Fishing Adventures
Fishing can provide some of the most exciting adventures available for almost any budget. There are a variety of ways adventures in fishing can be approached. Many people will simply call a travel agent or outdoor expedition service and let them plan the trip down to the last detail. Obviously this is one way a trip of a lifetime can be done. Although this method can be exciting and successful, it is not the Back to BURLY way. Here we will discuss the planning and execution of such a trip on your own, with your friends or family.
Everything from simple day trips to the coast to hardcore trips to distant places for the catch of a lifetime. Most of these trips will focus on the East coast of Florida, but there will also be trips from all over the United States. Our first such trip was in June to Venice, Louisiana targeting Yellow fin Tuna and Dolphin. There will be an article on not only the excitement of the trip, but also how to plan such a trip and be successful.
Other trips covered this summer will include a day trip with the family to the East coast of Florida fishing for King Fish. We may even target a bottom fish or two on these trips. Everything from where and how to catch bait to tactics for putting fish in the box.
Fishing with the Generations
One of the greatest joys of a fisherman, or any outdoorsman, is to see the next generation fall in love with the ocean. Recently I had the honor of an offshore fishing trip with my dad, my brother, his two sons, and my son. We did not stay out long or tear it up fishing, but we did have a fishing trip with the generations.
It all started 60 some years ago with my dad and his dad fishing in the rivers, streams, and ponds of South Alabama. They fished as much or more for food as for fun, but times have changed. We fish for fun. To see my dad and my son on the same boat struggling to catch bait, fight fish, and head for home was truly a joy.
It was at the end of May and we decided to take the three boys on their first offshore trip together. It was a beautiful morning with forecasted seas of one foot. First we headed south out of Port Canaveral, Florida in order to catch bait. What you expect to be the easiest part of the day often is the most difficult part of the day. This was just such an occasion. The bait we were after are called "pogies" locally. They were there, but they were scattered. Normally you can make a couple of cast with a net and your live well will be overflowing. Not today!! After 30 or so casts with a heavy 10-foot net we had three or four dozen. Not enough for a hardcore fishing trip but plenty for our purposes.
Since Kingfish would be our target, we headed to popular fishing grounds for these fish, called Pelican Flats. All we really wanted was to let the boys tangle with the biggest fish of their young lives, and since it had taken so long to catch bait my son was ready to go before we even got started. He had just turned six, and other than a few catfish and a shark he has not caught many fish. So I knew as soon as the drag started screaming, his desire to go home would be cured.
We arrived and started slow trolling our live "pogies" over the flat. The people around us seemed to be having better luck than us, but after trolling for a while we got our strike, and my son was up. With some help from dad my son landed the first of hopefully many offshore fish. His mom would have been very proud.
The next strike was a big one, and it was my brother's son, Brandon, who was up. This fish was strong and my nephew would require quite a bit of help. Fishing with live bait for King Fish requires a very light drag so whatever this was making short work of our 400 yards of 20 pound test line. Pulling the lines in my dad turned toward the running fish in order to regain some line. After 30 minutes of pulling on this fish, we knew it was not a King, and we finally saw some color.
It was a Jack Cravalle, or what we call an hour Jack, because it takes an hour to drag one of these chunks of muscle over the gunnel. Pound for pound they are one of the strongest fish in the ocean. Normally this would not be the most exciting catch, but with young boys in the boat it was worth the long battle. We pulled it over the gunnels, posed for a picture, and released it to plague other fisherman.
After one more kingfish, another long battle with an "Hour Jack", and a couple of break offs and pulled hooks, it was time to head home. It was a short trip, but one to remember for a lifetime. I try to fish as often as possible, and of all my trips this year this one was the best.
Seize these opportunities when you get the chance. You may have to make a trip like this happen, and it may mean passing up on a serious trip with your buddies, but there will be plenty of time for hardcore fishing trips, but precious little time to help your 40 pound son fight a 30 pound fish. I cannot wait until next year when it will be my 3 year old daughter's turn to join the fun of fishing with the generations.