Double Sunshine

Lady Brett

 Naples, Florida

Elmer and Mar-E  Check in on Charter fishing in S. Florida

The choice was between kayaking or fishing before the Red Sox and Yankees night game in Fort Meyers. Guess what won? Fishing of course. So we picked up a brochure in the lobby of the Econo Lodge we stayed in and chose the "Lady Brett".  The Double  Sunshine dock is located in Tin City within the historic district of Naples at the corner of 12th St S. and Sixth Ave. right off Rte 41. You won't be disappointed.

Fishing in any area of the country, you fish what is in season. A ban on grouper was in effect until March 15th this year (2007), so snapper was the fish of choice this trip. We had two Captains to guide us to the fish today. Bob and Jason. They made the trip! Capt. Jason showed us his pelican calling ability and soon had a guest for breakfast on the go. Capt. Bob showed us the fish finder and explained what type of bottom and structure we were looking for. Bonito Springs to the north and Marco Island to the south soon became mirages on the horizon as we went out some 14 miles or so to the fishing grounds we were seeking.  Hard bottom with reef structure in 40-60 ft of water did the trick today.

 Capt. Bob enjoyed his Captain's duties, while Capt. Jason took the part of first mate.  As he showed the group the proper technique of the using the rod and reel, he promptly hooked a red grouper. A basic grouper type set up was used with a 2oz barrel weight that brings it right to the bottom where you let the motion of the boat do the work. Bait of the day was strips of squid and bunker. Soon the bite was on. There were grunts in spot A and a few groupers, so we moved to spot B and snappers, squirrel fish, grunts, a puffer fish and a couple of nice 17 and 18 inch red grouper were brought aboard. Jason yattied the puffer into blowing up before he released it back into the water. A spectacle everyone came over to see. It floated around like a bobber till it realized the coast was clear, then belched and disappeared into the deep.

Secret spot C produced the black grouper and more snappers, including a mangrove snapper. Everyone appeared to catch fish and the "boys" from Chicago all had a good time. A half day trip sometimes seems to short, but for novices and first timers, it is a great introduction to ocean fishing. There were plenty of groupers caught and released this day,  for keepers, Red Grouper must be 20 inches and Black Grouper 22 inches. The catch included mangrove snapper and a yellow tailed snapper. Those that wanted to, took home fish. Those that didn't gave the good ones to those who did. The ride in and out was worth the price of the ticket. Beautiful scenery, birds of every description, porpoises swimming in the wake, who could ask for a better morning.

We caught a number of different fish, too many to name and a couple of science projects that were quickly released.  The boat was comfortable and with only 11 people on board , no one felt crowded. The Capts. did a great job on assisting with baiting and fish removal and were always on the spot when you needed them. Mare-E

Thanks to the people of the Double Sunshine and Captains Bob and Jason for a great day on the water!! Bring your family and friends or just yourself and have a blast.

Elmer

   Story and photos by Elmer and Mar-e