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Captain Dave Hanson (Fishbuster)
New member
Username: Fishbuster
Post Number: 91
Registered: 8-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, November 21, 2004 - 11:23 am: | |
Winds and seas were pretty rough the beginning of this week, and I did not get offshore. Friday, I fished central Estero Bay. Using live shrimp, we caught five redfish, including a 18 ½ inch keeper, one big sheepshead at 20 ¼ inches, and released jack cravalle and mangrove snapper.
Saturday, we had calm seas, and I fished 18-20 miles off New Pass. We had a productive day, using live bait. We caught a 21 inch red grouper, two keeper yellowtail snapper at 13 and 14 inches, twenty-four lane snapper that were good eatin’ size, two hogfish and 15 and 16 inches, grunts, porkfish, whitebone porgies to 15 inches, and nine keeper mangrove snapper, which ended once the barracuda found us. We released lots of red and gag grouper shorts.
The photo attached is of a 28 inch gag we got last week, on a live pinfish. |
Captain Dave Hanson (Fishbuster)
New member
Username: Fishbuster
Post Number: 90
Registered: 8-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, November 13, 2004 - 11:22 am: | |
Last week, I fished Estero Bay a couple of hours, and released snook to 25 inches and Spanish mackerel to 24 inches, using shiners. I also fished offshore, taking a 4 year old boy on his first gulf fishing expedition. It was a bit rough out there that day, but the little guy hung in there, and he caught most of the fish, which consisted of porgies and grunts, and short red grouper and yellowtail snapper.
Monday, we used live bait—shrimp and shiners, fished about 18 miles west of New Pass, and caught a 24 inch gag grouper, lane snapper to 15 inches, Spanish mackerel, porkfish, porgies, and grunts. We released red grouper to 19 inches, four little tunnies, ranging 8-10 pounds, and two ten pound goliath grouper.
Thursday, I fished 17 miles off New Pass, where we caught a 16 inch hogfish, whitebone porgies to 16 inches, mangrove snapper, porkfish and grunts, fishing in 40 feet with live shrimp and pinfish. We released gags to 21 inches and red grouper to 19 inches.
Friday, fishing 18 miles out New Pass again, we caught a 28 inch gag grouper on a pinfish. We released shorter gags, red grouper, grunts, porgies, triggerfish, along with an 8 lb. little tunny, and a 4 foot nurse shark, all of which bit live shrimp.
I fished Saturday in central Estero Bay, using live shrimp and shiners, and released redfish, sheepshead, mangrove snapper, jack cravalle, and four snook. The attached photo is of a 35 inch cobia we got 10/29.
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Captain Dave Hanson (Fishbuster)
New member
Username: Fishbuster
Post Number: 88
Registered: 8-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, October 23, 2004 - 1:46 pm: | |
I fished Monday with Chester Yanik, son Mark, and friends Jim, Tom & Bob. We were16 to 28 miles west of New Pass, with live shrimp, and caught 25 lane snapper to 14 inches. We released red grouper shorts, and one angler lost a big grouper that pulled the hook.
Tuesday, fishing with live shrimp in Estero bay, around the Wiggins Pass area with brothers, Wayne and Bob Niskala, we celebrated Bob’s birthday with catches of redfish, snook, sand bream, mangrove snapper, jack cravalle, and sheepshead. One of the 6 reds we caught was a keeper at 21 inches, and we released the 5 others, all around 18 inches. One of several sheepshead was also keeper size, at 15 inches. We released snook to 20 inches. We had a nice red hooked at one point, but the line frayed over the oyster bar, and that one got away.
Thursday, I fished with the ken Barringer party, again 16 to 28 miles off new Pass. We used live shrimp, big pinfish, and tomtates for bait. We caught lane snapper to 12 inches, grunts, porkfish, porgies, and released yellowtail snapper to 11 inches, red grouper to 19 inches and gag grouper to 20 inches—No keeper grouper, but we caught fish steadily all day, until our arms were worn out. We also played with five goliath grouper—too big to get boatside for a photo, but lots of fun.
Friday, I fished in 38 feet off new Pass with Steve Parker and Bob Giarla. We photographed and released a 40 pound goliath grouper 9photo attached), as well as one smaller one. They bit live pinfish. We used live shrimp to catch keeper lane snapper, mangrove snapper, porkfish and grunts. We released red grouper shorts and gags to 20 inches, and also released a 90 pound nurse shark.
Craig Snow and friend, Scott, fished Saturday with me, 29 miles west of New Pass. We caught a bunch of red grouper, two of which were keepers at 20 inches and 21 inches. We released two goliath grouper, mangrove and lane snapper, and porgies. The grouper bit live pinfish, and the goliaths bit grunts. We used live shrimp for the rest.
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Captain Dave Hanson (Fishbuster)
New member
Username: Fishbuster
Post Number: 87
Registered: 8-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, October 17, 2004 - 11:29 am: | |
Wednesday, 10/13, I fished with honeymooners Jason and Sara Toner, in 38 feet, about 13 miles off New Pass. The winds picked up to 15 to 20 knots, and seas were 3 to 4 feet, but we had steady bites on live shrimp. We caught lots of gag grouper, one keeper a 23 inches (photo attached), along with eighteen lane snapper to 12 inches, and some keeper mangrove snapper.
