Friday, January 28, 2011

What's Happening and New Plans

This cold is really becoming a pain in the butt.  It is cramping my style big time and I am starting to get cabin fever.  It the picture above, Captain Jeff Knapp is showing off his second Cobia in two trips to the bridge tarpon fishing.   As I reported before the bridge action is pretty hot.  Many visitors to the Keys tend to focus too much on one type of fish or fishing and neglect to take advantage of the variety we have in the Keys.  I am an opportunistic angler and like to try to catch what is biting instead of forcing what is not biting to bite.  This attitude may go against what you may read in the glossy magazines, but it works very well for me.  In fact, I haven't found too many types of fishing I don't like to try from time to time.

Several of the newer guides working in the Keys can't seem to understand my style of fishing.  What ever floats your boat I guess, but living on an island a good guide should be able to find some kind of fishing action in just about any conditions.  There are times that it just doesn't make much sense to brave the weather, of course, but knowing all the options tends limit those times to really nasty stuff.  Many of my customers have had great fishing trips at or near the bridge when the winds were howling.  As long as the fish are biting, the winds tend to get ignored.

Thanks to my cold I have been stuck at the computer much more than normal.  I tend to enjoy some subjects that bore the hell out of most folks, so I don't want to contaminate this primarily fishing blog with silly stuff like alternate energy, climate change, Bayesian statistics and rocket candy.  That means I am going to take most of that stuff to my other blog Our Energy Future: Hydrogen.  I haven't written on that blog for a while mainly because things really don't change that fast.  There has been enough stuff in the past couple years to write about and the State of the Union Address include a plan for the next couple of decades than blends with the reading I have done in the past.  So I you get really bored you can stop by there as I add a few of my observations.

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

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Table at the Tackle Box

Despite feeling like death warmed over thanks to this cold, I managed to get the fish cleaning table with the new cypress base up to the Tackle Box to get some feedback.  As soon as I feel better I will get started on the more deluxe model base.  The deluxe will be fully enclosed with doors on the front.  If you are in the neighborhood, stop by and give me your opinion. 

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

Monday, January 24, 2011

Cypress Fish Cleaning Table Base


I have a cold which is really cramping my style.  I did manage to get a buddy to help me put together a new base for the fish cleaning table.  I am into wood and low maintenance, so I ordered some cypress from central Florida.  Cypress has natural oils that protect it from insects and rot to a point.  Second growth cypress will weather well, but it does need a little UV and water protection to  extend its useful life.

In the pictures are the table with the basic base.  The base is natural and looks good, but I think a light stain would bring out the grain.  Cost for the base right now is $150 bringing the total base and table to $549 Dollars.  Bases right now are only available in the Florida Keys since shipping costs have to be worked out.  The base design is meant to be flexible allowing doors, drawers etc. to be added for custom applications. 

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

Thursday, January 20, 2011

The Bridge Cam and Other Stuff

Cleaning out the truck has turned into a monster!  Trying to figure out what to do with all the extra stuff is stressing me to the point it is cutting into my hammock time.  Lucky, the soothing effects of the Teens4oceans.org underwater camera at the Bahia Honda bridge helps.  The kids with teens4oceans.org replaced lights and worked on the the camera last December and the quality of the video is better than ever.  Lately, Mangrove Snapper have dominated the camera action much like they have been dominating the dinner menu.  If you have not checked out the underwater action, go to this link, Bahia Honda Bridge Cam.  This morning the camera is down, it should be back up soon.

The nighttime viewing is interesting with the new lights.  A Goliath Grouper seems to have fallen in love with the light making regular appearances.   The Mangroves we have been seeing at the bridges are moving back into the Bay with the warmer water temperatures.  So Bay Side action is heating up.  Out front on the ocean side, things are still hot for mackerel and snapper.  More cobia are being seen in the Hawk Channel area with the tide change, so camping out on a few of the Channel rock piles is a great way to save fuel and catch a good mixed bag of fish.

The bait situation has improved with most captains getting all the pilchards they want in the usual areas.  Having plenty of fresh live bait always makes things better.  The ballyhoo situation is still a little off but should be improving.  Mutton snapper love live ballyhoo along with just about every other critter in the ocean. 

