Joe Hlava of Punta Gorda and Middleton, N.Y., with the biggest amber of the day, a 35-pounder.

Emmett with his first bass, caught at Deer Creek Praire Park in Venice.

Jim Howard, a resident of Punta Gorda RV Park, with a 27.5- inch black drum.

Cordy Parkerson caught this 28-pound black drum in a Burnt Store Isles canal.

6-year-old Asher Rastegar of Carmel, Ind., caught his first fish at Stump Pass while visiting his grandpa, George Haynes of North Port.

Mike and Capt. Josh Greer with Mike's first redfish of 2012.

John Arbogast with a nice Placida sheepshead.

Billy Heydet caught this 20-inch sheepshead just north of the Venice pier. His friend Josh (left) and his little brother AJ helped cheer him on.

Mark, Allen, Charlie, Bill, Charlie and Dick - all avid readers of WaterLine from Charlotte and Desoto counties - caught19 red grouper and various other bottom fish on a trip with Capt.Mike Deto of the Daybreaker.

Vernon and Lawrence caught these nice sheepshead at the El Jobean bridge.

Stan Benton, Bill Sunday, Wayne Meser, Jud Stevens, Bill Dare, and Tom Ciampoci caught some nice fish with Capt. Jim O'Brien aboard the Predator 2 out of Englewood.

John McRoberts, a Canadian participant in the IFDS 2012 International Association for Disabled Sailing World Championships, and friend Tim French took some time off after the races to relax and catch some trout with Capt. Robin Leach of Punta Gorda Charters.

Chris Bates, a lifelong local resident, with his first grouper - a 22-inch red caught aboard a GW's Charters trip off Venice.

Jeff Ostler and his 28-inch red grouper (and Tristen Boley in the background with his 23-inch red).

Alyssa with a short gag grouper she caught on her little pink pole about 14 miles out of Boca Grande.

Silvie caught and released this 28-inch trout in Pine Island

Sound.

Joe Groover with a nice redfish caught on the Myakka in North Port.

Tommy caught a fish!

Matthew Smith caught his first keeper red on Grampa's boat on the Peace River.