Jan 17th 2025 12hr overnight St Pete FL (rebooked)

[JasonGotaProblem]

Booking another overnight on Jan 10th Jan 17th out of Hubbard's marina. Last one was a big success. It would be cool if more forum folks join us so this is an open invitation.

Joe is already booked. I'll book as soon as my wife gets around to sending the gift cert email.

Anyone do any reef fishing in the Gulf in January? What should I expect?

[ReelFishingProblems]

I've gone out on charters in late December and early January. Lots of grunts and some big mangrove snappers.

[jtwill98]

Anyone do any reef fishing in the Gulf in January? What should I expect?

I answer your question after I try my luck in the Gulf near South Padre the same weekend in Jan.  We can compare notes.

[JasonGotaProblem]

I'm booked if it turns super cold like roughly  half the reports are showing I'm sure they'll cancel. I can deal with fishing in the 40s the catch stays fresher

[Brewcrafter]

Good luck Jason! - john

[MACflyer]

Jason, hope the weather cooperates. I've had some really good fishing trips in the GOM in Jan and Feb, but daytime only. I don't know how deep Hubbard's goes on their overnighters, but I believe you'll see lots of gray snapper, porgies, and lane snapper, and possibly African pompano, yellowtail snapper, and red grouper. When we get into the snapper bite, it's usually fast and furious so high speed is better. I also like the double snell hook set up as snappers get their name for a reason. Not sure how the grays school up, but I've found the bigger red snapper are often a little higher up than the smaller ones. Good luck!

[JasonGotaProblem]

I'm getting myself packed, but I'm also scared it's maybe gonna be 20mph winds and there might not be enough folks booked for the trip to go.

Yeah I'm getting excited.

[MACflyer]

I'm a bit south of you Jason, and was planning to go out Saturday for red grouper. NOAA now calling for 3-5' with occasional 6'. Forecast looked ok a day or so ago. Sometimes the forecast changes for the better about 36 hours out. Hope your forecast gets better. We're staying home.

[Ron Jones]

Go get em!
The Man

[JasonGotaProblem]

Thank you thank you. It's 1 am here and I just finished packing. Why'd I stay up tonight doing it? So I can actually rest tomorrow night for once. I usually go on these things with like 2 hours sleep. Trying to do better this time.

[jgp12000]

What are you taking from the arsenal? Don't catchem' all now

[JasonGotaProblem]

What are you taking from the arsenal? Don't catchem' all now

Newell 220 (40# braid 80# leader) on purpose-built rod with 3 double snell 2/0 hooks on dropper loops (so 6 hooks total)
Accurate 270 magnum on the Newell Rod's prettier cousin with 2 sets of double snell 4/0 hooks (same braid and leader)

Penn Baja special on a 60-100# rod with 1 set double snell 8/0 hooks (65# braid 80# leader)

Gonna get some big fat shrimp, and will likely primarily use the supplied cut squid and threadfins.

Gonna start with the shrimp on the Newell and probably end up cutting the 2nd hooks off to switch to squid cubes.
Will switch to the accurate with threadfins as soon as I see bigger stuff start coming over the rail.
If I get  a small grunt on any of the above I'll probably send him back out on the Baja to try for grouper.

Probably not gonna bother trolling on the way out. we were going way too fast last time, and frankly on the way back in I was glad nothing hit because I woulda been too tired to fight a big mahi or wahoo anyway.

[MACflyer]

Your set up for grouper is the same as mine, although my rod is a little lighter. Recently, I've been using lighter leader, 40lb, for snapper with good success. I've heard they have keen eyesight, however I've never fished for them at night. Will be watching this thread for some good results.

[Crab Pot]

Good luck tomorrow, Jason, post lots of pictures.

[JasonGotaProblem]

Cancelled due to weather. Coast guard rules apparently.

I was so ready. I lost so much sleep for nothing.