Florida Keys Weekly Fishing Report; June 10 2012

Florida Keys Weekly Fishing Report
Key Largo, Tavernier, and Islamorada

I have to laugh when I read reputable Florida Keys fishing reports for Islamorada, Tavernier &  Key Largo saying that the offshore dolphin (mahi mahi) fishing in the Florida Keys is “excellent” right now (cut & past reports from last year) when actually the “local” Florida Keys  offshore dolphin fishing report is actually“day by day” or “here today &  gone tomorrow”.   We did have strong east/southeast wind that pushed a nice wave of dolphin into a feeding frenzy last week; the guys who fished early last week gaffed a few nice 20-45 lb. dolphin (mahi mahi). For a decent catch of dolphin(mahi mahi) head out to 800-1000ft.

Over the Rail & Into the Pail

The bigger gaffers/slammers are being found on lone pieces of debris off of Caloosa Cove Resort down by mile marker 73. Fuel up & make the trip south, if you don’t have tower, put your crew on “magical debris” watch.

  A Summer Floirda Keys King with Craig, Kade & Chase

While at a local tackle shop last Friday evening I spoke with guy who caught a 52 lb Bull Dolphin (mahi mahi) off Marathon in 250 ft. last weekend. He pulled out his phone, showed me a picture, and then told me his fish tale.  The guy explained that they had been trolling for 6 hours without a bite and just before calling it quits his buddy spotted a small piece of bamboo that was holding the 52 lb. fish. Best of all they caught the fish on a 12 lb. spinning outfit pulling an antique Billybait lure. The fish had awesome color & was truly a trophy.

No plans to fish until later this week, we have a strong northeast wind that will keep us at the dock for a few days, so until the next report get those baits out & wait it out!

Capt. Ryan

www.floridakeysfishin.com

305-619-2126

Florida Keys Fishing Report; May 24, 2012 Dolphin Fishing is Heating Up in the Florida Keys

Florida Keys Fishing Report; May 24, 2012 Dolphin Fishing is Heating Up in the Florida Keys

I was planning to work on my webpage (www.floridakeysfishin.com) last Saturday, but I awoke to “the voices” at 2:00 AM telling me to go fishing, so I got up and started rigged baits.  Most boats were running out 20 miles, but after looking at my log from last year, we decided to fish an area where we found dolphin (mahi-mahi) last year off Key Largo almost a year to date just off the reef.

As we cleared the creek, I happened to forget it was the Coconuts Dolphin Tournament.  The Atlantic Ocean looked like the Boats Direct USA sales center in Key Largo, Florida.

Shortly after we set the spread, a nice 23lb. bull dolphin (mahi-mahi) crashed the flat line. As we were fighting the fish the weather took a turn for the worse, however we managed to gaff the fish.  His colors set against the water spout filled black sky. We caught a couple smaller dolphin (mahi mahi) then called it quits for the day.  

On Monday the weather cleared up and conditions were right for a Florida Keys offshore dolphin (mahi-mahi) fishing trip. We decided to fish late in the afternoon into the early evening rather than go early. For “Good Karma” we went dolphin fishing with the attitude of taking one big fish for dinner, and then pull the lines and head for home.  

The fishing gods have liked this that attitude of late, because within less than 2 hours of lines in the water; the right rigger was crashed by a 28lb. bull dolphin (mahi-mahi) in the same area we caught the 23lb. bull dolphin (mahi-mahi) 2 days earlier.

So I kept my promise to the fishing gods & pulled the lines, headed back to port for an ice cold beer and fresh dolphin for dinner. As the sun was setting we snapped this shot of him.

We will be also adding 2 new dolphin fishing weapons to the spread this Saturday; they arrived in the mail yesterday, and let’s just say these “weapons” traveled along ways to get to the Florida Keys so I hope they cover their shipping costs.

 If you are looking to do some offshore dolphin fishing in the Florida Keys this summer give me call directly at 305-619-2126. We offer affordable offshore fishing charters for those looking to get out the water in the Florida Keys.

Have a good memorial day weekend and be safe. Until next week, get those "baits out and wait it out".

Capt. Ryan

www.floridakeysfishin.com

305-619-2126 

Florida Keys Fishing Spot soon to be Marine Sanctuary

Snapper Ledge protection is fast-tracked

A push to give a popular Upper Keys dive spot called Snapper Ledge more protection could gain support from a federal fishery agency.

