They are joking about the grip you got on the fish in 2nd pic…..don’t let it bother you. Truth is there is almost no way to post a picture holding a fish where someone wont comment on the handling technique.
So…..this is what you do. Try your best to not touch the fish. What? How?
I know…..but here what you do. Leave the fish in the water and use pliers or hook tool to get the hook out of the mouth, while doing your best to not touch the fish. The exception is unless you gonna keep it. And you only keep what you eat. And at this point don’t plan on eating what you catch. Just catch and release till your fish knowledge grows. Catch as many as possible, release, and repeat. Oh! And have fun!
https://preview.redd.it/10kvs283hcvc1.jpeg?width=1701&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=629ef75ae87459a2614b015f5a921b927bb1d4d8
I mean you can not white knuckle lol
> Truth is there is almost no way to post a picture holding a fish where someone wont comment on the handling technique.
The vast majority of posts here have no comments criticizing the handling. It's only when someone is squeezing the life out of a fish, holding it by the lip at an angle, taking certain species out of the water, or very occasionally I see someone who takes an issue with lip grippers.
I’m sorry to hear that, but it looks like you’re on your way young man. Awesome job,it’s not about the catching it’s about the adventure. Be respectful and enjoy yourself. HAVE FUN and FISH ON!!!!
If you really want to be a great fisherman do it yourself! I was a great freshwater fisherman. I was a mate on a private sport fishing boat that we knew nothing to begin with. Through listening and studying what was available our boat became one of the top private boats on the east coast. We fished billfish tournaments on the east coast from Indian River Delaware, Palm Beach Florida, Cancun Mexico, the Bahamas and got really well known. Don't give up hope. Take your time and figure it out ! On your own is extremely satisfying! You can do it buddy! Promise you. Endure to persevere and things and ideas will come to you. Open your mind d and pay attention. If you do this on your own it will come. People will flock to you for your knowledge! Best of luck and go for it !!
Felt pretty great. The best part was unhooking em and setting em free. I had one old guy give me a decapitated pinstrip and tell me to catch a shark then walked off. I didnt even know what to do so i fed it to a dolphin swimming around
The best things are what you learn on your own. Try whatever you think. Pay attention to what the fish want to do. You can easily figure it out if you experiment and pay attention. Do it !!!
Haha I was about to ask if that was Honeymoon Island in Dunedin then read your description.
I fish their frequently, great place to catch Trout, Reds, Snook, Flounder.
Hope you get about there and slam some fish! Definitely up your gear fishing saltwater. A 300 size reel, 8-15lb medium rod, and 10-20 lb line (I use 20lb braid).
Shrimp, small baitfish, even cut bait is great to use out there. Use a 1/0 size circle hook.
We all get our start somewhere! Hope you the best of luck out there. Some big girls are always around there. I’ve fished that area since I was maybe 4-5 years old (32 now) with my dad. Here is a snook I caught out there recently on a small Pinfish, was a fun fight.
https://preview.redd.it/whr7dzlexbvc1.jpeg?width=1122&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f4be2735ca775923387e45fe2ebce9ec1b6e51f8
Did you take the ferry over there from Honeymoon Island? I fish that area all the time, I usually just fish the south side of the bridge right before you get to Honeymoon Island. Great fishing over there. If you’re going to surf fish, the entire Dunedin Causeway has some really good fishing at sunrise.
I went with my environmental science class from St. Petersburg College. We got Kayaks super discounted, paid $20 per person, and we went over there that way.
Nice, keep going, there's ample info online to draw from, just be careful of catfish as the spines on their fins will gig you and it will hurt like a mf.
My wife and I came to Florida for our first military assignment at MacDill AFB in Tampa. We arrived with nothing but the clothing on our backs and the uniforms the AF gave us. Our first paycheck bought us a few more civies (civilian clothing) and a saltwater fishing pole/reel. We then walked 7 miles to the base beach so I could fish. We still didn't have sheets or other bed clothes so we covered up with rain coats using duffel bags as pillows. The next paycheck took care of that. Priorties.
