George teams up with the effervescent Captain Jim Willcox, to pursue snook and redfish deep in the Islamorada, Florida Keys, back waters. Leaving at first light to make a prime tide at a particular spot, their enthusiasm waned upon discovering bottle nose dolphin corralling and feeding upon a school of snook, the same school they planned on fishing! Things get very interesting from this point forward. But, catch fish they do, primarily on Storm soft plastics. This is one exciting, entertaining and educational episode that should not be missed. Poveromo and team stayed at the Pines & Palms Resort .
Spring ushers in some of the best sailfishing off South Florida. In this action-crammed episode, George and long-time pal Carl Grassi set forth out of Haulover Inlet for a day of sailfishing. With live-baits splashing frantically under a fishing kite and spread across the upwind side of the MARC VI, they release five sailfish, out of seven hookups. The subtleties involved in locating prime water, positioning surface- and sub-surface baits, scaling down terminal tackle for more bites, and hooking/fighting/releasing fish are highlighted. They used Penn Fathom Lever Drag reels spooled with 20lb Sufix Superior monofilament , 40lb Sufix Advance Fluorocarbon leaders and VMC Tournament Circle hooks. George docked his Mako 334 at North Miami’s TNT Custom Marine.
An annual ritual occurring throughout the Florida Keys , the July mangrove snapper spawn yields fast and furious fishing – if your timing is dead on. George and Captain Beau Woods showcase just how hit or miss this spawn can be. Basing out of Cudjoe, in the lower Florida Keys, George's Simrads mark heavy concentrations of mangroves at their initial spot. However, the snappers ignore everything lowered to them. The scenario repeats at other spots,forcing them to instead target yellowtails. However, George and Beau go back after the mangroves the following day - and absolutely crush them! Jump aboard the MARC VI to see the many tricks and subtleties involved in this fishery. Parmer’s Resort is an ideal property to stay at when visiting the Cudjoe area.
With his MARC VI docked at the Brielle Yacht Club Marina, George and Ryan DeGraw - AKA - “The Jersey Kid”, contend with a bleak marine forecast, save for a seven hour “window” on one of the mornings. Taking full advantage of that window, they charge out into a dark New Jersey ocean and arrive at a spot prior to day break. Porpoise and whales greet them, and George’s Simrads mark sand eels and some yellowfin tuna. However, the bite proves challenging, whether jigging, chugging top water plugs, live-chumming with peanut bunker and even chunking! Persistence does pay off, as George and Ryan pull it out - right before a southerly breeze gusting to 25 knots slams their "window" shut. The Brielle Yacht Club Marina hosted George’s boat and team.
Timing is everything when targeting three of the Florida Keys most sought-after species: blackfin tuna, mahi and yellowtail snapper. With his MARC VI, a Mako 334 center console , docked at Islamorada's World Wide Sportsman, George and Captain Ryan Wenzel focus on all three species during their September outing. After loading up on live pilchards, they race to the blackfins at the 409 Hump. After scoring here, they head farther offshore looking for mahi. With plenty of blackfins and mahi to clean, they opt to "yellowtail" the next morning; how'd they fare on the 'tails? You'll have to watch this episode to find out! Poveromo and team stayed at the Pines & Palms Resort.
George takes his Shallow-Water MARC, a Mako 21 LTS to Tampa Bay to fish with the legendary and always-entertaining Captain Mike Goodwine. This amazing ecosystem supports a wide variety of game fish. Mike whips a 100-pound class tarpon right off the bat. The duo then take turns pitching live and cut baits at a big tripletail, forcing it into the depths. George lowers a weighted Storm soft plastic bait and the tripletail rises, bird-dogs the offering right to the boat and devourers it! From here, it’s all about Mike’s specialty: catching redfish. To celebrate their successful outing, Mike grills up tomahawk steaks and, of course, that big tripletail.
George and local ace Ariel Medero target late season mahi and blackfin tuna off Marathon, Florida Keys. They initially happen upon a large cargo net, which yields a single mahi. Being good stewards of the ocean, they remove the net from the water. As good Karma would have it, they soon uncover two large schools of mahi. At the Hump, they crush the blackfins on Rapala X-Rap Magnum Xplode top water lures! And just when they thought their luck was waning, blackfins and mahi simultaneously erupt into wild feeding blitzes along a nearby weedline. Upholding their good Karma, the trip closes with them racing to a major boat fire, where they arrive second on the scene to offer assistance. Faro Blanco Resort & Yacht Club served as their base of operations
That late afternoon through sundown period is magical for catching both Miami's offshore and inshore game fish. George and Captain Abie Raymond set forth during this window to catch blackfin tuna and tarpon. Drifting live-baits offshore, they release two sailfish before scoring their blackfin. Then, right before sundown, they head into Biscayne Bay to drift live crabs for tarpon. George soon battles a 100-pound class tarpon on light Penn spin tackle. After releasing the tarpon, they enjoy a victorious evening cruise back north through Biscayne Bay, and to TNT Custom Marine, which services George’s Mercury outboards.
Can deep- and slow-pitch jigging compete against live and fresh baits off the lower Florida Keys ? George and Diego Toiran target blackfin tuna over deep Cudjoe-area wrecks early in the morning, then drift the reefs afterwards in search of mutton snapper. Fishing Williamson flutter-style irons side-by-side against live pinfish and fresh squid, the action is most impressive - and the results may surprise you! The production team based out of Parmer's Resort on Little Torch Key.
George trailers his Shallow-Water MARC, a Mako 21LTS , to Destin, in the Florida panhandle. With local pro Gabrielle Barnes leading the way, they target amberjack over an artificial reef a mere five miles from the pass. Gabrielle scores a fish on every drift, prompting George to finally switch over to live bait. They score more amberjack before sharks crash the party; one of which nearly launches into the boat in pursuit of a hooked fish. Their day ends with soaking live baits upcurrent of the Destin Bridge and going three for six on bull redfish (and, yes, Gabrielle scores all three redfish!). George and team stayed at the Emerald Grande at HarborWalk Village. Harbor Docks treated the team to a dinner of lionfish prepared sushi-style, blackened and fried.
The Marquesas lie approximately 28 miles west of Key West. It's here where George spent a great deal of his childhood fishing with his father, Melvin, a dentist on Bay Harbor Islands (Miami Beach). This was Melvin’s favorite fishing destination and mutton snapper was his favorite fish to catch. Enter Captain Mark Schmidt, a Key West guide and long-time friend of George's who also favors fishing here. Together, they set forth to fish the rockpiles on the Gulf side of the Marquesas. Friendship, fond memories and fast fishing highlight this Florida Keys episode.