Dave Zalewski 460-9893

Most of our recent trips have been family trips with children onboard along with either parents or grandparents and often both. Long offshore runs are not necessary to create lasting memories and a great experience as youngsters often become bored with a long ride. When we have youngsters with us, we start trolling before we even leave the pass because the no wake zones require slowing down to trolling speed. Spanish mackerel, jacks, blue runners and lizard fish are often encountered allowing everyone to be instructed how to handle the rod when fish are encountered offshore. Next stop is our pinfish traps located about 2 miles offshore. The traps not only catch pinfish, but may contain calico crabs, small stone crabs, spider crabs, sea horses and an occasional eel. We take seeing the contents for granted, but to a first time youngster they are a source of wonderment. Taking the time to show what is in the trap contributes to the overall experience for everyone.
Next stop is usually one of the artificial reefs where small spoons are deployed on light tackle behind a #1 planer to target Spanish mackerel, bonita, blue runners or anything that bites. For kids just having a wiggle on the rod is what really counts and this also holds true for the adults in the party. After trolling we usually venture to the 60 to 80 foot depths to target bottom fish which will include white grunts, red and gag grouper, vermillion and Lane snapper. 2 hook chicken rigs and light tackle provide non stop action on most stops for the kids and conventional grouper tackle gives the adults a chance at some larger fish. When parents and grandparents see how much fun the kids are having they often ask to switch to the lighter tackle.
Some of our greatest catches are when we take the time to stop and pick up trash seen floating on the surface and by doing so instill in the party the need to protect our fragile environment

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