Hernando Beach, Florida Cobia and grouper

[triumphrick]

Well, it was the next to last day that we could run out and get some gags...so left the ramp around 7:30...

Had my neighbor Rob and his Dad as well as friends Emery and daughter Paige.

Tried around 35', but just some short reds and grunts.

Moved twice, and settled in 48', about 25 miles due West.

Lots of big fish showed up. We ended up keeping 8 nice gags up to 28", 3 red grouper around 21"-23" aand a really nice cobia that tipped out around 45 lbs.

I have a video on the way of the cobia as it prowled the back of the boat. It ignored most everything thrown at it...untill a big fat frisky squirrelfish got its attention...and then it was on. Took a half hour to tire him out, and a good gaff job by yours truly got him onboard. Completely spanned my 60" fishbox...

All in all made for a good day offshore, as the waves dipped to about a foot and the temps were in the low 80's.

Gotta love this place!!

 

[sasto]

Re: Hernando Beach, Florida Cobia and grouper

That's a good catch, Rick. I especially like the Cobia. For those that don't know, that Cobia is a highly prized gamefish. They are a good fight and......well.....they are one of the best tasting fish....anywhere!

 

[Fly Rod]

Re: Hernando Beach, Florida Cobia and grouper

That is a nice day of fishing, Congrats.

I thought gouper had to be over 24 inches to keep. While down the keys a couple of years ago I had caught grouper around 23 inches and was told they had to be over 24.

 

[kahuna123]

Re: Hernando Beach, Florida Cobia and grouper

Gags
West coast 22" two each
East coast 24" don't know
Cobia 31 to the fork
Red
20" new rule is 4 each

total allowable grouper per person is 5 each all species combined
I am starting a new business. I will supply a lawyer for each trip. Now days you need one.

 

[Fly Rod]

Re: Hernando Beach, Florida Cobia and grouper

Here in Mass. you need to take a lawyer with you to fish. Keep one on a retainer.

 

[triumphrick]

Re: Hernando Beach, Florida Cobia and grouper

Gags
West coast 22" two each
East coast 24" don't know
Cobia 31 to the fork
Red
20" new rule is 4 each


total allowable grouper per person is 5 each all species combined
I am starting a new business. I will supply a lawyer for each trip. Now days you need one.

Thanks for the post...and now the season for gags is closed. We only had two months this year....

For FlyRod...the Keys fishing is unusual because you can be in the Gulf one day, and the Atlantic the next! Those limits you were given were probably for the Atlantic side.....