Heller High Water

Wow the weather man kind of screwed up, but the fish didnt care. Got some live bait and headed out. Plan- pick up some AJ's, grouper and do some trolling before heading in for a limit of snapper. There was 3 of us and we left at 7:30am. Calm seas on the way out, found a grass patch about 10 square acres (guess, it was pretty big) on the way out, decided to drop lines and do a little trolling around it, just to see. As we were going by a big clump I notice a school of chicken dolphin running bait. Lines up, light lines out and with in 2 min we were hooked up, within 30 min we had 9 chickens. I was way happy about the early chickens.

we continued out and managed one AJ and that was about it. Headed into state waters and had our limit within 45min and headed in for lunch on ft. pickens. Home early with plenty of fish to clean. We pulled a few of my new plugs and looked great, but no takers.

All in all it was a great day on the water (except for the west wind). Enjoy!

reelfinatical

SaWEET!! It was a year ago today that we startedcatching peanuts ~ you have given me hope in getting into somethis week!! TY for the report!! :clap

Shiner

Congrats on the fish!!! I'm new to saltwater fishing. How do you catch the chicken dolphin? If you don't mind me asking. Thanks.

gotwake7

Man those are some nice looking fish. Good job.:clap

Kincomah

Easiest way to catch those chickens is around the big chunks of grass with a pompano jig. If you have more than one person in the boat, once one of you hook up, keep one in the water and it keeps the fish reefed up for some reason.

jmartintcb

I went out yesterday and started seeing unorganized weed line about 18 miles out. I didn't think the chicken dolphin would be around the weeds. How organized was the weed line? great catch...those chicken dolphin are awesome pan grilled with a white wine sauce and rice. I am glad to see the little guys show up.

Get'n Wade

Nice fish! Those dolphin got me all fired up.

gotwake7

how out did you get the chickens?

wirenut

Looks like a fish fry to me.:clap

Heller High Water

The weed line was about 17 miles out. I think the south wind we had for a while, plus the north wind from this week blew the weed line together. It was a HUGE organized patch, one you'd see during the late summer. We always kept one on until we caught another, then switched. We actually did pan sear the Mahi last night! It was great, one of my favorites next to vermillion.