Went to Florida with the family from Dec 19-22 spent a lot of time with the family, but also made sure we had some time for fishing. Spoke to a few guides who said they had just had a cold front and fishing would be slow but we went out every day anyway. Weather was in the 80s everyday we were there with wind 15-25 mph.
First day we hit the mangroves.
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We had no luck back there, saw some mullets, needlefish and sheepshead, but couldn't entice any bites. Since we had no luck we decided to walk straight out to the beach and try our luck around some of the small rock structures right off the beach.
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(http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c252/ptfranze/DSC00314_zps5toalebt.jpg) (http://s29.photobucket.com/user/ptfranze/media/DSC00314_zps5toalebt.jpg.html)
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Again we struck out and called it a day. The plan the next day was to hit the jetty, saw a little wildlife
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(http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c252/ptfranze/IMG_3045_zpszvydycmb.jpg) (http://s29.photobucket.com/user/ptfranze/media/IMG_3045_zpszvydycmb.jpg.html)
Wind had picked up but we tried our best anyway. John hooked up with a big snook but lost it right at the rocks as a wave came in.
(http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c252/ptfranze/DSC00323_zpsdbyi7qg8.jpg) (http://s29.photobucket.com/user/ptfranze/media/DSC00323_zpsdbyi7qg8.jpg.html)
(http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c252/ptfranze/DSC00324_zps1evkftrm.jpg) (http://s29.photobucket.com/user/ptfranze/media/DSC00324_zps1evkftrm.jpg.html)
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Our day ended shortly after John hooked up with no more luck, bait fisherman and charters around the jetty were also having no luck. Next day was the last full day we were there and we decided to hit the surf.
(http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c252/ptfranze/brohard_zpsowuodoqf.jpg) (http://s29.photobucket.com/user/ptfranze/media/brohard_zpsowuodoqf.jpg.html)
(http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c252/ptfranze/IMG_2123biz_zpsiv16bf5x.jpg) (http://s29.photobucket.com/user/ptfranze/media/IMG_2123biz_zpsiv16bf5x.jpg.html)
(http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c252/ptfranze/IMG_2134biz_zpses1fitx9.jpg) (http://s29.photobucket.com/user/ptfranze/media/IMG_2134biz_zpses1fitx9.jpg.html)
Fishing was slow but birds started hitting the water further down the beach and Dad and John headed that way. My wife and I stayed where we were and I started picking up some bites. Stuck a couple lady fish and jumped them 3-4 times but they always managed to come off. Finally landed a small jack that popped off the hook before I could get a good picture.
(http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c252/ptfranze/IMG_3048_zps2xdgbuw5.jpg) (http://s29.photobucket.com/user/ptfranze/media/IMG_3048_zps2xdgbuw5.jpg.html)
Landed another Jack and was able to get a better picture this time.
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Landed a spanish from the surf as well before my dad and brother walked back down.
(http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c252/ptfranze/IMG_3087_zpsvj8aty01.jpg) (http://s29.photobucket.com/user/ptfranze/media/IMG_3087_zpsvj8aty01.jpg.html)
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Dad and John came back and convinced us to walk further down the beach to where the birds were, they figured if we were having luck where we were we definitely would where the birds were hitting bait.
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Family Photo courtesy of my wife
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(http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c252/ptfranze/20151223_140412_zpssmfcddhh.jpg) (http://s29.photobucket.com/user/ptfranze/media/20151223_140412_zpssmfcddhh.jpg.html)
Turns out my dad and brother were right. I started hooking up with fish as soon as I cast. Hooked into a couple more lady fish but still lost them on their jumps and got bit off by what I assume was another spanish. My dad and brother were both able to catch some fish though so all was well.
(http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c252/ptfranze/simms2biz_zpsxgcwatq8.jpg) (http://s29.photobucket.com/user/ptfranze/media/simms2biz_zpsxgcwatq8.jpg.html)
(http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c252/ptfranze/simmsbiz_zpsgmfsnviy.jpg) (http://s29.photobucket.com/user/ptfranze/media/simmsbiz_zpsgmfsnviy.jpg.html)
(http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c252/ptfranze/surprisedbiz_zpsst340zol.jpg) (http://s29.photobucket.com/user/ptfranze/media/surprisedbiz_zpsst340zol.jpg.html)
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Dad picked up a nice snook but unfortunately this was the best picture we had of it
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John managed a couple lady fish
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We left the beach as night was falling with the fish still biting. Overall it was a good trip and good time with the family. We all caught a fish, except for my wife, but she didn't fish the entire time. Pictures were all taken by my wife and sister.
Nice. y;
Good to see some salty content.
Sinking lines, 8 wt.?
Very nice! d:b
Quote from: Dougfish on January 06, 2016, 10:01:28 AM
Nice. y;
Good to see some salty content.
Sinking lines, 8 wt.?
Intermediate just to get the lines right below the waves. 7 and 8 wts. Big thanks to driver for letting me borrow a 7 and 8 wt with reels so we could have a rig for everyone.
Took you long enough.
How many fish were caught on my gear?
Btw best TR name ever
Quote from: driver on January 06, 2016, 10:16:47 AM
Took you long enough.
How many fish were caught on my gear?
I caught my 3 on yours, and hooked into quite a few more. Then John was also using yours and caught 2 lady fish on it. So 5 of the 8-9 caught.
Nice, thanks for sharing, I need a salty vacation !
btw Franzie, I heard that there are still albies around!
Quote from: driver on January 06, 2016, 11:32:42 AM
btw Franzie, I heard that there are still albies around!
I'm up for a trip if you are! I have nothing going on this weekend that I can think of
tempting... but those reports were before the cold snap..
I'll keep an eye on it
After you left, John also got a flounder
(http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a238/guyfranzen/IMG_2306_zpsoqj6402f.jpg) (http://s12.photobucket.com/user/guyfranzen/media/IMG_2306_zpsoqj6402f.jpg.html)
(http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a238/guyfranzen/flounder_zps6rxqn236.jpg) (http://s12.photobucket.com/user/guyfranzen/media/flounder_zps6rxqn236.jpg.html)
My favorite part of the trip though were these signs on Highway 301to drop your speed 10 mph because "hill blocks view", not "hill blocks view of intersection", not "hill blocks view of industrial entrance", just "HILL BLOCKS VIEW"! No wonder they have such a hard time driving in WNC.
(http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a238/guyfranzen/hsahill_zps2o2ori92.jpg) (http://s12.photobucket.com/user/guyfranzen/media/hsahill_zps2o2ori92.jpg.html)
A good time was had by all, Here a few more pics from the trip.
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(http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a238/guyfranzen/IMG_2308_zpsulldc5mp.jpg) (http://s12.photobucket.com/user/guyfranzen/media/IMG_2308_zpsulldc5mp.jpg.html)
(http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a238/guyfranzen/IMG_3123_zpsaneb8yft.jpg) (http://s12.photobucket.com/user/guyfranzen/media/IMG_3123_zpsaneb8yft.jpg.html)
(http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a238/guyfranzen/IMG_2147l_zpsq4gwccu0.jpg) (http://s12.photobucket.com/user/guyfranzen/media/IMG_2147l_zpsq4gwccu0.jpg.html)
Nice shots there pops
Pops Franzen, for the win. 'c;
Best TR title of the year! Good job Franzen's.
missed this. liked this.
I enjoyed this. Looks like a blast. It would be great if I could ever get to the salt to fly-fish.