Real Reports over at Reel Reports

WEB - Amongst the hundreds if not thousands of fishing report aggregators I have found one I really like, its called Reel Reports. One of the reasons I like it is because it has a simple and clean UI and its not trying to be a million other things. Reel Reports is a collection of reports from real captains and expert anglers and the info you are looking for is laid out very effectively. Traditional media forums are starting to fail fast for several reasons and its gonna be fun watching where the real fisherman flock to share stories and seek the advice of the pros. Old media, especially the forums under control of magazines and traditional retailers want a closed sandbox and have been discouraging captains and other boat ramp superstars from actually connecting with the readers. Reel Reports is about fishing reports from captains and bloggers and there doesn't seem to be any dirt secrets like the old flat forums.

RANT - Im not even gonna dignify these fishing forums by calling them out by name but we all know who they are, we have all been there. Some of us may have even been kicked out of a few of them for posting the wrong thing or breaking their 1994 terms of service. Those days are almost over. No longer do you need a magazine to connect eager fisherman with the experts that have answers to their questions. Captains are blogging, they are on Twitter, doing Youtube videos, Ustreams, Podcasting and everything else. And that is significant because now you can simply ask a captain a question on Twitter or in the comments of a Youtube video. Its never been easier to find somebody catching the fish that you want to catch, and simply ask em for a tip. A good place to start would be at a guide directory or fishing report collection like Reel Reports. Know of another good site that fisherman need to be visiting, link to it in the comments of this post.

VIDEO | NEW HULL GETS POPPED!

FORT LAUDERDALE - Just a quick update on the new fishing machine Capt Jeff is custom building. Its a 46' Wesmac and they build these things up in Maine. We plan to document alot of the construction and customization. Check it out.

Multiple Big Tarpon Caught

MIAMI - Tarpon time. Reports are coming in quietly that Captain Jeff's clients have been catching and releasing as many as 6 of the monster Tarpon on the late afternoon trips. The wind has been blowing steady 20 mph and even a cold front could not slow down the eating habits of these big tarpon.

HT: Captain Jeff

TARPON FISHING IS ON FIRE

Fort Lauderdale - Miami | Reports are coming in just about everynight on big tarpon being caught from North Fort Lauderdale (which means around the Sunrise Blvd, Bridge) all the way down to Key Biscayne. Captain Jeff's clients leadered about 20 this week alone. Most of the fish are between 80 and 100lbs and some of the bigger tarpon are 150lbs and up. Its tricky bouncing back and forth betwen Fort Lauderdale and Miami cause they are two totally different bodies of water which means you have got to be versatile with your presentation as well as having a wide variety of baits.

MONSTER MAKO SHARK CAUGHT

FORT LAUDERDALE FL - The Lunkerblog usually get tips and the occasional photo from hard core Snook and Tarpon fisherman, and once in a while we get some news about a big Tuna or a Marlin, but early Sunday morning my phone started blowing up with reports coming in that there had been a big Mako Shark caught off of Fort Lauderdale. I was surprised, until I heard that it was Captain Mike Johnson of Local Knowledge Fishing Charters. Mike is a great captain and has been doing it the right way in Fort Lauderdale for years.

As of this Update, I only have the photo that was taken on an iPhone. I have no idea how much the fish weighs or any other specifics like bait or how long it took to catch. Got an idea on the weight? Post it in the comments, and check back for updates.

Hat Tip - Brad Ashlin

How Do You Say Snook in French?

SOUTH FLORIDA - I don't know if its the economy or something else that has caused the Shrimp Wars to escalate but its gotten worse. Bait shops are redefining the meaning of dozens, while families that used to fish live dozens together are being forced to fish with cut bait. In other words, its never been better to break out the hogleg mullet! No more bubblers and bait pails, its the return of the five gallon bucket.

Gil came all the way from Paris, France to catch a Tarpon and was surprised to learn that we use bait the size of baguettes. Thats how we roll. Get it? Well Gil got it good, he cause a tarpon just under the 100lb mark, and lost another one well over 120lbs after about a 30 minute tussle on 20lb gear. The night wasn't over yet. after moving spots to avoid the miserable shrimpers Gil got this bonus snook. All in all a remarkable trip for a guy that flew all the way to Miami from Paris to fish with Captain Jeff.



Certified Viral Video - Lunkerdog Monster Seawall Snook

Too Cold To Fish? Hit up your local tackle shop.

Pompano - Its 40 degrees and way too cold for us to chase Sailfish around, although we did manage to get a couple this week, this cold front is too much for us. What can we say, we are Floridians. We made our way up to Pompano to Atlantic Bait and Tackle to see Steve and the boys. We picked a good too, all the usual suspects were there, and our unannounced arrival actually created some bait shop drama. And oh yeah, stop stealing spots.

COLD FRONT + BLOWED OUT = PLUG DISCUSSION

FORT LAUDERDALE - Its cold here. Its friggen 40! I know we arent gonna get much sympathy from the rest of y'all out there that have been freezing for weeks now, but this is about as bad it can get here. Worst off all these cold fronts are hell on the inshore fishing, and its killing the manatees. About the only thing to do is head offshore to play with macks and sailfish, and since I don't really feel like getting under 4 layers of clothes, its looks like that is not about to happen.