Thursday, I fished with Jim Miller and his daughter, Jennifer, on the west side of Estero Bay. We caught three redfish, two of which were keepers at 22 inches. Jennifer lost two big ones, over slot size, when they broke her 12 # test line boatside. We released three snook to 19 inches, sand bream, ladyfish and two jack cravalle.
Saturday was a tough day fishing, in four to five foot seas that were predicted to be two foot. I fished with the John Stabile party, in 20-25 knot winds, with live shrimp. We caught lane snapper, and released lots of grunts and blue runners.
The Chester Yanik party fished with me Sunday, 19 miles out New Pass, where we caught yellowtail snapper, sheepshead, jolthead porgies, grunts and a keeper red grouper. We used live shrimp, except for the grouper, which bit a spot-tail grunt.
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Captain Dave Hanson (Fishbuster)
New member
Username: Fishbuster
Post Number: 86
Registered: 8-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, October 09, 2004 - 11:33 am: | |
I fished Estero Bay and behind Ft. Myers Beach Monday with Owen Feeney, Dr. Owen Feeney Jr., and his 4 year old son, Justin. We used live shrimp to catch seven redfish, one of which was a keeper at 21 inches (photo attached). We also caught two keeper sheepshead at 14 inches each, two sand bream, and two keeper mangrove snapper. We released three snook to 18 inches.
I fished the bay again on Saturday with the Doug Eckman party. We had steady bites all day on live shrimp, and released lots of redfish to 17 inches and snook to 22 inches. We also caught keeper mangrove snapper and sheepshead.
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Captain Dave Hanson (Fishbuster)
New member
Username: Fishbuster
Post Number: 85
Registered: 8-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, October 01, 2004 - 11:43 am: | |
I fished Wednesday, 9/29, with Jerry Rudan and friend, Brian, about 18 miles off New Pass. We fished with live shrimp, and caught thirty-one keeper lane snapper and a keeper yellowtail. We released a short mutton snapper, along with lots of gag grouper to 21 inches. We were broken off twice by what were likely large grouper.
Friday, I returned to the same fishing area, 18-21 miles off New Pass, hoping to catch some of those larger grouper that cut us off on Wednesday. I fished with Bill & Nancy Stephens, in 50 feet, and we had a productive half-day of fishing, with five gag grouper to 27 ¾ inches (photo of 3 attached), an 18 inch yellowtail snapper, six keeper mangrove snapper, and a few keeper lane snapper. We released a lot of gag and red grouper shorts, and we were broken off once by either a large gag or a goliath grouper. We used live shrimp for the snapper and one 26 inch gag. The rest of the gags bit live grunts or pinfish.
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Captain Dave Hanson (Fishbuster)
New member
Username: Fishbuster
Post Number: 84
Registered: 8-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, October 01, 2004 - 11:41 am: | |
I fished Wednesday, 9/29, with Jerry Rudan and friend, Brian, about 18 miles off New Pass. We fished with live shrimp, and caught thirty-one keeper lane snapper and a keeper yellowtail. We released a short mutton snapper, along with lots of gag grouper to 21 inches. We were broken off twice by what were likely large grouper.
Friday, I returned to the same fishing area, 18-21 miles off New Pass, hoping to catch some of those larger grouper that cut us off on Wednesday. I fished with Bill & Nancy Stephens, in 50 feet, and we had a productive half-day of fishing, with five gag grouper to 27 ¾ inches, (see photo of 3 attached) an 18 inch yellowtail snapper, six keeper mangrove snapper, and a few keeper lane snapper. We released a lot of gag and red grouper shorts, and we were broken off once by either a large gag or a goliath grouper. We used live shrimp for the snapper and one 26 inch gag. The rest of the gags bit live grunts or pinfish.
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Captain Dave Hanson (Fishbuster)
New member
Username: Fishbuster
Post Number: 83
Registered: 8-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, October 01, 2004 - 11:40 am: | |
I fished Wednesday, 9/29, with Jerry Rudan and friend, Brian, about 18 miles off New Pass. We fished with live shrimp, and caught thirty-one keeper lane snapper and a keeper yellowtail. We released a short mutton snapper, along with lots of gag grouper to 21 inches. We were broken off twice by what were likely large grouper.
Friday, I returned to the same fishing area, 18-21 miles off New Pass, hoping to catch some of those larger grouper that cut us off on Wednesday. I fished with Bill & Nancy Stephens, in 50 feet, and we had a productive half-day of fishing, with five gag grouper to 27 ¾ inches, (see photo of 3 attached) an 18 inch yellowtail snapper, six keeper mangrove snapper, and a few keeper lane snapper. We released a lot of gag and red grouper shorts, and we were broken off once by either a large gag or a goliath grouper. We used live shrimp for the snapper and one 26 inch gag. The rest of the gags bit live grunts or pinfish.
