October 19, 2011
By Christopher Collins
This past Sunday through Tuesday a handful of Florida Sportsman members were over 80 miles offshore fishing in the famed Middle Grounds of the Gulf. Long awaited, this Florida Sportsman members only trip was held out of Hubbard's Marina located in John's Pass. Fishing aboard the spacious "Florida Fisherman II", members took part in a 39 hour overnight trip of non-stop fishing for amberjack, grouper, snapper, and all kinds of other tasty bottom dwellers.
Jeff Warner (Mango Man) was a huge part in making this trip a success, and made everyone feel part of the Florida Sportsman atmosphere. Goodie bags with gift cards, Florida Sportsman charts and magazines, and other freebies were handed out in the beginning of the trip. Later on more prizes were given away in random drawings and the most prized of all was another 39 hour overnight trip aboard the "Florida Fisherman II".
Everyone aboard during the trip was very pleased to put a face on many of their fellow Florida Sportsman from the forums. The captain and crew did a superb job of keeping everyone tangle-free and on the fish, and the galley cook kept everyone's appetite satisfied with biscuits and gravy, fresh fish chowder and pot roast, just to name a few of the tasty meals throughout the trip. The fishing was great of course, although a few regular guests thought it could have been a little more action-packed, but nonetheless by the end of the trip everyone had their stringers full and fish piled high on the deck.
To read more and to see some pictures from the trip, click here.