Thankfully last week was one of the best small tarpon bites we have had in quite some time. We went about 12 for 20 during a two day stretch and then it tailed off a bit as these fronts started slowing these fish down. It was alot of fun, and we should really use the time to inspect the gear and change the line on all our light tackle gear. This crap gear these companies sell now don't last but for a few tarpon catches until you have to replace drags or washers. Here is a little highlight film showing Dave having a blast playing with some little tarpon, and finally getting a decent sized tarpon to the boat. Also Jeff is begging for Facebook friends. Jeff promisses me that he will be far more forthcoming with info as far as bait and locations on Facebook than he is on the blog or in the forum reports. Roll tape!



SIDEBAR NOTE!!!
We were sitting around yesterday talking about plug casting. I know there are alot of you out there that throw plugs, lures, and jerk baits for tarpon during the winter. I've never done it. Thats why I have put up the new poll over on the sidebar. What are you guys throwing, or better yet what plugs have you been using to get tarpon strikes? If you are hella ambitious go ahead and leave comments on your favorite plugs and whatever tales of success you can share.

VIDEO - FISHING REPORT | BILL DANCE SALTWATER NEWS

Fort Lauderdale - Captain Jeff launches 2009 with a fresh video report. Jeff talks about his new television episode with the legend himself Bill Dance. BILL DANCE SALTWATER is a new series on the Outdoor Channel and the show tapped Captain Jeff to go fishing with Bill Dance. The episode is for sure gonna be a classic so set your DVR's cause you are gonna have this one on file for further research. Jeff spent a week fishing on the Gina Lee, a 52ft Viking convertible and they had a tough time with the Sailfish just like everybody else that tried to fish through the holidays. Run that dog now!

Whats With The Hook Thing?

I've been getting alot of emails asking what hooks I use for tarpon, and its seems nobody likes the answer I give. I'm real simple, I use 5/0 live bait hooks. The cheapest ones I can find. Buy em bulk, and hand sharpen them in small bathces for trips. I have broken a few live bait hooks. Maybe half a dozen times on 10,000 fish. I got nothing againt circle hooks, I just prefer my hook set manually instead of relying on the physics and geometry of the hook. Thats not hating-on circle hooks, its just the way I fish. Ive used circle hooks and had success. And there are instances when I will use circle hooks. Like when the tarpon are short striking trolled bait, it which case I will rod holder it and allow the circle hook to work when and if the tarpon takes the whole bait. And thats the thing about hooks, I dont select hooks for the fish I want to catch, I select a hook for the bait I'm gonna lose. And by rule if you think a hook is too small to catch a big fish, go down yet another size. I've straightened circle hooks, and broken live bait hooks, but its so rare that it isnt even a primary concern when Im fishing for big tarpon. I'm much more worried about the age of my line and how well my knots are tied. Cause those are the two critical points that are gonna cause failure on your end when you are fighting a big fish on light tackle more often then the hook being too small. I dont know what to say about those guys that insist on using Owner Silver dollar sized hooks other than, those things are for giant squid man! And Gamakatsu are too expensive for my lunker budget.

HAPPY BAIT 2008

FORT LAUDERDALE BEACH - Happy bait everybody. Mullet run is on, and this is the time to get your lunker. Quit stealing 5 gallon buckets, get out your Salty Dog Castnet, and go ahead and get some bait. If you can't get bait, ask somebody for some. Now is not the time for Arties.

CLASSIC LUNKER VIDEO - 100lb TARPON

VIDEO - Classic Big Tarpon on light tackle. Captain Jeff whooped this hundred pound tarpon on 12lb test. This fish was made for the camera.

SNOOK SEASON ENDS

END OF THE SEASON SNOOK PARTY
BRAD ASHLIN Caught these two lunkers on the last night of the season. We are all very proud of him. Putting Lunkers on a plate to feed a family is righteous!



Texas aint following them dangummit federal guidelines on Lunker Snapper fishing. Florida complied with the bag limit, Texas are the Snapper fishing outlaws of the Gulf Coast.

HOT BABE WITH BIG FISH

CAT CAY BAHAMAS - Check out the smile on this guys face.

SOURCE - Captain Jeff

Goose attacks dog and fisherman

I don't particularly like the way birds evolved, but who the fuck am I, right? This just proves my point. Just a regular dude, like one of us, out for a day of fishing with his dog, and he walks right into a Hitchcock horror film.

FATBOY DAN ASIAN CARP INVASION - VIDEO

Fatboy Dan's videos are great. He's all about real redneck fishing and beer drinking. We love his videos, and he loves them lunker catfish.

Cappo - The Angry Fisherman

You dont think it's nuts out there? Check out our fellow boatramp comrade Cappo. Throw another Chimp on the barbie! Fidler crabs? Somebody get this squire a hogleg!

TIP - Fish the shore-break trough in early summer

This is the classic fishing movie Blue Demon that we all grew up on back in 2004. It stars good friend Captain Brent McCracken who totally steals the film from Michelle Pfeiffer's sister Dedee. Actually Captain McCracken plays a sailor for about 3 seconds, and he still steals the film from Dedee. Wait for the Lunkershot....

Lunker of the Day

Source - FLORIDA SPORTSMAN FORUMS

LUNKERBLOG Exclusive - Captain Jeff and Bill Dance

Paparazzi spotted Legendary fisherman Bill Dance fishing deep in the south Florida rivers for big tarpon with Captain Jeff Maggio. They had a full TV crew.