Inshore Fishing Naples Florida

INSHORE FISHING

46 BETTER OFF WET | WINTER 2014

INSHORE FISHING

PALE HORSE

Fishing Charters

Staff Report

Capt. Billy Norris is originally from Naples and grew up fishing the area’s local waters. As a kid, he told us he would always head to the beach to catch Snook, Redfish, Sharks and Tarpon. He has always loved the outdoors and fishing, and could never get enough. During college, he worked as a fishing guide to make money for school. After he graduated from Florida Gulf Coast, he was commissioned as a lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps, and served on multiple deployments as an infantry officer all over the Middle East and Africa with 1st Battalion 2d Marines. He transferred into the Marine Corps Reserves in 2013. After transferring to the Reserves, he wanted to get back to being a fishing guide. I had to ask him about the name he picked for his business...And, he replied, “I couldn’t figure out what to call the business, so my Platoon Sergeant just suggested calling it Pale Horse which was our Company’s call sign during our deployments. Pale Horse stood for the fourth rider of the Apocalypse from Revelations in the Bible, the verse is Revelation 6:8.” Currently, he is a Captain in the Marine Corps Reserves with 1st Battalion 23d Marines out of Houston, Texas. His guide service specializes in big game species including Goliath, sharks, Tarpon, and giant Snook. Everyone at Better Off Wet is extremely grateful for what Capt. Billy Norris and the rest of our Veterans have done and continue to do on a daily basis, to keep our country safe. Not only is he a great fishing guide but, he is a great person and true hero, as well! We arrived at Capt. Billy’s place around 4 p.m. on a late October afternoon. He had already prepped the boat and was ready to hit the water. We made a quick stop by his favorite local bait and tackle shop, Master Bait & Tackle in Bonita Springs, to hook up with some live white bait. Gary, an employee, was super friendly and shot us a couple stories about Capt. Billy, when he was a kid, working at the bait store. After the bait store, we were ready for an evening of fishing. Capt. Billy’s wife (and great fishing partner) Tina

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INSHORE FISHING

bites to make even the most seasoned angler smile. Capt. Billy was two for two, so far on our weekend of fishing. Capt. Billy was very meticulous about how he handled the fish. And, we let all the Snook head back into the water to feed and fight another day. We did keep a nice slot Redfish, that had dinner written all over him. And, boy did he turn out to be tasty!

Having had the inshore fishing experience of a lifetime, we would have been content with the successful day. But, Capt. Billy, having a fishing addiction, wanted to take advantage of the extremely flat water and, head offshore to catch a nice Goliath! So, without any hesitation from the rest of us, we were off. Capt. Billy anchored us over a decent sized wreck. AnWhile the rest of us chattered about the monster Grouper we were going to hopefully catch, Capt. Billy rigged the gear. We were using a Penn International, spooled with 300 lb dacron line, 4 ft of 300 lb steel leader, and a 14/0 circle hook. The bait of choice was live ladyfish. We waited patiently as the lines were down and, sure enough after 20 minutes or so the rod bent over and it was all we could do to stay in the boat. Capt. Billy had put us on the fish of a lifetime! Capt. Billy was 3 for 3 with the Better Off Crew, on his fishing spots. And, we truly had a blast. We would like to say thank you to him and his wife, Tina, for being such great hosts. A special thanks to the Capt. for all that he has done for our country. Not only is Capt. Billy a great fishing guide but, a wonderful host and new friend to us here at Better Off Wet, as well. If, you are wanting to do some exciting fishing with a true pro, give Capt. Billy Norris a call!

Contact Capt. Billy at (239) 285.7710 Email: palehorsefishingcharters@gmail.com

met us at the ramp, and we launched the boat. After a short ride, Capt. Billy had taken us to a true haven for big Snook. Tina anchored the boat and Capt. Billy rigged the fishing gear. While we were getting ready to fish, we could hear big fish breaking the water and feeding all around us. We were using Quantum Smokes with Quantum rods. The setup was 30 pound test fluorocarbon leader with 3/0 Owner circle hooks, and about three feet of leader suspended by a popping cork. We floated the white baits under the mangrove overhangs and around

oyster bars. It didn’t take long before we had a Snook on! We caught several nice fish with the biggest being a hefty 36” slob. After the sun went down, we pulled anchor and headed back to Capt. Billy and Tina’s place for a nice steak dinner and a good night’s sleep, before another big day of fishing. 4:30 came early Saturday morning but, everyone was excited for some big fish. So, with just a little bit of coffee and few nods to the fish gods, we were on our way. Capt. Billy started off by cast-netting plenty of live bait for us. And, just as the sun was up, he was heading to the spot. We fished the mangrove lines in Estero Bay, using the same tactics and tackle as we did the previous evening. As soon as the boat crept up to our first spot, everyone heard the fish hitting the water and feeding. Within ten minutes of showing up, the first Redfish was on the boat! And, maybe five minutes later, the first nice Snook came onboard, as well. After that, we had enough Redfish and Snook

48 BETTER OFF WET | WINTER 2014