Goliath, Looking forward to our 2020 Goliath season. Last year at this time I was writing about “The First Goliath of 2019”. My grandson wanted to take a couple of his football buddies out to catch a big fish. I had always believed that the goliath went out deeper where the water was warmer and more stable. Divers had been telling me they are still here just very lethargic. So, I rigged up an underwater camera and, sure enough, they are here. Had a warm few days, the water got up close to 70 deg., took the boys out on January 2nd and got 2 Goliath to the boat. 1st time ever, I still can’t get over that day. This winter I have not been out for Goliath, too many fronts with too much wind. But I am looking forward to our 2020 season. 34 Goliath trips in 2019 and we managed to get 94 fish to the boat, that’s an average of 2.7 per trip. May and June were best with 55 fish to boat. Being honest, we did have 2 days last year with no fish to the boat. Always bites and a few hook-ups, but some days you just can’t get’em to the boat. It’s fishing. Bucket List? Wanta’ check off that BIG fish? Check your calendar and give me a call. May and June will fill up quickly.

12 Goliath to the boat in 2 days! Making memories. Eric and crew of 6 on a Bachelor party getaway from Atlanta. 3 guys on Friday, 6 fish to the boat, 3 new guys on Saturday, 6 fish to the boat. Memories made. We had some slow time, but overall, a GREAT couple days

The first Goliath of 2018, 6+ footer. Took Tom out yesterday to catch a Goliath. First bite, a big fish, we all got a little excited, but wasn’t on long, pulled lots of drag and broke us off. Second bite, got him away from the structure and the battle was on, after a tug of war, Tom won the battle and we had a 6+ foot fish beside the boat. A few pictures and released. February was such a warm month I was counting on Goliath early in March, but, March turned cold again and the water went from 78 at the end of February to 67 yesterday. With 67 degree water I wasn’t expecting much, the first 2 stops, no bites. We made the 30 minute ride to a reliable spot and got the first bite within a couple minutes. Got broke off, first bite of 2017 “a break off”, not a good start. Next bite, a missed fish but the third one paid off with a BIG fish to the boat. Only fished a couple hours but a decent start to the season. The weather is supposed to be back in the 80’s in four or five days and hopefully it will stay there. April 1 is Easter and my dad always said not to expect summer until after Easter, always works out that way. The fish are there and with warming weather I expect some great fishing days. Snook fishing is on fire, if you can fill the live well with white bait, it’s not too hard to find a bunch of snook willing to eat. Finding the ones in the slot is a little harder and requires big bait and a lot of patience. Trout are biting pretty well on the flats and near the mouths of the rivers. Personally I haven’t had much luck with the redfish so far, but I hear they are out there if you can find them.

Yesterday the water in Tampa Bay was 72 degrees, last week, 65. If this warm sunshine keeps up as expected the Goliath may be coming in early this year. Next week, I'll be getting on the water and checking all the spots to see if any are back for spring. Watch for updates. The past 3 years in Tampa bay, March 8th has been the earliest I have hooked one, and on March 20th of last year we were able to put 8 to the boat, just got better from there. April, May and June were the best with a total of 12 to the boat one day in June. Don’t miss your chance for the spring action, if you want to catch a BIG fish, book early. Since the weather has been warming up I’ve been getting out catching bait for the season and while out there, doing some fishing. Didn’t get out much during the winter, I do not like the cold. There has been plenty of trout and of course plenty of ladyfish action. The snook are starting to come out of their winter time hiding places and even picked up a few reds. I’ve seen a lot of small baits showing up on the flats and heard of some larger bait in places. The good baits should be showing up any time. It’s time to be “Fishing” Book it

Hurricane Irma and a blown engine claimed all of September. September 9, we loaded the back of the Tahoe with all that we considered not replaceable and headed to my sons house. With the projected path of Hurricane Irma to come right thru our area, with expected winds and tides we were expecting not to have a home to come back to. Thankfully, for us anyway, Irma changed her path and went thru the central part of the state putting many families out of their homes, many are still recovering. Thankfully, we came home to no damage, didn’t even lose power. We were greatly blessed. Went out Tuesday after Irma to see what she did to Tampa bay, made it about half way around the point at Mac Dill Air Force base and, "loud noise and CLUNK" went the engine. Had to get towed in, thanks to Boat US made it home. So, I’m not sure how fishing was during the month of September, I heard a lot of snook and redfish were caught, so it sounds like fishing was pretty good. October 2, 2017 Finally got the boat back with a brand new Yamaha 150, 4 stroke. (I like this motor). Did a lot of shopping around, rebuild, get a rebuilt head and do it myself? Decided go with a new one, I got 17 good years out of that old OX 66 and who knows how many hours. Took the boat over to Central Marine in St Pete on Sept 24, got it back in a week, I thought that was pretty good. Only problem, the poling platform, (fishing platform) was too low and had to be removed. Had to raise it up 7 inches. Wanted to do that anyway, it was a little low for a grown man to fish over. Finally got everything back together and in the water Monday for the ‘slow’ 1st hour of break-in at under 2000 rpm, then the second hour on plane, but not over 3000. Did about 3 hours of riding, nice day. Went out for the first time for a Goliath today, (by myself) not recommended, fished about an hour, 1 bite, 1 fish. Back in service and ready to fish. Did get a video of my fish today, will put in up soon on my you tube channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrHbCVDGuoWtNz5TX_45C_Q Hopefully, the next report will be much better.

90 pound Braden battles 300lb Goliath Jason, Tyler and Braden (birthday boy 12yrs today) After shallow water fishing Tuesday in Tampa Bay, Braden decided he wanted to try a Goliath. Called me Tuesday evening and at 0700 Wednesday morning we’re heading out of Little Harbor for Tampa Bay Goliath Grouper. Started out kind of slow, first 3 spots, and no bites. Around 9 we hit ‘the spot’, 3 to the boat in less than an hour. 4 ft, 5 ft and a 6 footer. Then the tide quit on us and we had to wait ‘til the tide changed. Went to another hole and it took a while to get another to the boat, broke off 3 times before we could get the biggest one of the day, at least 7 ft long. Braden got this one on his own. About 1 o’clock we headed back toward Little Harbor, stopped at a couple spots and at the last spot hooked another big one, a 6 footer to the boat and then back to the dock. Check video on you tube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RA6gEhCVo-k&t=5s