Good vibes great fishing with the Chicago 6

As my new friend Bob told me about half-way through the trip, "It's all about attitude."

The crew of six from Chicago included Bob and his best old buddy Mike along with their significant others, Cindy and Sarah -- as well as Cindy's son Scott and his girlfriend Lindsey. They stepped aboard the Jawbreaker with smiles and  no expectations, other than having a good time and bringing home a fresh fish dinner.  In other words, they were ready to let us do our thing. 

We'd been running mostly four-hour trips of late so when the crew decided to make it a six-hour trip, it allowed us a little more time to get to the deeper waters where the summer-time bounty often resides. We started-off bottom-fishing and were greeted by a six-at-a-time attack from the groupers and snappers. As we culled through the throw-backs and shorties, we started to amass a beautiful box of fish. Everyone was laughing and joking and the spirits (both figuratively and literally) were flowing. Bob took a beer break and became the Master of Ceremonies, commentating on the bite and providing the cheerleading and heckling that only good friends and family -- and fishing guides -- could love. Cindy caught a 12-pound gag grouper that we had to release while Lindsey and Sarah were bailing the snappers. More spirits and smiles were flowing as the fish count grew. It's a kick being around folks who enjoy the fishing as much as us and this crew was eating it up. Lots of jokes, celebratory toasts and good old-fashion fun were being shared and the fish responded in kind.

 

After getting our fill of bottom action, we ended up the day trolling a spread of live baits around an offshore wreck. Almost immediately, we were greeted by the guardians of the structure, barracuda. Mike, Scott and Sarah each put a cuda in the boat, including one fat 20-pounder and a couple of smaller barries that were the perfect size for the fryer. It was then, a few minutes later, when the starboard long-line goes off and Bob straps on for the fish of a lifetime. After a precarious, 15-minute battle on 15-pound line in which the fish repeatedly sounded away from the boat, Bob had a 23-pound cobia, boat-side. It was a perfect way to end a day that not only included great fishing and fellowship but several boat-side shows from giant spotted eagle rays and loggerhead turtles. The ride in was a sun-soaked, blissful thing with the good vibes flowing. 

Cheers to the Chicago 6, we can't wait to see you guys again.