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Marlin: Frequent the areas offshore of the reef in water usually 550 feet deep or more. This is about five miles from the reef. Sometimes we fish 'The Wall', where the bottom drops from 800 feet to several thousand feet in a near vertical cliff. This is about 20 miles from the reef, or an hour run. Trolling works best and we use either horse ballyhoo (extra large ballyhoo) or rigged blue runner or bonito. If a marlin shows and we have a live bait aboard we'll us it to entice any finicky marlin to strike. There is no describing the thrill of catching a marlin, you just have to experience it. |
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Sailfish: Probably the most photographed fish in the sea. And why not! He's the one fish that most everyone can handle on a rod. He's easy to find and available to most offshore fishermen. And he'll pose for the camera with his high flying acrobatics. We specially target them during the cooler months when they are most numerous. They're here all year though, and many a day has been highlighted with the landing of one of these beauties. Sailfish start to move down from the north and into our area as the first cold fronts reach down into the southern states. These cold fronts cool the water ever so slightly and signal the bait fish to start south. Mr. Spindlebeak is right there in close pursuit. |
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Dolphin: Also known as Mahi-Mahi or Dorado. This is the mainstay of our catch, especially in the summer. Dolphin are caught all year but best catches are during their spring and fall migrations past our shores. Tackle is kept as light as possible, dependent on the size of fish determined to be in the area. They can range from a few pounds (which we call chickens) to over 70 pounds. When hooked, they will jump and run and challenge you to a fight that you'll never forget. Local restaurants will custom cook your catch or you can put it on the barbecue yourself and practice your culinary talents. Either way, this is one meal that you'll praise for a long time to come. Book a trip the third week of May for almost guaranteed incredible fishing and see why all the fishing books describe the dolphin as the most beautiful fish in the ocean. |
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Wahoo: Now here's a fish that can melt your reel when first hooked. A long, slender fish common to fifty pounds with an occasional seventy pounder mixed in. A year round resident of the Keys, one of the most prized fish for its fighting ability and table fare. Beautiful deep green stripes and silver background, this fish will 'light up' when hooked and take off like a bullet through a vacuum! No doubting what you hooked when Mr. Wahoo strikes your bait. Not much of a jumper, but can he ever go! Line will disappear off the reel at an alarming rate as he makes for the shores of Cuba and all you can do is hang on until he changes his mind. You'll marvel at the fantastic color show that he'll put on for you as he nears the boat and marvel again at the incredible strength of your fish as he decide to take off again for parts unknown. Often cut into steaks and baked or barbecued, you can not ruin this delicious dinner. | |
 | Sharks: These species are available all year, conditions permitting. They can all be very aggressive to well presented baits, lures and flies, and are really strong fighters. The sharks are usually lemons, bulls, black-tip and spinners, and all are found on the flats. They are most available in spring and fall and are often found tailing or following big sting rays in the shallows. These hard battling fish can be extremely wary and are a real challenge. |
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