TowBoatUS Charlotte Harbor Fishing Team Reels in Rare Catch in Local Waters
The TowBoatUS Charlotte Harbor Fishing Team recently made an extraordinary catch in our local waters during the 2nd annual Red Grouper Bash in Ft. Myers Beach, FL. The weather conditions were ideal, with light winds and calm seas, as our team set out on our Mercury-powered 35' Contender step hull. Racing at an impressive speed of 47 miles per hour, we reached the fishing grounds approximately 40 miles west of Captiva Island, joining a fleet of 50 other boats.
Our day started off on a high note, as we quickly hooked a 15.5-pound red grouper and landed several other impressive catches weighing over 12 pounds. However, as we bounced around searching for a kicker fish to complete our limit, our experienced captain, Alex Fischer, led us to the perfect spot.
During our fourth stop of the day, angler Chris Guenther spotted a magnificent sight near the port side of our boat – the unmistakable zebra stripes of a large wahoo gracefully skimming the water's surface, just 30 feet away. This was a rare find in our local waters. Without hesitation, our quick-thinking Captain Kyle Potts, who was conveniently situated next to the livewell, scooped up a live 10" blue runner. Sensing the urgency of the moment, our team member, Captain Jimmy Bergan of Gill Guide service, swiftly handed over a kingfish rod. With precision and skill, Captain Kyle flipped the blue runner behind the wahoo as it circled around the bow of our boat.
The wahoo showed interest in the bait but hesitated to commit. Determined to seize the opportunity, Captain Potts reeled in the bait as fast as he could and made a calculated cast approximately 20 feet ahead of the wahoo's path. The bait hit the water with a satisfying splash, and it was at that moment we witnessed the fish's astonishing speed, resembling that of a missile, propelling itself towards the bait and striking it with unmatched force. Equipped with a 600-size accurate reel and employing his utmost expertise, Captain Potts attempted to slow down the wahoo by engaging the reel to full drag. Despite his efforts, the fish continued to burn through the 20lb mono line with remarkable vigor.
The wahoo's initial run was nothing short of intense, causing it to spool nearly half of the line. But our seasoned Captain Alex quickly took action, firing up the motors and skillfully maneuvering the boat to give us a fighting chance. After an exhilarating 25-minute battle, Captain Jimbo confidently and successfully gaffed the beautiful fish, and with a collective effort, our team triumphantly wrestled it over the rail. This marked a significant achievement for us - it was our first-ever wahoo caught on the West Coast of Florida.
Filled with excitement and a sense of accomplishment, we made our way back to Moss Marine to weigh our impressive catch. To the amazement of onlookers, the scale displayed a remarkable weight of 60.20 pounds. Additionally, we managed to secure a 14.4-pound red grouper, ensuring an impressive total weight just shy of 30 pounds. These achievements earned us a commendable 6th place finish amongst a highly competitive field of skilled offshore anglers.
We are immensely proud of our TowBoatUS Charlotte Harbor Fishing Team for this rare and triumphant catch in our local waters. Our experience during the Red Grouper Bash serves as a testament to our team's dedication, expertise, and the outstanding fishing opportunities our area has to offer.
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