CZ\'s Grand Fishing Odyssey 2007

[Ken Gargett]

gentlemen,

having just seen that photo of the fabulous pike, i believe that, in order to help celebrate rob's xxxx'th anniversary (i'm finding out what we could have as an anniversary - fear not, we will find something), we need a CZ fishing odyssey. might take a bit of juggling (but that is why rob pays lisa the big bucks) but a few weeks around places like that, some salmon in alaska, bonefish in cuba.

if there is enough interest, we'll force rob into it. plus, i have suggested '07 to give everyone time to organise themselves.

what do you think?

[Ken Gargett]

gentlemen,

we have our anniversary. according to rob, "Opened at Merlo's Feb 1998. I effectively saved his business.".

hence, it must have been in the planning in 1997 and therefore we have the 10th anniversary of the conception of CZ!

[El Presidente]

Will you be going Ken?

[Ken Gargett]

you think i am doing this out of the goodness of my heart?

i am assuming that you will do some sort of magic and pull a sponsor or two so we can go for free, but then, as that hasn't happened before, why on earth i'd be thinking differently this time, lord knows.

[Shooter]

I'd be WAY up for a trip. I'm overdue. I've been to Alaska for Salmon with fly tackle only, bones in the Bahamas, Snake River in Jackson Hole---Hell, I'm easy. You name it.

Close to you all but New Zealand's monster Rainbows have always been appealing. But then, there is something magical about a HOT climate, cool foo-foo drinks with little umbrellas--and 12 lb bones.

Keep this thread alive for sure!

[El Presidente]

Unfortunately Cuba is out of the question for some of you so how about:

Salmon Alaska

Big Mouth Bass somewhere in the US

Bones in Las Roques Venezuela

[Bunker1028]

» Unfortunately Cuba is out of the question for some of you so how about:

»

» Salmon Alaska

» Big Mouth Bass somewhere in the US

» Bones in Las Roques Venezuela

What? No Tarpon in the Florida Keys?

[CIGARHead]

» » Unfortunately Cuba is out of the question for some of you so how about:

» »

» » Salmon Alaska

» » Big Mouth Bass somewhere in the US

» » Bones in Las Roques Venezuela

»

» What? No Tarpon in the Florida Keys?

Bunker. Im with you - FL Keys is where its at..or the Bahamas..or Venezuela. **** anywhere there's fish. Im in.

[cf2112]

If you want big bass in big numbers Mexico is the place to go.

Hey that kinda rhymes, maybe i should write some poems for you guys

There once was a man from Nantuckit:-D

[Freefallguy]

» Unfortunately Cuba is out of the question for some of you so how about:

»

» Salmon Alaska

» Big Mouth Bass somewhere in the US

» Bones in Las Roques Venezuela

Yes, Cuba is definitely out for me, but Venezuela sounds like one cool trip (as long as Chavez doesn’t sever diplomatic ties to the US!)… with enough planning, I’m all in!!

[Shooter]

Boy, I'd second the Keys! The assortment of fish and fishing possibilities (not to mention plenty of rum drinks, warm sun and so-forth--are endless.

A few year's ago I went down there and stopped in a local tackle shop. I picked up one of the surgical tube lures (12" piece of fluorescent green surgical hose with two sets of trebles and a built-in egg sinker for weight). I knew this lure drives barracuda mad and I thought I'd have some fun.

The first morning I got up at dawn and started throwing a lead-head jig around the marina I was staying at. A quick "hit" and I brought in my first barracuda--all of about 5" long! Another cast and "blip!" A strike that severed the monofilament. It appeared there was no shortage of 'cuda around so I brought out the secret weapon: The green tube lure.

First cast---the retrieve---watching the tube "snake" enticingly back to towards me. Ten feet away a quick flash and good "swirl" from a 20" or so 'cuda! But a miss!! I brought the lure in and tossed it out towards deeper water. Five feet from shore a frightening "toilet bowl flush" swirl and lightning-quick strike from a 3' 'cuda! The drag SCREAMED as he pulled 75 yards of line in a blitzing run towards deeper waters! My mouth hung agap as I held the tip high and felt the strength of this fish!!

A 20 minute battle with repeated runs and eventually brought him in to shore where some fellow guests helped me net it. The other logical thing I bought was these 12" metal hook removers as I was quite apprehensive about getting too close to the menacing jaws! LOL I had them go wake my girlfriend and bring her out to see the beast before slipping it back into the water.

For the next two days I walked the shoreline and tossed "the secret weapon" out and caught countless 'cudas! What fun!!! Once, I had a 3 footer following it in---about to strike when (NO LIE) a 5' PLUS monster 'cuda blitzed in and chased the other 'cuda away! I was trembling and actually a little scared to throw the lure back out there! LOL I did anyway but never brought the big-boy in for a strike. Still--it was a sight to see.

