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skibum
04-30-07, 09:12 AM
Attention class.. Today we'll be taking a new student out with us, we'll call him MarkEMark (fishmonger).. MarkEMark has never seen the flats of the Gulf coast and has no idea what to expect, other than what we tell him so everyone be nice to our new student (He's a tad slow)...lol

We started our fieldtrip Fri afternoon with a swat team assault on the Kraft plant in downtown ATL. Our directions included info like (Pull your 9mm out and set in on the seat) and (now put it on the dash to make sure they know your locals) in order to pick up the 8th man on this fieldtrip. Once on the road we made it in 4h50min (new record) and made it to Roy's resturant with time to spare (Seafood platter #1).

Sat morning loaded up the cooler and off we went. Our Capt name was Scott and he fit right in with us ( ;) ) and set us up for our morning of Trout. The Trout seemed a tad small this year. I've been prob 5 times now and this was the first time I've caught so many small ones. We boated prob 70 fish but only managed 17 of the 20 we were able to keep.. Still plenty to fill the cooler, but your always looking for those over 20" that they only let you keep 1 that size.. After the tide came in around noon we headed to the real shallow water and started hunting for Reds. MarkEMark was the first to hook up and landed the first Red, a real nice 8-10lb fish. Motored to another spot and MarkEMark hooks up again, but this time we see a whole school of them. Everyone hooks up at once and the fights are on.. This goes on for 15 min till the end of our drift, and we land atleast 5-6 fish the first pass. Motor up, back to the starting point, and try again.. Now keep in mind there's another boat about 100 yards away watching us and they come over and I thought were going to drift behind us, but instead were more along side of us.. Anyways we start drift #2 and same results, were hooking and fighting Reds as fast as we could, MarkEMark and I on the front of the boat working around each other as our 2 OVERSIZED Reds fight us under and around the boat. Dont let me leave out Tim in the back of the boat, he's hooking them right and left also.. Oh ya, the other boat, Notta...lol We both motor up and head back to the starting point, boat #2 starts his drift 200ft off to the side.. As you might guess, we all start hooking up again.. It's hard to get alot of pics while this kinda action is going on, but MarkEMark finds time to snap a few pics here and there and i'm sure he'll have those for us tonight.. All in all we landed atleast 20 Reds and it was the best action i've ever had the pleasure to fish in my life.. It was unreal!!!!

So it was a good trip, the weather was perfect, I won $10 in poker between the 2 nights, could'nt ask for more..

Sunday morning we head back to ATL and... OH WAIT, I forgot something...lol

Not long before it was time to leave our expert fish sighter Tim spots this black mass swimming past the boat. Our guide shouts for someone to throw at it. Well would'nt you know ole MarkEMark just so happens to have just the right bait on for such a black mass as this and being the only one without his line in the water, he turns around and fires a cast back behind the boat towards said black mass.. Wham and the fight is on.. He's got a 34" Cobia on and the guide fires up the motor and we start chassing the fish.. Seemed like forever but I think about 10min later we land this sucker and ole MarkEMark is a happy as a puppy with..., well you get the point.. Cobia Steaks for Everyone...lol

That was just icing on the cake..

Pics to follow tonight..

If ya'll ever get the chance to go down there, DO IT!!!!!

Cheers:cheers:

TaxPhd
04-30-07, 02:43 PM
Any suggestions for a newbie to saltwater (not new to fly fishing)? Rods/reels, flys, guides, where to stay, etc? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!




Scott

skibum
04-30-07, 02:54 PM
This was'nt a FF'ing trip.. It was spinning gear all day, but next time I hope to bring the long rod..

I'll include our guide's info when I get back tonight.. We have used 3 different guides now and like them all, and they like each other too...lol

TaxPhd
04-30-07, 03:07 PM
Thanks!




Scott

CharlesH
04-30-07, 04:44 PM
I've been down twice with my father in law and brother in law who go every year. We use Captain Mark Lord each year and the years we take other boats I think that the other captain is Steve Krull.

It truly is great fishing. We are headed that way in October and I can hardly wait.

fishmonger
04-30-07, 09:29 PM
Well, Skibum did a great job describing the action, so here are the pictures.

