8/29/2021
So, the Trigg Family loaded up the family truckster (14 hour drive) and headed down for a week of long overdue vacation from 8/21-8/28 to our long-time vacation spot of Cape San Blas FL https://www.visitgulf.com/destinations/cape-san-blas/
We have been going there (my wife and I) before either of my boys were born. Probably 2006 was the first time. Not every year (although I wish I could have), and we have not been down there since August 2018 before hurricane Michael hit in October 2018.
I booked this early in 2020. Funny thing is in all the years of going there I never fished ONE time. Unbeknownst was two things. Late 2019 my little boy started fly fishing. And apparently, it’s an amazing place to fly fish. As a few of you know, and most don’t, my youngest son got me “back in the game” after a 20-year layoff of fly fishing. It’s all he wants to do now. So about 6 months ago I started to research with my boy about saltwater fly fishing so we could experience the thrill of a new type of fishing on our trip. Let’s just say we realized we had a great place to try it for our maiden voyage into salt.
We went to Hargrove’s and Feathercraft and started our collection of information, as newbies of saltwater flyfishing. Tom and Craig at TH were great, and Bob Story was unbelievably helpful. Apparently, Ed Story (created a shrimp pattern just for this area) used to fish this area years ago and Bob said you’re in for a great trip. Bob set us up with all the necessary flies and leaders for fishing the bay (Port St Joe’s Bay) the surf, and the parts of the Gulf. Bob recommended a guide service as well (more on that in a bit)
Keep in mind this wasn’t a fly fishing trip, but a family vacation. That would not deter me and my youngest from convincing Mom for a bit of fishing, however.
So, when we got down there the first day, I took this first shot at chucking and ducking on the 10wt in the surf at 7 AM Sunday on the first official day of vacation. Hard to get a kid up that early on vacation. The wind was “mild” as ocean breezes go and I had some luck on 4/0 mullet pattern in the surf on some small whiting. Caught two. Sorry no pics-you’ll have to trust me. Can’t take a cell phone out when your butt deep in water by yourself
Back to the family vacation the rest of the day. Liam and I were scheduled to go out with our guide for half a day Monday morning. Weather didn’t cooperate (at that point the forecast was up and down all week). Our Captain called us at 6 AM and said we had to cancel, but he had an opening on Thursday. I was hoping we didn’t get cancelled again, as there would be zero chance of rescheduling this late in the trip.
So, a few beach family days in between fishing. Kind of a bummer as I scheduled the “pro” trip so we could learn the tactics and apply them for the remainder of the week in the bay wade fishing for Red’s and seatrout. Wednesday was the pontoon rental in the bay. Again, weather didn’t cooperate. Had a full day scheduled, but we couldn’t do the rental until 3 PM. Off we go…..
So “Captain Bob Trigg” guided the pontoon boat to a flat area that looked like a poor mans Bahama flat. Liam had no interest in fly fishing. He was to busy swimming in the bay and floating with his brother and Mom. I ventured out to try my luck with the “Ed Story” special shrimp fly. Was told by Bob Story to blind fish the deep grass flats that connect to the shallow sandy flats. Two sea Trout later it was time for me to wade back to the pontoon boat (wife took a picture of me out there but not of me catching – go figure). Thank you Bob Story – you’re the best.
So now its time for the reschedule on Thursday morning with our guide. Before I share the results, let me just say this. Captain Chris Robinson is not only one of the best guides (Top 50 saltwater guides in the US- https://www.floridaredfish.com/captains.cfm?id=81&title=Capt.%20Chris%20Robinson ) but just an awesome, awesome guy.
We put in around Mexico Beach, as Captain Chris said this would give us the best shot to catch fish. Again, the weather was a bit stormy the week we were there, and fishing was slow in the bay and estuaries. I was a little concerned with the change of plans. Headed out to blind fish for Jack’s. He said only a 12 wt could handle these beasts as they are 30-40 lbs. No luck, but fun casting his 12 wt (never did that before) none the less. We both saw what Captain Chris said was a 40 lb. tarpon, unfortunately we did not have the chance to cast to him. He was gone as quickly as we noticed his huge presence in the water.
