Red Grouper, Hogfish, Shark, Goliath & Charley: SW FL

[fishbuster]

[font "Arial"]I fished the Bonita reefs Monday, finally in dry weather and calm seas, with Pat Fitzgerald and young sons Jimmy and Tommy. We caught nine keeper mangrove snapper and triggerfish, and released a 5½ foot nurse shark, which was exciting for the boys.

Tuesday, fishing with George Reiff and friends, Ron, Tom & Mark, 24 miles west of New Pass, we had a productive morning. We caught a 21 ½ inch red grouper, two hogfish, keeper mangrove snapper, big grunts and porkfish. We also released a goliath grouper estimated at 50 pounds (see photo attached). We used live shrimp and cut grunts for bait.
[/font]
[font "Arial"][black]The end of the week brought us Hurricane Charley, so by Thursday we were battening down the hatches, aware that what is usually our pleasant fishing playground is also a force to be respected.[/black][/font]
[signature]

[davetclown]

good luck and god be with ya and avery one down your way...

I see charlie is about to hit any minute if it hasnt already. I am keeping a vidulant eye from michigan.....
[signature]

[fishbuster]

[font "Arial"][black]Thanks so much, davetclown.[/black][/font] [font "Arial"]We just got web access and
e-mail capabilities back about 10 minutes ago. We were without power for 5 days, but we were very lucky--House okay, but lots of yard damage. Had a tornado also fell a big Australian Pine up the road, which took out our power poles and lines, sewer lift station, and cable. It was pretty darn scary here for a while, with 110 mph gusts, but we are doing fine now. Just downloaded over 200 e-mails, so I guess I will be busy for a while![/font] [font "Arial"]Just happy to be back to normal--The folks just a few miles notrth of us are not nearly as fortunate. Thank you again for your kindness and concern--I will be back to posting soon![/font]
[signature]

[davetclown]

good to hear form ya, I knew you were over close to my dads area, "punta gorda" I talked to him today on cell phone and he said it would be two more weeks before they would have power.

hope the boats are ok as well.

wow you sat threw it too?!

hope ya took pictures, will make for some interesting stories for the grand kids...

hope to see ya back on the water soon....
[signature]

[fishbuster]

Took a few photos through the back glass doors---The wind was coming from the other way, so we did not have the back ones shuttered, and could see out. The pics are poor reproductions of how it looked to the naked eye, but at least they are some indicator of Charley's fury. We are lucky here, compared with your dad's area. Glad to hear he made it through safely, and we wish him a return to normalcy as soon as possible. Take care, Cap't. Dave
[signature]