Big fish in the Gulf by Basil Dubroski

Posted on May 21, 2016 by VHFC

I am vacationing in Sarasota, FL this month and Ihad one of the best fishing experiences of my life while fishing with Marvin on the “Winning Bid”, his 30 foot Grady with twin 300 Yamahas and auto pilot.

We departed at sunrise in calm seas and first caught live bait with Sabiki rigs and filled the live well. We then motored off shore into the Gulf approximately 50 miles to a depth of 140 feet where fish gather around natural springs.

We first drifted over fish marks and caught several amber jacks with 3 keepers, well over the 34 inch keeper size. These fish dig deep and fight so hard that your arms grow numb and you have to strap on a fighting belt. You are drained and have to rest after each encounter.

We then motored to a favorite grouper area and caught several big grouper to 40 inches on live bait. I even caught some on a 6 ounce Spro jig with stinger hook with whole squid.

As we were fishing, a large fish kept circling very close to the boat. I eventually recognized it as a cobia. I quickly removed my sinker and put a whole squid on the hook and casted to the fish, He immediately ate the bait and kept swimming near the boat, not knowing his days were numbered. I eventually fought the fish and brought him aboard. He measured 36 inches.

Marvin kept moving us around to his favorite spots until the day ended. The seas were calm and glassy all day and the weather was perfect. We reached the dock at 5 PM and cleaned fish for the next hour. This was a memorable fishing experience and I hope Marvin invites me again some day.

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