11/23/11 Islamorada spanish mackerel fishing

Well the wind came around from the south this morning and laid down nicely as the day went on during 11/23/11.  Wasn't too bad to start out with.  We got out for a morning half day and had good conditions, tide headed towards the gulf off sprigger bank area.  Put the chum bag out and fish were around us instantly.  Started off with lots of big ladyfish and blue runners, and several nice mangrove snappers as well as a handful of trout.  Spanish mackerel were soon to follow, several large fish that were 4-5 lbs.  Much fun on light tackle.  Bare jigs with shrimp worked fine, though shiny mylar jigs were the hot ticket, didn't even need shrimp at the end.  Here is Ambrose pictured with one nice Mack.  They bit almost every cast eventually until the tide stopped.  At the end of the tide we put some dead mackerel chunks on the bottom for sharks, hooked a couple big black tips though they broke us off pretty quick, as well as a big nurse shark we pulled the hooks on.  Oh well still plenty of fun, get on out there this thanksgiving weekend, will have great tide for that, as well as in the backcountry for most of the day!

Capt. Rick Stanczyk
305-747-6903