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Fishing for Grunts in Clearwater, Florida

Charter fishing in Clearwater, Florida. Olympus Pen FT // 38mm f1.8 // Ektar 100
Olympus Pen FT // 38mm f1.8 // Ektar 100

Last summer I bought an old Olympus Pen FT half-frame film camera off of eBay and took it on vacation to St. Petersburg, Florida. We went on a half-day fishing trip aboard the Super Queen with Captain Stan and bagged up a bunch of little grunt fish a even a few puffer fish. Even with 94 people on board there was a lot of fishing action. After a ~45 minute boat ride out to the fishing grounds it was all lines in, and all lines down. As soon as my little circle hooked tipped with squid made it to the ocean floor there was a fish nibbling and soon hooked. 

My wife and I didn’t have much need for the ~10 pounds of fish we reeled in, so we gave them all to a nice couple from Michigan who were more than happy to have the extra fillets. We didn’t land any giant groupers on this trip, but that’s not really what you’re paying for on this type of charter. The crew was helpful, people happy to be in the Florida sun, and there’s even a concession stand serving $2 Budweiser’s. Please, take me back.

These old photos came to mind because shortly after this my trusty Pen FT stopped working all that well, so I sent it in for a full CLA and repair. It’s due to arrive back to me in the mail today, so keep an eye out for more adventures soon.

Fishing for grunts on the Super Queen charter boat in Clearwater, FL. Pen FT // 38mm f1.8 // Ektar 100
Pen FT // 38mm f1.8 // Ektar 100

 

Grunt fish and squid bait. Pen FT // 38mm f1.8 // Ektar 100
Grunt fish and squid bait. Pen FT // 38mm f1.8 // Ektar 100

 



 

Pen FT // 38mm f1.8 // Ektar 100
Pen FT // 38mm f1.8 // Ektar 100

 

Pen FT // 38mm f1.8 // Ektar 100
Pen FT // 38mm f1.8 // Ektar 100

 

Pen FT // 38mm f1.8 // Ektar 100
Pen FT // 38mm f1.8 // Ektar 100

 

Pen FT // 38mm f1.8 // Ektar 100
Clearwater Beach from Pier 66. Pen FT // 38mm f1.8 // Ektar 100

 



 

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Clay Duda is a freelance journalist and photographer. People usually pay him to write things. Here he does it for free.