A young boy known as Bear landed a massive 37-inch, 19.6-pound cobia during a surprise fishing trip to St. Marks, while dozens of hunters braved extreme heat at the Championship Hog Hunt hosted by Bree’s Riverside Restaurant in Nobleton and Rebel Yell Outdoors last weekend.
Jason Beyer, a proud grandfather, shared the story of his grandson Barret Beyer, nicknamed Bear, who caught the trophy fish alongside his father, Gave Beyer. The family originally planned a deep-sea trip that was canceled due to anticipated weather. When conditions cleared, they headed to St. Marks instead, venturing five miles out from the lighthouse in search of grunts, triggerfish, and spadefish.
Bear was using a Shimano Sahara 1000 reel on an H2O X ultralight rod with 10-pound braid line. He had rigged a cheap Eagle bream hook with a live cricket and a split shot, hoping to catch spadefish. The family had already discovered that spadefish would strike crickets, landing a few before Bear’s rod nearly flew out of his hands. His father stepped in to help, initially thinking the line was snagged on the bottom, until the fish made a powerful run across the surface. After a 20-minute fight on the lightest rod in the boat, Bear landed the 37-inch cobia. When Jason netted the fish, the cheap hook snapped, revealing the cobia had been barely hooked the entire time. “Crazy fun and a whole lot of luck,” Jason Beyer said of the catch. The trip is one the young angler is unlikely to forget. Anglers interested in cobia regulations and size limits in Florida can visit the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission cobia page for current rules.
Closer to home in Hernando County, the Championship Hog Hunt hosted by Bree’s Riverside Restaurant in Nobleton and Rebel Yell Outdoors drew dozens of participants despite brutal heat over the weekend. The event brought together hog hunters from across the region for a competitive outdoor experience along the Withlacoochee River corridor. Nobleton, located in Hernando County near the Withlacoochee River, is a popular destination for outdoor recreation including kayaking, fishing, and hunting. Those interested in learning more about Bree’s Riverside Restaurant and future events can check local listings or visit the Hernando Sun for updates on upcoming outdoor competitions and community gatherings in the area.
Originally reported by Hernando Sun
Sources: Hernando Sun