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Captain Dave Hanson (Fishbuster)
New member
Username: Fishbuster
Post Number: 83
Registered: 8-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, October 01, 2004 - 11:40 am: | |
I fished Wednesday, 9/29, with Jerry Rudan and friend, Brian, about 18 miles off New Pass. We fished with live shrimp, and caught thirty-one keeper lane snapper and a keeper yellowtail. We released a short mutton snapper, along with lots of gag grouper to 21 inches. We were broken off twice by what were likely large grouper.
Friday, I returned to the same fishing area, 18-21 miles off New Pass, hoping to catch some of those larger grouper that cut us off on Wednesday. I fished with Bill & Nancy Stephens, in 50 feet, and we had a productive half-day of fishing, with five gag grouper to 27 ¾ inches, (see photo of 3 attached) an 18 inch yellowtail snapper, six keeper mangrove snapper, and a few keeper lane snapper. We released a lot of gag and red grouper shorts, and we were broken off once by either a large gag or a goliath grouper. We used live shrimp for the snapper and one 26 inch gag. The rest of the gags bit live grunts or pinfish.
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Captain Dave Hanson (Fishbuster)
New member
Username: Fishbuster
Post Number: 82
Registered: 8-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, September 25, 2004 - 12:12 pm: | |
I fished in Estero Bay Saturday, 9/18, with finger mullet that I netted, and released ladyfish and snook to 25 inches (see photo below). Monday, I fished in 3-4 foot seas with Scott Kempfert and Josh Loper. We fished with live shrimp, in 21 to 35 feet off Naples. We caught a 24 inch Spanish mackerel, keeper lane snapper and grunts, and four slot redfish at 18 inches, 21 inches and two at 22 inches (see photo below). Redfish are often schooled up around structure offshore this time of year. We released the two smallest ones, since the bag limit on redfish is one per person. We also released lots of ladyfish.
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Captain Dave Hanson (Fishbuster)
New member
Username: Fishbuster
Post Number: 78
Registered: 8-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, August 28, 2004 - 4:41 pm: | |
I fished Estero BayThursday, on the west wall by Spring Creek, with Jim Cullen and daughter, Lauren. We released seven snook to 21 inches, and a couple of redfish, and caught one keeper redfish at 20 ½ inches photo attached). We also caught three keeper sheepshead to 16 ½ inches, keeper mangrove snapper and sand bream, on live shrimp.
Friday, I fished 28 miles west of New Pass in 57-70 feet, with Rudy Zikesch, John Pennza, Phil Young, and James Perry. We caught two keeper red grouper(photo attached), a big Spanish mackerel, thirty-one lane snapper, a nice trigerfish and a large porgie. We released lots of grouper and mangrove snapper shorts. The red grouper bit grunt heads, the lane snapper preferred cut bait and sardines, and the Spanish was caught on a live shrimp. We also released a 3 foot lemon shark.
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Captain Dave Hanson (Fishbuster)
New member
Username: Fishbuster
Post Number: 77
Registered: 8-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, August 23, 2004 - 10:42 am: | |
On a first day back to fishing post-Hurricane Charley, Fishbuster Charters’ Captain Dave Hanson reports he fished with the Sarah Gordon party, in 37 feet, thirteen miles west of New Pass Thursday. “We caught a hogfish, a red grouper, seventeen mangrove snapper, and fourteen triggerfish, a whitebone porgy, and a jolthead porgy, all on live shrimp. We released lots of ladyfish, snapper and grouper shorts.
Friday, I fished again off New Pass, with Peter Haluenen and friends, Shauna, Mark & Mike. We caught two hogfish See photo), fifteen mangrove snapper, nine triggerfish, and porkfish. We released lots of gag and red grouper, but did not catch any keeper size grouper. The snapper bite has been especially strong in the aftermath of the hurricane.
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Captain Dave Hanson (Fishbuster)
New member
Username: Fishbuster
Post Number: 76
Registered: 8-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 13, 2004 - 10:17 am: | |
Bayside, we got this 21 1/2 inch snook last week. Had to get wet to do it, but it was worth it! |
Captain Dave Hanson (Fishbuster)
New member
Username: Fishbuster
Post Number: 75
Registered: 8-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 13, 2004 - 10:14 am: | |
I fished the Bonita reefs Monday, finally in dry weather and calm seas, with Pat Fitzgerald and young sons Jimmy and Tommy. We caught nine keeper mangrove snapper and triggerfish, and released a 5½ foot nurse shark, which was exciting for the boys.
Tuesday, fishing with George Reiff and friends, Ron, Tom & Mark, 24 miles west of New Pass, we had a productive morning. We caught a 21 ½ inch red grouper, two hogfish, keeper mangrove snapper, big grunts and porkfish. We also released a goliath grouper estimated at 50 pounds Photo attached). We used live shrimp and cut grunts for bait.
The end of the week brought us Hurricane Charley, so by Thursday we were battening down the hatches, aware that what is usually our pleasant fishing playground is also a force to be respected.
