We did a number of runs off the reef both shallow and deep dropping. Used ‘goggle eye’ bait, just couldn’t get anything to bite.
Finally we did get one, something pretty large hooked on to our deep line and headed for Miami, apparently. I had 4k action camera running the whole time, got plenty of video of me and my buddy bending the rod for around 35 minutes, got it semi close to the boat once (maybe 30 feet) but with the rough and dirty water we couldn’t catch a glimpse of it. Finally it broke the line and left us exhausted.
Captain Eric was great, we had a great time, in spite of the rough seas. He said he felt like it might have been a decent sized shark or a big grouper, just by the way it acted and fought. So… I’m going with the ever elusive “ghost shark” theory. My buddy and I are considering shark tattoos to commemorate our close encounter with the behemoth! :D
We did one more drop and run off the reef after that, but the swell was coming in from a Nor’Easter up the coast a few days before, and you could tell for sure. Getting in and out of the inlet is difficult with a swell, and can be dangerous for boat and passengers, so we headed in, really just 20 minutes early or so. No big deal.
Weather is, unfortunately, part of the risk you run when you book a fishing trip. Eric controls his boat wonderfully and did a great job in everything he attempted for us, but Mother Nature and the fish gods just didn’t cooperate. We had another day booked for the following day (today), but Eric stayed in contact with me throughout the week and last night he let us know early that the swell had worsened throughout the day and he canceled this morning’s trip last night. I trust his judgement implicitly, he did a great job handling his boat and he obviously knows what he’s doing, sometimes luck just isn’t with you. I’d rather cancel and be safe than get out and everyone gets sick or something bad happens, safety is more important than convenience OR fish.
Thanks to Captain Eric, and I can’t say enough good things about him - safety, character and personality, he’s a winner in my book, without a doubt! No fault of his that I can point to led to our disappointment in landing fish, but again, we had a great time out on the sea with him and enjoyed our trip immensely! I can’t give him any more stars than the five allowed, unfortunately.
Good luck with those dirty diapers, Eric!
We did a number of runs off the reef both shallow and deep dropping. Used ‘goggle eye’ bait, just couldn’t get anything...