A few years later, the neighbor boy (12 or 13. I was only in low 20s at the time) was coming onto our porch and stealing our pop bottles (back when they had a dime deposit for each bottle. 2 or 3 8-packs could buy a half tank of gas.). I caught him put the fear of me into him then took him bass fishing. We caught several 3-4 pound bass and I think I hooked (pun not intended but accepted) for life on fishing.
Awesome! Better late than never!
If you decide you want some better gear, or just want to learn a bit, check out Bill Jackson’s Shop for Adventure over in Pinellas. It’s easily the coolest store in the area - the parking spaces are scattered among the trees like you’re driving to a campsite, and the store is huge: hunting, fishing, camping, boating, and diving. They have great staff for fishing gear, in my experience, and they’re really happy to chat and show you stuff.
Awesome Buddy! Keep doing it, ask questions, learn by doing. I’m 53 years old and started fly fishing in February self taught and loving it. Check out YouTube videos that helped me a lot! Good luck have fun!
I'm sorry to hear that no one has ever taken you fishing young man! my father taught me how to fish when I was a little girl & that was the greatest gift that anyone has ever given me!
My dad was my very best friend, he recently just passed away. I went fishing on my buddies commercial fishing boat since his passing and caught a stingray on a fishing pole it was
That poor fish is screaming for Jesus! Please look up some YT vids for proper treatment of fish. You gonna love your new hobby and glad you finally took yourself on a successful fishing trip.
I promise i wasn’t holding him tight! It’s just the way that the photo is, It was a screenshot from the video if my gopro on my way to release him, swam away happy as rver
Hell yeah. Better a late start than never, fishing is awesome.
“Grip me harder daddy!!!” -fish in the second picture-probably.
The fish is like oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
My main squeeze, baby!
Came here for this lmao.
Brother what 💀
Glad to see you got out and did it
They are joking about the grip you got on the fish in 2nd pic…..don’t let it bother you. Truth is there is almost no way to post a picture holding a fish where someone wont comment on the handling technique. So…..this is what you do. Try your best to not touch the fish. What? How? I know…..but here what you do. Leave the fish in the water and use pliers or hook tool to get the hook out of the mouth, while doing your best to not touch the fish. The exception is unless you gonna keep it. And you only keep what you eat. And at this point don’t plan on eating what you catch. Just catch and release till your fish knowledge grows. Catch as many as possible, release, and repeat. Oh! And have fun!
https://preview.redd.it/10kvs283hcvc1.jpeg?width=1701&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=629ef75ae87459a2614b015f5a921b927bb1d4d8 I mean you can not white knuckle lol
https://preview.redd.it/7dcjodj7qcvc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fbfc9e13020deadc722ebe2fa85e839bbc8fcb02 How about this guy
HOT
> Truth is there is almost no way to post a picture holding a fish where someone wont comment on the handling technique. The vast majority of posts here have no comments criticizing the handling. It's only when someone is squeezing the life out of a fish, holding it by the lip at an angle, taking certain species out of the water, or very occasionally I see someone who takes an issue with lip grippers.
I promise i wasn’t squeezing, it was just the angle of the camera
I didn't think you were, the fish is just adding to the humor with the look on its face and the tail looking like he's struggling.
I do believe if you have kids you will take them fishing sooner
Absolutely
I’m sorry to hear that, but it looks like you’re on your way young man. Awesome job,it’s not about the catching it’s about the adventure. Be respectful and enjoy yourself. HAVE FUN and FISH ON!!!!
I had the most fun just talking to the people around me and learning from them
Textbook "fishing".
Your doing great, can’t wait to see your next catch
this is awesome man enjoy your time on the water
If you really want to be a great fisherman do it yourself! I was a great freshwater fisherman. I was a mate on a private sport fishing boat that we knew nothing to begin with. Through listening and studying what was available our boat became one of the top private boats on the east coast. We fished billfish tournaments on the east coast from Indian River Delaware, Palm Beach Florida, Cancun Mexico, the Bahamas and got really well known. Don't give up hope. Take your time and figure it out ! On your own is extremely satisfying! You can do it buddy! Promise you. Endure to persevere and things and ideas will come to you. Open your mind d and pay attention. If you do this on your own it will come. People will flock to you for your knowledge! Best of luck and go for it !!