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Captain Dave Hanson (Fishbuster)
New member
Username: Fishbuster
Post Number: 74
Registered: 8-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, August 07, 2004 - 10:45 am: | |
After an entire week of cancelled trips, due to rain and rough seas, I fished Estero Bay, on the east side of Big Hickory on Friday. These guys were bound and determined to fish, and willing to get wet…and we did! But, we caught a 21 ½ inch redfish and released 11 snook to 20 ½ inches. We also caught two sand bream, all on live shrimp, and got to see some small tarpon rolling. The attached photo is of anglers Emily and Natalie, with a 27 inch gag grouper, caught last Friday on a Fishbuster charter to the Bonita Beach reefs. |
Captain Dave Hanson (Fishbuster)
New member
Username: Fishbuster
Post Number: 73
Registered: 8-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, August 01, 2004 - 9:44 am: | |
I fished off Naples the first part of the week, but ended the week fishing off Bonita Beach.
Friday, Tom VonFelt, daughter Emily, and friend Natalie fished the reefs off Bonita Beach with me. We caught a 27 inch gag grouper, which bit a small blue runner(see photo attached). We also caught six nice mangrove snapper and four good sized triggerfish, on live shrimp.
Saturday, Pat Fitzgerald and his two sons, with friend Brian and his son, headed to MAY Reef with me. They wanted the young boys, ages 7-11 to catch fish, and they immediately started catching snapper and jack cravalle, including 3 keeper-sized mangrove snapper. But the seas were pretty rough, and in 18 feet of water, it was rough enough to cause some seasickness, so we headed in a bit early. There was a dark cloud overhead anyway, and we got in just before the rain began.
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Captain Dave Hanson (Fishbuster)
New member
Username: Fishbuster
Post Number: 71
Registered: 8-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, July 24, 2004 - 11:10 am: | |
My offshore trips for Monday and Tuesday were cancelled, due to a weather front that brought rain, winds, and rough seas. Wednesday, I fished off Naples, but spent the rest of the week fishing off Bonita Beach.
Harold King, son Mark, and grandson Josh fished with me Thursday, 28 miles off New Pass in 58 feet. We started out using Spanish sardines, and caught a few keeper red grouper. The tide changed, and the bite slowed, and we started catching pinfish, squirrel fish, grunts, and tomtates, which we threw in the live well. We moved a couple hundred yards, re-anchored on another spot of hard bottom (with potholes, so it resembles Swiss cheese), and dropped our live bait over. We had no bites for a few minutes, so we pulled up the baits, cut them in half, and tried fishing with cut-bait. Using the head portions only, we got two more 25 inch grouper. They seemed to like the grunt heads best. We ended up catching our limit (new limits are two per angler), a total of six red grouper. We caught about 75 grouper in all out there, released the shorts, and had a lot of action and fun.
Friday, I headed back out 28 miles from New Pass with Don & Sandy Crossen and son, Brian. We caught a 25 inch red grouper, and released about 40 others which were just short of keeper size. We moved several times when the tide slacked off and the bite slowed. We re-anchored over bottom that had some higher rocks on it, and caught keeper mangrove snapper and triggerfish there. Later, we decided to see if any sharks were around, so we dropped a large piece of cut-bait over, and caught and released a six foot nurse shark.
I fished Saturday with Carl Graham and friend, Walt, 21 miles out New Pass, where we caught mangrove snapper and fifteen lane snapper. The photo below is of a pair of red grouper, caught last week by anglers Linda & Jamie, on a Fishbuster Charter 28 miles off New Pass.
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Captain Dave Hanson (Fishbuster)
New member
Username: Fishbuster
Post Number: 69
Registered: 8-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, July 17, 2004 - 10:20 am: | |
I fished off Naples this week, except for Friday, off Bonita Beach.
Friday, I fished with Dennis & Jamie Riddell and Jerry & Linda Steplars, 28 miles out of New Pass. We caught two 23 inch red grouper (see photos below), and keeper lane and mutton snapper. We released two 3 foot sharpnose sharks and a 3 1/2 foot bonnet shark.
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Captain Dave Hanson (Fishbuster)
New member
Username: Fishbuster
Post Number: 66
Registered: 8-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, July 04, 2004 - 8:35 am: | |
I fished with Greg & Lynn Tombridge Thursday, at May Reef and the DGH Reef off Bonita Beach. We caught seven keeper mangrove snapper to 14 inches, and Spanish mackerel. We used mostly live shrimp, but used small greenback shiners for the larger snapper.
Bill & Terry Major decided to hunt for tarpon with me Friday. We tried several spots around the reefs and off of Sanibel, but spotted no tarpon. We headed to the barge, hoping to find some permit, but none of those around either. Other than bottom-fish, we did not see or catch much.
John Kirby and father-in-law, Dave, fished Estero Bay with me Saturday, on a catch & release trip. We released small snook and keeper-sized mangrove snapper, as well a fifteen pound stingray.
