It was somewhat breezy, but the wind was generally easterly so the wind shadow of the mainland kept the waves manageable. In fact, it was nearly dead calm close to the shoreline when I launched the kayak.
I paddled off to my secret grouper hole. If you look closely at this next picture, there's a clue to get you close to my secret spot...
I was, again, fishing a rising tide. But the moon had been full the night before so the bite was perhaps slower than it might otherwise have been. I collected a nice mix of gags and red grouper.
The wind blew me towards the Sanibel Causeway and it was hard to hold my position over my secret grouper hole. I got heavy into BIG ladyfish every time I would try to paddle upwind back to the grouper hole. I should have just reeled in my lure and paddled back, but playing with those lady's was just too much fun. I must have hooked two dozen and probably caught 8 or so. I was blown WAY towards the west and had a long, upwind paddle back towards my grouper spot. I kept a few ladyfish and fished with cut bait on the big pole, but the wind had freshened and I kept dragging my little 10# barbell plate anchor. I had a few good runs fishing cut ladyfish, but the only hookup proved to be a large hardhead catfish. Finally, I upped anchor, tossed out the small Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnow and pointed the kayak back towards Bunche Beach. Just on the Bunche side of my grouper hole, the Yo-Zuri got hit! I was quite surprised to pull up a triggerfish with the Yo-Zuri in his jaw!
He was only eleven inches to the fork, and thus too small to keep, but it was my first ever Triggerfish on a lure and my first one ever off Bunche Beach in seven feet of water!
I finished up the day with a cold brewski at Bonita Bill's, then headed home.
Life is good! :)
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