Gulf of Mexico Fishing - Part 2

Spent Tuesday fishing with Capt. Chad Gamble of Hook & Ladder Charters. Kingfish were the target between 5 to 8 miles out in the Gulf in about 40 foot of clear blue water.

Fly rod was to hand but we needed to get the fish interested first so a few shiners were thrown in and were taken straight away. You could see the fish cruising around below. Light spinning rods were baited and nothing. We could still see the fish but they weren't interested.

First run fought like a grouper and took us straight into the reef and sat there until he broke us off. Next run was to my wife Joyces rod and she was into the first Kingfish of the day. Screaming reel as the fish ripped of line only tobite through the leader. We we trying with and without wire traces but the fish seemed to be wary of the wire.

Mangrove snapper

We could see snapper below us picking up the offerings and they started hitting hard, but for small fish do they fight hard and once hooked all they want to do is get back into the reef. We had numerous rod bending moments with these until we managed to keep one on, best Mangrove snapper of the day was just a little over 4lb.

Eventually we managed to get the Kingfish on the feed, but trying to keep them on was another thing. Sometimes you have to wait whilst you saw them coming in and swiping at the bait and other times it was as soon as the bait hit the water they took it and just went off on a searing run.

Nearly there

Lemon shark

Also managed to hook into a lemon shark, not very big but on light tackle it pulled real hard. Safely realeased after a few very quick photos.




Fishing was fast and hard and the fly rod even got to try its luck, I had a kingfish come up to the lure and swipe at it twice before giving up, a couple more tried but each time they turned away after going right up to the lure. Repeated changes brought us no luck so it was back to the bait rod, it was amazing to see in such clear water.

Whilst the action with the Kingfish was at its hotest we spotted a large shark, possibly a bull shark at least 2 feet wide and 10 feet long looking to strike at any of the fish we hooked. So it now became a case of carefully watching when anyfish we brought to the boat for unhooking.

The frenzy of hooking these fish and hearing and seeing the line scream off was awesome at one point there was smoke coming from the reel the fish was stipping line so fast, these fish really are built for speed.

Nearly time to go when a pod of about 20 dolphins cruised around the boat after this the bite had pretty much gone but what a great site to see.

Back now to Sarasota Bay to play some music, eat some Orios and lay some flowers for my daughter, miss her lots, love her forever.

The photos here are only a few from the day if you want to see some more visit Cheshire Fly Fish page on Facebook and I'll create an album there. Give us a like if you wish.

WWW.cheshireflyfishing.co.uk

Tight Lines