Marge, the waitress at Porky's Bay Side, reports the she and hubby caught several keeper grouper now that the season is CLOSED!  So if you have a few free moments pester the heck out of any politician you can to have the fisheries commission get off our back.  Most of the local to Monroe County politicians are on board fighting the new nonsense regulations.  So it is up to you guys that want to vacation down here to get involved at home.  Here is the link for the South Atlantic office and the Gulf States Marine Fisheries.  Email, write, call and generally let them know that the Keys should be part of a Caribbean Fisheries Commission.  Also pester your local congress folks and senators. 

The Great Spanish Mackerel Cook Off has been stolen by Porky's Bay Side and unnamed charter captains.  This appears to be due to their fear of competing against my Mackerel cakes and fritters.  This is not unexpected since my cakes and fritters are far too sophisticated for their mundane palates.  So for Superbowl Sunday they will have a smoked mackerel dip contest. 

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

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Hurricanes, Floods and Blizzards, Oh My!- Is Climate Change the Cause?

Having something to blame is comforting, but is everything really due to climate change?

My conversation with Joel's uncle Will last night turned to global warming among a few other things. I read a lot about the political science debate on what is now called climate disruption. The debate on how soon and how much mankind's wicked wasteful ways has on climate will rage on for a while. Most of you may have noticed that everything bad, weather wise, is due to climate change, at least in the press. So what's the deal?

It is often mentioned that the global average temperature is about one degree Fahrenheit warmer now due to anthropogenic global warming or greenhouse gases added to the atmosphere by man's activities. In actuality, as much as half of that “may” be due to man. Why that one degree is reported so often is a mystery. Even the warm activists in the science community do not say that it is one degree. The one degree F or about 0.7 degrees Centigrade is the approximate rise in average temperature since the late 1800's. Global climate has made some changes in the past and will continue making changes in the future. Such is the nature of climate, it changes. That is why we have hundred year weather events. Nasty weather things that happen, just not very often.

With the most that man “may” have increased average temperatures by at 0.5 degrees F, is that enough to blame the greenhouse scape goat on the flooding in Australia, Pakistani and Brazil? Not really. Most of the much publicized climate change weather disasters should not kick in until global temperatures increase over one degree above average. So blaming everything from floods to blizzards on climate change now, is a bit disingenuous. The current maximum temperature due to man is smaller than the normal natural variation of climate. Maybe's, possibility’s and partiality’s should proceed any comments about weather and man made climate change at this point in time. We don't get those caveats because it don't scare people enough unless you accentuate the negatives.

A variety of scientists have noticed that natural climate variability has been neglected in favor of more exciting man made climate disruption. They get little press. Everybody needs a villain, even if that villain happens to be us. Blaming nature, God or chance on disaster has been done to death, so global warming/climate change/climate disruption is the villain of the decade. Should the impact of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere kick in, a whole new class of millennial scale weather events will be defined. The floods in the news now are tragic more because seven to ten day weather forecasts are not accurate enough to warn people to run from the coming disaster. There are forecast models that could have warned people to run, but the uncertainty of the forecasts makes it difficult to scare the hell out of millions to inspire them to take a quick holiday. Some of the better forecast models are double top secret. Paid for by private industry and not available for governments to use. Weird huh! A real life conspiracy theory in this age of rationality?

That is true by the way. Private mega industries spend big bucks getting the best forecasts so they can save bigger bucks and those forecasts don't come from government weather bureaus. Those special forecasts are not perfect, just enough better than the national weather services to justify the cost. Even with the better forecasts, the political and financial cost of relocating millions of people makes it nearly impossible to give residents of a potential flood area adequate warning. One, billion dollar false alarm, could disrupt local economies and political careers. Don't worry though, the governments are working on that, feel better?

There are so many things wrong with the current science/political situation of climate disruption it is hard to find a starting point. Well, not really that hard. Science/political is a clue. Scientists should be doing scientific stuff and politicians should be doing political stuff, not vice versa. I mean really, we can kick the politicians out. Scientists are a little more difficult. Remember scientists are very smart people that opted to stay in school instead of getting real jobs like normal folks. Scientists are special. Scientists are also human.

Memorable scientists discovered things that revealed stuff about something that improved knowledge of ourselves or our world. That is why they are memorable. Most of these memorable scientists also discovered things that helped them discover that what they discovered was wrong (GASP!) They are human after all and as scientists, part of their job is to disprove other scientists and even themselves. Thanks to selective memory we tend to remember the scientific successes more than the failures. It is a part of human nature and science.

