I love when a plan comes together.

Today's Mission Objectives:
1. Catch a bag limit of Ocean Specks for Dinner (they're in season down here)
2. Yak-Slime the new Penn Slammer 260 (8# mono/20# flouro leader)
3. Get back in time on V-Day to still be married

It was 47 degrees when I left my apartment at 6am. Brrrr. Drank a coffee, bundled up and was on the water by 6:15. The Atlantic was cool and crisp with little wind. It felt like being on a lake in the Northeast.

My one-hour paddle to my Trout hole was unproductive as usual (it's no-mans land for fish). I trolled up two parts of a trash-slam.

Will you be my Valentine?


This Pinfish was lucky I left the livebait rod at home


I got to my Trout spot and loaded up my Mirrolure 52 (sinking). Bam






The Healthy Release:




The Mirrlolure bite shut off so I switched to Zoom Flukes and Curly Tails. The bite picked back up where it left off



I'm happy in this photo...not so much the fish, who was looking at my cooler at the time


A day of Key Biscayne fishing wouldn't be complete without a couple 'Cudas. Caught three today - all bigger than small.



This 'Cuda was strangely thin for his length




All in all caught about 15 trout, the biggest about 18''. It really amazes me how much fatter these fish get with every inch of length. A 17-incher really seems to dwarf a 15-incher. I can see why the 25''+"gators" must be so awesome.

Couple Things to Note:
1. The Penn Slammer 260 is a sweet reel...and I dig 8# mono. Especially in the open ocean with nothing sharp around.
2. Using a 20# flouro leader, compared to my usual 30# makes a surprisingly big difference. Especially with soft baits.
3. 3 pairs of trebles are nice (Mirrolure 52M), but after bagging and tagging my limit, I switched to a single hook jig head. Those Trout mouths were getting torn to shreds (as well as my soft cooler into which I managed to snag every treble)
4. It's an old adage, but it holds true. Never leave fish to find fish. I stayed in the same spot for 5 hours. When the bite shut off, I switched baits and it turned back on.

When you really think about it, "Never leave fish to find fish" is a metaphor for the good things in life. Friends, family, work, loved ones... Define it how you will...Never leave fish to find fish.

This Trout tried to convince me that I shouldn't crust him with panko, toasted pecans, & coconut, and serve him atop a bed of baby spinach and balsamic glazed strawberries...


I don't listen to fish.


Happy Valentines Day!

I heard small cuda's are amazing to eat.. Haven't been alive long enough to build up poisons yet.

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ilk-a-licious

Wonderful! Nice shots and you still survived V-Day with all your gear intact.

Great post there and very cool pic's!

Those cudas are a neat catch.

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Hobie Outback
Mini-X

Nice post. Thanks for sharing and great photos!

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wilderness tarpon 140 (mango)

Awesome Day VJ!!!.....
I will remember,.............. when the bite shuts down, switch lures...........

God its cold up here...................

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After extensive, diligent, and scholarly research, there is NO evidence that life should be so serious.

U14.5

T120

Nice post and great pictures. Consider yourself lucky that your ocean waters are so calm as frequently as they are down there. Beach fishing here is a bit more of an adventure. I hit the water here for a couple hours yesterday and the Mirrolure found me the trout as well. That is a solid product in all their different configurations. Great report and advice.....

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Hobie Outback
Malibu Stealth 12

Hey Vinny!! That is much more than a fishing report, it was a "Fishing Story & Lesson" all in one!! Congrats..and Thanks also for the tips!!
JohnYaksJax

PS: By the looks of that Valentines' Day Dinner, I would certainly hope that your Valentine Sweetheart would have been pleased!! LOL!!

Sweet pictures and report as usual. Way to go Vinny.

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Hobie Mirage Outback
Cape Horn 19/200 HO Etec