Big fish on Light tackle!!

Report Date: May 6, 2004

I had the opportunity to guide Ralph Gilchrest and his brother in law Art Jackson recently.
Ralph is a high school principal in the Lakeland area and was selected as the Florida Principal of The Year last year. This trip was a gift for this recognition.
And what a trip it was..
Ralph mentioned earlier when we planned the trip, he would like to catch some redfish. I told him, no problem, we had plenty of them in our area.

The day was perfect. The weather was clear, the skies were an azure blue and the winds were almost calm. The gulf waters were as slick as glass. You could see a fish hickup at 100 yards.
We pointed the Hewes Redfisher toward the backcountry mangroves in search of big fish. We were fishing with light tackle, 10 lb Power Pro line with 20 lb flourocarbon leader and an assortment of lures.
As we poled silently across the pristine, clear flats, we could see tailing redfish everywhere. The tide was low and the water was shallow, about 12 inches. With the calm conditions, the fish were spooky and skitish.

We were working a group of reds with no takers yet, when we noticed a large school of Jack Crevalle crashing schools of bait fish across the cove. We tied on a Mirrorlure Top Dog and began our next adventure.

Ralph Gilchrest, Florida's Principal of the Year, with Jack Crevalle on light tackle

After some coaxing, Ralph had a big 'un slam his topwater plug and the battle was on. In my opinion, there is not a more fun fish to catch nor a harder fighter than a Jack. They definitely give you your moneys worth!! After a 10 minute battle, Ralph landed, we pictured and released his big Jack Crevalle.

The Jacks cleared out and we headed to some outside grass flats for trout. Ralph and Art wanted some table fare and sea trout are just the ticket.
We used Cajun Thunder rattling corks with 1/8 oz Cotee jigs under an 18 in section of flourocarbon leader. Saltwater Assassin sea shad in electric chicken, and green colors worked this day to catch some nice trout.
Acording to Ralph, if Art had landed all the big trout he hung, we would have had more than our limit. These two guys are great to fish with and both have a great sense of humor.

Later the tide had reached high and we headed back inside for some more redfishing. Ralph had a lively pinfish on and floated him next to a rocky point next to a mangrove island.
"Ralph, where did your cork go?" I said. Ralph looked and it was gone. He tighened the line and the circle hook did its job. The line began screaming off the reel. The rod was bent double and the line was ziping through the water. Redfish On!! Big swirl, run after run, and water spraying in the air from the big red's tail was all you saw for about the next 12 minutes. Not to mention the big smile on Ralph's face.

Ralph Gilchrest, Florida's Principal of the Year, First Redfish!

Finally, the big Red was subdued and brought onboard the RedfishHunter l. Ralph had caught his first Homosassa Redfish. A 27 inch, 8 pounder. What I didn't realize, this was Ralph's first redfish ever and what a way to start! After Art caught another keeper, we had our limit and decided to head in.
It had been another good day in the backcountry.
Two new friends, big fish caught, plenty of filets for the fish fry and the sun setting on the beautiful Gulf of Mexico. What more could you ask for.

Thanks Ralph and Art "Jack" Jackson for a super day. You two are an inspiration. And Ralph, I can see why you were our Principal of the Year for Florida. You two are welcome aboard my boat anytime. Come back real soon.

Folks, if you would like to experience this type of fishing adventure, give me a call or drop me an email.

Until next time...

Captain Ed Lewis



o

Back to Main Fishing Report Page