You guess is as good as mine

The perfect setting to gather your thoughts, dreams and anticipations. A captivating view of the early morning sky heading west into the Gulf of Mexico aboard the Bad Habit out of Venice, Florida.

The target for this trip, the prized African Pompano. A beautiful species of fish that appear off the coast of Southwest Florida for a short window of opportunity in March and April. A fish prized for drag burning displays of power as well as the excellent table fare it provides if you win the battle.

Captain Mike Patterson positioned his Seahunter over the chosen structure. Anxiously, we awaited the call to drop the baits into the strike zone.

The first baits down got the attention of the out of season amberjack. A local powerhouse of a fish that can cause the most fit angler to surrender. A good warm up for the pompano, kind of like easing into a workout.

Amberjack are an amazing fish to catch both in season and out. The reward during in season, you get to put a keeper on ice after it beats you down for a good thirty-minutes. Out of season? Shake a fin and drop it back into the abyss. Respect is earned and the amberjack will not disappoint.

The next round of baits down found the target species. One bump and then a drag singing like a canary. Two of us were hooked solid to big fish, the others cleared the way. The fish on the end of the line went under the boat, behind the boat and around the motors. Two anglers dancing around the boat trying to keep the fish separated the best that we could. The first few minutes of fury is what amazes me the most. A rush of adrenaline and spine- tingling excitement. African pompano versus angler, the angler depending solely on the drag and tackle to hold during the pompanos valiant attempt to escape.

The pompano did not surrender easily. This time, both the angler and tackle were well tested, but victorious.

Juvenile African pompano are plentiful during certain times of the year, usually prior to the big ones showing up offshore. They can be a nuisance. The two fish per vessel and 24-inch to the fork size limit can be difficult to meet on some days. Be prepared to release a few fish while you wait for the jumbo African pompano, mangrove snapper and grouper to swim off with your bait. We were fortunate to ice our keepers early on this day. A few amberjacks and two short pompano and we were on our way to snapper town.

The next part of this epic adventure involved a search for cooperative red grouper and any hungry member of the snapper family.

Some days, finding hungry grouper can be a challenge. The glutton of a fish, known to eat just about any offering you drop down, can develop lock jaw. Big baits usually end up catching the largest grouper of the day. The head section of a fresh blue runner, a live pinfish or a whole squid usually entice the bigger fish.

Today, the bigger fish surprised us all. The targeted red grouper were around but we had to bounce from spot to spot to get the keepers on ice. “Sometimes you just have to work for them” Captain Mike said. The grouper had a bit of a color change at one of the next spots we set on.

Reluctantly swimming around down deep, my pinfish attracted the attention of a different species. One solid thump and I came tight to a big fish. The unknown brute made a few good runs for the safety of the rocky bottom but each time, the two speed reel allowed me to gain just enough line to keep the fish from breaking off. After winning the initial tug of war, the second and third bursts for freedom, it was a race to get it in past the resident shark population. Oh, did I forget to mention that other obstacle in putting these tasty fish on ice? There is nothing easy about getting these fish from their happy home below to a bed of ice above. Eat your Wheaties ladies and gentlemen, that’s all I can say.

The fish looked to be an out of season gag grouper when we first saw it down deep in the pristine blue water. Slowly, the fish rose from the depths, a few yards at a time. Disappointed the epic battle would soon end release, my weary arms put the finishing touches on an epic battle. ” That looks like…. Black”!!!!!! “That’s a big Black”, The Captain yelled as he quickly put his hand under the gill plate and lifted the rare catch into the boat.

After a brief and well-deserved celebration, the next two baits were slammed the same way. The next two fish were black groupers, the third one was just short of the 24-inch keeper minimum. “That’s the Gulf of Mexico for you, ya just never know”, Captain Mike said. The spot had never given up any black grouper previously.

Juvenile African pompano are plentiful during certain times of the year, usually prior to the big ones showing up offshore. They can be a nuisance. The two fish per vessel and 24-inch to the fork size limit can be difficult to meet on some days. Be prepared to release a few fish while you wait for the jumbo African pompano, mangrove snapper and grouper to swim off with your bait. We were fortunate to ice our keepers early on this day. A few amberjacks and two short pompano and we were on our way to snapper town.

The last spot of the day the red grouper finally decided it was time to eat. Live pinfish, whole squid and sardines were gulped down as soon as the weight came in contact with the dirt below. A thump and bend are the best way to describe it. Grouper that are on the chew don’t nibble at all. Bigger red, black and gag grouper often eat more than bait. Anglers with a little too much slack in the line may not feel the thump. The grouper will swim to the next bait in line and eat that as well. Two hooks are better than one they always say. The fish get split up evenly at the end of the day anyway.

Mangrove snapper are usually in the same areas as all the fish mentioned above. You may also encounter lane snapper and yellowtail snapper. Almaco jacks, porgies, big key west grunts and vermillion snapper will add variety to the adventure, along with some tasty fillets.

Big cobia, mutton snapper and blackfin tuna are part of the Gulf of Mexico mixed bag most of the year also. I almost forgot there has been an increase in the mutton snapper population out in the one hundred-to-one-hundred-and-fifty-foot range.

The captains have a pretty good idea what to expect from each spot. They can target limits of certain species while avoiding certain fish that may be out of season. Speaking of which, red grouper will be off the table on July 21, 2023, or somewhere around there lol. Check your local listings for updates.

The snapper family like small live baits and live shrimp. The bigger mangrove and mutton snapper will destroy larger baits on occasion but most of them will fall to lighter spinner tackle, lighter leaders and minimum weight to reach the strike zone. You can use jig heads tipped with fresh cut bait, shrimp or live threadfin or cigar minnow if the fish are higher up in the water column. Chicken rigs work best due to the ability to drop the bait down quick without the risk of a tangle. The Carolina and knocker rigs tend to tangle above the weight if you drop them too fast.

The variety available from day to day in this blue water wonderland is nothing short of amazing. The local charter boats are waiting to take you for a ride to the West, far West, thirty-miles minimum West. The rocky ledges and pitted bottom are teaming with life out there. Many of the areas you will fish are discovered on previous trips and stored for epic surprise catches later. Expect the unexpected on every trip. The Gulf of Mexico is one of the most productive and darn right addicting areas I have ever fished.

Coming soon: Fishing the Florida Keys for Mangrove Snapper

Watch the Sun go Down and the Mangs Light Up!! The Spawn is On !!