The photo attached is the last of the 6 permit we caught during June. For full info and fish photo-album, please visit www.fishbustercharters.com
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Captain Dave Hanson (Fishbuster)
New member
Username: Fishbuster
Post Number: 65
Registered: 8-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, June 25, 2004 - 12:27 pm: | |
I fished Tuesday, 6/1, with John & Cathy Kowalewicz, in 26 feet at the Bonita reefs. We caught a 39 inch cobia (that’s good on 12 lb. spinning tackle)! We also caught four permit to 28 inches, Spanish mackerel to 26 inches and keeper mangrove snapper. We released all but what the couple wanted for dinner.
Wednesday, the Wayne Kaufman party fished with me on a catch and release trip to the Bonita reefs, where we caught six permit to 33 inches, ranging from five to fourteen pounds (see photo attached). We had a goliath grouper in hot pursuit of the last permit we reeled in, but we managed to get the permit boated, after a five minute competition with the goliath. We also caught keeper mangrove snapper.
After a couple of weeks fishing the Florida Keys on a busman’s holiday, Captain Dave Hanson returned to Bonita's waters Wednesday, 6/23, when he fished in 35 feet with the Richard Slama party. We used live shrimp, which have been very small recently. We caught keeper mangrove snapper, grunts, porkfish, and Spanish mackerel. Thursday was about the same, fishing with the Peter Haluenen party. Slow tide and very warm water temperatures probably have something to do with the slow bite.
For full info and fish photo-album, please visit www.fishbustercharters.com
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Captain Dave Hanson (Fishbuster)
New member
Username: Fishbuster
Post Number: 64
Registered: 8-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, June 25, 2004 - 12:26 pm: | |
I fished Tuesday, 6/1, with John & Cathy Kowalewicz, in 26 feet at the Bonita reefs. We caught a 39 inch cobia (that’s good on 12 lb. spinning tackle)! We also caught four permit to 28 inches, Spanish mackerel to 26 inches and keeper mangrove snapper. We released all but what the couple wanted for dinner.
Wednesday, the Wayne Kaufman party fished with me on a catch and release trip to the Bonita reefs, where we caught six permit to 33 inches, ranging from five to fourteen pounds (see photo attached). We had a goliath grouper in hot pursuit of the last permit we reeled in, but we managed to get the permit boated, after a five minute competition with the goliath. We also caught keeper mangrove snapper.
After a couple of weeks fishing the Florida Keys on a busman’s holiday, Captain Dave Hanson returned to Bonita's waters Wednesday, 6/23, when he fished in 35 feet with the Richard Slama party. We used live shrimp, which have been very small recently. We caught keeper mangrove snapper, grunts, porkfish, and Spanish mackerel. Thursday was about the same, fishing with the Peter Haluenen party. Slow tide and very warm water temperatures probably have something to do with the slow bite.
For full info and fish photo-album, please visit www.fishbustercharters.com
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Captain Dave Hanson (Fishbuster)
New member
Username: Fishbuster
Post Number: 61
Registered: 8-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, May 30, 2004 - 10:23 am: | |
Wednesday, Jim Burnley & Steve Able fished with me, with plans to go after tarpon and goliaths. We fished in 16 feet off Ft. Myers beach, and hooked up on a tarpon over 100 pounds. He ran and jumped a few times before breaking our 50 lb. braid. We hooked and fought a couple of big sharks—Not sure what kind, but from the way they circled the boat, my guess would be hammerheads. We also caught and released three lemon shark to 4 feet, and a blacktip. We left the beach area then, caught some bait, and went after goliaths. We hooked one over 250 pounds(see photo attached), and fought it until it finally broke us off. All in all, it was a great day of sport fishing.
I fished Thursday in 35 feet off New Pass, with Ernie Moffett and son, Tim. We caught and released a 34 inch cobia, and caught Spanish mackerel to 27 inches, along with keeper mangrove snapper, triggerfish, and porkfish.
Friday, John Carmack and Bill Moslow fished with me about 25 miles out, 17 miles SW of Sanibel. We fished at Doc Kline Reef first, where we got into a whole bunch of big mangrove snapper to 21 inches, then went to another ledge, where we caught several banded rudder fish (lesser amberjack) to 10 pounds, huge triggerfish to six pounds, and Spanish mackerel to 28 inches. We hooked a 47 inch kingfish, but it wrapped around the anchor line, and broke us off. We also released a 4 ½ foot lemon shark, which we caught on a piece of mackerel. We caught everything else on live shrimp. We released gag and scamp grouper shorts, along with a variety of other bottom fish.
I headed out to the reefs off Bonita Beach with Pete Murphy on Sunday, where we found some long-awaited permit, in about 35 feet. We caught three, all in the 10-12 pound range, and released two of those because Pete wasn’t able to eat that many during his stay. We also caught a 23 inch keeper gag grouper, keeper mangrove snapper, large porkfish, and Spanish mackerel to 26 inches, all on live shrimp.
Check the Naples area report for the catches there this week.
For full info and fish photo-album, please visit www.fishbustercharters.com
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Captain Dave Hanson (Fishbuster)
New member
Username: Fishbuster
Post Number: 59
Registered: 8-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, May 15, 2004 - 12:15 pm: | |
I fished at the reefs off Bonita Beach Monday with Bill Grigsby, and Chad, Kim, five year old Sophia, and six year old Sam Toops. We used live shrimp to catch a 24 inch gag grouper (see attached photo), three large triggerfish (15 inches), Spanish mackerel, and blue runners. We released all but the gag and one triggerfish. We also had fun with a goliath grouper that bit the hook three different times, and tried to eat the gag we pulled up, but we won that battle! Sophie also got to see a remora, which suctioned itself to her hand for a photograph.
