Ballyhoo 24...........Grouper 0 :(:(

We spent our last day in the Bahamas fishing with our good friend Freddie, trolling for Grouper, which is becoming one of my favorite things to do. I'm going to add more detail than needed, but I plan on doing this again and will be able to reference this post. We began the day as usual, Freddie showed up at the boat about 7 AM to pick up the Ballyhoo and the big "Feathered" lures he and I had sorted out the night before to get them rigged and ready. CJM and I wanted to get started early and hopefully have a couple nice Groupers in the box by 2 PM or so and come in early to relax on our last night in town. We started trolling at the south end of Bimini near Turtle rocks in about 40 feet of water. In this area the best rocks are in that depth. As you troll farther south towards Cat Cay, the best rocks are in 70 or so feet of water. In between, the best is 45 or 50. We always want the lures as close to the bottom without getting hung up, which we did misjudge a couple times today. We troll nearly as slow as the boat will go, usually about 4 to 5 knots. The amount of line let out depends on all the above factors, plus current and wind. It is fairly tedious getting the baits set just right. Sometimes when you finally feel the bait bump the bottom it is too late. If you don't get it close enough to the bottom, the Barracuda are more likely to strike the lure. We use 80# trolling wire followed by a 1 or 2 pound trolling lead, followed by a shock leader and then the lure. The shock leader is a 300# mono leader, 15' long which you use to pull the fish in at the end of the battle and then hopefully gaff your prize. By the way, it is generally accepted as a catch once the mate has the leader in his hand or the leader is at least reeled up to the end of the rod.

As you may have guessed by the title to the post, the Grouper won today. They kicked our butts the first few times we tried this in years past, but the last two times we came out on top. Today once again goes to the Grouper. We did however have lots of action. We used 24 Ballyhoo in the attempt. We caught several Barracuda, a Horseye Jack, a large Amberjack....

From 2011-06-25

....and two of the biggest Cero Mackerel I have ever seen, or at least the half I got to see was huge. Freddie said the other half got eaten on the way to the boat by another Mackerel or a big Cuda. All said and done, it was a great day of fishing. We learned more from the master, Freddie. We got to spend one final day on the beautiful waters surrounding Bimini and we will say "goodbye" to her tomorrow. I can't wait until my next trip over.......hopefully before next May. I've got a feeling the old FF III may have to finally make that winter crossing for Wahoo. Freddie and I are already planning the attack and I have much to do between now and then to be ready. I will need a volunteer or two to make the crossing with me as CJM says she will sit that one out and fly over to join me. Can't wait:):)

By the way, Kate, I'm thinking this looks like the likely outcome of the big MU/KU football game this fall. MU 24, KU 0 :):) Go Tigers :):)

CTM