Fishbuster Charters’ Captain Dave Hanson reported, “Tuesday, 8/6, I fished 26 miles west of New Pass with Douglass Crane, son-in-law, Tony Abrantes, and Tony's ten-year-old son, Tonito Abrantes. The trio used grunts to land four keeper red grouper, one at 21 inches, two at 24 inches, and one at 28 inches. They used live shrimp to catch two keeper lane snapper at 12 inches and 14 inches, three keeper mangrove snapper to 13 inches, and six whitebone porgies to 14 inches. They released lots of red grouper and lane snapper shorts, along with a bonnethead shark.
Seas were a little rougher than they have been on Thursday, when I headed out to fish with A.J. Laprete, his young son, Joe Laprete, Joe's friend, Paul Schnadig, and family friend, Joe Bianco. We fished near-shore in 30 feet, due to 15 knot winds and rougher seas further offshore. The group used live shrimp to catch a 17-inch hogfish, eight whitebone porgies, three porkfish, and a triggerfish. They released a dozen red grouper shorts and fifteen mangrove snapper shorts.
Dave Carey, daughter Brianna Carey, and Brianna’s boyfriend, Patrick Legge, fished in central Estero Bay with me on Friday morning. The trio used live shrimp to catch three sheepshead, including two keepers at 13 inches and 18 inches, a 14-inch black drum, and six keeper mangrove snapper, along with a 20-inch redfish.
Saturday, Carlos and Jennifer Cavernego had hoped to fish for a full day offshore for grouper. But the winds picked up, starting on Friday, and the seas that were predicted to be about two feet were actually four feet (plus) just 18 miles offshore. So we didn't venture further than that, and we cut the trip down to a half-day. The morning was productive, despite the rough conditions.The couple used live shrimp to catch fifteen keeper lane snappers, two keeper yellowtail snapper (13 inches) a 14-inch whitebone porgy, and a 24-inch Spanish mackerel."