Once again, the pleasant conditions offshore that have been there for the last few days were still holding. Capt. Tony Langston pointed those sleek twin hulls of the partyboat Capt. John in sort of a southeasterly direction, entering the open Gulf and its two foot swell with 61 of us fishermen aboard.

The day's first stop was made at an area of rocky bottom about 45 miles offshore, in about 115 feet of water. Red snapper were there, along with an assortment of other bottom dwellers. When we left the area, something in the order of 99% of our red snapper catch for the day was on the boat.

Our next fishing opportunities were about twenty miles further offshore. Capt. Langston had big fish in mind to go along with the red snapper and other fish from the first stop; hopefully, they would be there.The next three stops were made in the Claypile area at different rock formations. These rocks, that came within 110-115 ft. of the surface, were indeed holding what the captain and all of us were looking for. The immediate success at the first rock was the hookup and, about ten minutes later, the gaffing and decking of Sam Rosas' 66 lb. wahoo! What a start! It hit a bullet-type lure with a chrome head and blue/silver mylar skirt. Other wahoo were seen at this rock and at the next one, but they gave a turndown to an assortment of baits and lures that were offered to them -- you can't catch 'em all. Sam also caught the biggest smile of the day at that first rock stop. Some of the other species taken in the area included ling, vermilion snapper, mangrove snapper, lane snapper, rockhind grouper, etc. The Captain's decision to make the run further offshore worked. One "big one" did get reeled in after it made about a 100 yard, drag-screaming run, and several others were seen in the clear blue water, plus an added assortment of species were also picked up.

After "motor fishing" that last rock, which had a squall nearby that provided a bit of a breeze and made anchor positioning difficult, with its changing wind strength direction, we headed home. "Motor fishing" is holding the boat in position over a particular spot by the captain keeping the engines running and applying power to the props, along with rudder positioning in order to maintain location in spite of different motions the wind and current put on the boat. Some of that sort of "juggling act" Capt. Langston's pretty good at doing in order to ensure your chances of a great catch.

Decked and iced down in the fish boxes was this list of the fish who volunteered to join the 61 of us fishermen for the ride back to Galveston's Pier 19:
?Ģ 1 wahoo of 66#
?Ģ 6 rockhind grouper
?Ģ 2 ling
?Ģ 36 bluerunner
?Ģ 4 triggerfish
?Ģ 6 lane snapper to 3#
?Ģ 6 mangrove snapper to 8#
?Ģ 101 vermilion snapper to 3#
?Ģ 122 red snapper to 7#

Sam Rosas, Sugarland, had a red snapper limit to 5# and the catch of the day, that nice 66# wahoo that ran him from the stern to the bow before coming to the gaff.

Jim Marigliano, Dallas, had a red snapper limit to 6# to go along with several wahoo turndowns.

Patrick Lemire, Texas City ??? My catch was made up of a red snapper limit to 7#. Unfortunately, I had numerous wahoo turndowns while using an assortment of lures and baits ??? The captain puts the boat on the spot, but you have to catch 'em.

While all trips on the Capt. John aren't made this far offshore, when you are in a position to catch really large fish, which could be on any offshore trip, all you can do is make your best effort to hook 'em. Sam did a better job today than all of the other 60 fishermen. It was his day.

Get on the Capt. John ??? your personal best could be out there waiting for you. As we've said before, it's not knowing who's going to catch what at any particular spot, regardless of experience level that is one of the biggest attractions of partyboat fishing. Give the office a call at Pier 19, either 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853, get on the boat and see what ends up on the other end of your line. Whatever it is, it's likely loaded with excitement!