The summer of 2012, was my first fishing season with my own boat, in Tampa, Florida. Although I have fished many times in the Tampa Bay area, having to do everything from start to finish in regards to taking YOUR boat out on the water is a completely different story. Originally, I am from Northern Virginia and have been fishing since childhood in the Chesapeake Bay and local freshwater holes. I have always been accustomed to deep water fishing, including bottom fishing for Atlantic Croaker and trolling for Striped Bass. However, the shallow water and flats (extremely shallow water with seagrass growing) fishing of Tampa Bay was a whole new world to me, none the less, once the boat was sea worthy I was going for it!
Taking lessons I had learned from experienced anglers in the area I went for what I knew, which wasn’t very much at the time. I had a pretty standard set up with a medium to heavy rod with a spinning reel, and I used a popping cork with a shrimp on the end. I made my way to the flats and anchored close to a mangrove tree line. With little to no wind, the water was extremely calm. While making my first cast I wasn’t expecting too much. There are so many things to consider before going out on a fishing trip, but I just went for it! I didn’t pay attention to the moon phases or the tide times, I was just happy the boat was running and we were on the water. It took maybe 45 seconds on the first cast and my cork took off under water. I reeled the slack out of the line and pulled up to set the hook. After a bit of a battle, over the rail in the pale came this beautiful 21” Red Drum. This was just the beginning and long before my partner and I began fishing together and later created Blackfins Outdoors. I always remember this experience and think to myself, if this was only the beginning, I can’t imagine what’s ahead! To be continued…