Rain, and More Rain

 August and September are the prime rainy season months in the Keys so nothing very unusual about all the rain.  As long as there isn't a named storm, you can normally avoid most of the worst stuff and catch fish.  Right now, Mangrove Snapper are moving back to their usual spots so there are more opportunities to catch dinner when the weather doesn't look great for running offshore or fishing the reef. 

Hogfish is closed in Federal Waters but you can still keep one per person over 16 inches in state waters.  Over 16 inches though is going to be tough.  Hogfish are way to delicate for catch and release, even with circle hooks, so I am not sure how this barrage of new Hogfish regulations is going to play out. 

Mrs. Cathy of Lady Catherine Charters is having a tough time battling the big C right now so I want to steer more traffic to their charter business.  Lots of people I know are battling, which is just a reminder that anytime you can is a great time to go fishing. 

Texas is getting more than their fair share of rain thanks to a stalled Harvey.  When the skies clear, they will clean up and get back to business, so planning a fishing trip there can help get the local captains back in the black.  You can donate to plenty of charities, but getting people back to work is the best way to get things back to normal.

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

Yep, Fish are still biting

While I am screwing around with domestic nonsense and plumbing repair, David has been fishing is the light and variable conditions offshore.  David Heberholz is the lead captain on the Lady Catherine and also does a little fishing consulting on private boats.

A 54" bull dolphin is a solid 30 pound fish and called a slammer down here.  The 53" cow dolphin should be between 25 and 30 pounds.

Other boats have been getting good numbers of gaffer fish and the occasionally Wahoo.  Not bad for August.

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

Windy Full Moon

 I had three days with a crew I have fished with for years and of course the only time they had available was on the full moon with 15 to 20 knot winds. 

 Everyone had a fairly good time but when Grant's bragging fish is a Nurse shark, fishing was off.  We did manage a keeper Red Grouper, some nice Porkies, a few Cero Mackerel, Yellowtail Snapper and some Mangrove snapper, but the bites were short lived with the full moon current often against the wind. 

The boat they rented was a Sea Fox from All Aboard Rentals.  Pretty nice new boat, 24 foot with a single 250 Yamaha.  All Aboard has moved to the end of Avenue A and has new owners who are Sea Fox dealers.   Since the windy, full moon fell on the the first week of lobster season, they had the only boats left in Marathon to rent.  They had just moved in to the new place and had lots of work going on.  I should have taken more pictures, but the boats are rigged for fishing and cruising around.  Good size live well and fish boxes plus lots of seating in the back that really wasn't in the way fishing.

Now that they are back home, the winds have laid down and the offshore bite has picked up.  There is a storm that may develop over the next week, but after that fishing should be good and the buggers will mainly be gone.  

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