When I left I gave the lure to a guest staying next-door who was having little luck with catching anything. The tube lure had tons of slashes and cuts from the teeth but I assured him he would have some serious fun with it! LOL

So the Keys can offer plenty of action. I also saw pods of HUGE Tarpon swimming out of casting range. Caught needlefish, jacks, and just had a ball. June is the hot month down there for Tarpon but you can catch lots of fish year-round down there.

Just say the word! Margaritaville here we come!!

[GoatLocker]

Sounds like a great idea, except the Cuba part. I can catch bonies right here in San Diego Bay, just little though. If going to Alaska, ya gotta get some halibut too. I'll enyoy watching Rob pull a Halibut in on his fly rod!

[El Presidente]

I am fine with the Florida Quays. Would love to spend some time there.

Now best time of year for fishing the FQ?. Best for us is either late Feb before we head to Havana for the festival or Late July in and around the RDTA.

What is the best season?

[CIGARHead]

» I am fine with the Florida Quays. Would love to spend some time there.

»

» Now best time of year for fishing the FQ?. Best for us is either late Feb

» before we head to Havana for the festival or Late July in and around the

» RDTA.

»

» What is the best season?

Prez. Late July is IDEAL. Warmer water = BIG fish. That would be a damn good time, and that is just when I am done w/ busy season at work. Lets make dis happen!

[Mel]

Is it not a little hot in July? What fish are the primary targets that time of year? Keys are the best overall for manyh reasons I feel.

[CIGARHead]

» Is it not a little hot in July? What fish are the primary targets that time

» of year? Keys are the best overall for manyh reasons I feel.

Mel, yes its hot in July. But I can only assume there will be a **** load of beer and other beverages to keep us drunk to the point we dont care. Plus , its the Keys - water everywhere.

Target fish would be tarpon, mahi, grouper, kingfish, cobia, red snapper - the list goes on and on till the break a dawn.

[Mel]

Thanks CIGARhead. I would like to avoid the spring and fall cause those are major turkey and deer times. I think the whole idea is grand.

[Ken Gargett]

so clearly we have everyone 100% in favour of the idea but not the slightest chance of making everybody happy. so the obvious answer is that we form a committee (to make certain the thing has no chance to succeed0 and go to lunch. i can organise that bit.

[El Presidente]

This is easy then

Florida Keys the week before the 2007 RTDA.

Now we need to do a little research on location, fishing, lodging etc.

[strayvector]

» This is easy then

»

» Florida Keys the week before the 2007 RTDA.

»

» Now we need to do a little research on location, fishing, lodging etc.

If someone wants to teach me how to fish, I'm in.

[CIGARHead]

» This is easy then

»

» Florida Keys the week before the 2007 RTDA.

»

» Now we need to do a little research on location, fishing, lodging etc.

Im on it Rob. If we are going for the fish then we need only go one place. Islamorada. We should probably rent a house or a few condos . Thats far cheaper than staying at a hotel,plus I can find one that already has a boat slip out back. Just stumble out to the back yard and your on the boat ready to fish. Depending on when in July we go, we may hit the "mini" lobster season. This year it was July 27-28. Two days of catching lobster and having so many of 'em you just throw them in the microwave w/ a little butter to cook them. Damn good. As for boats, depending on the number of people coming, we could either rent a nice one or I could try and convince one of my friends w/ bigger boats to drive it down. Sorry for the rant, this has gotten me excited:-D

[Shooter]

Hot Damn--this is coming together!

I'm a number of states away from FL but let me know what I can do to help arrange this trip!

[Freefallguy]

» Thanks CIGARhead. I would like to avoid the spring and fall cause those are

» major turkey and deer times. I think the whole idea is grand.

I'm with you Mel... besides, NO chance of a hurricane running the Florida Keys in July!

[Maverick]

Ken & Rob,

I couldnt help but put my two bobs worth in. You have missed one of the greatest fishing spots on earth.

I would love to see a FOH Fishing Odessy to the fantastic Bream playground of Deception Bay, or why not the piscatorial paradise that is Nudgee Beach & Nudgee River.

Why go all over the world when the greatest fishing paradise is but a 15-30 minute drive from home?

And forget all that fancy fly crap, lets fish like men, HAND LINES only, and why spend money on an expensive boat, I feel that if it cant be caught off the Shorncliffe jetty or the Hornibrook bridge, then its just not worth being caught.

This would also be more forgiving to some peoples wallets, let me know if you want me to book hotels, the Redcliffe Motel has been greeting patrons for many many years.

Regards

Ross...

[mgillett]

Sign me up Maverick. I have more chance of fishing off the Shorncliffe jetty than fishing for Bone fish in Cuba.