"John H" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 04 Jan 2004 23:18:53 GMT, "NOYB" wrote:


"Gene Kearns" wrote in message

Been boating lately?

Sure. I put 45+ hours on the motor since the 17th of December...and went
out fishing at least 6 times. How about you?

Any
boating stories to share?

As crabby as you doomsayers have been lately about the strongly improving
economy, I was afraid to depress you further with wonderful boating
stories
while you guys are in drydock for the winter...but here goes:

Seas were the calmest I've ever seen them the past week. Red and gag
grouper bite is tremendous, but you have to go out at least 20 miles
before
you start to consistently see keeper-size fish. Got my first "keeper"
black
tip shark yesterday (about 5 foot long). Took my 2 and 4 year old, and
my
mom out today and caught a half-dozen snapper. Is that better?



Where, dammit???


Caught the black tip about 8 miles SW of Sanibel Island. Caught the red and
gag grouper (over 70 of them total...but just one keeper) about 30 miles
west of Ft. Myers Beach. Water temps had fallen to 60 degrees the week
before Christmas, but were back up to 68 degrees yesterday. The fish are
starting to come out of their lethargy.