Lake Champlain United - Forums

I had what I considered the trip of a lifetime the third week of February. A longtime friend hired a charter boat for five of us. My friend, his son, grandson, a fellow who has worked for him and myself. Left out of Ponce Inlet, Fl at 6 am, still dark. Wasn’t long before we were treated with sunrise over the Atlantic. Spectacular.
After an hour or so Ed and Ed Jr set us up to troll. Set up lines with a string of fake squid on each side fished off the outriggers. Another few lines off stern with bullet head jigs with rubber skirting with a dead bait. Wasn’t only a few minutes before a rod started pumping. We let the young guy get it, he pulled in a nice bonito about 15 lbs. Two more quick hits, but nothing but mangled bait. Then nothing. For over an hour. Not a big deal, happens routinely for me on Champlain.
The Ed’s said time to go. Another ride, then dropping live bait. Amberjack immediately every drop. Two guys at a time. For good reason. Sharks and barracuda will tear them up if not cranked up ASAP. One problem, you can’t do it. They fight hard and being green they are full of energy. Guides had to help hold rod up. All of us caught two and said no more. Except Roger who was 6 ft and 220. He caught a third(with guide supporting rod.
Off again for red snapper. 100 ft, 8 Oz sinker two snell hooks above baited with cut fish. Like Amberjack, hit bottom fish on. Can’t imagine how many there are down there.
Great 10 hours on the ocean. Tails Up Charters, Prince Inlet Fl. Father and son, knew their stuff, very personable and worked real hard start to finish, including filleting a bunch of fish.
Headed to Gulf Coast that night with a bag of red snapper fillets. Found a restaurant in Homosassa that cooked your catch the next evening. First time eating red snapper. Highly recommended.

looks like a great trip,lots of smiles and fish!!!!!!

Great looking amber jack.

Trolling in deep water salt can’t be beat:) It is part of my retirement plans… now I just need to retire and by a fiberglass boat:)

Thanks for sharing..

Fish on!

Glad you were able to do an offshore trip. Lifetime memory.
Can't beat salt water fishing.... so much fun and you never know what you're going to catch.
Amberjack will exhaust you fast.... but it's such a thrill.
Snapper for dinner.... delicious.

Thanks for the responses. A day I will never forget. My share of the snapper I took to Gulf coast. The next day I found the Margarita Grill in Homosassa where they will cook your catch. Red snapper are great eating.