Alex Caught a Blue

Alex Switzer fished amongst an onslaught of anglers all trying their luck in catching the big one while out on the boards of the Venice City pier, located at the west end of Sharky’s on the Pier. As the water temperatures were non-cooperating and the off color water, due to the cloudy to patchy sun trying to peek through, one could see the bottom at fourteen feet down. This makes for a beautiful picture but hard to bite on the fish as they see hook and all. While most of the anglers were catching a case of the blues, Al actually caught his first Blue Fish and proud he was.



Between intermittent drops of passing drizzle, the Bottlenose Dolphin rounded up a ball or two of dancing ladies (Ladyfish or poor men’s Tarpon), to which also fell prey to Silly Willies and Gotcha’s alike. Cigar minnows patrolled the pillions and the occasional Pompano to Spanish fell to the bump stop retrieve of my pink and white Silly Willy.



Al Switzer, Alex’s dad snapped the photo’s of his sons prized catch, as well the sea of rays, to which were grazing the bars along the piers edges. When Cow nose Rays appear around the pier or any location you are fishing means there are probably some sort of invertebrate swimming about as these gentle gliding creatures of the sea feed on them as well clams to oysters. Rolling Dolphins to gliding rays usually means the bite is right and a turn on is near. Casting directly behind the rays can produce a number of species of fish from Cobia to Blues. While a cast just to the side or in front of the rolling Bottlenose is a best bet in finding erratic Mullet to Spanish mackerel, which are on the dolphins menu. Do not worry about catching the dolphin for it is far smarter than most give it credit. It will not take your lure but in hooking it up, it will take your catch so hast is necessary in landing your catch, unless you are happy with only half a fish to none!





Always remember to pay close attention to following the rules which apply to your particular area, watch your bag limits if taking home your catch and most of all practice CPR (Catch, Photograph and Release) when at all possible. Sustaining our marine fisheries of the future is in your hands. Just because the bag limit says say fifteen, take only what is needed to feed your bunch and release the rest. This way there will be more tomorrow and so forth.

“FISH ON!”
™