Wednesday, conditions called for 2-3 foot seas up to 60 miles offshore: That was not at all what I encountered fishing with Chris & Lisa Stimack at the Bonita reefs. Even just 5 or 6 miles offshore, we faced a southeast wind of 20 knots, and four foot seas. We caught Spanish mackerel, grunts, and blue runners for a little while, then decided to head in, as it was pretty unpleasant out there.
For full info and fish photo-album, please visit www.fishbustercharters.com
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Captain Dave Hanson (Fishbuster)
New member
Username: Fishbuster
Post Number: 56
Registered: 8-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, May 01, 2004 - 10:34 am: | |
The winds and seas persisted through Thursday, cancelling my offshore plans.
On Friday, I fished in the calm waters of Estero Bay, along the shoreline between Big Carlos Pass and Hickory Bay, with live shrimp. Pat McKeown and son, Chris, caught one keeper redfish (photo attached), and released a smaller one. They also caught a sheepshead, and released two small snook, jack cravalle, mangrove snapper, and ladyfish.
For full info and fish photo-album, please visit www.fishbustercharters.com
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Captain Dave Hanson (Fishbuster)
New member
Username: Fishbuster
Post Number: 54
Registered: 8-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, April 25, 2004 - 9:36 am: | |
I fished at the Bonita Reefs Monday with Fred Marunde and daughters, Chris and Nadine. We used live shrimp, and caught three nice flounder, each about 16 inches (see photo attached), an 18 inch sheepshead, and a large triggerfish. Seas were still pretty rough offshore, which is why we decided to fish near shore.
I fished off Naples the rest of the week, and had good action there, so check out that report too.
For full info and fish photo-album, please visit www.fishbustercharters.com
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Captain Dave Hanson (Fishbuster)
New member
Username: Fishbuster
Post Number: 52
Registered: 8-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, April 17, 2004 - 12:04 pm: | |
Wild weather greeted us this week, and I was unable to get any fishing trips offshore. Thursday, I fished the backbay with the George Oliver party, but the tide was very low, and fishing was slow. We caught and released sheepshead, and we were wishing we could head offshore, but residual high winds and seas prevented that.
The photo attached is of a 5 lb. sheepshead, caught on a recent Fishbuster Charter off Bonita Beach, by angler Lloyd Lack.
For full info and fish photo-album, please visit www.fishbustercharters.com
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Captain Dave Hanson (Fishbuster)
New member
Username: Fishbuster
Post Number: 50
Registered: 8-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, April 10, 2004 - 1:03 pm: | |
I was happy to see winds dying down Monday. It was still a bit rough out there early Monday morning, but was calmer by late morning. I fished with Craig and Jan Royal, son Dan, and daughter Keri, at the Bonita reefs. We caught keeper mangrove snapper and Spanish mackerel, and also caught and released a 25 inch snook, just one inch short of legal size (photo attached). We also released gag grouper shorts to 20 inches.
The rest of the week, I fished off Naples, so check that report for those catches.
For full info and fish photo-album, please visit www.fishbustercharters.com
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Captain Dave Hanson (Fishbuster)
New member
Username: Fishbuster
Post Number: 48
Registered: 8-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, April 03, 2004 - 8:51 am: | |
Tuesday, I fished central Estero Bay with Ronald Constantini and friend, Rick. We used live shrimp and white baits, to catch and release six snook to 20 inches, jack cravalle, and a small gag grouper. We even caught a small barracuda, which is a bit unusual bayside, in a creek mouth off the bay.
I fished several days offshore from Naples, so check our report for there also.
For full info and fish photo-album, please visit www.fishbustercharters.com
The photo attached is of Rob & Mary Fish (really!) with a triggerfish and a sheepshead, caught on a recent Fishbuster Charter out of Bonita Beach. |
Captain Dave Hanson (Fishbuster)
New member
Username: Fishbuster
Post Number: 47
Registered: 8-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, March 20, 2004 - 10:46 am: | |
I fished Monday with Robyn & Mary Fish, and Mary’s dad, Ed, at the Bonita reefs. Fishing was slow, and conditions a bit sloppy, but toward the latter part of the morning we started catching nice sheepshead, and landed six of those to 18 inches. We had one larger sheepshead hooked, but a goliath grouper got to that one before we could boat it. We also caught a 15 inch triggerfish, which is quite large for that species.
Tuesday, I just beat the rain fishing with the Bill Schraeder party in 3-4 foot seas, around the reefs, where we again cleaned up on nice sheepshead—nine of those to 19 inches—along with three Spanish mackerel to 20 inches and a 14 inch triggerfish. We released gag grouper shorts to 18 inches.
