Got Some Social Distancing in on Sunday

[mosquito13]

Spring run is on here. Was by myself so only trolling two rods.  One on top and one on a #3 planner with my tarpon rod rigged for casting a surface plug. 30'-35' is about mile and half off the beach seamed to be the sweet depth. Little tuna, macks, one king at 32". I chased a school of little tuna for an hour pulling 4 and several lost throwing the plug. Felt weird but I kept several macks and the king. Should be enough to keep me out of the grocery store for another week.

[freezerfiller]

I'd eat a king before going to the grocery store right now.. Probably full of New Yorkers coughing.

[mosquito13]

Yeah steaked the king. BBq'd the mac's yesterday. Made up some plate for my older neighbors across the street(wearing mask and gloves). and will be eating fish spread for a couple days on salteens. Going wading today as they have closed all the public ramps and have not been able to get access to a private ramp as yet. Big incoming tide with the new moon so working the mangroves for snook. Got a few new colors of DOA PT7's in the mail. Really like throwing them in mangroves. virtually unsnagable and skip forever. Hook up ratio isn't as great as a spook even one with circle hooks, but they never get snagged so the trade off is worth it to me.

[Juan]

I thought you were in Cambodia? Sucks about Florida closing public ramps! That doesn't make any sense! They're talking about doing it up here in the panhandle too but so far they've just closed all of the State Parks and kept a couple of the ramps open. Most of the other public ramps are still open but no telling how long that will last. Other than staying at home, I can't think of a safer place to be than on a boat away from other people.

[freezerfiller]

I can't believe they closed public ramps. I get public beaches, but that's almost Draconian..

[Juan]

Mar 26, 2020 15:53:55 GMT -6 freezerfiller said:

I can't believe they closed public ramps. I get public beaches, but that's almost Draconian..

The reason is supposed to be because the younger crowd is using the ramps to launch their boats and then meeting up on sandbars to party. Doesn't make sense to me either. Seems like the game wardens and LEOs could stop the parties without closing ramps.

[mosquito13]

Ramps are open in Sarasota Co. . Manatee County closed their ramps to all , but commercial fishermen. Charters can still run. I misunderstood the order when it came out to be including Sarasota. I have still made arrangements with two private ramps, cost is a pizza per launch... I got skunked wadding yesterday. Guy I was with took 3 nice snook and a red. Got back from Cambodia on the 20th. Was warned by the consulate that to stay longer may mean staying much longer... So grabbed a seat home. Our overseas consulates are pulling their people back and going to skeletal staffing. I don't know if anyone here travels overseas much, but well worth registering with them if you do. I try to stop in physically if I am on extended stays anywhere. Really can enhance a holiday with their local knowledge.

[985crabs]

Social Fishtancing

[Juan]

Washington has closed ALL recreational fishing! That's crazy. I hope that doesn't happen here.

www.foxnews.com/great-outdoors/washington-bans-recreational-fishing-slow-coronavirus

[freezerfiller]

Try to stop me!! If I'm not within 6 ft, they can stick it. I didn't get a refund on my hunting/fishing licenses.

[mosquito13]

With the influx of everyone from Bradenton now coming to Sarasota , the government has now closed our two big ramps with no provision for commercial or guides. Thinking about renting a boat lift or putting the boat at a marina(dry).

[freezerfiller]

That's a good idea if you can get a short term marina spot. I'd guess this will go on for at least another 6 weeks.