Snapper Ledge, a shallow reef off Tavernier, could be declared a protected marine zone by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council.

Many Upper Keys divers, spearheaded by underwater photographer Stephen Frink, describe Snapper Ledge as a vibrant reef with diverse fish life, yet it is not designated as Sanctuary Preservation Area under the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

As of this week, 3,036 people had signed an online petition to change the Snapper Ledge status to a no-take zone. Efforts have been going on since 2008.

Amending Keys sanctuary rules to add a new Sanctuary Preservation Area involves reports and hearings that could take until 2015 at the earliest, sanctuary officials say.

“We’ve had requests from constituents to get it done more quickly, so in August we asked the South Atlantic Council to look into it,” said David Makepeace, an Upper Keys marine educator who serves on the Sanctuary Advisory Council.

“Much to my surprise, they said they would look into it,” Makepeace said. “Frankly, I did not expect this much action this soon.”

At a 4 p.m. Monday meeting at the Hilton Key Largo Resort at mile marker 97, the South Atlantic Council will take general comments on several issues, including whether the agency should begin working on a marine-protected zone for Snapper Ledge. A final decision would be months away.

“Personally, I support it,” Makepeace said. “I don’t want to create a precedent for using spot-zoning based on individual needs, but the Snapper Ledge situation and concerns are somewhat unique.”

Also Monday, the council also will review a proposal to establish 56 areas in Keys waters around protected elkhorn and staghorn corals where lobster-trap fishing would be banned.

The zones as proposed came out of talks between the Florida Keys Commercial Fishermen’s Association, the Keys Sanctuary and local marine-conservation groups.

“We’re on board for almost of the zones, except for three,” FKCFA Executive Director Bill Kelly said. “We’re asking them to them to shrink those or break them into two or more zones to cover a smaller area.”

Those three include a large area off Newfound Harbor in the Lower Keys, one off Davis Reef near Long Key, and one inside Carysfort Reef off Key Largo.

“Fishermen are all in favor of protecting the coral but these three zones include a lot of ground where there is no [branching coral],” he said.

The South Atlantic Council also is considering creating new rules that could limit the use of powerhead fishing — using a spear that uses a shotgun shell to take large fish, or create a special permit for powerhead fishing.

For information on the proposed rules, go to www.safmc.net. No action will be taken at Monday’s meeting, but officials will explain various proposals and take comments.

Article source: http://www.keysnet.com/2012/01/25/416399/snapper-ledge-protection-is-fast.html

FL Keys Fishing Jan 3rd Fishing Report:Cold Front and Hot Sailfish Bite!

Our first passing cold front in the Florida Keys may have cooled down the weather, but it did not cool down the fishing.  

Those that fished this morning were kept warm by the hot Sailfish bite! Multiple sailfish releases were reported today.

We will start our 2012 fishing season later this week targeting our favorite fish- wahoo.  These great tasting fish are typically caught around the January full moon in depths between 75ft-250 ft off the Florida Keys reef line.

Leaving the dock at first light & having lines in the water at sunrise works well for us. Sometimes we sleep in then capitalize on the early/late afternoon bite.

If you are are looking to go fishing in the Florida Keys this winter or spring, contact us today for booking information ryan@floridakeysfishin.com or give us a call at 305-619-2126.

Capt Ryan

Florida Keys "Good Karma" Fishing

Greetings from the Florida Keys!

 

We hope everyone had a very good Christmas and are enjoying the holidays. We had amazing weather over Christmas, so Melinda & I decided to go offshore fishing. During the fishing trip we were discussing what we should name our new charter fishing boat.

 

"Good Karma"

 

Several names came up during the course of the fishing trip, however when the name “Good Karma” was tossed out as a possibility the Florida Keys fishing Gods must have liked the name, because it was fish on! We reeled in a nice blackfin tuna for dockside sushi ashing down with some beers and it was final.... “Good Karma.”

 

Have a Safe and Happy New Year!

 

Capt. Ryan

Florida Keys Fishing Trips Available in 2012

Season Greetings from the Florida Keys!

I am are very pleased to announce that our Florida Keys charter boat fishing business will open in January 2012. Check out our new website at www.floridakeysfishin.com. We have already begun taking trip reservations for 2012.