Off to the next spot. Captain Chris said we are going to blind cast for ladyfish. I asked him, what the hell is a ladyfish? Ladyfish, I don’t want to fish for something that has “lady” in their name, as it sounded girly. I came down here for Red’s, etc. He looked at me sidewise, and said trust me, you’ll see.
So, my turn again first. Clouser Minnow about 35 feet of the bow, and OMG this 3-pound fish not only had me on my backing in 15 seconds it jumped 2/3 times (told me to tighten up the drag). Captain Chris said they are like baby tarpon. Fought like crazy. Dads off the schneid. Told Captain Chris, I’m good, lets focus on Liam. I’m sitting on the back of the platform for the rest of the trip. Let’s keep Liam in the “nest” He knew exactly what I was talking about. Let’s make a day more for the boy he will never forget. Liam took over and caught 3 lady fish!!
This is where I will put an immense plug in for Captain Chris Robinson. Not only is he a ninja on the flats, but he also knew how to “handle” Liam and get him on the fish. He knew Liam wanted a Red so we moved on to a different location where we were going to target them in the few hours we had left.
Our Captain NEVER took his eyes of the beach looking for Reds (right around the beaches of Tyndall Air Force base). Captain is amazing, and I would think so after 30 years of spotting fish, just unreal what he sees that a novice doesn’t, and how to position the boat and where to go to get on these fish. I told him I would help look too (just a dumb thing to say). He could spot a fish before I could even see what he was talking about. I think he humored me, in a good way though for the “help”. This guy is a consummate pro. “Liam cast over by the beach 30ft by that dark spot, it’s a school of Red’s”!
BAMB- Redfish. Clouser Minnow either 2/0 or 4/0 I can’t remember. First one was “only” 3 or 4 lbs. But I swear it almost pulled him out of the crow’s nest.
“Can we do it again daddy” Of course Captain Chris said. A few smaller Red’s more and then…………
The Big Boy. 8-10 lbs. We didn’t weigh Liam’s catch but Captain Chris said for this time of the year that is the biggest Red fish out here! (pic). I was seriously afraid he was going to pull the rod out of Liam’s hand. I told Liam “if you lose that rod (ironically it was my 8wt – Liam wanted to use his rod), you’re paying for it as I cannot afford to tip Captain Chris more than 20%”. Got a laugh out of Captain who was coaching Liam the whole time. Said in an earlier trip report, I couldn’t be prouder of my boy, but apparently, I was wrong. I know this is a site for “members only” (I’m a member, my boy is not) but I hope you guys don’t mind.
I will say this, having never saltwater fly fished before, it was a matter of presentation to a degree like it is for trout in MO. You can make a perfect presentation to trout and they will still refuse your fly. You make a perfect presentation to a saltwater fish, and they will hammer the fly every time. No refusals. Just remember to “strip set” as opposed to lift set. That is a key thing (I lost a few seatrout in the bay solo learning that). Captain Chris Robinson, if you’re interested in saltwater fishing, is someone I would HIGHLY recommend. Not only a great guide, but he really cared about helping Liam get on the fish. He told Liam he is the very best 10-year-old fisherman he has ever seen. That made dad happy. I think he might have wrecked me and my boy for trout fishing in MO. We can’t wait to get back to saltwater fly fishing with Captain Chis again – which we will be doing again as soon as we can. Trying to swing a late October trip back down. That’s when, according to Captain Chris the BIG Bull Reds (20lbs plus) come into the shallows, because the water is not so warm. If you haven’t done this type of fly fishing and are interested, I would HIGHLY recommend putting it on your Bucket List. It’s just a really fantastic experience. Lord knows me and Liam are by no means experts at all. Probably would have caught a lot more if we had more experience (got to start somewhere though). That said, thank you, Captain Chris Robinson, for our first saltwater trip, being such a great “Ninja”, being so patient and intent on getting me and my son on the fish and making this trip something Liam and I will never forget – we will be back!
Bob and Liam Trigg
