Sunday's 4-hour fishing charter out of St.Pete Beach was a success. Plenty of fish were caught , and new friends were made. Jawbreaker fishing charters have had a fair share of 'celebrity-types' on board, but today we were honored to host a man that has dedicated over half of his life to the United States Marine Corps. Al Szezepk is the man, he treated his son, Joe, and good friends Tom and Leo to a fishing trip, and things went good!
Originally, our deep sea outing was scheduled for March 31, last Thursday, my Dad's birthday,....if you are a local, you know what happened with the weather last Thursday. Bad stuff!!..With several damaging Tornadoes ripping through the Tampa Bay area, it would have been a bad day fishing. Al and his crew had a flexible schedule, and luckily, we were able to get them out for their chance to tangle with some Gag Grouper, Snapper and possibly a Kingfish!!...
We fished for Gag Grouper, Red Grouper, Snapper and anything that would bite today! The seas were a bit choppy offshore with 15+knot winds out of the East. I was pleased that despite the dirty, dirty water, the Groupers were chewin'. Sometimes the New Moon tide can be tricky. Today, the wind, the tide and the dominant swell from the past 2 days were playing with us, but the fish made things easy. Since the Grouper closure in the Gulf of Mexico, the fish have been very co-operative.
I am sure that our crew was pleased with the day's outcome. Although no legal-size Red Grouper were caught, the snapper provided a nice fish-fry for the family. But still, check out my new friend, Al, with a hefty Gag Grouper that almost got away! Semper Fi Brother!...On a side note, the flatline, with a big blue runner, never got a sniff!!??...The Kingfish should be invading the Tampa Bay area as I type this report.
Forever Faithful my friends! My Nephews, Jake and Max Gauthier, both snipers in the US Marine Corps, are currently serving our beloved country....in Afghanistan. No matter what your political stance may be, these men and women are brave...and must be honored! Jake, Max, Al...God bless you guys. Happy fishing, when you return! Capt. Dan