Capt. Butch Constable | Mill House Podcast - Episode 110

[@Sunbum1947]

My dad lived right on Jupiter Inlet and I ended up moving to that area in 1972 right after graduating from UF. I had a 13-foot Boston Whaler that I parked on a trailer right behind Capt. Cal's tackle shop (which is now home to the Square Grouper). I would net croakers off Cal's dock and Butch was one of the first fishermen I met ... even at that age he was a legend and so was the local snook fishing. He was so kind, so welcoming, so helpful and willing to share knowledge. I ended up fishing next to him countless times and he is so right about 40lb snook being so rare. Now days, people talk about measuring snook and hoping to finally catch a 40-incher. I have a 38lb skin-mounted snook hanging on the wall. It likely weighed 40lb right out of the water, but I threw it in the ice chest and didn't get to weigh it until the next day when I took it down to the taxidermist in FortLauderdale. Whenever I have guests over who snook fish and they see that mount, their jaws drop because it really is THAT BIG! When I first began fishing Jupiter Inlet, there were only two guides -- Butch and Ray Baird. Baird was a fireman, who guided part-time. Butch was out there virtually every day and I was constantly amazed at his ability to sense where the fish would be staged at any given part of the tide. It was such a treat to see Andy's interview with Butch, it brought back a bunch of happy memories from those incredible fishing days 50 years ago.

[@kkeetr]

I kept wondering if you were going to ask why the snook fishery went away. Thanks, Nick! Also, I would have loved to catch a 10 lb ladyfish!!!

[@georgiaredfish]

Absolutely love hearing these old timers talk about fishing - its like traveling back in time. You guys have done such a good job capturing these stories, thank you. Its important for people to understand how far the fisheries have fallen, especially the "scientists" and managers of our fisheries who don't want to accept what they've allowed to happen. Sadly, I think they are going to continue shifting the baseline down until we hit zero. Just so many people measure the success of a trip by the number of dead fish they bring home. Hopefully we can all work on changing these attitudes before its too late. Keep up the good work fellas!

[@rjsnook1344]

I will never forget the time I was fishing Jupiter inlet during the Summer snook spawn closed season over 20 years ago on my '99 last of the 'Lappy' Hewes Bonefisher 16Ts 'Fly-Bye'. My buddy & I were struggling to hook the targeted big mama snook for catch & release fun that morning, using live sardines & pilchards. Around noon near the end of Butch's charter with a female angler that I found out later was working on catching a world record size fish on ultra light tackle, he motored up to us near the tip of the north jetty where I was anchored and told me "give these a try" as he handed me a bait net with 3 frisky live croakers in it. He then told me he saw us struggling to hook up and said that the snook today were focused on nothing but croakers. I thanked him and used those 3 baits on the same "Jupiter rigs" we'd be using which produced 3 picture worthy overslot slobs in-a-row. Talk about a true class act, that's the legendary Captain Butch Constable we were lucky enough to meet that day!!

[@richardwarren8454]

Yep. “Someone has to die” to fish with The Legend of Jupiter Inlet during Tarpon season. Thank you Butch for 30 years of guiding Bill and I the third Monday and Tuesday of June. So many awesome memories and too numerous to count Tarpon on Fly. Special thanks for helping me reach my goal of tarpon on fly at age 70 in 2023. Great extended interview TY Mill House Podcast.

[@TheCapthof]

I fished in, around and with Butch Constable and Raymond Baird for years and it is great to hear his story. When I started guiding it was just the three of us in Jupiter. I kept my boat at Capt. Cal's and the changes have been dramatic a 90% reduction in Snook population is about right. Loss of habitat, pollution and over fishing have decimated this area. Great Podcast, thanks.

[@peterregan1300]

Fantastic and heartbreaking at the same time. Thanks for what you two do!

[@jeffkreager7717]

Another piece of fishing history in the books. Thank you for sharing.

[@smokeshowfishing3341]

So much wonderful perspective from each one of these interviews, I think it's great for younger anglers to take away from each interview, but maybe the most special thing is to enjoy those special moments in nature like Capt Butch talks about 🙏.. great podcast and loved the extended time !

[@chris73brown]

Butch said it perfect. The real cause for all problems is TOO MANY PEOPLE. Fact. Great interview. I really enjoyed. Ive always looked up to this snook legend as lm a very serious snook fisherman too & have had snook fever for 40+ years. Its my life. Thx for this. Since u ask whod we like to see, ld be very happy to see some more snook legends as in tom greene & dave justice just to name a couple. Thx. Just noticed u do have one w tom greene. 👍

[@timtollett8513]

Preserving History! Thank you.

[@bosarge22]

One of my favorites. Thanks

[@snooketcher]

Found a new favorite podcast!

[@rayditzenberger9517]

Loved the bass story.

[@iandevlin7826]

At 57:00. Hit the nail on the head of THE elephant in the room most people do not want to talk about. Great interview.

[@chris73brown]

TYVM for having the legend on. This is awesome 👍

[@scottbarrington5182]

Awsome episode this man is such an absolute LEGEND!

[@robertmyrick4233]

Great episode!!! Nicky always asks the best questions.

[@bradstaples1622]

This was one of the best Podcasts, I have listened to everyone of them! Thanks for continuing getting these men and women on your show!

[@rayditzenberger9517]

What a fortunate fella you are.

[@alancastellon9225]

Probably my favorite podcast so far. great video guys

[@2232Stephen]

Great work fellas! More Episodes this length!!

[@carsonforrester3061]

Another great episode. Thanks guys

[@9five4]

we’ve been on the snook good for yrs in jup from bridges can o not imagine 40 yrs ago

[@ericlarson8019]

Hey guys. Great show. I understand the fishery is not as good as it used to be. How important is it to your guests to be positive about the future? It seems like everyone is down on it. it almost seems like a funeral sometimes. Hard to get people motivated when thick sucks so bad.… don’t really know what I’m trying to say. Just want to bring it up. Perhaps, we can shed a more positive light on what these kids can experience. All my best.

[@millhousepodcast]

Thanks for your response. I’m not sure how many episodes you have seen but, very frequently, we talk about the shifting baseline and how it is still the good ole days, we just need to change our perspective a bit. I also think it is extremely important for people to know what the fishery and norm was 30-40 years ago so they have an idea on how much it has changed. Not being negative, just realistic. Many people have no idea, so when you get someone like Butch who has been at it since the 70’s, it’s extremely important to listen. I don’t think people should be quiet and refrain from telling the truth just because it might sound negative. It’s still great out there but a fraction of what it once was and that’s just the truth….

[@lakjax]

nice

[@markconner3234]

Live chumming for snook has effected the fish on both coasts