Day On the Water -- Another Beautiful Day

Not worth mentioning anything about Valentine's Day since I had no cutie at my side or family nearby to acknowledge it happened -- other than another sunset and still no green flash hit my eyes.  Last night, I decided to make a French Martini for the gathering at Sunset Point and would like to share it with you -- whenever you might stop by (will have to get more Whipped Cream Vodka so let me know, please).  Did get an invitation right after the sunset last night to join my next door neighbor (Charley) and another camper (Bill) on Charley's boat for a day of fishing -- gladly accepted (even though I had planned an evening of fishing after sunset).  I caught 10 Mangrove Snappers last night and released all ten of them -- too small (though one may have been a squeaker decided not to keep him).

Today's outing on Charley's boat could only have been better if the season on Groupers wasn't closed.  I caught at least three -- one Black, one Red and one Grey.  Bill caught the biggest fish -- another huge Grouper about 2 feet long and he caught a Spanish Mackerel as well as other Grunts, Runners and the only keeper Yellowtail Snapper.  He had another really big Spanish Mackerel on and it got off before I could get to his side of the boat with the landing net.  I had something really big on my pole too and it turned me around and twisted me hard enough that I fell into the back end of the boat -- hitting my head and shoulders on the boat -- even though I held onto the rod, it broke the line and all as it tore across the back end of the boat and the twin motors.  One or two others got away too which had me wishing I could have brought them in -- maybe big Spanish Mackerel.  Cooking two of the large Grunts now for dinner -- they're bigger than any of the Mangrove Snappers I've caught here at the canal of the campground.

The wind was a bit more than we had anticipated and some of the swells made it difficult to stand and fish without falling overboard.  One huge Rogue Wave washed over the bow as I attempted to set the anchor and it nearly threw me off the bow and into the forward area -- the wave broke a couple feet above the bow and totally soaked me -- good thing I had the anchor rope firmly in my hands.  I almost dried out by the time we made it back to Fiesta Key's marina and harbor.  Charley promises another trip with Bill before we all leave here by the end of the month -- bait is already in the freezer and we'll only need more shrimp to catch those Snappers (hopefully we'll find a less windy day too).