GATOR TROUT @ Top Secret Bridge 9/1

Had to start at the new ramp for a bait run real quick so we get there around 10:15pm. Zack and I spent about 30-45 minutes throwing the castnets and grabbed some more live mullet for the bait bucket. I was surprised to see any mullet since it was low tide at the ramp. Counted about a dozen live mullet in the bucket so it was go time.
We arrive at the top secret bridge around 11:00pm and see the current is slowly moving outgoing still. We freelined the live mullet, I had some small hits but nothing connected for very long. About a half hour later the tide turned and now it was moving in the right direction. Around midnight I connect on a large fish and it refused to come in. There was an oyster bed that seperated me from the fish which made it a little more difficult. I just let it tire out but now it was going towards a metal tower thats in the water. If he wraps around that, the game is over. I saw where he was going and made the quick decision to hold the spool briefly and try to turn the fish around. It worked this time and now it was coming in the right direction. I walked my way to the leftside bank, hopped the guard rail and then finished the battle on the concrete slab that lays next to the bank. The idea was to slide the fish on the muddy bank so I didn't have to lift him out of the water. First couple of attempts failed, it tried to get away as soon as it saw skinny water coming. Then by the third attempt it was on the bank and I saw it. All I could say was HOLY SHIT! I have never seen a gator trout this big in my life and it's definitly my personal best. It was 25" long, my previous personal best was 23.5" on July 10, 2011 at North Causeway NSB.

Location: Top Secret Bridge, New Smyrna
Tackle: Owners K-Hook size 2

Species: Spotted Seatrout
Size: 25"
Bait: live mullet (freeline)