MacDill Happenings

Make you plans for spring break now! Spring break for Hillsborough County Public Schools is next week. Today is the last day to sign up for a deep sea fishing trip at the MacDill AFB MWR Outdoor Recreation Office. Registration must be done by noon today! The fishing trip is this coming Sunday 11 April from 5:30am to 6pm. The cost is $85 per person. Transportation from the Marina Activity Room on MacDill AFB to Port Richey is included in the price. The bus will depart MacDill AFB at 5:45am sharp, so don’t be late. The trip will be on the “Miss Virginia” based in Port Richey. The boat has an enclosed cabin with seats and tables. Breakfast and lunch are available at a reasonable cost, as well as, beer, soda, and snacks. Fishing rods, license, tackle, and bait for each fisherman are supplied although you can bring your own. If you prefer to fi sh with live bait, it must be purchased that morning before departure. You may bring a small cooler (no larger than 48 quarts). No glass containers please. No fishing license needs to be purchased to fish. You will be fishing for grouper, small snapper, and seabass. Grouper are a large fish that live on offshore reefs and structures. They are strong fighters that run for cover when hooked and can occasionally break the line. Minimum size is 22 inches for black grouper and 20 inches for red grouper. They often weigh in at 10 lbs. or more. Small snapper and seabass are abundant on the reefs as well. Their average weight is about 1 lb. and they are a delicious mild fish. The best bait for these fish is cut squid which is provided on board. Sardines and live pinfish are good grouper bait. Sardines are provided on board for bait and live pinfish are sold on board for $6.00 /dozen. You can have your fish filleted for a small additional charge per fish.