The Unseen Giant

Where we are

• 
  Lostman's River — The destination. 'A river inside a bay inside a gulf.' The Sea Belle beached on an oyster bar near the mouth, Ch. 11–18.
• 
  The backcountry bays — 'A navigational test for even the most experienced fishing guides.'

Every place in the book, painted →

Fish in this chapter

• 
  Grouper (goliath / gag) Matt's favorite eating fish. The 'unseen giant' that dragged the anchored Bonefisher across the channel; the… Ch. 2Ch. 3Ch. 13Ch. 14 +2
• 
  Mangrove (gray) snapper Dave's 22-incher; the snapper bonanza at the river mouth ('leave that snapper in the water, it'll attract… Ch. 2Ch. 3Ch. 7Ch. 13 +2

Crew in this chapter

• 
  Matthew 'Matt' Creek protagonist Ch. 1
• 
  Snapper Dan's neighbor, retired guide Ch. 2

Critters in this chapter

• 
  Oyster bars The thing that scrapes the hull, holds the Sea Belle, cuts your line, and hides the redfish. Ch. 2Ch. 3Ch. 12Ch. 18
• 
  Mangroves Everywhere. The hideout at Pavilion Key, the storm tie-off, the overhangs where snook wait. Ch. 3Ch. 9Ch. 12Ch. 14

Boats in this chapter

• 
  The Bonefisher Sixteen-foot open backcountry skiff Ch. 2Ch. 10Ch. 11Ch. 12 +3

From the tackle box

The 'Golden Flicker'

Matt's prized red mullet lure with gold flecks.

Live bait

Snapper tosses a small live snapper into the current and hooks the giant.

Navigational chart

Paper chart of the backcountry; cell reception is unreliable so 'they had to rely on actual maps.'