Tackle testin' TROPHIES

[up2specks]

Decided to do a couple solo-trips(M/Tu) to satisfy my quest for fish/crabs before 2021 fades into the Sunset. Fileted-fish to be given away to well-deserved friends as seasonal-offerings of my appreciation along with Steamed Crabs to accomodate my never-diminishing Crustacean CRAVING! Minus low-tides made navigating slow/tedious but nothing that my J16 hasn't dealt with before. Dropped in 5 Pots for a two-day soak with the hopes of turning around the recent diminished #'s around. The trout bite for both days was measurable but Monday was assigned as my missed Big-fish day. While casting the same spot that Slab and I caught 2 upper-slot Redfish just two weeks ago, the faint tick occured and it was Big, strong Game-on but for only 45 seconds before it shook the hook! Rat-Reds were caught on both days, a sizable Flounder gained its freedom @boatside, Mangrove snapper to 12 1/2", Aerial festivities were enjoyed by large Ladyfish, Lizardfish, Hardhead Castfish, Pinfish. Double Trophy-size TROUT(20-22") were caught on both days but only one-fish(boat limit) was observed. A total of 34 sizable Blue Crabs were amassed on final day's pull and that was Good News! Even had a fish-eating/diving bird pull up a 12" hardhead catfish only 20 yards from the boat and watched in amazement as he repositioned for the swallow for about 45 seconds. As he swallowed it the lump in his throat was incrdeible. As I reached to get a side-view shot, he dove! Earlier a watched a pod of bottle-nose Dolphin encircle a school of Mullet sending them air-born in panic!!

Thanks for Ridin'/Readin'/Reelin'...enjoy the pics! HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

u2s