March 20, 2010 OCTOBER 7, 2009
Saturday, March 20, 2010 was a beautiful day on the water - perfect for an offshore trip. The crew left the dock at Stump Pass Marina at 7:00 AM and headed approximately 20 miles offshore looking for big fish. We chummed for a while at set up a good solid slick, and soon after the bite was on - huge Grouper were coming over the side of the boat, pictures taken, and released to get caught another day. Everyone had a good time - weather conditions were beautiful, sunny, flat seas, water warming up, and winds less than 5 knots - beautiful. Hey JayBird - HAPPY BIRTHDAY - we love you!!!
Let's Go Fishing!!!
Captain W. Duane Sousa, Jr.
March 18, 2010
Captain Duane Sousa and crew left Stump Pass early AM in hopes of going offshore, but seas were 5 to 8 feet, and the wind blowing. So we headed for Gasparilla instead to try for some Sheepshead at the old train trestle. Winds were around 10 to 15 knots, with water flat in the Pass. We anchored up at the trestle, got the Sheepshead into a frenzy chumming, and the bite was on. We spent four hours and had our limit - great size fish. Thanks to the "crew" for another great day on the water in Southwest Florida!!!
Captain W. Duane Sousa, Jr.
MARCH 1, 2010
Big boy II Sport Fishing Charters left Stump Pass Marina at 7:00 AM and headed for the Train Trestle.....waited for incoming tide anchored up at the pylons. Once the tide started coming in, the bite was on. The crew put keeper Sheepshead on the boat all morning - measuring 14 to 16", beautiful keeper fish. Weather was great - less than 5 knots, sunny with water temparature around 58 degrees. Fishing is picking up - they are out there.........Let's go fishing!!!
Captain W. Duane Sousa, Jr.
FEBRUARY 23, 2010
Captain Duane Sousa and crew headed out of Stump Pass Marina at noon for a half day of bottom fishing in Gasparilla Pass and at the old train trestle. Weather conditions were great, water temperature still holding at 54 degrees, very little wind and full sun. The crew pulled up some Grouper, and finished out the day looking for Sheepshead. They bent the rods all afternoon, and we look forward to fishing with them again soon.
FEBRUARY 20, 2010
On Saturday February 20, 2010, Captain Duane Sousa, Jr. and crew tried some bottom fishing in Stump Pass. The bite has been slow due to severe cold this winter. Water temperature was only 54 degrees, but winds were only around 10 knots, and they spent several hours marking fish. Because of the unusual cold, fish have been very lethargic. After several hours in the Pass, the Captain and crew decided to head offshore and try some trolling. They pulled up several good size Grouper, between 15 and 20 pounds approximately 15 miles offshore. So although the bottom bite was on the slow side, offshore is still hot, and the Captain and crew had a great day.
OCTOBER 1, 2009
Big Boy Sport Fishing Charters wrapped up a very successful summer fishing season in Rhode Island, and is now in Southwest Florida ready for the fall and winter months of great fishing in the Gulf of Mexico - both inshore and offshore fishing. We are currently taking reservations for Southwest Florida fishing trips targeting Grouper, Red Fish, Flounder, Amberjack, Barracuda, Snook, Shark and many other species. Call us for information on our mid-week discounts. Let’s go fishing!!!
Captain W. Duane Sousa, Jr.
Big Boy Sport Fishing Charters headed 7 miles offshore with trolling rods in early morning - great weather conditions - Gulf water temperature was 83 degrees, and seas were flat. Before we even got out beyond Stump Pass Snook were hitting the rods. At the fishing grounds about 7 miless off-shore, we found schools of Amberjack, Blue Runners, and schools of Barracuda - fish that were at least three feet long and in a feeding frenzy. The water is alive and loaded with keeper fish! We had a great day in the Gulf of Mexico. Let's Go Fishing!!!
Captain W. Duane Sousa, Jr.
OCTOBER 23, 2009
Captain Duane Sousa, Jr. spent the day fishing Gasparilla Pass. Bait was busting everywhere. We trolled for part of the day and brought up some good size Spanish Mackeral, then spent the rest of the day bottom fishing. The bite was on until about 3:00, and the crew brought Grouper, Sheepshead and flounder to the boat. Weather conditions were beautiful - sunny and very warm, with a good drift. Dolphins and Sting Rays put a show on all day - jumping out of the water everywhere. The fish are certainly around - so LET'S GO FISHING!!!!!!
