tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35402645127765881002009-12-15T09:47:34.469-05:00Let's go fishing in the Florida Keys! The only Caribbean Islands you can drive to. Home of the third largest barrier reef in the world, the most diverse fish habitat in North America.Dallashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07913299764512464597noreply@blogger.comBlogger223125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3540264512776588100.post-56127103192940799632009-12-15T09:39:00.002-05:002009-12-15T09:46:51.244-05:00

Lots of stuff going on this week. First I will be ring the Salvation Army bell at Publix from 12:00 to 2:00. That will be a first. Then Thursday and Friday I will be in Key Weird for a wedding rehearsal, then Friday I perform my first wedding. Saturday I fish for profit with one of my favorite regulars. Monday and Tuesday I fish with another of my favorite regulars. Fishing has for the most

Dallashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07913299764512464597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3540264512776588100.post-19934718973202690872009-12-13T08:58:00.002-05:002009-12-13T09:40:15.210-05:00

They are different kinds of fishing guides in the Keys and elsewhere. Some specialize in types of fishing like back country, fly fishing, flats fishing, bridge fishing, bottom fishing et cetera. Some do a little bit of everything. I am one of the little bit of everything variety. Some parts I am very good at and some I know enough to help most anglers. Fly fishing about my worst area and I

Dallashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07913299764512464597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3540264512776588100.post-40018340031926772002009-12-11T08:35:00.003-05:002009-12-11T08:59:06.461-05:00

This season is taking forever to start in terms of tourists. The resident snow birds are moving back into town. They seem to be hiding in their vacation homes though. While I am pretty bummed about the slow start at least it isn't just me. Some of the most popular captains in Marathon have fished less than I have.The reports I get are mainly great for snapper, mackerel and sailfish. The

Dallashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07913299764512464597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3540264512776588100.post-73690257133385310072009-12-05T08:59:00.003-05:002009-12-05T09:46:11.786-05:00

Dan that I took out last week wanted to learn how to catch sailfish and throw a castnet on live ballyhoo. From the pictures it looks like he listens pretty good.Dan if you like you can leave a comment on your photos.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

Dallashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07913299764512464597noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3540264512776588100.post-79179065912062741362009-11-24T08:17:00.002-05:002009-11-24T08:49:10.363-05:00

I got some outstanding reports from yesterday. Bobby on the Pips 36 got into nice size wahoo to 40 pounds or so plus some nice snapper and a keeper red grouper. The wahoo were caught in 100 to 150 feet of water right out front. Paul and Dave on the Papa Pips when offshore and got a nice dolphin and some blackfins so offshore is still a bit slow but some fish what to play out there.Down to the

Dallashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07913299764512464597noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3540264512776588100.post-34715467140382958972009-11-22T07:18:00.003-05:002009-11-22T07:41:02.569-05:00

Friday was a great day with Dan a fairly regular client. Dan wanted to learn a few things like how to throw a castnet and catch sailfish. The plan was to catch balleyhoo on the reef then hit the 100 to 200 foot range for sailfish. That was the plan anyway.Well the wind was against the current so we couldn't get the balley hoo behind the boat at the first spot. We tried another with the same

Dallashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07913299764512464597noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3540264512776588100.post-58042577473955657262009-11-17T09:06:00.003-05:002009-11-17T09:12:28.526-05:00

The sailfish bite has fired off in Marathon. Bob Manske on the Pips 36 had a couple shots but the clients wanted to bottom fish so he spent a couple hours beside himself as the sails crashed bait all around the boat. Been there done that so I know the feeling. While Bobbby was watching sails I discovered that a shovel really doesn't fit my hand anymore. But to help cover a small debt I back

Dallashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07913299764512464597noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3540264512776588100.post-57891381164561153642009-11-15T08:10:00.003-05:002009-11-15T08:30:01.375-05:00

Yesterday was a short guide trip to show Mr. Nico J. de Boer and his lovely lady the Marathon area and Captain Pip's. We targeted fish that would hit artificials and flies during a short half day trip as he had another appointment in the afternoon. With the cold front the fish were a bit lethargic so the bite was slow. The afternoon would have been better as the sun warmed the waters up a bit

Dallashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07913299764512464597noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3540264512776588100.post-3091979834787451752009-11-12T07:00:00.007-05:002009-11-12T08:21:06.993-05:00

Photo thanks to Ray.The wind cut us some slack yesterday and we actually got to fish. The water was still churned up around the bridge so the bay side was the only place to go. About eight miles back in the bay the water was clear enough to get a decent mangrove bite. Closer in the water was still off color with a weak bite.The mangroves we got were very respectable in the 2.5 to nearly 4

Dallashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07913299764512464597noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3540264512776588100.post-232188217137315102009-11-10T11:43:00.002-05:002009-11-10T11:55:42.758-05:00

We have had a blow for the past few days that should be over hopefully tomorrow. I lost one trip to it but may be able to get one in tomorrow. The we can a real fishing report for a change.Because of the blow nobody has been fishing. The lack of fishing is stressing the liquor supplies in town. Bored is not the word for it. The bad thing for the fishing guys is that there are actual people

Dallashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07913299764512464597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3540264512776588100.post-75101334540374647732009-11-06T08:18:00.002-05:002009-11-06T08:30:49.820-05:00

We got captain Gator loaded up for the trip to his new home near Hernado, Florida. He will be coming back to run fishing trips in season. That's one heck of a long commute, but that what he is going to do. We have a windy weekend in store, but it is bringing a nice drop in temperatures. The temperature drop should fire the bay side up and hopefully start the Spanish Mackerel moving to our

Dallashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07913299764512464597noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3540264512776588100.post-57598468518496538102009-11-03T07:28:00.003-05:002009-11-03T09:02:47.439-05:00

This blog is supposed to be about fishing in the Keys but sometimes life in the Keys trumps fishing. I woke up at some ungodly hour this morning and craved a smoke. So I went over to Dion's to get a pack of the cheapest smokes they had and had I guess an alien encounter.First homeless Steve was sitting on the curb playing his guitar. Since I didn't have much to do I talked to Steve for a while

Dallashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07913299764512464597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3540264512776588100.post-89945858913797405782009-11-01T08:40:00.002-05:002009-11-01T09:46:38.860-05:00

My current lack of internet access is really a pain in the butt. Especially when people are trying to get answers to Keys questions. So since I am not always able to get online I will put my phone number out there for guys with serious questions. It is (305) 395-1923. A couple of recent questions are about where to stay in the Keys. The answer depends on what you and your significant other

Dallashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07913299764512464597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3540264512776588100.post-44655227992790347862009-10-14T09:02:00.003-04:002009-10-14T09:52:55.926-04:00

There is nothing more boring than the off season down here when you are short on cash. Most off seasons I have been set pretty good for cash and have a good time. This time it is just plain dead. About all i can do is aggravate Mikey and watch the tube. Boring a all hell it is.Fishing wise the hot ticket is snapper. Yellowtails and Mangrove are just plain stupid right now. Lots of guys are

Dallashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07913299764512464597noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3540264512776588100.post-84466759717899963362009-09-30T18:48:00.002-04:002009-09-30T19:06:07.329-04:00

The Florida Wildlife Commission is having a workshop to get input from area fishermen and divers on the need for further regulation of Permit the fish. It is really nice that they ask for input, but there is no data available online to see if there is even a need to have a workshop. I found this kind of odd since fisheries management decisions should be base on detailed studies and complex math

Dallashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07913299764512464597noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3540264512776588100.post-65889871751396341472009-09-27T08:13:00.007-04:002009-09-28T09:09:24.656-04:00

Not many boats fishing this time of years as is normal. The bite though is pretty steady on all fronts with the flats guys doing very well in the warm water and big tides. Daytime sword fishing is pretty good for those that have the gear and the boat to get out past the wall. That's out of range for most rental boats so a charter is the way to go if you want to tangle with a sword.The real job

Dallashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07913299764512464597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3540264512776588100.post-27493089988085162632009-09-19T07:30:00.003-04:002009-09-19T08:05:08.856-04:00

