Dry Tortugas Feb 12th thru the 15th

privateer19 · February 2018

Set out on my first trip aboard the Lauren Jeanne with Capt. Chris. But let me start with the true beginning when i answered a post from our charter master Frank who was looking to fill his trip. I did not know any of the guys going, had not been on the boat before and it has been a few years since i last fished the Tortugas. Trepidation was at a high level. Got a lot of really helpful advice from Gary M who took a lot of time to go over do's and dont's for this boat. His help cannot be overstated. Thanks again Gary. Over the weeks prior we got logistics worked out and before i knew it we were at Stock Island.

We left at 2 on Monday and started fishing about 4 hours later. The first night was a bit slow but we did get some good quality fish. Dennis got a great mutton and Zan landed a real nice flag yellowtail. Abu hooked and landed,or at least got it next to the boat, a monster bull shark. We also got some Mangroves and small grouper. Next day continued a slow but steady pick of fish including Zan's nice Mutton. Got a few porgy as well including Frank's monster Porgzilla, biggest i have ever seen!

Then about 4:00 or so all Heck broke loose! Zan dropped a jig down and connected with a real good red grouper.Then did it again and again.... I tied on a jig and got a couple as well. the next few hours were just bedlam with grouper after grouper coming over the rails and quickly going back
Day 3 was more of the same with lots and lots of red grouper. Paul also managed to sneak in a very nice Gag.

That evening we got back into the nice yellow tail that helped us make our limits. The next day the "Red Plague" continued until it was time to head back to the dock.
The fishing was great as was the weather. The crew was great. All got along well and everyone had a good time and got some great fish. Capt. Chris did us right and no one does better fried fish! Got some wonderful meals for sure. I don't think anyone on the boat could have fished any harder than Dennis, he was just a machine. Unfortunately for Frank he battled food poisoning and really struggled to get much fishing in.I think Abu could have sunk the boat if we were allowed to keep all the grouper. Paul just quietly and steadily brought in fish after fish. And Zan converted me into a jig fisherman. Anytime it would seem to slow he managed to stir something up with the jig. Would fish with this group anytime. Thanks to all who helped make this possible.

Jax · February 2018

Nice trip. I have my first Capt Yuri trip booked for August 2019 and another July of 2020. Gary M has also been sending me information and I can’t thank him enough. I just hope he doesn’t get tired of me bugging him.

Nailer · February 2018

Sweet!
Thanks for sharing

suprasteve · February 2018

So I have a stupid question: from what I'm reading on the FWC site, essentially all grouper harvest is closed in the Atlantic until May (gag, black, red, scamp, etc.). Monroe always follows Atlantic regs regardless of which side of the islands you're fishing. But I keep seeing grouper on several posts since the new year. Is it closed for private boats but not charter or something? Nothing against OP, just trying to figure out the latest edition of the closure jungle....

xenia · February 2018

All shallow water grouper are closed in Atlantic state and federal waters. In the Gulf, gags are closed until June 1st. Other shallow water grouper are closed Feb-Mar beyond the 20-fathom line. Perhaps the posts you see are caught inside 20-fathom line, or they don't know they are closed.

xenia · February 2018

The regs: http://gulfcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/RecRegs-Jan-2018_Update-01-27-18-1.pdf

privateer19 · February 2018

There is one small area that is still open and that is where we fished. The good side is that you can still keep a couple per person the bad is that you are basically locked in that area until it is time to go home....