South Carolina/Florida Roadtrip Report

[MVP]

After about a year of being invited to head down south I finally pulled the trigger and made plans to spend a week of with my two brothers from another mother. Rob (Birch) aka Fishguts who made the move to Pawleys Island, SC and Carlos Bastos (seabass) who now resides in Tarpon Springs, FL. Even though I miss them both I could not be happier for them as they have made the move to provide a better life for themselves and their families and could not be happier with their decisions. If I did not have the responsibility of needing to be close bye to take care of my parents I would have made the move myself a long time ago.

Monday:
Flew into Myrtle Beach and was picked up by Rob in his brand new Truck. Within an hour we had lines in the water as we stopped by his friends house and fished off the dock for Flounder and whatever else was biting. Spent about an hour doing that before heading to his house to load up the kayaks and hit the creek. This was the first time Kayak fishing for me. Absolutely beautiful going through little coves, docks and cuts with bait all over the place. Very relaxing. Ended up catching a few flounder each and a sea trout by Rob. Broke out the steaks on the barbeque to end the day with a great meal.

Tuesday:
We got an early start and hit inlet that fed into the ocean at sunrise for much of the same action. Guy fishing near us kept us entertained as he almost lost a rod as fish pulled it out of spike. About ten minutes later he hooks up with nice keeper flounder. As he is dragging it up the bank fish spits the hook. As he tries to grab it before it escapes he looses footing a takes a face plant into the water. Tough morning but at least he was hooking up. After a great morning we hit the pool where Robs 12yr. old son kicked my butt in a race. Come next year I will be ready for him. Broke out the skillet and cooked up catch of the day with some salad and potatoes and corn for a great second meal in 2 days.

Wendsday:
Plan was to get out with Rob's friend Pete and hit area 11 miles out that was holding some nice size Spadefish, they look like giant angel fish. Had livewell filled with some nice size peanuts and some shrimp so I thought we were all set. Before heading out we stop right outside the inlet to look for the secret Spadefish bait (Jellyfish). I thought they were pulling my leg and were trying to punk me. To my surprise this is what they use for bait for spades. They take a wire cloths hanger (preferably white) and hang 2 Jelly balls on it. The use heavy rod and tie mono to it and drop jelly balls near the bottom. They reel it up slowly to about 5-10- ft. from the top of water. This brings the Spadefish of the bottom and they start picking away at jelly balls. We used soft tip spinning rods with some nice backbone. We rig up with small egg sinker rig with 3 ft mono and about 3/0 hook that you bait up with small chunk of Jellyfish. Try to keep bait in the strike zone near the Jellyball and Wham fish on. They are great fighters as their wide profile is like a permit and they want to head back to the bottom after feeling the lip piercing of the hook. Fishing started off slow for us as Robs friend Jay who runs charter boat Aces Up was locked in over the wreck and had his charter catching 10 fish for our 1. Even though he gave us the OK to anchor parallel to him about 50 ft away we could not draw school to us as they were locked into his balls. We were so close that my second cast ended up in his boat and I walked up my sinker up one of his customer back as he had no idea what just happened as he looked behind him. After watching guys six year old son catch a half dozen fish we decided to make a move as we only had 3 fish to his 30. The move paid off as we found area that was holding fish and ended the day turning lemons to lemonade. After heading in and cleaning up Rob put his culinary talents to work and cooked up fish. Outstanding is the only word to describe the taste as I found the fish to have a sweetness to it that was delicious.

Thursday:
Plan was to make 60 mile run on Robs friend Jason's 34 Contender and try for some mahi and wahoo. Forecast for the early afternoon was not favorable so we made the decision to target spadefish and try for some big cobia that were being caught recently. Jason has Captain Jay from Aces Up Charters run his boat once a week so we new we were in good hands. Stopped once again outside the inlet and netted our jelly balls in short order and off we went. Nice little chop getting out but the contender ate it up running at 40 miles per hr. We deploy the jelly balls and game on. Rob had the hot hand for the day but we all were into fish fairly consistently as fish would come up feed and then disappear for a few minutes before returning. One of the guys was fishing bottom rig and had constant action with undersized seabass as well. A few barracuda came up to pay us a visit but they would not take a bait. Had 25 lb. cobia cruising near by so Jason broke out the bow and got a few shots off but did not connect. We ended the day with a real nice box of fish and a great day out with some new friends. Can not thank Jason enough for the invite to join his crew for a great day of fishing. For dinner decided to do a traditional SC boil. Fish, shrimp, potatoes, corn, sausage and whatever else could fit in the pot. Truly a great ending to a great day.

Friday:
Got a super early start as we had a 10 hour drive ahead of us to meet up for with Carlos and his wife for dinner in Fl. for the second part of our trip. Stopped by his home at around 4 pm to catch up before checking into our room that Carlos hooked us up with (SWEET). We showered up and headed out to the Rusty Belly in Tarpon Springs for a killer meal and some great laughs. Area is known for sponge dive boats and party boats that fish the Middle Grounds including the Viking Fleet.

