12, 14 and 24 Hour Summer Trips 2011

We will be starting our Spring and Summer Seasonal trips next month. We will be running two 12 Hour Red Grouper trips on Sunday May 8th and 22nd. We will be fishing 30-40 miles. Trips will be from 6am-6pm. Reservations can be made one week prior to trip dates. Fishing positions will be "first come first served" on the day of trip. We will have 14 Hour Red Snapper trips on June 5th and 19th leaving 4am and returning 6pm. We will be targeting Red Snapper in the 50-60 mile range. Reservations for these trips can be made starting May 13th. Reserved fishing positions will be available and must be paid for 3 days prior to trip. Our 24 Hour Overnight Middle Grounds trip will be from 7pm Saturday June 25th to 7pm Sunday June 26th. We will be targeting Red and Mangrove Snapper, Red Grouper, Scamp, Porgies and Vermillion Snapper. Reservations begin on June 5th and must be paid for one week prior to trip. Call our ticket office for more info. Come join the fun!!

Gag Grouper season will open from September 16-November 15. This is the longest closure we have ever seen for Gag. Some extended trips for Gag will most likely be available when the season opens. The Double Eagle Fleet has joined with the Charter Fisherman's Association in pursuing new programs that will ensure that access to the Gulf Fishery for our customers. We are currently working with the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council and National Marine Fisheries Service on the implementation of a seperate FMP(Fishery Management Plan) for the Charter for Hire and headboat fleet. If the plan is successful, it will ensure a sustainable fishery for the charter for hire and headboat fleet. This would allow us to be 100 % accountable for our fishery and give us longer fishing seasons. For more info or to join and support C.F.A., visit their website at www.charterfisherman.org.

Good fishing to all. See you soon!!

UPCOMING 14 HOUR TRIPS

The Gulf Council is having a meeting the week of April 11, 2011. During this meeting they will be addressing the 2011 season for Gag Grouper in the Gulf of Mexico. I will be attending this meeting and will set dates for the 14 Hour and possible 24 Hour summer trips when I return. Stay tuned to our blog for dates. As of now, Gag Grouper are still closed for harvest. We should know soon when the season will open. rumor has it that the season will be from September 16 - November 15. Red Grouper are now open and Red Snapper will open June 1, so we will not have any extended trips until at least the beginning of June.

Our regular 4 and 8 hour trips have been doing great. We are having great catches of Grey Snapper(aka White Grunts) Sea Bass, Porgies and some "keeper" Red Grouper. The 8 hour trip is catching the same with a few more legal Red Grouper than the half day. One recent catch ahd a total of 26 legal Red Grouper up to approx. 18 lbs. Both trips have been releasing several nice Gag Grouper each day. Hopefully the season will open soon!!

Weather has been great. Light winds and calm seas have been the norm. We are in our busy season, so we recommend reservations for all trips. We have some private charters on the schedule so please be sure to check availability of your desired trip before you make the drive to the marina. Trips availability and reservations can be made by calling our ticket office.

Say goodbye to a long, cold winter and hello to a gorgeous Spring. Come on down and go fishing. See you soon!!

Capt. Chad