Goliath Grouper on Kayak

Sometime last year, Jim VanPelt and I were shark fishing on Bonita Beach and talking about fishing. We were discussing kayak fishing and all the different species of big fish we had caught. At some point, we began talking about the fish we wanted to try from a kayak. I will never forget his reaction when I brought up goliath grouper. “Can’t be done”, he said without hesitation. The conversation moved on, but I kept thinking about the possibilities. So did Jim.

He brought it up a month later. He had been thinking about it, as I had, and had some ideas on how it could be done. We talked to friends of ours who had experience with goliath grouper and we were always answered with “It can’t be done”. I searched the internet for any videos or forum posts of anyone who had done it, and found none. Soon after, Jim and I started to say “We’re gonna try”.

One of the main problems we thought about was leverage. When we watched footage of big goliath hooked using a rod, the leverage belonged to the fish and the angler usually had to rest the rod on the side of the boat or had help lifting the rod from another angler. In a kayak, there would be no help so, in theory, the fish would just turn the kayak over. Also, there would be nothing to keep the fish from dragging the kayak, angler and all, into the pilings and under water. Neither of us wanted this to be overly dangerous so we thought of alternatives.

One of the things we decided on fairly quickly was the kayak. We both use Hobie Pro Angler kayaks and they are exceedingly stable and buoyant crafts. This would help gain some advantage over more slender kayaks. Another solution was to use a handline on the goliath. This is a viable and tested method that is used by many anglers. It may help overcome some of the leverage disadvantage we were facing as well. We also decided we needed a safety boat. Until we knew what damage these fish were capable of visiting upon our plastic craft, we had to err on the side of caution. Now that we had a plan, we were ready.

Enter Captain Ben Chauncey. Ben is a renowned goliath grouper guide and the Host of Chew on This, a show about pushing the limits of angling. Ben has more knowledge about landing big goliath grouper than anyone else out there. Jim had been talking to Ben about our plan for a few months, trying to fine tune some ideas. Finally, the day came when Ben said “let’s do it tomorrow” and the waiting was over.

Jim and I met on the Sanibel Causeway. We were both excited and a little hesitant. We had no idea what to expect as Ben arrived on his boat with the camera boat close behind. We made our way over to the bridge span where we began to prepare for this mammoth undertaking. Jim was our guinea pig. He tied off his kayak to the back of Ben’s boat. This was for several reasons. The current around the bridge is fairly strong and it would be impossible to keep the kayak in place in front of the pilings. Also, we predicted the goliath would quickly pull the kayak into the pilings, and possibly under. If this happened, at the very least we could recover the kayak. The rope would also be used to pull Jim and the fish back to the boat so the fish could be tagged and released properly.

 

Once everything was in place, Jim took possession of the 30ft handline rope fitted with a gaff hook on one end. Ben baited the hook with a large live jack crevalle and the bait was placed in the water. It didn’t take long for the rope to shudder, and then tighten. There was a fish on that quick and Jim furiously pulled on the rope to set the hook. It was a miss as the goliath dropped the hook before it could be set. This happened a couple more times and we were beginning to think that setting the hook would be impossible. Jim tossed another bait out and I paddled a little closer. I said “this is the one buddy, get ready”. The line shuddered and began to tighten. Jim waited a little longer than he had been, and then pulled hard. “Fish on!” he yelled as the hook found its mark. Ben hit the gas and the boat lurched forward, pulling Jim from the pilings. Jim was pulling on the rope like a madman to get the fish to the surface. Suddenly there was a splash on the surface and there it was. Jim had landed an approximately 120lb goliath grouper on a handline from a kayak!

 

After some cheering and highfiving, we moved in to take pictures. Ben tagged the big fish and released it. We discussed the catch and refined the plan. Jim noticed that he had control of the fish didn’t feel threatened. We decided we would not use the boat to pull him out and see what happened. We would still keep the kayak tethered for obvious safety reasons, but Jim would be on his own against the next fish.

 

This time, there were no missed hookups. Jim set the hook and this time it was very different. The line ripped through his unprotected hands as he struggled to gain control. At first, the kayak was pulled toward the pilings, but the strong current hitting the face of the concrete pushed him back off. As Jim pulled the rope in hand over hand, it would be pulled back by the mighty fish. This went on for what seemed like a lifetime. Suddenly, the goliath gave in. Jim hoisted him to the top of the water and its giant head shook violently. This was truly a goliath. Ben estimated this fish at over 300lbs! This big fish was also tagged and released after a round of picture taking to commemorate the event.

