[Fishin' DC's]

Just me and the dog went fishing out of Suwannee, FL on 12/4. I went out to a rocky bottom area 11 miles out in 25 - 30 ft that I had not fished previously. Arrived and put out two Mann's stretch lures (Stretch 20 and 25) and started trolling at 4-4.5 mph. Almost immediately the rod with the pink body/black back Stretch 20 went down hard. When the fish broke the surface, at first I thought it was a big gag grouper, but the closer he got to the boat, I realized it was a bull redfish. When I got him in the boat, he measured 38 inches long and weighed 22lbs. There I was with the biggest fish I have ever caught and no partner to vouch for it, nor a camera to snap a picture, only my fishing dog, Bailey as a witness. Back it went in the water (FL max length is 27").

I was surprised the red hit a trolling lure. Has anybody else trolled up any? This spot will definitely be on my regular run from now on...and a camera will be on the boat.