With the Boondoggle fresh in our memories, I was really excited to show Chip Gibson and his family my home waters of Tampa Bay. With a warm forecast and favorable winds, I was stoked to get out on the water. Meeting Chip, his wife Sam, and son Bradley bright and early at their campsite at E.G. Simmons Park, we were joined by Greg Becker and Chip’s sister and brother-in-law for what I hoped would be some good redfish action.
I launched from a different spot than everyone else, wanting to get out early and shorten the learning curve. I checked with a local fish monger before launching; he was a little indifferent to my request for information.
It wasn’t long before I found what we were looking for. Everyone lined up on a sandbar and cast towards the deeper water, working the schools of mullet that were waiting for the tide to come back in. Sam was the first one to hook-up, expertly fighting a nice 28” red on a four-piece travel rod.
Sam with her personal best redfish, caught on a Logic Lures jerk bait.
Bradley was next, with a lower slot (18”-27”) redfish.
Pretty soon it was Greg’s turn to hook up with a great 31” Tampa Bay red. Watching him change the angles on that fish was awesome. “It’s all about the angle.”
Like all good days, this one came to an all too sudden end. The wind picked up and we were looking at a good couple of miles straight back into the wind. One last picture, and we took off for the launch.
I personally lost count of how many redfish were caught; I think I caught nine, Greg four, Chip, Sam, and Bradley two each? You know what? It doesn’t matter. Precious time with good friends is what matters.
Thanks, guys, for sharing my home waters. Until next time…
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