Florida Keys

[5th Tuition]

It looks like Mike and I picked a good week to visit Don in Marathon. I envy his ability to get up in the morning, walk thirty feet to the boat, and fish as long as he wishes

Mike has a bunch of photos and will probably add to the thread later.

We fished all five days the weather was perfect (80* and light winds). We did have a slight shower the day we arrived, but other than that, it was perfect.

Here is an example of the weather.

[5th Tuition]

That first day, we caught a bunch of good eating fish. I think the photo will show a Mutton Snapper (we caught so many different species that I have forgotten which name goes to which fish).

We kept the larger fish and had a local restaurant cook them and we had a wonderful first day.
I think we kept snapper and yellowtail for dinner.

[5th Tuition]

We fished both backwater and ocean water. Many of the fish we caught in the gulf side were eclipsed in size by the same species in the ocean side.
This is a photo of a small Hound Fish (I think) from the gulf side.

[5th Tuition]

Mike and I each caught one of the following species. Mike was overboard swimming and using his GoPro camera in the water. It takes amazing video in such clear water. While he was swimming, he lost some money (bills) out of his pockets. The money was floating away and we started yelling to Mike, trying to tell him his money was floating away. When he finally heard us yelling, he hightailed it back to the boat. Never saw Mike move so fast

[5th Tuition]

The highlight of the day was when we saw birds working, fish busting, and bait leaping out of the water to avoid being eaten
Turns out there was a large school of these chasing bait.

All our fish were caught on light tackle, mostly 12 pound line with 20 pound leader. A few, were caught on 17 pound line. Luckily, Don did have one rod set up with 30 pound line and I caught this fish on that rod. I was able to muscle this one in knowing I had enough tackle to get the job done.

[5th Tuition]

Mike has a bunch of photos taken with a better grade of fish caught off a reef in the ocean. I'm sure he will post a couple pics.

Stay tune to see what Mike hooked up on 12 pound test and fought for about 20 minutes. It is a species you normally associate with catching while trolling


In the mean time, here is a photo of a small grouper. We caught many of them, but they are out of season (unfortunately).

[5th Tuition]

Here is another example of the weather. This was out in the ocean on a deep reef. The water is beautiful. We saw sea turtles eating Portugeese Man of War

Just a wonderful time. Thanks Don for the invitation

I can't wait for spring
5th (Marty)

[Chessie27]

Sure looks and sounds like you boys had fun down there. And you left poor Don behind to stay there for awhile longer? Man do I feel for him. It looks absolutely beautiful!

Glad you made it back safe and sound, now rest up for TriState. 3 shows I've had to pass Capt John without picking up a rig so you could sell it to me in Deale.

[drichitt]

You guys really lucked into 5 great days of beautiful weather and we took full advantage of it. Had a blast. Hopefully Mike is able to upload some of the pics he took. Even though we weren't able to keep any grouper we did catch a few that would have been keepers. Never did catch any keeper size Mutton (16") as they tend to be out a bit deeper. From my memory we caught various kinds of snapper, various kinds of grunts, both Cero and Spanish Mackerel, Red Grouper, Black Grouper, Gag Grouper, Parrot Fish, Gray Trigger fish, Squirrel Fish, Hound Fish, Blue Runner, Barracuda, Shark, and Jack (Crevalle).

Here is one of the trigger fish caught by my wife Dawn:


Only other pic I had on my phone is Mike and Marty sporting their convertible and Coronas in front of my favorite palm tree in our front yard:

[mark1234]

You guys picked a good time to go. Wonder if Don will ever be willing to leave?

Yes, the bigger mutton are out deeper, but it's still only about 8-10 miles off the beach.



Did you guys have trouble with the dolphin stealing your fish off the hook?