Fishing With Karl

I feel so fortunate to have a friend like Karl who invites me out from time to time to catch Grouper. This year was no exception as I leave for home in a week and the call came to go fishing. Karl is a golfing buddy but is captain of his fishing boat and knows where on the Gulf to catch these great eating fish called Grouper.

The morning was perfect and the four fisherman were ready to go at 6.30 am.As we left the dock the weather was perfect but a storm was expected late in the afternoon. We stopped about 15 miles out to catch bait fish. These were less than a foot long and we managed to catch about 50 in twenty minutes. After they were safely in the wet well Karl said we were heading out to one of his special places over fifty miles west. At that location the water was 125 feet deep and there was hard structure. Perfect for Grouper.

We travelled at close to 30 mph and since the water was calm the sail was quite comfortable. As we arrived Karl decided to drift with the current so we began our routine of baiting up and trying to be the first to catch a fish. John had a instant hit and attempted to pull in his fish. He was unable to get the fish up and eventually the fish snapped his 65 pound braided line. We all began to catch fish and personally was lucky to catch 8 Grouper, four keepers and four had to go back and grow a little.

Karl is very strict with the fishing rules and even half an inch short and back it goes. Our throw backs are handled in a manner to ensure their survival. We fished for hours and laughter and excitement filled the boat. Fish after fish was caught and returned to the Gulf with only legal fish kept. The largest fish caught was a Gag Grouper but it was out of season so had to be returned. I caught a small shark and happily it broke the line and escaped at the side of the boat.

We were joined bu porpoises who stayed with us for a while playing and ate fish we threw to them. As the day went on we discussed the merits of the political scene, the banking system and other topics that were of interest to the group.The day was wonderful and as the time came to return to shore we had 8 keepers and a day memories are made of.

Travelling at a slower rate due to the roughness we saw the approaching storm closer to shore. Karl's boat is very sea worthy and well handled through years of practise  so there was no need to worry. We passed the shore markers and docked at his house without further incident.

The fish were cleaned and cut to perfection and divided equally to all members of the group. It was now 7.30 pm and as a tired but happy group we left for home with thanks to Karl and his wife for sharing their joy of fishing  with we who expressed our thanks once more before leaving.