Feb 2nd Ceros

Finally back out after some other work and a lot of windy days. Pushed off with neighbor’s son and went on the search for some pilchards. Worked hard at it for over an hour and got the live well stocked up mostly with small ones. It was still 2-4 on the reef but we found a good spot in about 94’ and just coming off high tide. This looked to be a good set up, falling tide and NE wind. We got the anchor hooked up, starting setting rigs up and put the chum out but it was not moving. The current was heading inshore against the tide, not the ideal yellowtail set up. Decided to make the most of it since we had bait in the livewell. We got a freeline out and dropped to the bottom while waiting for the slick to set up. Picked up a few small YTs, and porgies. Started drifting small live pilchards and it was not long before we got a runner and the first Cero comes over the rail.  Tried putting live ones on the bottom for bigger snappers and got bit off on the way down. Switched one to a small trace of wire and the bite slowed. We keep working two with fluoro leaders and put the wire on the freelined bait. Fished thru a few bite offs and got a couple corner hooked that went in the box. Finally get the drag screaming on the freeline rod. This is the biggest cero yet and worked it to the boat and in the box.

Only out for a few hours but we got some great eats in the box.

Great afternoon fishing in Marathon