Jeff Kirk, friend also named Jeff, and father-in-law Richard Heimlich braved 3-4 foot seas with me on Wednesday at the Bonita reefs, where we used live shrimp to cull nine sheepshead to 4 pounds, and Spanish mackerel to 23 inches. We released lots of gag grouper shorts to 21 inches. We had a fun encounter with a goliath grouper that tried to eat one of our catches. We tried to catch that goliath on 80 # test, had a good fight, but he broke the line before we could get him photographed.
Fishing was slow Thursday in 25 feet off Bonita, with the Bob Coolmyer party. We caught keeper mangrove snapper, grunts, and porkfish. We released lots of blue runners, and saw some Spanish mackerel, but did not get any of those to bite a shrimp.
I fished the bay off Naples Friday and Saturday--pretty windy, and pretty slow there.
The attached photo is of angler, Jillian, with an 18 inch shgeepshead, caught on a recent Fishbuster Charter. For full info and fish photo-album, please visit www.fishbustercharters.com
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Captain Dave Hanson (Fishbuster)
New member
Username: Fishbuster
Post Number: 45
Registered: 8-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, March 14, 2004 - 9:44 am: | |
Monday brought us high seas again, and we stayed in port. We took advantage of a brief window of opportunity on Tuesday, when seas were temporarily calmer, until they again picked up Tuesday afternoon into Wednesday. Tuesday, fishing with the Bernie Salvatore party in 24 feet around the Bonita reefs, we used live shrimp to catch a few keeper mangrove snapper, five sheepshead to 4 pounds, and Spanish mackerel to 20 inches. A goliath grouper came around later, and ate everything else we hooked before we could reel in!
Wednesday blew hard again, and it was Thursday before I got out again, this time with Gregg Bedell, around the reefs in 28-35 feet. We caught ten keeper mangrove snapper, one keeper gag grouper at 24 inches, and released lots of sheepshead in the 16 to 18 inch range.
Friday, the bite was kind of slow at the reefs, where I fished with Don Lewis, son Jim, son-in-law Mike, and friend Brant. We caught a few keeper mangrove snapper and sheepshead, and released porkfish, grunts, small Spanish mackerel, and grouper shorts.
Saturday, I fished off Naples, so check our report for that area too.
Sunday, Peter Kenney, daughter Sue, and grandchildren Jillian, Mitchell, and Reagan, fished the Bonita reefs with me. We caught a couple keeper mangrove snapper, five sheepshead to 18 inches, and Spanish mackerel.The photo attached is of three anglers with catches of a 31 inch gag, a 23 inch gag, and mangrove snapper to 20 inches, all caught on a recent Fishbuster Charter. For full info and fish photo-album, please visit www.fishbustercharters.com
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Captain Dave Hanson (Fishbuster)
New member
Username: Fishbuster
Post Number: 43
Registered: 8-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, March 06, 2004 - 11:03 am: | |
I fished Monday in 45 feet, west of New Pass, with Jeff & Christine Eldridge, and Christine’s dad, Lloyd and sister, Beth. We fished in 2-3 footers most of the time, but toward the end of our trip, the winds picked up, and seas were 3-4 foot again. We caught some beautiful snapper—3 limits of them—to 20 inches, as well as sheepshead to five pounds, and large grunts, all on live shrimp. We released gag grouper shorts to 21 inches.
Tuesday, the Bill Story party fished with me in 40 feet off New Pass. The bite was slow at first, and we were catching mostly porgies, but then we started catching nice mangrove snapper to 18 inches. We caught twenty-two of those, seventeen of them in about a 30 minute period. We also got some nice triggerfish, and released gag grouper to 20 inches and red grouper to 16 inches. The blue runners showed up too, which might be an indication that king mackerel are not far behind.
Fishing was great in 45 feet off New Pass Wednesday with Brad Hayes, Randy Nichols, and Mark Willis. We used live shrimp, and caught two keeper gag grouper at 31 inches and 23 inches, along with a couple limits of mangrove snapper to 18 inches. We released additional keeper-sized snapper, sheepshead, triggerfish, red grouper just ½ inch short of legal (19 ¾ inches), and a file-fish.
Fishing with me in 47 feet off New Pass Thursday, the Jerry Rangaard party caught twenty mangrove snapper to 17 ½ inches. We released gag grouper to 20 inches, red grouper to 16 inches, triggerfish, and grunts. Fishing began slow, but picked up in the afternoon.
I tried to fish Friday, but right out of New Pass, began taking 3 and 4 foot waves on, and decided to turn back. Saturday, I fished with the Ron Wilder party, on a catch-and-release trip in 28 feet off New Pass. Seas weren’t too bad until early afternoon, then they picked up again, so we traveled back in 3 to 4 footers. We used live shrimp, and released keeper-sized mangrove snapper, and sheepshead, as well as gags to 17 inches. The photo attached is of angler Randy Nichols, with the 31 inch gag he caught this past Wednesday, on a Fishbuster Charter out New Pass, Bonita Beach. For full info and fish photo-album, please visit www.fishbustercharters.com
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Captain Dave Hanson (Fishbuster)
New member
Username: Fishbuster
Post Number: 42
Registered: 8-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, February 29, 2004 - 10:27 am: | |
I fished Monday with Gary Bell and Dick Griffin, around the ledges off Bonita, in 38 feet. We caught two limits of nice mangrove snapper to 18 inches, and released a bunch more, along with short gags to 20 inches. We also caught a couple of large sheepshead and triggerfish, all on live shrimp.