I am still alive and kicking. Actually feeling pretty good since I quit taking one of the friggin' blood pressure medications. I think the doctors were trying to kill me with some of that crap. Fishing wise things are pretty good. The dolphin bite is still on with plenty of good size fish to 15 pounds coming to the dock. Not many big fish, but plenty for the freezer. The Yellowtail bite is

Dallashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07913299764512464597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3540264512776588100.post-40337296016441714282009-09-11T17:13:00.003-04:002009-09-11T17:25:18.117-04:00

On the eighth anniversary of 911 I was working at Boca Chica. The guys and gals their did a good job of showing their respect. Some of the guys ran PT in bunker gear and with the morning temperature in the high 80's degree, that was pretty inspiring, at least to me anyway.I was supposed to have a couple of trips this weekend, but due to a death in the family my regular had to head back home

Dallashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07913299764512464597noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3540264512776588100.post-66563790130007388182009-09-10T18:03:00.002-04:002009-09-10T18:15:09.149-04:00

Y'all aren't getting any fishing reports for a while because I had to get a real job for a few weeks. Working a warehouse delivering stuff for the Navy. It may just tide me over for the off season, but I suspect that Scotch and quality cigarettes will be in short supply for a while. This whole bad economy thing has me in barter mode. I had a farmer call me today about a trip in February. I

Dallashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07913299764512464597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3540264512776588100.post-573048042484112062009-09-03T05:19:00.003-04:002009-09-03T06:10:58.264-04:00

September is without a doubt the slowest month in the Keys business wise. It is the time when most folks down here haul their boats for maintenance, close their businesses for vacation and just try to find something to do. In a typical September I spend my time playing online poker and watching the weather channel. This September is a little different.Rob Harris, the owner of Conchy Joe's bait

Dallashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07913299764512464597noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3540264512776588100.post-38878155722871766672009-08-30T09:59:00.002-04:002009-08-30T10:12:21.304-04:00

I have been out of town for a while. Drove up to Maryland to pick up a generator for John at the Castaway. It was nice to get off the rock for a few days and nicer to get back. Driving in heavy rain through construction zones was not fun.Fishing is still good from what the guys have told me. The nighttime snapper bite is falling off but that just means the day bite is getting better. Don't

Dallashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07913299764512464597noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3540264512776588100.post-77728360132769987822009-08-19T17:18:00.003-04:002009-08-19T20:20:54.450-04:00

With the season nearly dead until the last tropical cyclone threat is over I assume my alter ego. Many of you may not know I spent a lot of the government's money attempting to get a higher education. The whole global warming thing that suddenly became climate change piqued my curiosity. I actually spend way too much time following papers devoted to this subject. With our government poised to

Dallashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07913299764512464597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3540264512776588100.post-66044914496233859482009-08-14T15:40:00.002-04:002009-08-14T15:55:26.285-04:00

After Labor Day the Keys can become a ghost town. It is not that the fishing is bad. Just that the kids are back in school, the potential for disruptive weather increases and the heat runs many off. That is when many local captains take off their fishing hats and put on their construction hats. This year I was really worried that there may not be any off season construction jobs. Things are

Dallashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07913299764512464597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3540264512776588100.post-39369004581866921562009-08-13T20:31:00.003-04:002009-08-15T11:26:24.219-04:00

Life is real and some times it sucks. This week I lost a ton of money because people set their dreams based on their agenda and not the weather. What is going to happen weather wise is beyond your control. I don't care how much money you make. The weather will always over rule your bucks. If you want to have a kick ass trip, you may want to listen to someone like me. That said, if people

Dallashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07913299764512464597noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3540264512776588100.post-88205735806999896002009-08-09T06:37:00.004-04:002009-08-09T13:56:53.161-04:00

Some of you may have noticed that there is a lot of spammy comments on the blog of late. That is just one of the trials of being popular. That is the blog is popular. So be careful what you click on until I can clean things up. ETA most of these comments are on older posts. I managed to clear out a few today, but it takes forever.Lobster season is a notoriously slow time for me because

Dallashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07913299764512464597noreply@blogger.com3