Captain William Duane Sousa, Jr.
False Albacore Tuna were running in the Gulf of Mexico. Our charter crew brought a 15 pound fighter to the back of the boat. Tuna was caught 20 miles southwest of Stump Pass. We also landed 10 to 12 pound Gag and Red Grouper. The weather cooperated, wind blowing only 5 to 10 knots, with hardly one foot seas. December 2008 The Sportsman's Channel along with Gapen Industries - Mr. Dan Gapen Sr., "Bobber Anne", and their crew were here with us December 4th through December 9th, 2008 shooting their second segment of fishing in Southwest Florida with us, Big Boy Sport Fishing Charters. We spent several days two miles off Stump Pass fishing for King Fish. Take a look at our posted picture of Bobber Anne with one of the King fish we boated. The first movie segment which was actually shot in Rhode Island Sound in June of 2008 will be airing mid-February 2009 on the Sportsman's Channel. Captain W. Duane Sousa, Jr. January 5, 2009 We left the dock at 6:00 AM wanting to fish the incoming tide. Fish were slow to the morning bite. Water temperature was 65 degrees. About 9:00 AM it was like someone threw a switch. The first Grouper in the boat was 24 inches, and the rods never stopped bending after that. As the day proceeded we kept putting keeper Grouper in the boat from 22 to 24 inches. We arrived back at the dock around 4:00 PM - another successful day. Captain W. Duane Sousa, Jr. January 8, 2009 We pulled off the dock at 7:00 AM in complete fog and headed 22 miles offshore looking for Grouper. Seas were not cooperating; we had 3 to 4 foot seas. We almost decided to turn around and fish Boca Grande because safety was becoming a concern. Just as we arrived at the fishing grounds, the seas had already started to subside and were fishable. First lines over the side produced Grouper right away. The bite was on. As the day progressed the bite got better - bigger fish cooperated and we put 5 keeper Grouper in the cockpit. Some of the anglers had never fished up Grouper before, and commented that the fish hit like "freight trains", and that they would all be coming back to charter Big Boy Two as they had such a great day. Captain W. Duane Sousa, Jr.
It is time to go out and fish up Sheepshead. December is one of the best months for this species. The old train tressels and piers should hold a good number of fish.
Don't forget to book early for a Tarpon Trip - gift certificates are available and there is still time for a great Christmas present for that special fisherman. Give us a call - we would be happy to customize any fishing trip for your needs.
Captain W. Duane Sousa, Jr.
February 12, 2009 When we left the dock at 7:00 AM the fog was so thick we couldn’t even see the bow of the boat. We headed 12 miles offshore looking for big grouper. The water had warmed up to 63 degrees and it was overcast all day. The bite was instantaneous - our first fish was a keeper flounder, then Lane Snapper, then big Red Grouper ranging from 10 pounds to 14 pounds. The anglers had a great time fighting these fish - using Shimano 20 pound class tackle. The weather stayed overcast for most of the day. Our day ended around 2:00, with the anglers happy and promising to return to fish with us again. Captain William Duane Sousa, Jr.
February 27, 2009 - SHEEPSHEAD TRIP The forecast for Friday, February 27 was a great one - knots only 5 to 10, warm, sunny - a bluebird day. We left the dock at 8:00 and headed off to our favorite Sheepshead fishing grounds with a bait well full of shrimp and clams. With light tackle we anchored up and dropped our lines. The day was incredible - the kind that you remember for a long time. We put at least 15 keeper Sheepshead in the boat weighing in at least 6 pounds each. Our lines didn’t stop all day, and our customers were very happy and very tired by the time we got back to the dock at the end of the day. Captain William Duane Sousa, Jr.
March 17th - 19th, 2009 - FAITHFUL FISHING FRIENDS COME TO SOUTHWEST FLORIDA
Monday, March 16th started a whirlwind week of fishing, good times, and memories. Captain Sousa headed to Tampa International Airport to pick up one of his faithful customers who fishes with him in Rhode Island to introduce him and his family to the awesome Gulf of Mexico fishing experience. Bruce, a New Jersey native, his son Dusty, and new friend Henry from England, landed safely, and the festivities began.
