Jim Knapp and his nephew Lad fished with us last June and had an incredible day with snapper, grouper, jacks, dolphin, wahoo, tuna and a big swordfish. He really wanted for Lad to get a sailfish and there had been some around so I felt pretty confident. When Jim and I were planning the trip he told me, "I would love to get ten sails, but we really need to get just one for Lad". After getting the bait we set up on the edge and with a good north current and east wind the conditions were right. Right away, Lad hooked a nice twenty-five pound mahi on the kite and the fish jumped and jumped. Jim's young nephew did a great job on the dolphin and after we put the fish in the boat I was sure Lad could handle a sailfish. After a couple nice kings, Jim hooked a sail on the right long and Jim's brother in law Paul hooked one on the left. After a tough battle, we released both fish and Lad had caught his first sailfish. Everyone was so happy and the pressure was off. We ran back to the south and caught a couple more sails and a bonita. As the afternoon wore on the seas got bigger and the sailfish started biting better and better. By 2:00 in the afternoon we were up to eight releases and double digits seemed within reach. Jim was doing a great job watching the baits all day and didn't miss any fish. On the ninth sail a strong gust of wind blew both kites in the water and as the L&H retrieved the kites the fish pulled off. I ran back to the south to get back in front of the fish and as soon as Freddie got the baits out we hooked a double. We were able to release both fish and Jim's wish of double digits came true. Our team put the baits back out and Jim released another sailfish for good measure before we headed for home. With the L&H sporting eleven sailfish flags back at the marina it was our best day so far this year (of 2011). Thanks alot to Jim and his guys for doing a great job and congrats to little Lad on releasing his first sailfish.
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