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