Report from Pierfishing.com and Baytubers.com:
We met up with Jeff around 7am and hopped on his boat Glass Action. We didn't know what kind of species we'd be targeting and, honestly, we didn't care. He informs us that we're gonna try some kite fishing for marlin. Awesome! Before meeting up with us, he was trying to use his castnet for some bait but he didn't have any luck. So he provided us with some sabikis and we started jigging. We ended up with probably a dozen "greenies" (Atlantic herring, I think) and we ponied up $80 for a dozen "goggle-eyes" (Blue runners?) from the bait boat. Left the harbor and probably went out about a mile or 2. He set up a kite, threaded a couple goggle-eyes, set them up on their own rigs, and hooked those to the kite. In the meantime, we flylined some bait for possible king mackerel and dolphin bites. Just about 20 minutes into it I get a really nice hit on my rod (Penn 760 prototype with 20# mono--he said we were one of the first ones to try this reel, not that I'd be able to discern any of it's nuances.) I get the belt strapped on and start reeling in. Whatever it was pulled line twice before we got it to the surface... LOL, a triggerfish and the biggest Jeff's ever seen. But that's not what we're targeting so a quick picture and back in he goes. Next up was Matt with his second remora shark for the week (forgot to take a picture--again). Again, that's not what we're looking for... I got a good-sized great barracuda (maybe 30"?), and Matt caught a smaller triggerfish. We got a couple short bites on the kite rigs and we were able to spot one following the bait, but there were no takers. Listening to the radio chatter, it sounded like today just wasn't the day for sailfish.
Phew, what a trip! We didn't get any of the species that Florida is well-known for (snook, tarpon, sailfish, etc.) but we still had a good time.
Waiting at the docks
Underwater shot of baitfish
Jeff's boat Glass Action
Cast netting
Looking back at West Palm Beach
Jeff getting the kite ready (note Penn Senator in foreground--120# braid to hold kite)
Fish on
Big triggerfish
Kite
Other boats in the background
Great barracuda
Prototype Penn 760
Entire kite rig
Fish on
Another triggerfish
