Limitless

I had sold my Redfisher18 early this year because I was not able to fish (shoulder surgery), but I knew I wouldn't last long without a skiff. I had also bought an offshore boat for PCB in 2017 and was mainly using that. Last week I went down to Clearwater and picked up the '04 Redfish 16' that Linesider159 was selling. The hull looks new without a scratch on it and the 115 Yamaha has 102 hours. There are a few cosmetic issues because whoever owned it before had obviously let it sit a good while. Some work on the trailer and new sea dek under the gunnels and maybe a power pole and I'll be good to go. I'm going to have to do something about the poling platform because it wont fit in the garage in our townhouse in Panama City Beach. Happy to back in a Hewes and waiting for the next OT. Oh yeah, I'm retiring for the last time 31 Dec so I plan to spend a lot of time in SWFL and the Keys.

That display is a thing of beauty. A great present for obviously a solid son-in-law.

Nice Dave. But, you really have to to better with the Snook since I have to live vicariously through your 10K adventures!

Sorry its gone

That sure looks like it would work for a variety in the salt. I'm a rookie on fly and dont tie yet, but I like the Clouser, Deceiver, and some natural looking shrimp patterns for Capt Don's list. I really like the shape of your example and would like to see it in all white with some light black linear stripes.

As usual, having expired flares aboard (even marked) depends on the officer checking you. A few years ago I was pulled by the USCG for a safety inspection in the St Lucie Inlet. Everything was great until he saw my bag of expired flares. I was told that I have no idea how dangerous that is and that in a real emergency I could easily grab those old flares and have them not work. I didn't argue and remained calm and only got a written warning. The best part of the story: after the inspection was done, I asked if he could take them for me so I didnt screw up further, and he said "oh no, we dont dispose of expired flares".

Yep, Sat and Sunday were the best days I've seen in a very long time on the beach. I was wondering, there was an older guy like me that waded out and threw about a 5' net to get a ton of glass minnows, then fished them with a small weight. He was catching a lot of Snook. Would that have been your buddy?

Capt Don, that is sweet! Great one on fly. I missed you by a couple of days; I was down this past weekend and fished those rocks Saturday and Sunday mornings at first light til about 9:30. Been a long time since I saw the Snook (and some Tarpon) that thick on the beach. We caught several up to about 5 # and had a ball. Like you said, the smaller Snook were pinning the glass minnows up on the beach and we were casting about 15 or 20 feet.

So your suggested fix in what - socialism?? The system works, whether you like the prices or not. There are alternatives to Lenco. Competition works. I just got back form a few days in Cuba - trust me, you wouldn't like the alternative to "Capitalism gone mad".

Sorry 4-V it's long gone.

I have that unit on my big boat and it is a great machine. For offshore bottom fishing, the side view with the total scan transducer is a must have for finding new hard bottom.

I wont be leaving the MBG group. Sold my 3rd Hewes but, I'll have another in the future. Right now I'm kind of out of fishing a while. Had shoulder surgery and the doc says no fishing or non-pt use of that arm until probably end of September. The physical therapy on it is a biatch.

For the Gulp 3" New Penny. Pink or Electric Chicken plastic paddle tails on 1/8 or 1/4 oz jig heads. Mirrorlure top water and sinkers in mullet colors.

Came off a Redfisher. I can measure the shaft diameter, etc. if you need that.

I have a wheel off one of my boats with the Hewes logo name in the center plate. It's free if anyone needs it; just pay for the shipping and send me one of your favorite flys.