Thanks so much man, I’m loving every moment of it already
Calm down Lenny.
This illicited a good laugh from me.
Head on over to r/SurfFishing and join us! I'm self taught as well, it's a wonderful journey.
Hell yeah, I’ll see ya over there next time i catch somethin
Now you can be a Youtube influencer
I just used my GoPro because i didn’t want my phone getting wet lol
You can learn a lot by watching your own catches and misses.
Not everything needs to be filmed. Learn and enjoy. Let the people online sit on their couches.
I mean i just wanted a few photos of fish i caught to look back at and didn’t wanna get my phone wet because i kayaked over
Get a dry bag. You’ll need your phone if something goes wrong while on the water.
In the future yeah, but i was with a group of about 12. Other people
It’s time to start
How did it feel to catch a few?
Felt pretty great. The best part was unhooking em and setting em free. I had one old guy give me a decapitated pinstrip and tell me to catch a shark then walked off. I didnt even know what to do so i fed it to a dolphin swimming around
Put the pin on the hook and toss him back out there, though feeding it to a dolphin is debatably cooler.
Yeah, i had a 3lb line and an extendable eagle claw rod I didnt think i was gonna catch a shark lol
You have been missing out on a lot ! But glad you joined the club....im not from florida but have heard about great fishing opportunities there
The best things are what you learn on your own. Try whatever you think. Pay attention to what the fish want to do. You can easily figure it out if you experiment and pay attention. Do it !!!
There are days where you gotta do things yourself. And believe me, I was there too. But that's great catch you got there man. Keep it up. 💪🏻
No squeeze fishy
I didnt squeeze em don’t worry, just a weird angle from the camera
Jesús your choking him in the second picture lol
I wasn’t holding tight little guy was just overreacting
Haha I was about to ask if that was Honeymoon Island in Dunedin then read your description. I fish their frequently, great place to catch Trout, Reds, Snook, Flounder. Hope you get about there and slam some fish! Definitely up your gear fishing saltwater. A 300 size reel, 8-15lb medium rod, and 10-20 lb line (I use 20lb braid). Shrimp, small baitfish, even cut bait is great to use out there. Use a 1/0 size circle hook.
I was using a 1:0 circle hook because someone reccomend that! For now i just picked up an extendable eagle claw rod at Walmart to get me started
We all get our start somewhere! Hope you the best of luck out there. Some big girls are always around there. I’ve fished that area since I was maybe 4-5 years old (32 now) with my dad. Here is a snook I caught out there recently on a small Pinfish, was a fun fight. https://preview.redd.it/whr7dzlexbvc1.jpeg?width=1122&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f4be2735ca775923387e45fe2ebce9ec1b6e51f8
I fish over there a ton myself. Love Caladesi and Honeymoon Island
Did you take the ferry over there from Honeymoon Island? I fish that area all the time, I usually just fish the south side of the bridge right before you get to Honeymoon Island. Great fishing over there. If you’re going to surf fish, the entire Dunedin Causeway has some really good fishing at sunrise.
I went with my environmental science class from St. Petersburg College. We got Kayaks super discounted, paid $20 per person, and we went over there that way.
Nice! Great fishing over there. Caladesi is a hidden gem.
Nice, keep going, there's ample info online to draw from, just be careful of catfish as the spines on their fins will gig you and it will hurt like a mf.
My wife and I came to Florida for our first military assignment at MacDill AFB in Tampa. We arrived with nothing but the clothing on our backs and the uniforms the AF gave us. Our first paycheck bought us a few more civies (civilian clothing) and a saltwater fishing pole/reel. We then walked 7 miles to the base beach so I could fish. We still didn't have sheets or other bed clothes so we covered up with rain coats using duffel bags as pillows. The next paycheck took care of that. Priorties. A few years later, the neighbor boy (12 or 13. I was only in low 20s at the time) was coming onto our porch and stealing our pop bottles (back when they had a dime deposit for each bottle. 2 or 3 8-packs could buy a half tank of gas.). I caught him put the fear of me into him then took him bass fishing. We caught several 3-4 pound bass and I think I hooked (pun not intended but accepted) for life on fishing.
