I made a long cast under the pier and wham fish on!!! Huge splash, then another!! This was big fish and at first I was sure it was a snook. Then I thought, "She's heavy but she isn't running like a snook." "Redfish?" I wondered. Then she came up again and shook her head- I saw her head. "Trout!!" I yelled to Jim. "Big Trout!!!"

I brought her up and she splashed again, unable to clear the water. I wheeled her around and at last got a glimpse- "Huge trout, my biggest!" I saw she was well hooked and pulled her to me. I quickly measured her against my fishing rod and took two pics (upcoming) of her in the water. Jim was nearby and headed my way so I took her over to him. He unhooked her while she was in the water but she jumped and flipped out of his grasp before I could take another pic. What a fish!! Jim who knows lagoon fish and has been fishing her for 18 years told me she "weighed at least 8 pounds" and was the biggest he had seen caught when he had been fishing. Later I checked her length by measuring the marker on my rod- 28 1/2 inches. Woah!!!

The rest of the trip was uneventful- too windy. I caught a nice jack on the way back and we got off the water.

Jim's totals: 2 jack 3 ladyfish
My totals: 1 trophy trout, 1 jack and 3 ladyfish