When science and politics merge we get a whole new critter to deal with. Everyone knows you can't trust politicians but everyone is conditioned to trust scientists. That makes science/politics a conundrum. A simple rule of thumb should be to go with your political savvy and stick to the distrust. That is called skepticism, which scientist/politicians call denial. So the new problem is that Joe average actually has to learn to think for him/herself about complicated stuff. So if Joe is smart he will find Mrs. Betsell, his fifth grade math teach and apologize for being a butt wipe and checking out Martha White instead of his text book.

One of the reasons that science/politics is so screwed up is Solomanesque politics does not improve scientific results. Splitting the difference between scientific opinion means you are guaranteed the wrong answer, just the error is smaller than if you picked the wrong scientist. A good example is former scientist turned political activist, James Hansen. James, feels that the magnitude of man's impact is a number 4 while his colleague, Syukuro Manabe feels it was 2 degrees C. As a result, the IPCC settled on the average of 3 degrees C and established a range of climate sensitivity of 1.5 to 4.5 with 3 degrees C as the probably sensitivity. The actually range should be 1.5 to 2.5.

Why should the range be 1.5 5o 2.5? You have to go back to Arrhenius, the guy that came up with the theory of global warming to get a clue. Arrhenius, set out to prove his theory that the ice ages and interglacial periods in Earth's history were caused by variation of carbon dioxide concentrations, the greenhouse effect, that is very poorly named. His value of climate sensitivity originally was between 4 and 5 degrees C. About a decade after his global warming theory, Arrhenius changed his mind and said the value of climate sensitivity was 1.6 degrees C. Oddly, his original estimate, which he changed, is quoted much more often than his revised estimate (This seems to happen a lot in climate science).  There are quite a few scientists that estimate in the range of 1 to 2 degrees C for sensitivity. The results of the models appear to indicated that the value 3 C is an over estimation. So a very good guess is that sensitivity is less than 3 degrees C.  By the way, my guess is just as valid as the IPCC's and didn't cost squat.

What's the big deal? Well, 3 degrees C and above is what I call crispy critter range, not good. Two degrees C is PITA range and 1 degree C is potentially a good thing, at least not as bad a thing. Now the lower range doesn't mean we are home free. Smart, pragmatic people would hedge their bets and take smart, pragmatic action. Judging by the frequent financial bubbles that are screwing the world economy, smarts and pragmatism are commodities is short supply. That means that this final part of my little paper is going to be totally lost on the majority of people that happen to read it.

Reasonable actions to reduce fossil fuel use, improve forest management, and not dicking with food supplies for energy, are smart and pragmatic.

Oh, by the way.  The weather is gorgeous, the fish are biting and I am open for a couple days.  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

Monday, January 17, 2011

The Family Made it to The Keys!

Joel's Mom and uncles made it to the Keys and we had dinner at Porky's Bay Side.  Everything seems to be going well so Joel should have his passport and everything by Wednesday.  All's well that ends well.

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

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Okay Day

Today was one of those weird fishing days.  We caught fish all day, but the bite never got kicked into high gear.  We did lose a large number of good size fish that were chewed by a variety of predators. Even when we were trying to catch bait the cero mackerel kept them spooked, so we just went with the flow and put several good size cero's in the box along with a 'cuda that was munching on stuff at the bait barge. Danny (left in photo) had not done that much fishing so the 'cuda was exciting for him plus watching Jew fish and other 'cudas trying to eat the ceros. 

I can't complain too much though.  Even a slow day for me is better than most have on a good day.  Hopefully, the weather will cooperate tomorrow and I can put them on a better bite.  As it was Danny was starting to get a little worn out fighting the fish we did find.  The final tally was three kings, about a half dozen ceros, maybe 10 decent size mangroves, one pair of grouper lips and a lot of fish that got away.  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

Saturday, January 15, 2011

They are Killing Me!



I am all for conservation.  I have never been one to over harvest.  For some reason the fisheries management folks are out to kill my livelihood and your fishing dreams by shutting down everything they can.   Now they are going after more fish species to shut own.

