Shark Fishing!

I don't have a clue why, but lately all i am getting is shark fishing trips. Don't get me wrong, shark fishing on light tackle is a ton of fun. Still five out of my last seven trips have been for sharks on light tackle.

We have been averaging fifteen hook ups per day on the sharks, plus a variety of other fish. Two of the last three trips have produced keeper grouper. Not that that is stellar grouper fishing, but it ain't a bad by-catch for shark fishing trips in the Bay. Quite a few nice mangrove snapper, a few yellowtail snapper, a variety of jacks and tons of Spanish mackerel round out the by-catch on most trips.

The sharks brought to the boat are mainly browns in the 30 to 50 pound range with a few lemons and blacktips mixed in just for fun. Several large bull sharks have been hooked up. On 12 pound test most of these mercifully broke off. It can take a long time to wear out a 300 pound shark with a 12 pound spinning rod.

The reef is loaded with bait! Once the wind shifts to the Northeast and stays there, the action for big mangroves, yellowtails and a few muttons and grouper should be good for the meat fishermen. The sailfish and king mackerel are here waiting for the wind to change. Near shore drift fishing will really heat up here when this front slides through.

Fishing isn't the hottest I have seen for this time of year, but is pretty good.

Tight lines,
Enjoy some Marathon Heart of the Florida Keys Fishing

captdallas

Three Day Getaway Fishing Special

This is kind of cool.

Captain Pips announces the premier vacation rental fishing package, the three day getaway. For $692.50 per person (two people) you get two days fishing and three nights lodging for one easy on the wallet price. The price includes a professional fishing guide, upgrade to pro series rental boat, bait, ice and fuel. None of those annoying little add on fees other than Florida state sales tax, your food, drink and a gratuity for your guide.

For a four person party, the maximum recommended, the total price is $1750 or 437.50 per person. Again that is all inclusive except for food, drink sales tax and gratuity.

Savvy fishermen know that fuel surcharges are taking a bigger bite out of their fishing budget than ever before. The three day getaway gets rid of that guess work bringing you back to the good old days of that’s the price period.

The pro series boats are rigged for fishing with Tee top, GPS/Sonar, VHF radio, large live wells and fuel efficient four stroke outboards. For a party of two the boat is a 20 foot Cape Horn. A party of four will fish from the 24 foot Cape Horn if available or one of the other 23 foot, pro series center consoles.

The professional guide takes you to the fish and makes sure everything is rigged and ready for your seasonal favorite from snapper to sailfish.

The lodging provided is signature Captain Pips. Clean comfortable rooms with plenty of space inside and out for relaxing in the tropical Florida Keys.

To keep these prices low you do have to provide your own Florida Saltwater fishing license. That way the trips are guided not chartered which saves you tons of money. The non-resident three day fishing license is under twenty dollars and easily purchased over the phone at 1-888-347-4356 the first day of your stay.

You can check out Captain Pips website for availability. I am one of those professional guides in case you were wondering.

Enjoy a Marathon Heart of the Florida Keys Fishing Vacation.

Capt. Dallas

Just an Update.

Sorry, I have been neglecting the blog with so much stuff going on down here. Fishing in the bay is starting to heat up. The Spanish Mackerel are good size, but the bite is not fast and furious. That should change in the next week or two.

The larger mangrove snapper are around the bridge and the patches on the reef. Nice fish to eight pounds with a keeper grouper here and there. Ceros are pretty thick with all the balleyhoo on the reef.

Sailfishing is pretty good. It is not constant action, but your time should be rewarded with two or more shots a day. While you are waiting on a sail bite, King mackerel over 30 pounds may want to play with a deep drift live balleyhoo. My crew Wednesday enjoyed their King, I just wish the sailfish had not thrown the hook.

Offshore has sucked the last two weeks thanks to the wind shift. For a while, the dolphin and sails were right on top of the reef. Now you will have to do some hunting.

Tight Lines,
Enjoy some Marathon Heart of the Florida Keys Fishing

capt dallas