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Young Angler Makes My Day

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 12, 2008

GO FISHING is a daily look at the area fishing scene through the eyes of local charter boat captains and fishing guides. Today: Billy Nobles, left, with "Reel Animals" partner Mike Anderson.

On Saturday, we had the pleasure of fishing with Michael and his mother, Deana, in the Make-A-Wish Tournament out of The Resort and Club at Little Harbor.

We met Michael, a cool 12-year-old, Friday night at the captains meeting, and I told him we would pick them up around 8:30 a.m. after we caught some bait. He said he wanted to go earlier, so I decided to pick him up around 5:30 so he could go with me to get supplies for the boat and help me find bait.

Michael was happy as he drove the boat to the bait hole, chummed the bait and helped me haul some in before we were off to pick up mom.

At our first stop, Michael and Deana both started by catching a few jack crevalle, and then Michael landed a snook. After mom caught a few more jacks, Michael brought in a redfish. Not much later, Michael landed a 191/2-inch speckled trout to round out his inshore slam.

Then I decide to take them to look for some tarpon. We arrive at the top-secret tarpon hole, but someone forgot to tell the tarpon to be there. We chummed and watched and chummed some more, when all of a sudden Michael's line goes off. It was a whopper of a Spanish mackerel, and I could not believe it was that far up in the bay.

At 12:30, we headed back to the resort, where we had a surprise for Michael. Josh Christensen of Boat Works took Michael on a jet ski way up the Little Manatee River to the "Gator Hole" on an eco-tour. After Michael drove the 30 Dorado all day, he ended by driving a jet ski through the gator zone.

I would like to thank Michael and Deana for truly being a blessing in my family's life.

Catch captains Billy Nobles and Mike Anderson on the "Reel Animals Fishing Show" on Saturdays from 6:30-7 a.m. on WFLA, Channel 8, and on Sundays from 8-10 a.m. on WHBO, 1470 AM. To book a charter, call 1-866-GAMEFISH or visit www.reelanimalsfishingshow.c

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