Southeastern Boat Builders Meet May 7th-9th, 2010

[tech_support]

Just getting back, what a great time. It was nice to see everyone at the meet. Great group of folks and some beautiful boats. Richard took me for a fun exploration of the shallows, it was fun to run his XF20 Food was fantastic, too.

Dad and I cheated a little and took a charter on Friday, after a lot of trying, we both got fish. his was about 125, mine around 100. Also caught a few trout and reds and snook, only one of them was worth taking a picture of. i have about 100 shots to upload tomorrow, but here are the better ones







Met a distant cousin who lives 100 yards from the Boca Grande lighthouse, Capt. Robert Johnson. That side of the family goes back 4 or 5 generations, they were the harbor pilots since the late 1800's until they moved to Key West. Did not know much about that history until this weekend.

[TomW]

Great fish Joel. Looks like you and your dad caught those guys on spining gear any idea what type they were and how heavy the line. Glad you had a great time and enjoyed yourselves. Look forward to next year with a new boat and fixed up knee.

That's neat learning about family like that, it is so interesting to find someone that has some relation to you.

Tom

[sitandfish]

Great looking fish, Shine.

[tech_support]

tom, its 50 pounds braid, with 80 lb mono leader.

[Cracker Larry]

Beautiful Joel. That's a great father/son moment right there Fantastic.

I see the small cork rigged above the bait. Neat, I didn't think to try a bobber over my worm

And Tom, those are Penn reels, look like 850SS.

[TomW]

Thanks Shine that's what I was going to bring down only with 80lb flourocarbon leader. Neat! Those are a couple of nice fish you and your dad caught. That is a great time and glad you had the chance to do so with him. Maybe we'll have a chance to get together in the fall.

Thanks Larry your answer popped up as I was entering this.

Tom

[Larry B]

And Tom, those are Penn reels, look like 850SS.

You mean 8500SS? I've got one of those on my surf rod

[Aripeka Angler]

Seas today are 2-3 with winds at 15 from the ESE.

NOAA lied about that weather forecast At 40 nm offshore the wind was blowing 20 kts with higher gusts. Seas were 6-8 feet with a stray 9 or 10 footer mixed in for fun Lots of breakers, rollers and wind chop. Derrick's World Cat did a great job in the slop

I hope Derrick, Richard and the seal team are wearing out the grouper

We did pretty darn good considering the conditions. The mountain men are headed home this morning with a bunch of fillets. Derrick and Andrew have the pics, I am sure they will post them in a day or two.

As a side note, we found out that a FS 14 will haul alot of gear. We came in late yesterday and hung the World Cat up on the flats at low tide A neighbor of Derrick's came out to get us. There were 5 of us in the boat including the rescue pilot who used to be an NFL football player. We also had 6 tackle boxes and about 16 big deep sea rigs. Very impressive little boat We were able to retrieve the big boat when the tide came in. Thanks again Derrick

I will post some Boca pics tonight after work, we had a blast

Richard

[Cracker Larry]

Sounds like a good trip Richard, sorry I had to miss it. I just spoke with Andrew, I think they really had a good time He say's Derrick is a wild man

A few more pics to share...

This is Cape Man's OD18, Clara, hooked up in Charlotte Harbor. Catching fish with a rod he made, in a boat that he made and enjoying the experience with kids that he made Craig's kids are as much a pleasure as he is, his daughter Aaron cracks me up



Here is Clara, busting through a good chop just inside the pass...notice I'm letting him bust the chop for us



Richard busy doing his thing, putting dinner in the boat. Clara is behind him..



Seth also busy with a good fish, this we hooked up in a school of Tarpon but it turned out to be a large shark



And another....



A pair of Ospreys just across from our dock at the Innlet



And an early morning shot of the pass...

[Larry B]

Very cool pictures Larry. Thanks for posting, sure Hope I can make the next trip. Looks like a lot of fun and good company. In that one picture of Clara, she looks like a bigger boat

Dont know if it's just the way the boat is rocking but his sides look to be at his knee?? or he has short legs And I don't think thats it??