This was the first time a goliath grouper over 100lbs had been landed on a kayak. Jim did it twice in a matter of less than an hour! That evening we released our news over various social media outlets. Most people were astounded by the pictures and video. There were, of course, the naysayers who had negative opinions on the way the fish were caught, yet I have still not seen any videos or pictures of anyone else attempting this. This was a truly momentous event and it was a pleasure to be a part of it. I join the kayak fishing community in congratulating Jim on accomplishing what no one else thought was possible.

Bass on the Road.

Bass on the Road is a story about two kayak anglers embarking on a fishing road trip. Bob Bramblet and Jim VanPelt are mainly saltwater anglers and decided to try something different. They left the shallow inshore flats of Southwest Florida and began a weeklong journey through South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama in search of as many different bass species as they could find. Rob Devore of Yaktastic Adventures and cameraman Chris Patricella went along for the ride to capture the action, or in some cases, the lack thereof. The guys met up with Stewart Venable, Evan Howard and Eric Hughes of the River Stalkers. What followed was a story of adversity, weather, miles and miles of driving and ultimate success. And humor, lots of humor.

The short film has recieved great reviews and was featured on the Florida Sportsman website as well as in the Culprit Baits video collection. It is a listed short adventure film on IMDb.com as well.

Polk County Surprise

Located in the center of a state known for beautiful sunny beaches, being landlocked would be a drawback for most places, but not Polk County. Encompassing Lakeland, Bartow and Winter Haven, Polk County offers much more than one would think.

 

Recently, I traveled there to attend a Florida Outdoor Writer’s Association conference, which was being held at the West Gate River Ranch in Lake Wales. My route was surrounded by beautiful rural areas with some rare Florida rolling hills that add to the beauty. With miles upon miles of open meadows housing cattle and many citrus farms, this is without a doubt, Florida ranch land. As I drove through Lake Wales I soon arrived at my destination, but not before I took in the sights of Bok Tower Gardens and the panoramic views from the Iron Mountain, one of the highest points in Florida.

 

Situated on 1,700 acres, West Gate River Ranch Resort claims to be the world’s largest dude ranch. It is indeed large, boasting amenities such as a marina, conference center, restaurant, lodge, airport, saloon, and chapel. The ranch even has a western themed “downtown” area with a large and well-stocked general store and café, not to mention the video arcade for the kids and a fitness center.

 

Here, there is a wide variety of activities to suit just about anyone, including horseback riding trails throughout the ranch that extend into the adjacent 7,000 acre KICCO Wildlife Management Area. From the marina, there are boat rentals and fishing guides ready to help you explore the Kissimmee River or the nearby Lake Kissimmee, known for world-class bass fishing. There’s also a multi-lane, full service skeet range and a 9-hole golf course with a pro shop and driving range. On Saturday nights, the ranch really comes alive with an after dinner hay ride, and an authentic rodeo followed by a country dance. This real-life rodeo features trick riding, bull riding, calf roping, barrel racing, and rodeo clown antics.

 

Accommodations fit a wide range of options, including lodge rooms, villas and cabins, most of them within walking distance to all the activities offered. My check-in was convenient and my room was clean and well appointed. After checking out the room, I spent the afternoon exploring the property with the help of the resort map. The grounds are very nicely landscaped and shaded by beautiful large oak trees. Later in the evening was the conference dinner and auction, so I ventured to the Conference Center, which was very large with a beautifully exposed beam ceiling. The meal was catered by the resort and the food was great!

 

Early the next morning, I headed down to the marina to participate in the conference fishing tournament. The marina is connected by a short canal that runs directly into the Kissimmee River. My guide was Jason Young, an accomplished professional guide and tournament angler. We left the marina as the sun rose and fished along the scenic river toward the lake just north of the resort. After traversing a lock we entered Lake Kissimmee and the scenery was equally as beautiful as the river! I found myself more interested in gazing across the water then catching fish.

 

As noon approached, we headed in for lunch which was again catered, but this time located at the resort’s Smokehouse restaurant. The food was outstanding and the waterfront views were beautiful, as the restaurant is right on the marina. To complete the trifecta, the service from the resort staff was very friendly!

 

Later that evening, I attended the FOWA Conference Banquet. This was yet another catered meal by the resort in the beautiful Conference Center which of course they exceeded in every respect. Courtesy of Citrus County, we were started off with appetizers of shrimp, oysters and stone crab claws, and they were excellent! Throughout the night there were presentations made in the comfortable ambiance and no one left hungry.

 

The next morning I went to the Smokehouse for breakfast before heading home. This was not a catered event, but I was curious about what a “regular” meal would be like at the ranch. The breakfast buffet was very good and the omelet station was manned by Pierre, an artist in his own right! Following suit, the service was very professional and courteous.

 

As I left the resort, I once again took notice of the size and vast number of amenities that the ranch offers. My short stay at this Polk County gem was pleasing to say the least, and the outdoor opportunities offered make this ranch more than worth the trip.