Guided saltwater fishing trip booked.

[gim]

I'm going to St Pete Beach, FL the last week of March for a family vacation with my family.  My wife is up for me to devote a day to some inshore guided saltwater fishing (bless her heart) so I'm using the same guide service I did back in April 2015 when I was there on my honeymoon.  I talked to him this morning and I'm booked for Thurs, March 27 with Mike Anderson of Reel Animals out of Tampa.

 

When I did this back in 2015, I had an awesome experience.  We targeted snook, redfish, and sea trout on spinning tackle and caught a bunch of all three.  One of the redfish was in the "keeper" slot and we were permitted to keep it.  Our resort kitchen prepared it cajun style for us that night and it was fantastic.

 

The guide I used last time was kick ass (it wasn't specifically Mike, but one of his guides) and he put my wife and I on fish regularly.  I understand guide fishing is a crap shoot and the trip can turn out poorly; that's part of it.  But the experience itself was so good I said I'd use Reel Animals again if I ever went back, so I am.  I tipped him handsomely with straight cash.  Here's some photos from 10 years ago that I hope to duplicate again in late March.

 

I'll never forget the pelicans and birds that hung around the fish-cleaning table that afternoon.  Those things would come right up to the table and wait for scraps like a pet dog.  When he tossed that redfish carcass to them it was a "WAR OF THE BIRDS."

 

 

 

 

[TOXIC]

Sounds like a great time.  Smart move with the guide.  Narrows your odds on getting on fish and having a good day.  Heading to Headwaters in Fellsmere, FL on Friday hoping to start my year out with a double digit ditch pickle! 

[Jar11591]

Nice, that’s the “inshore grand slam”! Looks like it was an easy choice to use the same guide. 
 

I’m in the process of planning a guided salt trip as well for when I go to Croatia in a few months. 

[AlabamaSpothunter]

March is the first month that bigger Tarpon start to bite down around the Tampa Bay area, I'd consult your guide about the prospect of Tarpon fishing.    Any good inshore guide in that area will be an expert on Tarpon as well.  

 

There is nothing in the fishing universe that compares to Tarpon imho.   A 100lb+ Tarpon is life changing.    

 

Good luck and have a great time!    

[gim]

34 minutes ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

March is the first month that bigger Tarpon start to bite down around the Tampa Bay area, I'd consult your guide about the prospect of Tarpon fishing.    Any good inshore guide in that area will be an expert on Tarpon as well.  

 

There is nothing in the fishing universe that compares to Tarpon imho.   A 100lb+ Tarpon is life changing.    

 

They weren't there last time I was there the first week of April.  My understanding is that they are a migratory game fish and move up the coast as the water warms.  Peak tarpon fishing season near Tampa is usually later than March.  But I'll inquire about it anyways.

 

I went to Key West in 2018 and tarpon fished for a day.  That was insane.  The acrobat and aerial nature those things have are incredible.

[AlabamaSpothunter]

Yeah March is the first month where the bigger fish start to migrate into the area so depending on the yearly weather they could be there or not.

 

It's a moot point if you've fished for Tarpon in the Keys.    I've never found any form of fishing that holds a candle to Key West.      Key West fishing is the summit of the mountain as far as I'm concerned.   

 

Where else can you go 30 miles out into the Gulf to catch Blackfin Tuna behind Shrimp boats in the morning and then go 13 miles out into Atlantic during the afternoon and catch Sailfish.   Then wake up the next morning and go out into the bay and catch 100-200lb Tarpon.    

 

 

[crypt]

you will have a great time with Mike......great fisherman....better person.

[BigAngus752]

5 hours ago, gim said:

I'm using the same guide service I did back in April 2015 when I was there on my honeymoon.

This is what I got out of that post.  Fishing on your honeymoon.  LEGEND.  

[gim]

2 hours ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

It's a moot point if you've fished for Tarpon in the Keys.    I've never found any form of fishing that holds a candle to Key West.      Key West fishing is the summit of the mountain as far as I'm concerned.   