The Florida Keys is a unique fish habitat unlike any other area in the United States.  We have varieties of fish rarely found anywhere else in the US and because of the warmer water temperatures, fish live differently down here.  Water temperature and moon phase inspire most fish to get frisky and spawn.  Because our water temperatures are more stable, fish can spawn more often and at very different times than they would further up north.  Basing fishing closures in the Keys on conditions that do not exist in the Keys is stupid!  The educated idiots that have degrees in economics and marine biology are too stupid to realize that the Keys is a whole different fishery than say the Carolinas or the Gulf states.  So these idiots include the Florida Keys in fishing closures for reasons that may apply to the Atlantic or Gulf coasts.  We get whacked by rules written for every fishery but our own unique fishery.

Also, unlike most areas of the US, the Florida Keys is mainly a recreational/charter fishery than a commercial fishery.  Income from charters and recreational fishing vacationers far out weighs the commercial income, unlike most other areas of the US.  Rules that may be applicable for other areas just don't make any sense in the Keys.

The Fisheries management guys now think that they can impose larger restrictions on species that have no evidence of over harvesting because they can.  These people are idiots that need to be educated in the surreal economic impact of the warm and fuzzy decisions they are making.  Unfortunately, one small county in South Florida does not have a loud enough voice to get enough attention.  We need the help of everyone from every state and every country that enjoys Fishing in the Florida Keys to speak out.  Keys fishing is an international treasure to be protected both from over harvesting and over legislation.  Bug anyone and everyone you can to be heard.  If you are American, start writing, calling and emailing your congresspeople and senators. If you are from another country, start calling, writing and emailing anyone you know in the travel industry or politics.

So while you are freezing your butts off dreaming of a visit to the Florida Keys, try getting a little bit active in protecting your dream vacation from educated idiots.  The Keys should be designated a separate fishery with regulations that are tailored to its unique environment.

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

Tight lines,

Capt. Dallas

Friday, January 14, 2011

One Thing Leads to Another



I knew cleaning out the truck would lead to other things!  Now I have twenty something rods and reels broken down for maintenance, a bunch of my fishing lures to make, fish cleaning table stuff to do, a lot of clothes to wash and a weekend with no trips scheduled.  It is getting tough to put stuff off!

Anyway, I finally made a decision on the fish cleaning table basic mounting base.  I just ordered a bunch of cypress wood for the bases.  I think natural wood is pretty sexy looking and cypress should be a good, long lasting look with the state of the art, rotational molded, high density poly-ethylene, fish cleaning table.  So sometime in the next couple of weeks the captain Dallas approved fish cleaning table should be on display at a tackle store near you, if you happen to live near here.

I do have some sad news to report.  Woodrow D. Pecker is no longer with us.  Woodrow passed in his sleep the other night.  Injuries due to a flying accident are suspected of causing Woodrow's demise.  Alcohol has not been ruled out.  The family requests you send donations to the Marathon Wild Bird Center and Guidance Clinic in lieu of flowers.

On a brighter note, Joel J. Prick is scheduled for release Tuesday.  His family will be arriving this weekend for the long awaited reunion.  I will try to interview Joel on the conditions of the Key West Detention Facility, which has the most awesome view of any Detention Facility in the United States, if you have a water front room.  Joel's lawyer thinks Canada has better detention facilities, but I beg to differ!

I have Wifi restaurant reviews ready for posting after I tidy up the blog a bit.  One resort/restaurant does not have wifi!!  The Hammocks, A Blue Green resort has no wifi!  I recommend everyone let them know how outrageous it is for them to neglect that basic necessity of vacationing! Since they are right next door, I should get a kick butt signal if they add wifi.


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

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Looe Key Tiki Bar Review and More on Joel Prick

In the US we have some of the finest jails in the world and a bureaucracy unrivaled in the western hemisphere.  I made the trip to Key Weird to check on Joel's Status.  He has a public defender and everything just like a real American!  I, of course can't get a hold of the public defender, but he has one! I also talked to his proscecutor and she is willing to work with the family on his release.  Now tell me American ain't a great place!  So as soon as the family can have a representative here to accompany Mr. Prick back home we will have a happy ending.

Now that I am finished with my international duties, back to the good stuff.  Today we are reviewing the Looe Key Tiki Bar.  For some reason when ever I review a restaurant I get special treatment.  Perhaps because I tell them I am reviewing the restaurant and start typing the review while they watch.  With my following of dozens of loyal readers, they bend over backwards.

