S-S-S-Steelslinging. Jolly Rogers 2

Guests
Luke Rogers, Walt Quinn, his wife Dr. Sarah Patterson, their buddy Frank Surface, and a "mystery" guest.

Since Jimmy Z is now a working stiff he turned the throttles over to myself and Ty Thomas (Freeshaft) who frequently ran the boat when the JR2's home port was in Madeira Beach way back when.

Sea Conditions
Wow, this was only our second trip this year, and both of them have been only single overnighters. Between high fuel pricing with the corresponding necessary price increases on our charters, shittier than normal winter marine weather, the rec grouper closure, uncertainty with future rec grouper regs, and Jimmy Z's new gig, 2008 has been our slowest start ever. Given the lack of trip opportunities I was elated when our weather plan was executed flawlessly. We left early Friday morning in 2'-3' seas which laid down to nothing through Saturday early AM despite the NOAA forecast of 3'-5'. It gradually picked up slightly through our final day, but the front didn't come roaring in until right after tying off to the dock later that afternoon. Water temps ranged from 66*-68* degrees with no current, and vis was top to bottom or just under on all dive sites. Just give the water a little bit more of a warm up and we'll be knee deep in the begonias which are already starting to grow.

Slay Report
There is no shortage in the gag grouper population off the Hatch if you know where to look. There is also no shortage of red snapper some of which were in the 15#-20# range mocking us on spots as shallow as 70 fsw . The first part of Friday was all about wrecks, and the balance of the day along with Saturday took care of the rock pile portion of our program. All the gags you want to shoot, plenty of larger than average mangos, a few amberjack, a cobia, but not that many hogfish this weekend.....that's pretty much the tale of the tape.


We arrived to the dock to see the Gulfstream Marina in a bustle right as the weigh-in was occurring for the Mel Tillis fishing tournament and benefit concert (www.fishingwithmel.com).....I k-k-k-k-kid you not. I wish I had taken some pictures of the scene. Trust me, I would have been able to post some classics if it wasn't for my desire to get the hell out there to go to the doctor for the raging infection I had on my right ring finger that was not helped by two days of diving. M-M-M-Mel himself was hanging out prior to going onstage, readily accessible to all his fans, and slamming Milwaukee's Best beer . Also on hand were restaurant booths, vendors, and an appearance by James Best who is the actor that played Sheriff Roscoe P. Coltrane on the show "Dukes of Hazzard". It was a regular Hatch-a-palooza. Mel Tillis rocks ! That mosh pit must have been insane. Standing by.....
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Thank you for choosing the Gulf of Mexico. Your bag limit will be lowered in the order that it is received. All dive sites may be monitored for quality assurance purposes.


Walt and Doc Sarah show off the spoils of their first dive on a relatively shallow "secret" (a real one) wreck. Walt also showcases a bigger than average size inshore grover.

Big thanks to Sarah for the medical consult on my "ebola" finger!
 

First dive HOD's. From left- Yours truly, Frank, and Luke.

 

Capt Luke Rogers US Army. Luke got mauled on by a mango, chased out of the water by two sandbars, had to head to Ft Benning the following morning for some training prior to his second deployment to Iraq, and has been physically through more than five people combined. This dude is tough.

Thanks for serving our country , and keep SFP up to date as to when you head in-country.

Ty with the trip best 24# gag. Ty is unassuming, low key, doesn't go off on political rants, is not always in crisis sky is falling mode, and is not prone to fits of histrionics. I like Ty. Can he run every trip from here on out ?

I like you too Jim.......
 

 

Due to my seemingly endless bouts with spider bites, fish spine puctures, cuts, scratches, abrasions, cellulitis, staph infection, fish poisoning, and toadfish slime blindness I have been approached by Johnson & Johnson for a Neosporin sponsorship deal. As the leader of Team Neosporin Spearfishing it will be my job to promote the new industrial Neosporin caulking gun dispenser.......when you absolutely, postively need to keep killing fish despite the virulent bacteria infecting your body. All candidates interested in joining Team Neosporin Spearfishing are advised to contact me ASAP.....