Big birthday redfish

Report Date: June 15, 2006

An Unforgettable Birthday

My husband and I don’t get to go fishing very often so I told him that I wanted to go fishing on my birthday. He made reservations with Capt. Ed Lewis to take me fishing.

We were scheduled to go fishing on the flats of Homosassa.

We got an early start that morning and headed straight for the spot where the redfish were known to be. After fishing a couple of spots we went out from a point and decided to fish that area for awhile. As soon as my little pinfish was thrown into the water, I got a hit. My pole doubled and the drag started singing as the line zipped of the ree. I started reeling as hard as I could.

Mr. Redfish knew what he was doing more than I did and he headed straight for the mangroves.

Being the skilled professional that Capt. Ed is, he out smarted Ol’Mr. Redfish and turned the boat facing the direction the fish was running. I wasn’t too sure what was moving the boat, the fish or the motor. Well, Mr. Redfish decided he wasn’t gonna make it to the mangroves so he lit out for open water. My line was singing and I was reeling and holding on for all I was worth. My arm was getting tired. Then, all of a sudden he was coming straight at me. (Have you ever tried to reel faster than a redfish can swim towards you?) Mr. Redfish swam to the biggest thing he could find to get under and that just happened to be our boat. Capt. Ed started saying “put your pole in the water, put your pole in the water!” (Thank God he showed me what to do before we actually fished or I probably would have thrown the whole pole in the water.)

I put my rod tip in the water while still reeling the line in and somewhere along the way I caught up with Mr. Redfish right next to the boat.

Before I knew what was happening Capt. Ed got the net out and was scooping up this monster. Weighing in at 12 ½ lbs. and 31” long Mr. Redfish gave me a birthday that I’ll never forget. I don’t know who was more excited me or Capt. Ed. Thanks again Capt. Ed for a wonderful fishing trip.

Joyce's Birthday Red

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