First up, Looe Key Tiki has wifi which is very nice for tourist and locals alike.  The menu is pretty solid for a tiki bar with appetizers from $2.95 for nachos and cheese to $12.95 for 1/2 pound of peel and eat shrimp.  There are also the usual apps for the Keys including fresh smoked fish dip.  Soups Salads and side are basic with conch chowder daily and a soup of the day, house and Caesar salads that you can kick up with chick, fish or shrimp and generous helpings of onion ring, fries or cheese fries.

The sandwiches are most popular with the Cuban mix a big seller and my favorite fried shrimp sandwich.  Prices are about average meaning moderately over priced.  Since they come with fries, the price is a bit more reasonable than many places.  The seafood baskets are generous and in the normal Keys price range.

Well I am going to finish my calamari and look for more mischief to get into.  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

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Procrastination?

Some people think they know how to procrastinate.  I am the master of putting things off.  Instead of cleaning out my truck, which would lead to doing my laundry, which would probably lead to something else productive, I would rather be the temporary liaison for Joel Prick.

In our last installment we mentioned our breakfast with Joel.  Since that breakfast, Joel's vacation has taken an unexpected turn.  Monroe County Sheriff's Deputies noticed Joel using a kayak without paddles and had a chat with him.  Joel admitted that he had borrowed the kayak though he had not actually gotten permission to borrow the kayak.  Joel did leave his picnic basket with all his current worldly belongings as collateral for the kayak trip.  In the confusion Joel was arrested for grand larceny and escorted to the Marathon detention facility.  He was relocated to the Key West detention facility Unit A.  Unit A is a special unit.

Thanks to my blog post, the family and friends of Joel located Joel and myself with the magic of Google.  Since they are 5000 miles away and I really don't feel like cleaning out my truck, I have been trying to assist Joel's friends and family with Joel's situation.  Joel's family is greatly distraught that Joel is in jail.  American jails seem to have a bad reputation which I do not really understand.  Admittedly, if I were to be incarcerated I would prefer federal facilities mainly due to the quality of the menu.  Federal prison is even a retirement option I have been considering.  County jails in the US provide adequate accommodations though meal planning leaves a lot to be desired unless you are a fan of bologna and/or peanut butter on white bread.  I prefer whole wheat myself.

So after helping Joel, I plan to prove to the world that American jails are some of the best jails in the world, other than the menu of course.  That should put the truck clean up off another day or two.

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

Sunday, January 09, 2011

Breakfast at the Seven Mile Grill

Breakfast out is a bit of a luxury for me.  Living in a tourist town everything is priced for tourists and I ain't one.  Well, today I was waiting on a few friends to have a leisurely breakfast with when in comes Joel Prick.  Joel is from the Netherlands and evidently has fallen onto hard times.

Joel ran into an herbalist from Arizona in Key West that seems to have separated him from his money.  Joel showed up wearing only shorts and carrying his worldly belongings in a picnic basket.  Joel seems to have grand plans to import broken down cars from the Netherlands to start a big time junk yard in the US.  Joel talks a lot.

He claims to have tons of moneys.  He has a desire to buy a thousand dollars worth of cigars in Miami for his uncle.  Next up is getting a job with NASA blowing meteors up.  Ah, to be a law abiding meteor blower upper.  Just another day in the Keys.

Joel's uncle is crazy it seems, nobody likes him because he is crazy and broke.  Something Joel would like to rectify.  Joel though, is not well understood since he only speaks German and English and English not all that well.  Luckily, Joel is the only sane person in the area and much smarter than everyone else, so I am sure he will be just fine.

Anyway, I bought Joel breakfast, let him email his mom and tried to get him down to the guidance clinic.  If Joel was a woodpecker I would have had better luck.  He is back to wandering the streets of Marathon, blissfully lost in a world totally unlike the one I live in.

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

Saturday, January 08, 2011

Woodrow D. Pecker


Hanging out this morning making my rounds while figuring out how to rationalize not completing the truck clean out project, I happen upon Woodrow D. Pecker.  Woodrow must have had a hard night last night.  He was not his normal self banging away on the exhaust hood at Porky's Bay Side trying to drum up a little fling with the local Woodrina's.  Woodrow is the grandson of the late Woodrow D. Big Pecker that built a sweet love nest hole in the telephone pole behind Porky's only to lose it to Myna tax collectors after a drunken binge of nest hole flipping.  Obviously depressed by his current real estate troubles, Woodrow D. Pecker got into a little trouble.

