Wow

"That's a puppy!" Capt. Chris O'Neill of Tail Chaser Charter Service said about my first jewfish of the morning, laughing as he unhooked a 75-pounder at boat side and watched it slipped away. I guess it was a pup, compared to the 500, 600- and 700-pound fish that O'Neill sometimes catches, but it sure didn't feel small when I set the hook. I didn't manage one of the absolute giants. My biggest was 175 pounds or so (all estimation as no fish are removed from the water). But even that one almost yanked me out of the boat. Jeff Strane of Tampa, who helped keep me in my seat, caught one that likely weighed 250 pounds.

The trip, which was based in Boca Grande, was a fabulous prelude into the Southeastern Outdoor Press Association conference, which begins tomorrow in Punta Gorda.

More fish tails and maybe a bit more about what's cool and new to follow.