I took a 3 day guided saltwater fishing trip there in 2018 with my Father. We had that trip planned for 2 years in advance. I hope to go back again someday.

 

I constantly remember the guide telling us to “BOW!” the rod every time a hooked tarpon would jump and all we could do is watch in amazement.

[AlabamaSpothunter]

That's amazing you got to share that with your father!

 

Me and dad took several trips down there when I was growing up where we'd hire a guide for 2-3 days like you.    Every single time out was just spectacular.   

 

I lost a 175-200lb fish after about 2hrs right....and 1.7 miles away from the buoy we hooked up on right at the dang boat.    That fight is seared into my soul for life.   I'll never forget that fish.  

 

Saltwater fishing takes the wonderment factor of fishing off the charts.   

 

@king fisher always reminds me how special Bass are though, he earns a living fishing for the most amazing saltwater pelagic predators in the world and chooses to spend his free time exploring Mexican lakes for DDs.   

[gim]

Bump.

 

T minus 10 days until my guided day of inshore saltwater fishing.

[Smirak]

If you get some keeper reds, ask the deck hand to filet them in the half shell for you. Throw them on the grill and you’ll not eat a better tasting piece of fish IMO.

[gim]

4 hours ago, Smirak said:

If you get some keeper reds, ask the deck hand to filet them in the half shell for you. Throw them on the grill and you’ll not eat a better tasting piece of fish IMO.

My wife and I split one that was apparently in the “keeper” size way back in 2015. The resort grill we stayed at prepared it for us that night. I thought it was excellent. If I remember correctly it was prepared blackened Cajun.

 

I’m not hell bent on keeping something but if the chance arrives again, I’d probably do it. I think saltwater fish has so much more flavor than freshwater versions do.

[TnRiver46]

22 hours ago, Smirak said:

If you get some keeper reds, ask the deck hand to filet them in the half shell for you. Throw them on the grill and you’ll not eat a better tasting piece of fish IMO.

We have a seafood restaurant/market that drives to the coast 2-3 times a week and gets all kinds of stuff, including redfish. They are great ! Bout $25/lb tho haha

[gim]

Today was the day of my guided saltwater fishing trip in Tampa. Spent about 5.5 hours out there catching redfish, sea trout, jacks, and lady fish. I was permitted to keep one of the redfish and a waterfront grill prepared it. Fresh blackened redfish, Cajun rice, potato fries, and a margarita…fantastic.

 

My guide Josh did a great job, and I landed over 40 fish. This is only my third time saltwater fishing so it’s a rare treat for me. I hope to go again someday in the future.

 

 

[Jar11591]

Nice dude. Looks like you had nice weather too. Sounds like an awesome trip. 

[gim]

2 minutes ago, Jar11591 said:

Nice dude. Looks like you had nice weather too. Sounds like an awesome trip. 

Stunning weather every day. 75-80 degrees.

 

Went to Busch Gardens yesterday which was also highly entertaining.

 

Traffic on “the 275” is pretty awful most of the time though. My guide said it basically never ends.

[Smirak]

That was a nice looking keeper red. I’m sure it tasted fantastic!

[gim]

8 hours ago, Smirak said:

I’m sure it tasted fantastic!

Saltwater fish is so much more flavorful than freshwater fish is. Maybe it’s because I rarely get to eat it, but I find it to have way more robust flavor. Freshwater fish is very bland by comparison.

[softwateronly]

4 hours ago, gim said:

Saltwater fish is so much more flavorful than freshwater fish is. Maybe it’s because I rarely get to eat it, but I find it to have way more robust flavor. Freshwater fish is very bland by comparison.

 

It's hard to beat when they live in the seasoning!  Congrats on a successful trip, looks like a lot of fun.

 

scott

[TOXIC]

Currently at my brother in law and sister in law’s beach house on Cresent beach.  Glad you had a good time. I was tempted to bring my surf gear but ended up leaving it home. 

[casts_by_fly]

That’s a fun trip!  I’ve caught a couple little reds and various surf species but never trout and certainly not a red that big. That’s super fun and always great to catch stuff that you wouldn’t ordinarily get a chance to.