Readers Stories

View from the Chickee: The Outboard Factor

by Mike Stubblefield As we made the turn out of the creek connecting Mud Bay to the first of the two Cross Bays, I saw nothing but dirty brown water and knew we were in trouble. Les, in his East Cape Canoe Gladesmen with trim tabs, made it three-quarters...

Published 03-15-2010 12:58 PM by GAFF Mag Issue Jan-Feb 2010

Filed under: chokoloskee, view from the chickee, readers stories, mike stubblefield, outboard factor

My Tarpon

by Vicky Wiegand On Sunday, August 23 rd , I hooked a monster tarpon. It was a beautiful day on the water. My boyfriend, Daniel Martinko and I, along with our friends, Mike and Lindsay, were fishing off the small town of Lanark Village in north Florida...

Published 02-01-2010 12:43 PM by GAFF Mag Issue Nov-Dec 2009

Filed under: readers story, tarpon, tarpon fight, vicky wiegand

The View from the Chickee: Black Day on the Lopez

by Mike Stubblefield Three Dog Rick muttered and cussed to himself as he walked his biggest hound, a black standard poodle he was training to hunt, through the RV park. The big poodle--young but tuned to Three Dog's moods--kept the extendable leash...

Published 01-14-2010 1:29 PM by GAFF Mag Issue Nov-Dec 2009

Filed under: chokoloskee, view from the chickee, readers stories, mike stubblefield, black day on the lopez

Land of the Lost

Land of the Lost By Susan Jinbo Today, my husband, Craig, caught his first real Trophy Fish. It means different things in different sports. In most arenas, even one as innocent as little league, it means cheering crowds, a slap on the back by teammates...

Published 12-01-2009 1:53 PM by GAFF Mag Issue Sep-Oct 2009

Filed under: readers stories, dock, trophy fish, black drum, land of the lost, cedar key

The View from the Chickee: Lou's Time Out

by Mike Stubblefield Chokoloskee Florida - 2009 "Winds ESE 5-7 knots; bay and inland waters a light chop; temperatures to 91 degrees; skies clear. Full moon low tide at 8:46 a.m." The marine weather forecast played in the marina office as Leaky...

Published 12-01-2009 1:28 PM by GAFF Mag Issue Sep-Oct 2009

Filed under: chokoloskee, search, view from the chickee, readers stories, lou, mike stubblefield, chickee, lost at sea

Prop Out of Water

Smack. Slap. That's the way my morning began at the end of a long, dark road, on an eastern edge of Tampa Bay. No-see-ums started nipping necks and legs as we loaded our gear into the boat. Looking back, that was the only negative thing that day held...

Published 04-20-2009 1:28 PM by GAFF Mag Issue Mar-Apr 2009

The View From the Chickee

Chokoloskee, Florida - 2008 Winds fifteen, gusting to 20, NNW; extreme low, full moon tide at 6:30 A.M.; temperature under the chickee at the water's edge: 48-degrees. The old houseboat tied up in the little marina was not floating; indeed, it was resting...

Published 04-20-2009 1:16 PM by GAFF Mag Issue Mar-Apr 2009

The Classic "I Should Have Stayed in Bed!"

All four of my kids went to their grandfathers on Saturday, so my wife and I decided to take advantage of the opportunity. We got up before sunrise to rig up for snook and reds, and readied the offshore gear so we could live bait and high speed troll...

Published 12-23-2008 10:27 AM by GAFF Mag Issue Jan-Feb 2009

Tu Tu, Tale of the Triple Grander

Tu Tu, the great fish, seemed to be getting weaker, bleeding out, and probably the reason we were able to stay with her for the past two hours. The 80-pound tackle was nothing more than ultra light tackle to this "honored grand mother.' This made for...

Published 10-31-2008 8:04 AM by GAFF Mag Issue Jul-Aug 2005

Hoo's On First (and Second)

How many times can you catch the same fish? As many times as you'll let me tell the story. Wahoo, can tip the scales at a hefty 100 pounds and grow to over six feet in length. They bring out the true meaning of the word "gaffer" and are definitely on...

Published 10-31-2008 7:58 AM by GAFF Mag Issue Jul-Aug 2005

Married to a Fisherman

After a week of enduring grocery lists, childcare, laundry, nightly dinners for a family of five, and the other numerous wifely duties as expected, I was looking forward to the weekly visit to our beach house. It is here that I can finally relax, enjoy...

Published 10-31-2008 7:56 AM by GAFF Mag Issue Jan-Feb 2006

Thanks, Dad, For a Lifetime of Fishing Memories

My dad, Roy Athey, loves to fish. It all started when he was 5 years old. His mom cut a willow branch, rigged it with a line and hook, and baited the hook with a dough ball. Little Roy hooked a bass, but his mom didn't think he could bring it in so she...

Published 10-31-2008 7:51 AM by GAFF Mag Issue May-Jun 2006

Part Tarpon - Part Terror

While fishing in the Cobia Invitational, Matt Clark spotted a white object moving southeasterly. We quickly steered toward it to inspect what we thought would be a manta ray, which generally means cobia. As we got closer we thought maybe a whale. Then...

Published 10-31-2008 7:50 AM by GAFF Mag Issue May-Jun 2005

Boatless in Jacksonville

Jacksonville, the largest city in the USA - known for its sun laden beaches, extensive bridge systems, hundreds of miles of waterways, Naval bases, and home to the Jaguars loomed on the horizon like an isolated mountain range waiting to be climbed. It...

Published 10-31-2008 7:46 AM by GAFF Mag Issue Jul-Aug 2006

Back From Iraq

When a tournament like the Big Bend Saltwater Classic is produced, the organizers can only hope it will be a success. Success comes in many forms including great weather, great fishing and a great turnout. You even hope for a few records to be broken...

Published 10-31-2008 7:45 AM by GAFF Mag Issue Sep-Oct 2006

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