I tried to convince Woodrow to get back in the program, but he would have nothing to do with it.  My only recourse was to call the Marathon Wild Bird Rescue and Guidance Clinic to help Woodrow dry out. 


Gunnar and Aeriel, counselors at the guidance clinic wing of the Wild Bird Complex showed up to take custody of Woodrow.  Gunnar was prepared for the worst.  Detoxing Woodrow D. Peckers have been known to attempt to harm themselves and others pecking away at any one they can find to pester.  Woodrow this time did not create a scene and quietly entered his padded cell which will be his home for a few days. 

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

Friday, January 07, 2011

Sauteed Hogfish or Hog Snapper?

I get some interesting searches that bring new people to my blog.  Today I had someone searching for Sauteed Hog Snapper recipes.  There are several restaurants in town that have some kick butt sauteed fish recipes.  Francais, if that is how you spell it or French style is pretty awesome.  I haven't made it in a while but what the heck, here is my version.

Bread the fish fillets by first seasoning the fish with salt, pepper and some Old Bay, dredge lightly in flour, dip in egg wash and dredge in flour again.  The egg wash is just a couple beaten eggs with about a tablespoon of milk or water added.

Saute the breaded fillets in half butter, half olive oil (about 2 tablespoons each) in a medium high skillet until golden brown then set aside to drain on paper towels.  Add to the skillet diced onion, diced bell pepper, diced celery and sliced mushrooms in equal parts and a couple of garlic cloves finely chopped. Normally, there is enough butter and oil, but you may want to add some if the pan looks dry.  De-glaze with white wine or water if you have issues with wine (about a half cup).  Add about a 1/2 cup per serving of clam juice (most bottles of clam juice are about a cup). Bring to a boil and then simmer until it reduces by 1/3 to 1/2.  Season with Old Bay and salt to taste.  The sauce should be thickened enough to coat a spoon at this point.  If not reduce a little more then return the fillets to the skillet and cover for a few minutes.  Don't over cook.  Just rewarm the fillets and coat the bottoms with sauce.  Serve right away over white rice with a big chunk of hot garlic bread.

This is really an easy recipe that makes you look like you know what you are doing.  I have never measured the amounts of seasoning, but I don't over season the fish.  I do taste and adjust the sauce so the salt and Old Bay are noticeable but don't overpower the veggies.  This recipe is good for any type of white meat fish, alligator, conch and iguana ('Gator, conch and iguana should be boneless and pounded to tenderize before breading.)

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

Thursday, January 06, 2011

Kings and Mangroves

Tuesday was a good day on the water.  Light winds, warm temperatures and plenty of fish to play with.  Mike from Maryland just wanted eating fish and was not that particular.  The Mangroves, yellow tail and porgies were not all that impressive size wise.  They are tasty though.  Mackerel were the main event with a splash of cobia that were just short making it interesting. 

The Kings were not monsters.  The largest in the box was only 15 to 20 pounds.  There were several larger fish that took a hundred yards or so of line before becoming unbuttoned.  There was of course bigger fish that took what they wanted from the fish Mike hooked up as well.  Chumming one spot on the reef most of the day we had constant action with about ten different species of fish. 

After a day off to recuperate, Mike is ready to give it another shot.  Live bait is a bit hard to find still, but we will take a quick look.  We plan to hit a few deeper spots early before setting up on the reef.  There are a few dolphin in close that may want to play and a mutton or two for photos would be nice.

My photos turned out crappy so this is one from Captain Pips Facebook.  Don't know why blogger will not allow me to show the Facebook photo with a link so you will just have to click the link to see the fish.

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

Sunday, January 02, 2011

You Need to Write More!

I have been hearing that a good bit.  So I am going to try.  I found a webcam for the computer so I may just show some pictures of where I am writing when I am writing.  The photo below is from Porky's Bay Side.  As you can see the bar tender is having no fun at all :)

Future blog posts from the restaurants I have been reviewing for the web addicted and probably one or two from on the beach, just to aggravate the snow bound, will be coming soon.  My next fishing trip is Tuesday so I should have a new fishing report then.  Until then, Happy New Year, Y'all!

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