Tuesday, the winds and seas were building, preceding the front that brought downpours Wednesday, and kept winds blustering and seas unsafe for navigation for the remainder of the week. Sunday, the Fred Williams party decided to brave the seas, which had diminished from earlier in the week, but were still 3 to 4 feet. We fished, again in 38 feet off Bonita, with live shrimp, and caught a couple limits of mangrove snapper, keeper sheepshead, Spanish mackerel and porkfish. The photo attached is of newlywed angler, Lisa B. with a 17 inch hogfish, caught on a recent Fishbuster Charter. For full info and fish photos by species, please visit www.fishbustercharters.com
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Captain Dave Hanson (Fishbuster)
New member
Username: Fishbuster
Post Number: 40
Registered: 8-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, February 21, 2004 - 11:12 am: | |
Monday was still too rough to get offshore. The 13 foot seas of Sunday night kept things stirred up in the Gulf, with large swells. Tuesday, however, Dick Leonard and friend, Mark, decided to brave the residual 3-4 foot seas and 15 knot winds with me, southwest of May reef, in 28 feet. We caught two keeper sheepshead to 17 inches, and kept two limits of a total eight limits of mangrove snapper, to 14 inches. We probably caught over fifty keeper-sized mangrove snapper in just one spot. We caught fish steadily for over three hours, before the bite slowed a bit.
Wednesday and Thursday, another front activated the small craft advisory again, with 6-8 foot seas predicted, so we were once again forced into being landlubbers. I got back offshore Friday, and fished with the Don Lewis party at the Bonita reefs. Using live shrimp, we caught twenty-two mangrove snapper to 14 inches, keeper sheepshead, and released small Spanish mackerel and porgies.
Fishing Saturday in 38 feet off Bonita with Joel & Ellen Bednerek, their newlywed son, Jeff and wife Lisa, and friends Jim & Nancy, we caught nineteen mangrove snapper to 15 inches, a 17 inch hogfish, keeper sheepshead and porgies. We released grouper shorts. Angler Dan G. is shown in the attached photo, with a Spanish mackerel, caught on a recent Fishbuster Charter. For full info and fish photos by species, please visit www.fishbustercharters.com
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Captain Dave Hanson (Fishbuster)
New member
Username: Fishbuster
Post Number: 39
Registered: 8-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, February 14, 2004 - 10:02 am: | |
I fished Monday with Lee Wampler and friends, Kenny, Bob, Bill & Mike. We fished with live shrimp in 50 feet off New Pass, where we caught twenty-five mangrove snapper to 15 inches, and released short gag grouper and porgies. Seas were still pretty rough, but a lot better than they were over the weekend.
Wednesday, fishing in 40 feet off Bonita with the Bill Schroeder party, we caught fifteen snapper to 17 inches, two hogfish, whitebone porgies, and released gag grouper shorts.
The Bill Story party fished with me Thursday, 12 miles off Bonita Beach, where we caught thirty keeper mangrove snapper to 14 inches, and a dozen Spanish mackerel to 20 inches. We released a small hogfish.
Fishing Friday, again 12 miles off Bonita, with Frank Partee and son-in-law Joe Regan, we caught three limits of mangrove snapper—nice ones to 19 inches, and released a good 25 additional snapper, along with porgies and gag grouper shorts. We also caught Spanish mackerel to 20 inches, all on live shrimp.
I fished off Naples a couple days thias week, so check our report for there too.
Sunday’s 6-8 foot seas kept us in port. The photo attached is of a cooler of snapper and grouper, taken on a recent Fishbuster Charter. Find complete info and fish photo album at www.fishbustercharters.com
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Captain Dave Hanson (Fishbuster)
New member
Username: Fishbuster
Post Number: 37
Registered: 8-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, February 07, 2004 - 12:33 pm: | |
I fished Tuesday with Jerome & Joyce Sagez and Lawrence & Maxine Vaughn in 50 feet, 20 miles west of New Pass. Using live shrimp, we caught seventeen mangrove snapper to 16 inches, and released gag grouper to 20 inches, red grouper to 18 inches, sheepshead, and porgies.
Thursday, I braved some rough seas at the artificial reefs off Bonita Beach with Ken Payne and friends, Ron & Jerry. We caught nice sheepshead to six pounds, on live shrimp. We released gag and red grouper shorts, and then headed out of the seas, which were on the increase. With seas predicted between 5 and 8 feet for the weekend, the best place to be was on land. The photo below is of a 29 inch gag we got 19 miles off Bonita Beach last Friday. Find complete info and fish photo album at www.fishbustercharters.com
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Captain Dave Hanson (Fishbuster)
New member
Username: Fishbuster
Post Number: 35
Registered: 8-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, January 31, 2004 - 10:17 am: &n |
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