Monday, February 28, 2011

Spring is in the air AND the water!

Capt. Larry hasn't let the weather fluctuations slow down his fishing charters a bit; lately, they've been hitting the large Amberjacks hard, using a combination of large live baits and butterfly jigs. After his fishing parties have caught their limit of those reef donkeys [amberjacks], not to mention usually releasing a plethora of more amberjacks, we break out the light rods and tear into the snapper action. We have variety, just to keep life interesting, on Capt. Larry's trips... snappers range from a mangrove, lane, vermilion and huge flag yellowtail snappers. Below is Bill VanWienen from Grand Rapids, Michigan, holding an impressive gag grouper he caught and released using a live grunt in about 125 ft offshore of Anna Maria Island. Bill and party were catching a whole mess of amberjack and a variety of snappers, without even targeting grouper. The party still caught and released 15 huge gag grouper on that charter with Capt. Larry.

A myriad of porgies and triggerfish have also consistently been in the box at the end of the day as well. We are still catching & releasing much gag and red grouper, even though we aren't even targeting them. Best action starts out at about 110 ft, and only gets better as you fish out deeper. Closer in, there are all-you-can-catch sheephead on the artificial reefs, docks and bridges. Off the beach, is where the Spanish mackerel and Bonita seem to be hanging out, so where you go to fish really depends on what you're looking to catch, and inevitably cook up some tasty times of your own!

After perfect weather as of recent, it is an indication that spring just might be here. I forecast pelagics will be close behind, with an early wild and crazy kingfish run... along with cobia and blacktip shark so ready to be caught, they almost jump in the boat! Fishing is great, the weather is beautiful and life is good. Now is the time to come on out and get on the fishin' while it's wet & wild!

Capt Larry McGuire
Show Me The Fish Charters
Cell: 941-720-6475 | Email captlarrymcguire@gmail.com
Operating out of the Cortez Fishing Center, Bradenton, FL

Friday, February 11, 2011

All-Consuming Amberjack Awersomeness

Don't be fooled by the cool weather the offshore catches, especially amberjacks, are heating up. Just be prepared to fish in between the cold fronts and you will be rewarded with a legitimately wild and crazy time, only unlike in Vegas, it's something you can be proud of, gloat about, thus what happens on Capt Larry's boat is awesome enough to be shared with the masses. Case in point is of Dick Lind from Hibbing, MN, pictured below. If anyone knows cold, it's Minnesota folks! Dick is pictured with the largest amberjack of the trip he was on. He was using a live pinfish, in about 120 ft offshore of Anna Maria Island.
To the right is Jay Herbert, pcitured with a huge amberjack he caught using a live grunt in about 120 ft offshore of Anna Maria Island. This was Jay's largest catch ever and his party also caught more amberjacks, lots of snapper,red grouper and catch and release gag grouper.

Recently Rob Lipsett chartered a boat by himself and caught AJ's all day long along with some snappers. That's an incredible workout for anyone, especially someone that is 66 years old! A lot of our younger guys on trips cant handle a fight like that.

Look for the snappers and AJ's starting out at 100 ft... for the biggest and the baddest amberjacks, go out to the springs and wrecks out 155 ft plus. Large live baits are working best, along with butterfly jigs, to mix it up a bit. Sardines are working great for the snapper and reef fish. Despite the cold, fishing's great and life is good. If you aren't feeling the same "life is good" sentiment, come fish & party with Capt. Larry, he'll meet your fishin' needs & exceed your expectations!


Capt Larry McGuire
Show Me The Fish Charters
Cell: 941-720-6475 | Email captlarrymcguire@gmail.com
Operating out of the Cortez Fishing Center, Bradenton, FL