Headed out with the rest of the marina
http://www.myfishingpictures.com/img/123822.JPG (http://www.myfishingpictures.com/?p=123822&c=500&z=1)


Skibum, Captain Scott, and Tim
http://www.myfishingpictures.com/img/123823.JPG (http://www.myfishingpictures.com/?p=123823&c=500&z=1)

My first Redfish, and the first of the day in the boat
http://www.myfishingpictures.com/img/123825.JPG (http://www.myfishingpictures.com/?p=123825&c=500&z=1)


Skibum working the front casting deck, and looking good
http://www.myfishingpictures.com/img/123824.JPG (http://www.myfishingpictures.com/?p=123824&c=500&z=1)


Double oversize (bigger than the 28" slot limit) Reds
http://www.myfishingpictures.com/img/123826.JPG (http://www.myfishingpictures.com/?p=123826&c=500&z=1)


Skibum with a keeper
http://www.myfishingpictures.com/img/123827.JPG (http://www.myfishingpictures.com/?p=123827&c=500&z=1)


My first Cobia, and the first Cobia on the docks at Steinhachee this year
http://www.myfishingpictures.com/img/123828.JPG (http://www.myfishingpictures.com/?p=123828&c=500&z=1)


And buddy Tim, with his last Red
http://www.myfishingpictures.com/img/123829.JPG (http://www.myfishingpictures.com/?p=123829&c=500&z=1)


What a great bunch of guys, and an amazing weekend. It was one of the hottest days of fishing I have ever had, anywhere. And I won money in the poker games both nights. I sure hope they invite me back...

FM

Bocephus
04-30-07, 10:12 PM
Steinhatchee is truly a gem (keep it on the hush).

Looks like you all had fun.

skibum
04-30-07, 11:06 PM
Few more pics from my camera..
Mark fighting his Cobia
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e26/troutnskibum/Steinhatchee%202007/DSC03889.jpg
Same here
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e26/troutnskibum/Steinhatchee%202007/DSC03895.jpg
Tim checking out the guide's stash ;)
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e26/troutnskibum/Steinhatchee%202007/DSC03887.jpg
Our totals for the day, which turned out to be a pretty good day judging by the other buckets of fish waiting to be cleaned. Our's kinda stuck out with that Cobia's tail sticking way up in the air.
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e26/troutnskibum/Steinhatchee%202007/DSC03902.jpg
Our guide and his boat.http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e26/troutnskibum/Steinhatchee%202007/DSC03910.jpg

Thats about it..

Already thinking ahead to Oct :D

ASago
04-30-07, 11:22 PM
Excellent report! Seeing those photos really gives me a serious case of saltwater fever!

Fire Walker
05-01-07, 09:28 AM
Got the new edition last night with the out takes and extras. Dude we are going to the Keys! I dont know if I am coming back. No I am being totaly serious here. As soon as my Dad gets out of the hospital I am going down there for a week or so and may never come home. Dont get me wrong I love big tailwaters but this is something I have been tuning my casting for for years. Just awesome. If you havent had the opportunity to check out this film you can go to www.howardfilms.com (http://www.howardfilms.com) and then go to Chasing silver. Its also available on youtube.com under stalwater flyfishing. Just awesome! Sweet report guys. Looking forward to the fish fry::ke:

heres the link for you tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaLsddr5eAI&mode=related&search=

Loopdawg
05-01-07, 10:39 AM
I just watched the Chasing Silver trailer, and man that dude's reel was screaming at the end! He said, "are we going to go get this fish?!" You could tell he was afraid the fish was going to take him deep into his backing and just pop his whole line off the reel. 1 for 29 that's got to be frustration city!

Fire Walker
05-01-07, 11:02 AM
Its Andy Mill. Dude the movie is awesome! Great instruction and stories from some of the greats IE Billy Pate and others.

streamer
05-01-07, 11:48 AM
Good fishing guys. That cobia is awsome. When's the fish fry, Ill bring some striper. :)

FitFisher
05-01-07, 03:30 PM
What's a Redfish??:D Nice report, looked like too much fun!!!

Rockyraccoon
05-01-07, 10:00 PM
Great report guys! Looks like you all had a blast.

My father retired to North Fla about 10 years ago, a little place called Cross City which is kindly in between the mouth of the Suwannee and Steinhatchee.

I get to travel down and fish with him every year, mostly in December due to working the guide season here in East TN.

The good news is that December is on fire for reds and trout on the fly.

We usually just fish the tidal creeks and river mouths, and have a blast.

If you guys get a chance try it out in December, I think you'll enjoy it.

Again, great reports and great pics!

flg8r
05-03-07, 11:04 AM
Aw man, I am so envious. That is my old stomping grounds. I am DYING to go back home and go fishing. Feeling particularly land locked here in Ath. Congrats. Sounded like a heck of a trip. There are some champ fish in that area.