SoWal Local Fishin' Time

While a lot of  folks complain about the fall time change ( I admit , dark at 5:00 stinks) it signals the time when all us locals get time to fish and play. The past weekend had some pretty but breezy days that had me canceling charters and some calm days in the middle of the week where I got to take a bunch of the Grayton irregulars fishing and even the Captain (me !) got to get in on the action and fish a bit too.

One of the best treats in the big Fall fish runs is getting to go
target Flounders. Every year this time these tasty flat fish bunch up
near the beach. While they are not everywhere if you know a few tricks
and "secret" spots the bottom seems to be paved with 'em. I took 4 of
the unofficial boat retrieval team out for some well deserved recreation
time on a freezer trip. The first order of business was teaching 'em
how to catch flounder on a hook. While my entire crew had gigged plenty
in the past a couple of 'em said they had never fished for 'em. Not
wanting a local to have their fishing education negleted so badly we
started with the basics. These guys may not look it but they are some
fast learners!
 

Jeff was high hook- his new motto is " I have not yet begun to Flounder".
 

Our resident Dive Master discovered you could get a mess and still stay dry.
 

And Walton County's most Internationally acclaimed (though unknown localy) artist couldn't have had a better time.
 

We limited out on Flounders and then ran offshore to get some "
Bigger fish to fry". The Jacks co-operated nicely and Andy showed
everybody how to grouper fish. The trick, he said, was to first pay the
landlord.

He paid the rent this drop and landed a nice Gag the next.
 

The locals get the job done- Those jacks are going to be a fish fry on the beach Sunday afternoon.
 

One of the great things about this time of year is you could get a
shot at just about anything as all the finny critters are moving.
Yesterday I took my son and a buddy out to catch another mess of
Flounders. We're sitting up close to the beach, doing real good catchin'
flatties when I hear, "what's that- it looks like a Tripletail". My son
and I looked over to the other side of the boat and sure enough, Ed has
spotted a tripletail (on the beach in November !). I maneuvered the
boat over and William made a great cast and we added a 'tail to the
flounder pile in the box. Back over to the spot and the flounders and --
what's that ?- two nice mahi zoom past the boat. My turn now, a quick
rod swap and-- I'm on and it's jumping! No wonder folks pay me to come
do this- this is lot more fun than driving the boat !

It's great to be the one catching for a change!
 

We went on to get our Flounders and few triggers before we put it back on the trailer-

Another fine box- We had Triggerfish and Tripletail for dinner last night !
 

Now that I have a little time to fish myself I want to get over to
the 'Pass and sight fish a few Redfish -- Oyster party anyone ?

Get out there and catch something!