captjoshrozier

The day started off bleak, I got stood up at the ramp. It's rare, but it happens. I went home on an awesome fishing day and commenced my domestic chores, not happy about it, but oh well, it's got to get done. Around 1300, I got a call from Adam, looking for an afternoon charter. I dropped the laundry like a bad habit and got my stuff together in time to realize my wife was gone and the kids were home! A quick call back to Adam to ask for a short extension until she got home. When she walked in the door, I almost knocked her over going out! Adam and his wife, Barby, met me at Shoreline at @ 1500, and off we went.

The bite was again very light, and the Sheepshead made fools of us. After nearly an hour of losing bait after bait and boating a small Grouper and a couple of Pigfish I decided that maybe we needed a different target species. We switched tactics and sought redder pastures. The bite didn't improve much, at first. Then Adams rod, loaded with 12lb, bent hard. The fish neared the surface and it was RED, too red! As the 5lb snapper cleared the rail, Adam exclaimed "Woohoo! We got dinner!". Me: "Well..."
Adam: "What's it not big enough?"
Me: "Oh he's plenty big..."
Adam: "So?"
Me: "'bout three weeks outta season"
Adam: "You're kidding!"
Me: "Wish I was."
We got a nice pic and sent the fish on his way.



Once Adam recovered from his broken heart we reset and it was Barby's turn. I wasn't sure at first if she was hung or not, then line just started pouring off the spool. Definitely NOT hung! Barby did a great job up against such a tough fish and 15 min later a huge redfish comes out from under the boat. Adam is floored and again announces "Great job hon, you got us dinner!"
Me: "Well..."
Adam: "What is it this time?"
Me: "You're really not going to like this"
Adam: "What?"
Me: "He's too big"
Adam: "What do you mean TOO BIG?"



I explained our slot regulations, took a couple of pics of Barby with her trophy Redfish, vented the fish and returned it to fight again another day.




The sun had faded beyond the horizon and we followed the stars home shortly after.




for more reports go to http://captjoshrozier.blogspot.com

Murphy's Law

Nice pic's and report !! Thanks :clap

Fish Happens

Thats funny. Nice catch. I have a friend just like that. He has no clue about regulations. I guess thats why he going with me. I love the commentary you put. It made me chuckle.

__________________
-Tight Lines-
Website | Twitter | Facebook

mdrobe2

I had no idea reds should be vented... can you elaborate please? The fish looked fine to me, and I wouldn't think you'd have brought it up from the depths quickly at that size, but that might just be my ignorance. On that note, any relation to Cap'n Wes?

__________________
Mike
2009 Key West 1520 Pro
2009 70 HP Yamaha 2 stroke
Garmin 540S GPS/Bottom Machine
Sound by Clarion and Bazooka
Coastal Night Lights Transom LED's
Minn Kota Riptide Co-Pilot/Auto Pilot GPS Enabled Remote Control Trolling Motor

Death From Above

Nice catch! You should have taken a picture of the 5 pound snapper?

P-cola_Native

We caught a 30" redfish bottom fishing a couple of days ago that had to be vented. Its stomach was sticking out though. Brought it up real fast with a 4/0.

captjoshrozier

mdrobe, any fish that cannot swim back down on its own needs to be vented, whatever the species. I try to give the fish the opportunity to swim off before I go poking a hole in their side, but often fish pulled out of water over 35-40' need a little extra attention, that fish was caught in 50+ feet of water. Just remember a diver has to STOP, multiple times, on his way up to regulate; we're (hopefully) not giving these fish that chance.

On that note; WhileI was fishing in Key West we caught an Amberjack in 250 ft, I couldn't find my vent toolso I cut a small slit in it's side with my fillet knife and released the fish. Two days later, on the same spot, we caught that same fish again. It was in great shape and in only 48 hours the fishes swim bladder was healed enough thatI had to reopen the previous slit to release him. That made me a believer, a properly attended fish has a good chance of survival ( provided they can swim faster than a Dolphin).

And, yes, I'm Capt. Wes' nephew.

JoeZ

Good job capt.

"What do you mean TOO BIG?" -- heartbreaker for someone not used to it.

JoeZ

They are related.

Let's just say if Wes is Obi Wan -- more like Yoda if you ask me -- Josh is Luke Skywalker.

Not quite Luke in all blakc yet from Return of the Jedi but he's getting there.