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"A friend and I were down from NJ on business and had a free day, we booked a trip with Capt. Brian targeting reds, trout and snook. We tried to split the trip 1/2 night for snook followed by sight fishing the flats the next day but a storm ruined the night fishing shot. We were on the water by 7 am the next day and both of us wound up landing a tampa slam. The fishing was tough overall, but we put in a serious effort to land the slam (close to 13 hours of fishing). We started on TB flats with a low tide, we were hardly seeing any reds (hit at least 3 flats). We maybe saw 6-8 the whole time, it unbelievable how devoid of life the flats were. We did land several trout in this area on soft plastics with jig heads. Brian decided to head back to the boat ramp, load the boat up and drive us down to DeSoto. Close to an unheard of effort for a guide. He did all he could to get us on fish. Once we launched, we hit 5-6 different spots and had the same issue, not seeing any fish. The wind was starting to build and it was making it even tougher. We finally saw a couple and stuck with it. Finally Brian spots a school of reds flashing and feeding. Our baits were right in the middle of the fish and no takers. Brian said we are going to have to sneak up on the fish, down went the power pole and we all waded. After close to 7 hours on the water, i finally hook up. I was so relieved and impressed with Brian's efforts. My buddy landed one shortly thereafter. Brian picked me up on the boat and we tried to pole to my friend but the fish kept coming back into casting distance and i kept catching them. We eventually got to my friend and stayed on the fish, but the wind started to really howl and it made for very tough conditions. We eventually got off the water, had dinner and headed for some evening snook to complete the slam. I think the tally was as follows. Trout (6), Reds (6), Snook (4), sheepshead (1 caught while wading on soft plastic), mangrove snapper, several ladies, suicidal pinfish getting snagged and catfish (2). The biggest red was probably about 28 inches. I also had a mystery fish that chargerd up on my lure right at boatside during a fast retrieve to make another another cast, it was quite long and skinny. Brian and I both saw it, but not clear enough to make a positive id, Brian thinks possibly a cuda, it was every bit of 3 feet long. The numbers were not off the charts, but the effort of the captain was. I selected Brian based off of the positive feedback from this forum, thanks to all. I have been chartering boats for a while now and own a 28' pursuit. I am quite experienced in my own regard and have fished with many charter boat captains from trips to the hudson canyon off NJ, the keys and cape sable area, to the north drop off St. Thomas, Brian was clearly the best I have ever fished with. I believe brian will post a couple of pics after he wakes up from his nap recovering from our marathon effort. Thanks again Brian, feel free to pass my information along to anyone looking for a recommendation for your services." Rich rkkonefal@comcast.net |
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Send mail to Captain Brian or call (813) 610-7899 Last modified: January 25, 2009 |
