6/30

ShallowExpectations

Howdy Howdy fellas! Feels like forever since I have made a post. Joined that workforce thing everyone talks about. Anyways, Got out on the water later than wanted to, but it wasnt like the tide was going to be right until a little bit into the morning anyways. Pulled up to the first area we wanted to work. Strapped on the baby boy booties that I hold so near and dear to my feet. Tossed on a holographic watermelon DOA shrimp with some spares in my pocket. My buddy decided to be bold and grabbed that whipping stick and a couple extra flies. Jumped into the water.....Isn't it summer time? Water was a tad more chilly than expected. This actually turned out to be a great thing though. Started pushing around the shallows nice a slow. Walked a good ways before we got our first bite of the morning. I popped up and jumped a little linesider, but didn't end up lipping him. No big deal not too worried. Next cast, bump bump and set. Thinking a trout for this one....WRONG again sir. 22 inch gulf flounder decided to show up. For the gulf flounder speices that is a solid speicmen from what I am told. Anyways, I don't mind stringing up a flat fish for lunch. Kept up the wade on this first spot, and the sun finally got high enough to really see movement all over the flat. Tons of catfish swimming around out there. Ended up hooking up another tiny linesider not long after that. Not real big, and we were confident in getting some bigger fish. Wading all around the flat we spooked up some big girls. Plenty of 30inch snook on the flats today. I was told that the fish moved in becuase the water on the beach is too cold at the moment. Never did end up getting a bigger snook. Just a couple more small guys for me. My buddy had pushed off on his own with the flyrod and landed two fish in the 25 inch range but I was too far to get any shots of him. Worked our way back to the boat where I decided to take pictures of the wildlife. Should have snapped pictures of all the big conchs out there. Saw at least a dozen big ones. Really awesome to see them building a population out there. On to the part that everyone enjoys. PICTURES:





Here is a little spider crab that wasn't happy about getting into the limelight.


Another one of those Porcipine fish that I like to noodle with my hands. This one was special becuase he had a yellow belly opposed to the common white belly.



And then this thing here....I haven't got any clue what it is. Maybe a sort of sea cucumber. It was interesting looking so had to get a couple photos. Anyone want to chime in and throw out some opinions or knowledge on this thing... feel free.




Not the hottest fishing trip, but happy to get back into the water. Tarpon tomorrow perhaps?

Obsession

Good report, thank you.

Stay safe
Chris

BocaBoca

Thanks for the post, pix and info. It's really is amazing when you "slow down" and walk the waters of S. Fl. Lots of interesting things to see for young and old alike. Enjoy more time on/in the water and again, thanks for posting.

Sea Era

Nice report, mother nature is so beautiful. Most of the time we wiz right by.

ShallowExpectations

So true guys. Wading makes you see tons more of the beautiful wildlife. No other way are you going to get so close to a big snook that you could smack it with your rod if you so desired to be mean.