Our crew set out on a 15-hour offshore mission targeting one of the Gulf’s most elusive species — the Kitty Mitchell grouper. Led by Capt. Anthony Belmonte of Figured It Out Fishing, alongside creators Ryan Morie, John Steadham from Johnny Jigs, and Nick Haddad from Return ‘Em Right, the team slow-pitch jigged and deep-dropped baits over ledges in 600 to 700 feet.
On the very first drop, John hooked and landed a prized Kitty Mitchell, kicking off the action. The bite continued with a personal-best blueline tilefish and a variety of deepwater species. Later in the day, both Ryan and Nick caught their first-ever Kitty Mitchells, with multiple fish safely released using descending devices to demonstrate proper release practices.
As the trip progressed, the focus shifted to yellowedge grouper, with several quality fish brought up on both manual and electric reels. Expert tactics, camaraderie and a shared commitment to sustainable fishing made for an unforgettable deep-dropping adventure in the Gulf.
Ryan Morie (@ryanmorie)
Ryan Morie is a full-time content creator based out of southeast Florida. After graduating from the University of Florida, Ryan served as an officer in the United States Marine Corps. During his time on active duty he was able to document some outstanding fisheries near the bases on which he served. He now creates a wide variety of fishing content that documents both local and international adventures.
We’re planning more of these! If you’re a creator who is interested in joining our team, please contact Executive Producer Phil Hollandsworth. If you’re a sponsor interested in integrating products or services into these shoots, please contact our publisher, Scott Salyers.
