So, Saturday was looking like the perfect day for an offshore grouper/ amberjack/ snapper trip. The forecast was sunny skies, mid- 70’s, and winds 4-8 mph. The crew assembled at Dick’s house at 6:30 a.m., and we started loading the rods onto the boat. But there was one small problem. The winds were howling out of the Southeast at a solid 20-25 knots, with higher gusts. We checked the TV reports, and the weatherman was calling for light winds- the graphic on the screen said 2 mph. Yet a glance out the window showed whitecaps forming in Boca Ciega Bay.

We made the only reasonable call, and after a few hours gave up on our plan to head 40 miles offshore. Good thing, too. The wind never really laid down all day.

Tim and I opted to buy a few dozen fiddler crabs, and we bagged a few sheepshead (including one that was a brute).  Not the same as fighting 50 pound amberjack, though…

On Sunday, we spent a couple hours on Merry Pier… without a bite. Lots of dead floaters from the recent freeze, though, including some huge snook. What a shame. Later, we had a football party highlighted by grouper, sheepshead, NY strips, Portuguese sausage, bar-b-q shrimp, marinated shrimp, sweet & sour meatballs, fresh salad, and a few cocktails…

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