Sat:
Our original plan fell through to go out on private charter so we opted for a nice easy day on all day Party Boat out of Clearwater (Double Eagle II)
No need to get up early as boat does not leave until 9:00 am. We got to boat at 7:15 am as it was a sat and we were expecting a big crowd. We were the first ones to board so we secured a corner spot and bench for our gear. As Rob found out it is not a good idea to take a nap on the way out as you do not no what might happen to you while sleeping. Lucky for him we did not get our hands on some makeup as I am sure he would have looked cute with blue eye shadow, red lipstick and painted toe nails. We had a real nice selection of bait as we had Squid, sardines and live pin fish (grouper candy) that we picked up. We start breaking the ice catching Grunts. Carlos broke out the pinfish and proceeded to catch the first keeper grouper of the day. Soon after I drop down my bucktail and get slammed. At first I think it is another nice size grouper as it starts digging down. After bringing him off the bottom with my new Daiwa Lexa 300 with power handle that I purchased from jigging world at Somerset show it starts to make powerful run up towards the bow. Mate calls out Kingfish on. As I walk up the rail fish eats threw my mono leader and the battle ends. Fish one Alex zero. We continue to catch fish on every drop as Captain would pick up and make small moves every time fishing slowed. The northern boys showed the locals how we role as we put together an impressive stringer together even though we must have given away over 20 fish to those less fortunate. It is always a pleasure fishing with Rob and Carlos. Rob is one of the best bottom fisherman I have ever fished with as he always finds a way to put fish in the cooler. I always try to learn something new from top fisherman like him. Both he and Carlos are not only good fisherman but they are what I call the total package when it comes to bottom fishing as they are able to read the conditions, make the right decision and have ability to anchor a boat on a piece the size of a volkswagon.

Sunday:
The grand finally. Weather could not have been better for our planned long run. Jumped on Carlos friend Frank's INTREPID and headed out to some numbers Carlos has been dying to hit 60 miles out. The long ride was worth it as we hit several spots that all seemed to hold fish. My timing for this trip was perfect as there was a short window were Red snapper fishing was open. We fairly quickly put our 12 fish in the boat as the limit is 2 per man before changing gears to focus on grouper. After putting a hurting on red snapper and groupers we decided to work our way in and stopped on wreck about forty miles out. Had some nice reading suspended about 50 ft down. Broke out the jigs and it was game on with the Amberjacks. Seemed like we could have stayed there all day catching them as there would be several fish following hooked fish. Fish were not in season so we had to let them all go. After sore arms we decided to call it a day. I love Florida fishing as you never no what you might bring up. We ended up catching 9 different species of fish (Red grouper, Gags, Scamp, Strawberry, Red Snapper, Mangrove, Lane snapper, Ramora and Amberjack). To put icing on the cake I received call from ex girlfriend who lives in Florida and was going to make the drive to see me before I leave on Monday morning. Did not know what to expect as I have not seen her in a few years. Could not have asked for a better way to end my trip.

Can not thank my friends enough for bringing me into their home and treating me like family. Good Friends, Good Food and Good fishing. The great fishing was just a bonus as I really enjoyed spending time with my Homies. I will end with last picture of sunset to symbolize the end of a great and memorable trip

[MVP]

Wednsday and Thursday pictures in SC

[MVP]

Florida Friday and Saturday pictures

[MVP]

Florida's Sunday Grand Finally

[Bucktailboys.com]

Alex,
What an amazing trip you had and as a bonus you caught fish Nothing better than fishing with friends and especially south of us. Great report and pics. Tight lines!

[hartattack]

Wow Alex, whatta trip - your play-by-play, day-by-day made me feel like I was right there. Nice to see that our former NJF'ers are enjoying FLA, livin' the life I remember Carlos (Seabass) from Andrea's Toy - that pic of him reclining is the anti-thesis of NJ stress !!

Who woulda thunk you can use Jellyfish for bait. And your timing was perfect - open season for those gorgeous Red Snappers. Must've been like fishing in an Aquarium - thanks for sharing your vacation . . . .

[Gerry Zagorski]

Great report and pics Alex... Seems like it's Old Friends Reunion week here on NJF.

Good stuff!!

[reefsquater]

Alex,
Great read!
Rob was texting me all along and I was certainly happy for you guys (ok, a little jealous too.)

You got a heck of a lot of the Murrells/Pawleys experience in on that trip!
Glad you could pull everything off, Rob, beside the flyer fan thing, is a heck of a great friend, father and fisherman. I may just have to book another flight myself real soon as I miss living down there.

FYI, Rob tells me you are a heck of a fisherman too, he was as excited to get out with you as you were him. Looks like the spade fish have a new enemy to worry about showing up in town. Hope to see you down there one day.

[Tunarun]

I enjoyed reading your report immensely! Thanks for sharing it with all of us. Dennis

[seabass7]

It was great seeing you and Rob after a few years of us not fishing together. It took me a little time to figure out the lay of the land over here but it's on now! Can't wait to hit the 80 to 100 mile spots! See you soon brother.
Carlos