June 10th & 11th, 2002 -- Don and Heidi Looney

Don and Heidi Looney (Key Largo, Fl.) fished two 1/2 days. Heidi set the trip up as a surprise for Don. Don apparently has had several of his snook fishing friends take him snook fishing ... but just that snook fishing, not snook catching. Monday evening, though it took several stops, Don got his first snook ... a real nice 31 1/2" fish. Unfortunately, we were dodging Florida's famous liquid sunshine all evening and had to scoot and run every time we setup or we would probably have caught more!

However, the conditions were just about perfect for the big tarpon in the rivers. So, we positioned ourselves in our selected river and waited for the big shiners to show up. And show up they did ... finally. There were fish all over the place ... but, non-feeding fish!! We did not jump a single tarpon!!! We did have one pick up. We saw the fish's head wake come up the bait and counted down until it gobbled it. Don fought and landed a nice 80lb black-tip shark to finish the evening.

The next morning, we had hoped to catch some permit, but the early morning breeze prevented the trip. However, I had been following a school of large snook for some time, but it had been taking big baits to get them to feed in the late morning. We shot off to several places to catch some "special big baits" (Don you now know what they are!!). Unfortunately, we did not raise any of the big snook. Don, did fight and land a nice Goliath Grouper and a shark close to 100lbs. More importantly, Heidi could not break her smile from all the sea turtles and manatees she was seeing.

I had a great time fishing with you guys and hope to do it again... Don, we will get you your permit next time ... do not forget to call me before your Wilderness Waterway trip.

If you would like to book a trip with Chokoloskee Charters, please call The Captain @ (239) 695-9107 or www.ChokoloskeeCharters.com