Tuesday March 17th was a bluebird day - water temps in the Gulf around 67 degrees, winds only 5 to 10 knots, and seas like glass. The Captain and crew left the dock around 7:00 and headed off shore in search of Spanish Mackeral, Grouper, and Sheeps Head. Both water and fish were cooperative, and the crew brought one keeper fish after another to the cockpit of the Big Boy Two. The day went by quickly as it often does with friends, and all returned to the dock around 4:00, tired but happy, ready to do it all again the next day.
Wednesday March 18th was a carbon copy of the day before - great weather conditions, and an excited crew. Captain Sousa headed to Gasparilla to hook up Sheeps Head which have been plentiful. The crew landed 6 and 7 pound keeper Sheeps Head, more Spanish Mackeral, and spent a great day on the water. They returned to dock and headed to Captain Sousa's home in Englewood for a fish feast, and to watch the second segment of "Fishing the World with the Ol' Man and Bobber Anne" on the Sportsmans Channel, featuring Big Boy Sport Fishing Charters fishing the waters of Southwest Florida. It was a memorable evening - being able to see through other's eyes the wonder of making a living on the water, sharing the joys of fishing with other avid anglers, and realizing that your business is not only a successful one, but has given the greatest gift of all - lasting friends.
Thursday March 19th was a half day of fishing, as Bruce and his family had to head home to New Jersey that evening. In four hours, the crew limited out with Sheeps Head and some Spanish Mackeral, cleaned and fileted their catch, and got ready to head back to the airport. Their coolers were loaded with fish, cameras filled with memories, and it is safe to say a great time was had by all - not just Bruce and his crew, but Captain Sousa as well. The team of Big Boy Sport Fishing Charters was sorry to see them off to the airport, but look forward to fishing with them again this summer in Rhode Island Sound.
When Captain Sousa started his charter business many years ago, it was with the hope that he could pass on his knowledge and his love of fishing to the customers who fished with him in Rhode Island Sound. Somewhere along the way, it became much more than that. His journey has led him to expand his family owned and operated business to Southwest Florida, offering package trips, accommodations, and more than that - lasting friendships with people who follow him from the waters of Rhode Island to the Gulf of Mexico. The old saying, "Show me your friends, and I'll tell you who you are" has proved true - the crew of Big Boy Sport Fishing Charters counts themselves very fortunate to have made long and lasting friendships with people who are loyal and dear to us. Bruce and his family are among these, and we look forward to many more days of fishing, good times, and friendships that will continue to grow over many, many years.
March 20 - 22, 2009 - OFFSHORE TRIPS WITH RHODE ISLAND FRIENDS
March 20th through 22nd found Big Boy Sport Fishing Charters offshore fishing with Rhode Island friends and family who chartered the Big Boy Two for three days, looking for large Grouper, Spanish Mackeral, and Sheeps Head, species that are running thick this time of year in Southwest Florida. Captain Sousa had a full crew - all avid Rhode Island anglers who were excited to try sport fishing in the Gulf of Mexico. These friends have spent many days aboard the Big Boy II in Rhode Island Sound, and have made many memories with us, but these few days truly were something that we will remember for a lifetime.
Water temps were close to 70 degrees, winds were between 15 and 20 knots, and the seas were pretty favorable. The crew left the dock around 7:00 each day, and came back late in the afternoon with plenty of fish - keeper Spanish Mackeral, some Grouper and enough Sheeps Head to make a fish fry for a hungry crew. Evenings were spent around the dinner table at Captain Sousa's home, making plans for entering the Annual Rhode Island Shark Tournament in July, as well as more Florida Fishing, including Tarpon fishing in Boca Grande.
Some folks charter a sport fishing boat to just go fishing; others, however, come not only to fish, but to learn the art of making a living on the water, and beyond that, learning the art of living. Not just the crew learns these lessons - but the Captain and his team as well. For this we are grateful.
Big Boy Sport Fishing Charters looks forward to fishing again with Gary, Stephanie, Kyle, Jay, Gina, and Tori in the Gulf of Mexico and Rhode Island Sound. Hey guys - remember TEAM TUNA MACKERAL!!! (You had to be there!!) See you all soon.
Captain William Duane Sousa, Jr.
MAY 4, 2009
It's official - as of the beginning of this week Tarpon have been running Boca Grande, and are also spotty along the beach from Boca to Venice. They have been ranging from 60 to 70 pounds.
Also - Kings and Spanish Mackeral have been in abundance in the Gulf.
Call now to book your Tarpon Trip!!!
Captain Duane Sousa, Jr.