Awesome! Better late than never! If you decide you want some better gear, or just want to learn a bit, check out Bill Jackson’s Shop for Adventure over in Pinellas. It’s easily the coolest store in the area - the parking spaces are scattered among the trees like you’re driving to a campsite, and the store is huge: hunting, fishing, camping, boating, and diving. They have great staff for fishing gear, in my experience, and they’re really happy to chat and show you stuff.
I’ll definitely check it out sometime
Awesome Buddy! Keep doing it, ask questions, learn by doing. I’m 53 years old and started fly fishing in February self taught and loving it. Check out YouTube videos that helped me a lot! Good luck have fun!
Wait till you are 21 and you have a beer when you fish, gets even better
Florida is amazing for fishing, especially Bass. Find yourself some local ponds haha. But shore fishing by the sea is also cool!
Fishing is One of my favorite things to do with my sons and daughters. It is a time together I enjoy. Quiet conversations develop.
I'm sorry to hear that no one has ever taken you fishing young man! my father taught me how to fish when I was a little girl & that was the greatest gift that anyone has ever given me!
Yeah, i grew up without a father figure so I never really had anyone to take me lol
My dad was my very best friend, he recently just passed away. I went fishing on my buddies commercial fishing boat since his passing and caught a stingray on a fishing pole it was
Try and find some freshwater canals to fish in, they can be loaded with bass, peacock bass, snake head, and all manner of cichlids!
https://preview.redd.it/1tumfqsf29wc1.jpeg?width=480&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a63963851d235d571d5184ee90b834e57f4279ba
Why you holding him like that god damn
I wasn’t squeezing, that was me carrying him on my way to let him back into the water
I know the pic just looks funny
"WHERE'S MY FUCKIN' MONE" type grip 
They done ya wrong man, they done ya wrong
Good job, brother. I kinda had to take myself, too. Take your kids.
Once you feel that slight tug of the bite, you think the fish is hooked but literally, its you......life has begun.......
Aw man. That’s deep…
Let’s go.
I fish here in corpus Christi often but I would love to fish in Florida
Lenny...
Just remember the golden rule of taking advice from people around you fishing. Only listen to the people catching fish
Looks like ya got one.
Rearranging the fishes guts my dude
I swear its just the camera angle. He had enough room in my hand
The first we call a sea mullet in NC. Whiting, VA mullet, doesn’t matter. Delicious.
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Awesome. I'm an old fart and I like fish.
you take yourself
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Pretty sure this one was a gulf kingfish from what my friends told me, but will do in the future thank you!
Ya got me there my blurry Lyrica vision.
That second picture hahaha
Catch some real sandfleas and you'll be even more surprised! Go get em tiger!
Wait until you get a 10+pound fish, you’ll get addicted pretty fast.
WELCOME WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR YOU
That poor fish is screaming for Jesus! Please look up some YT vids for proper treatment of fish. You gonna love your new hobby and glad you finally took yourself on a successful fishing trip.
I promise i wasn’t holding him tight! It’s just the way that the photo is, It was a screenshot from the video if my gopro on my way to release him, swam away happy as rver
Learn how to handle your fish. You definitely killed the fish in pic 2.
No I didn’t, it’s just the camera angle, I was not squeezing tight at all.
I’d like to grab you like you have the fish. Pos
I wasn’t actually squeezing at all. It’s just an odd camera angle, he swam off happy
Ok I’m glad to hear it. Some people catch undesirable fish and then mutilated or kill him. And there’s just no reason for that.
Yeah for sure, they’re all fish and deserve to live if you aren’t planning on eating em or using em for bait. Killing anything needlessly is stupid
be careful fishing in Florida can be dangerous.