We have seen some hints of summer in the past few weeks, and the fishing is showing it. I was training my 3 labs at a ranch west of Stuart this past weekend and the thermometer on my truck read 88 degrees. The ocean has flattened out for us a few times and luckily I had charters scheduled and was able to take advantage of the great conditions. Local resident Bud Scheie has been trying to get out with me to fish the Giant jacks on fly but the conditions in the ocean never cooperated with us. Last week though it all came together and we were able to make it out. The weather was perfect, flat seas, no wind, warm water, and a full tank of gas so we could track the Jacks down. Unfortunately the Jacks had other plans on this day and didn't want to show up and play our game. We covered many miles up and down the beach to no avail, but the fish Gods didn't leave us empty handed they bestowed upon us a couple nice schools of Cobia. Bud made some great casts with his 12 wt rod and was rewarded with a nice cobia on the fly and a great dinner that night. We'll get those jacks next time Bud! On a side note my charter the next day yielded a dozen Giant Jack hookups on fly and we landed probably six of them the biggest being 27 pounds the smallest around 20. My clients that day where Mark Denigris and his buddy Marc Brock from New York. It just goes to show that things can change on the water very fast, for the good or bad. To bad for Bud he was a day early.
