florida-saltwater-fishing-blog

450 to 500 pound Goliath Grouper Caught on Fat Cat Fishing charters.

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 07:49:41 +0100

450 to 500 pound Goliath Grouper Caught on Fat Cat Fishing charters.
11/15/2009 Fishing in the Gulf off famous John's Pass about nine miles out, Chad and his two sons where having a great time catching red and gag grouper, shark, key west grunts and enjoying the wonderful Florida weather. After throwing back about fifty grouper just a inch or so from being of legal size we decided to go for Goliath Grouper. So we reeled the rods in, cranked up the twin 100's Suzukies and off we went. After about a thirty minute ride we pulled into a spot where I have caught the giants before. With lots of anticipation we set up with 9/0 reels with 100 lb test and 800 pound test leaders 10 foot long. I tied two 9/0's to one leader. that's right father and son was to fight one fish with two rods. We had two good hits but missed them and it was starting to get late in the day and about time to head for shore. Then down went both rods bent over double and the fight was on. Chad was the first to get cut off, his line rubbed the bottom of the boat before he could move forward with the giant Goliath. Now with dad cut off it was all up to his son Justin to fight this monster by him self. The Goliath headed under the boat and out the other side so we worked the rod around the front of the boat, got Justin in the fighting chair, threw the anchor buoy and let the giant pull the boat. Dad, Capt Brad and myself all helping Justin hang onto to the pole as the drag was tightened down to the max so he couldn't get back to the wreck. After about a fifteen minute fight that seemed more like a hour we saw the 100 lb test ten foot leader at the top off the water. I grabbed the leader and the fight was over. See this catch on video at http://www.fatcatfishingcharters.net/videos-on-fat-fat.php and see the close up pictures on our video picture page http://www.fatcatfishingcharters.net/pictures-of-catches.php 450 to 500 pound Goliath Grouper Caught on Fat Cat Fishing charters with Capt Jay Masters St.Petersburg Florida. Book a charter today.

Florida Fishing Charters Fact's About Tampa Bay Fishing Charters

Sat, 17 Oct 2009 16:52:03 +0100

"TAMPA BAY and ST.PETERSBURG FLORIDA area has some of the best back country ,Bay, Gulf and flats fishing in the state, using light, heavy tackle or fly fishing is angling at its best. Florida's extensive network of bays, mangrove islands and tidal creeks that permeate the region present angling challenges to the accomplished angler as well as the novice. Tarpon fishing Florida has thousands of miles of shoreline, oyster bars and acres of sea-grass flats that attract an abundance of saltwater fish from shark, Tarpon, Grouper, Snook and dozens more.. The canals, bridges and numerous boat docks that also populate our area present their own unique fishing challenge to every angler on a west Florida fishing charter. Fat Cat Fishing charters offers great Florida shark fishing, and kingfish Florida fishing! Catch Your Dream On Fat Cat, And GIVE YOUR CHILD A MEMORY THAT LAST A LIFETIME!

Goliath Grouper Facts

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 08:05:52 +0100

Sole survivors

Twenty years ago goliath numbers crashed, causing federal officials to step in and ban the taking of these large grouper.

Spearfishermen were lucky to see one or two of these behemoths during the course a dive back then. But years of protection has helped the species rebound, and it is not uncommon to see as many as a dozen of these fish on some of the more popular shipwrecks off Tampa Bay, such as the Mexican Pride and the Gunsmoke.

Goliath grouper are now found throughout subtropical and tropical waters of the Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea.

In some areas, including Boca Grande Pass where a deep channel runs close to shore, large goliath grouper can be found hanging around shallow-water docks and pilings. The juvenile of the species are frequently caught by inshore anglers, especially in remote areas such as the Florida Everglades.

Marine vacuums

Goliath grouper are opportunistic feeders that ambush prey. These fish can open and close their mouths rapidly, causing a change in water pressure, which allows them to literally suck in unsuspecting victims.

These sedentary lords of the deep feed primarily on crustaceans, stingrays and a variety of slow-moving finfish such as toadfish, filefish and catfish. Researchers say there is no evidence to suggest that these lumbering beasts will actively hunt and capture faster moving species.

But goliath grouper will eat what they can, including a hooked gag or snapper, even if it is just a few feet below the surface. On some of the more heavily visited wrecks, the sound of a spear gun being cocked will attract inquisitive goliath grouper.

The fishery

Goliath grouper live a relatively long time. Individual specimens have been documented at 37 years old, but it is suspected these fish may live well into their 40s. Goliath grouper aggregate when spawning, which makes them vulnerable to overfishing.

The species was decimated by overfishing in the 1980s, which prompted U.S. officials to protect the goliath grouper in 1990. Other governments around the Caribbean soon followed the United States' lead.

In the years that followed, goliath numbers improved dramatically. In 2006, a status report showed a "significant increase" in goliath grouper stocks, and as a result, the National Marine Fisheries Service removed the species from its species of concern list.

State researchers have also found the number of young goliath grouper found in nearshore waters has also increased, which is another sign of recovery.

But because goliath grouper remain a federally protected species, fishery managers cannot look at landings data to gauge the health of the fishery. Several research projects are currently under way by the NMFS, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the University of Florida and USF.

In the waters off Tampa Bay, independent contractors are diving local wrecks, ledges and artificial reefs to get an accurate picture of the goliath grouper population.

The project, led by Angela Collins of the FWC's Fish and Wildlife Research Institute in St. Petersburg, uses underwater video and lasers to assess the size and numbers of both individual fish and the overall grouper population.

When possible, individual fish are fitted with external identification tags that allows researchers to track their movement. Information gathered during this project will help fishery managers put together a stock assessment, due in 2013, which will determine whether these tackle busters will someday become fair game.

Sources: The National Marine Fisheries Service, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Angela Collins of the FWC's Fish and Wildlife Research Institute.

New Florida Fishing Blog Be The First To Join!

Sun, 16 Aug 2009 17:38:45 +0100

Welcome to Fat Cat fishing Charters Florida Fishing Blog. Be the first to help us start this blog and give us your ideas and comments on fishing. What did you catch? Where are you fishing? What kind of bait did you use or like? Anything about Florida Saltwater fishing is welcome. Been on a FISHING charter with Fat Cat Fishing Charters? If so let us know what you thought! Thank you Capt.Jay Masters