Islamorada channel 5 12/5/15

SFL BassHunter · December 05, 2015, 06:50:31 PM

I was keeping an eye on the weather since yesterday morning and the forecast changed every 10 minutes. Last night went on and saw the forecast had changed again. Islamorada Key in the Florida Keys had 0% rain till noon then a shower then 0 again. So I risked it

Got picked up at 8:30am and drove down almost the entire way in rain. The skies opened up and the sun was out. Lucky for us the front had stalled east of us the entire day. We got a light shower around noon and then it was all good.

I had a good day on the bridge. Caught a total of about 15 fish. Though many were small.

And many others.

Though I did have some luck. Got 5 keepers and a few that came very close. The keepers went into the cooler everyone else went back into the water.

The mangrove snappers ranged 10.5 to 12 inches the mutton snapper was 16 on the line.
The mutton put up a heck of a fight to the point where I though it was something else.

I lost a few decent fish. One big one that I couldn't tell what it was but I saw a big flash of silver.

My friend caught a bunch of small fish and had a big one break off before I showed her how to improve her knots.

Driving back now, well she is driving I'm reporting lol. The rain has not stopped from what I hear and the same front is still stalled over south Florida.

Apparently I may be coming back out here tomorrow with my parents so if the weather holds up I may be posting a second saltwater fishing report this weekend!

Bigwrench · December 05, 2015, 06:54:17 PM

Glad the weather held off for you ! Sounds like a fun time was had. Thank for sharing it with us.

Pferox · December 05, 2015, 08:43:49 PM

Sounds like you and your friend had a great time, Rick. Congratulations on the fish dinner.

SFL BassHunter · December 05, 2015, 09:54:03 PM

Quote from: Bigwrench on December 05, 2015, 06:54:17 PM
Glad the weather held off for you ! Sounds like a fun time was had. Thank for sharing it with us.

Sure was fun! A lot longer of a day than I expected but it was well worth it.

Quote from: Pferox on December 05, 2015, 08:43:49 PM
Sounds like you and your friend had a great time, Rick. Congratulations on the fish dinner.

Thanks Pferox. by the way the circle hooks worked very well. I was using a 1/0 which worked great for snapper. They tend to be picky and a small hook and thinner line makes a tremendous difference. My friend wasn't catching anything till I switched her to 15lb flouro for the hook leader.

Made a triangle rig (sure its called something else lol) With the 3 way splitter. Had a short leader for the weight and had to change weights throughout the day as the current got stronger or weaker. From 1oz pyramid to 3oz. The hook leader was long, about 5 to 6 feet long, this kept the weight at the bottom and took them bait up from the bottom a few feet thanks to current. That seemed to be the way to go and when I got most bites. When I switched to a shorter leader the bite slowed tremendously.
Those snapper seem to like biting at a certain depth.

Oh forgot to mention, had a run in with FWC. I was expecting it cause I saw them on some of the previous bridges driving up. Man what a nice surprise, this FWC officer was real nice. Asked me if we had caught anything, and I was up front with him which helps. I said yeah we have caught a bunch today but only 5 keepers. I told him the sizes of the fish before he even opened the cooler. He asked to check, looked and said, oh yeah they are a nice size and you know your stuff.
Checked my license, wished me luck and went on his way.

Pferox · December 05, 2015, 11:05:38 PM

I like those kind of stops, been fortunate enough to have a few of those myself both in Florida and here in Texas.

Why don't you PM me your addy and I can send you a few of my single and double drop rigs, you can cut and adjust them as you feel is fit. It is 80lb mono, but you can cut off the hook trace and tie what ever weight you want on. Might be a bit before I get them in the mail though, they are still packed away on my pink shelf.

Also don't forget to snell the circle hook, It works much better that way.

SFL BassHunter · December 06, 2015, 07:31:45 AM

Quote from: Pferox on December 05, 2015, 11:05:38 PM
I like those kind of stops, been fortunate enough to have a few of those myself both in Florida and here in Texas.

Why don't you PM me your addy and I can send you a few of my single and double drop rigs, you can cut and adjust them as you feel is fit. It is 80lb mono, but you can cut off the hook trace and tie what ever weight you want on. Might be a bit before I get them in the mail though, they are still packed away on my pink shelf.

Also don't forget to snell the circle hook, It works much better that way.

OH really? Snell the circle hook...hmmm that seems like a good idea.

Alrighty gotta go, parents picking me up they want to head down to the same spot I went yesterday to catch some fish after seeing my pictures. lol

Pferox · December 06, 2015, 08:09:48 AM

Good Luck, looking forward to a report and more pictures.

Capt. BassinLou · December 06, 2015, 05:30:53 PM

Great report Rick, I haven't those bridges down in the Keys for years!!