11/3/11 Spanish mackerel attack, 400 lb goliath grouper!

[syxx]

Capt. Rick Stanczyk fished two half days today on 11/3/11. This morning had Keith Krunk down with a group also fishing Capt. Jack Backus and Capt. Ed Cale. We fished out west trying for spanish mackerels since a few have been showing up since the temperatures have dropped. Today the wind fell down to 5-10 mph, from blowing over 25 mph yesterday out of the north! Lots of cool air, but at least not so rough today! The macks did not bite great this morning with the in tide, though we caught a handful and pulled some off. Lots of big ladyfish as well as some jacks and snappers. Kept us busy! This afternoon when the tide starting falling into the gulf with the wind behind it, it was game on with the spanish mackerel fishing! Had Jeremy and his dad out who fished with my monday AM, we had caught some trout, snapper, ladyfish, and a few macks that day, plus an 80 lb goliath. Though got drenched on the way in and caught in a nasty storm. They braved it again and had a beautiful afternoon. Caught probably 30 mackerels along with plenty of jacks too, some nice size mackerel too. The big blacktips were also chewing and going crazy, we got one to the boat and broke off probably 4 or 5 as they jumped and twisted, straightening hooks and breaking #9 wire! Lots of fun to watch! At the end we hooked something big on the bottom, not a black tip this time... We chased after it, too big to stop anchored. Thought it was a big nurse shark, but no - big 400 lb goliath grouper! Got him up to the surface and he soaked us with a splash of his tail. Got him up again and he calmed down for some pictures, close to 7 feet long! Great way to end the day for these guys on their florida keys fishing trip!

Capt. Rick Stanczyk
rick@seethefloridakeys.net

[Mike Carey]

wow, 400 lb is massive. Are these fish protected down there in Fl? I'm betting it takes a LONG time to get to 400 lbs.

[syxx]

Yeah they are protected and have been for a while. Theyve made a great comeback from almost being extinct. Good to see them arouns again havent been as much since our cold snap in 2010.