Just Another Fishing 101

Monday was just another fishing 101. Really nice crew from Canada by way of South Africa. One couple loves to fish the other could care less. I told the couple that could care less that I planned to get them addicted to fishing. Did the tour first thing in the morning to show the non fishing crew a nice beach near some good fishing so they could split up and enjoy doing their own thing. One of the non fishing crew is a kite boarder and diver. There are plenty of spots around the island to do both.

Then I took the crew to a spot in Hawk Channel. One of my fishing crew likes to hand line, this spot is perfect for bottom fishing with a hand line or rod. They caught a ton of fish though there was a lull during slack tide. Not many keepers, but a few just short grouper, a Jewfish, a good number of lane snapper and the ever present grunts you have to wade through. I thought it was slow as hell, but the crew had never seen so many kinds of fish or so many fish in a couple hours of fishing.

The afternoon though sucked. The wind picked up and turned against the current. That canned my plans for some time on the reef or offshore so we headed back to the Bay. The Mackerel had lock jaw. I could see them swimming around but they wouldn't hit anything we offered. We hit another of my spots and caught a few lanes that were legal but too small for me to bring back to the dock. To me a lane needs to be 14 inches or better to even think about keeping.

When we get back to the dock all I am thinking about is how crappie the afternoon was. The crew though, both the fishers and the non fishers, said they had a hell of a good time. I guess I am just spoiled by all the great trips I have had. Slow to me is fast and furious to most.

Marathon in the Florida Keys should be your next fishing vacation destination. Join us for charter fishing, fishing guide trips or our fishing 101 so you can fish on your own with better success.

Tight lines,

Capt. Dallas