Our fishing boat is a 2008 2360 Sailfish powered by a Yamaha  250 HP 4 Stroke motor.  The boat is very fast and gets us to the best fishing spots quickly so we can maximize our fishing time. To learn more about our new fishing boat click here.

Just this past week we had an amazing day of fishing just off the Islamorada, FL.  We don’t call Islamorada the “Fishing Capital of the World” for nothing!

Before calling it quits, like all good fisherman, I decided to try "one more spot". This “one more spot” rewarded us with 50 lb. Wahoo!

One my absolute favorite fishing spots in the Florida Keys is locally known as "The Humps".  "The Humps" is a 50 mile stretch from Key Largo to Marathon. The 4 Humps (under water mountains) rise above the sea floor creating the perfect fishing grounds for wahoo, amberjack, dolphin (mahi-mahi) billfish, and one my all time favorites, tuna.  Check out the "Hump" map.   

Help us spread the word about our afforable Florida Keys fishing trips through your blog network or as we call it the Keys the "coconut telegraph".

For information about booking a trip with us in 2012 visit www.floridakeysfishin or click here.  A Florida Keys fishing trip sure does make for the perfect Christmas present for any man, woman or child that loves fishing.

Happy Holidays!

Capt. Ryan

Epic Hemmingway Style Swordfish Recipe

Every year fisherman from all over the world travel to the Florida Keys with their sights set on battling a prized Swordfish on rod and reel. While serving in Iraq, United States Navy Pilot, John White envisioned himself fishing in the Florida Keys. When he returned from Iraq after 9 years he and his wife went fishing in the Florida Keys.

"Pam with the Giant"

On their way out to the fishing grounds his wife Pam apparently told the charter boat captain that they would indeed catch a swordfish guaranteed, because they were lucky.   The trip was major success and even made national news. In true Papa Hemmingway fashion they returned to the dock with a 455 lb. Swordfish!

Celebrate this epic catch, just like Hemmingway would have with this amazing recipe for swordfish steaks.

2 pound of Swordfish
2 Tablespoons (Tbs.)Lemon Juice
1/2 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
1/4 cup Margarine or Butter, softened
3 Tbs. Mayonnaise
3 Tbs. Chopped Green Onion (scallions)
2 Teaspoons - Fresh Garlic Chives, chopped
1/4 tsp. Salt
Tabasco Sauce to Taste (approx. 1/8 tsp.)

Place swordfish steaks in single layer on baking dish. Brush with lemon juice. Combine remaining ingredients in a mixing bowl, mix well, and set aside.  Broil steaks 6 - 8 inches from heat from 8-10 minuts until fish flakes easily with fork.  Remove from heat. Spread with cheese mixture. Broil an additional 2 minutes or until cheese is lightly browned and bubbly.  For presentation garnish with lemon slices and chives.

Check out our fresh swordfish loins here<<<

Ryan

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My Morning Bliss & Tropcial Reflecting

I took with me one ritual from the corporate world, my Friday morning “coffee bliss”. On Friday mornings, just prior to starting my work day, I sat in my cubical, sipped on my coffee and listened to music of Jimmy Buffet and the Dave Mathews.  All the while gazing at my favorite collection of cut out calendar pictures of beaches, boats, and big fish from the Florida Keys that I taped to my cubical walls.

Below are some pictures what my Friday "coffee bliss" now looks like here in the Florida Keys.

.

"Bliss"

The Gulf of Mexico was "Grease Calm" this Friday morning.

New crop of coconuts, very cool watching these guys grow.

My Favorite Coconut Tree

A former crazy boss lady once asked me to remove the calendar pictures from my cubical walls.  In polite way I told her to go to hell. I remember listening to Donald Trump speak in Miami at a convention a couple years ago, he said "Don't get mad, just get even". That lady is probably still sitting at her desk staring at her empty cubical walls, by the way I still have those calendar pictures. Ahh bliss... 

Enjoy your day!

Ryan 

"A Night with the Deadliest Catch"

In 2005 the Deadliest Catch aired on the Discovery Channel.

3 Years later in 2008, after watching an episode with my wife, I said “Wouldn’t it be cool to drink beer and talk fishing with Captain's Andy and John Hillstrand of “Time Bandit”.

A year later, John and Andy were scheduled to appear at the Minneapolis boat show for a book signing. At the time, we were living downtown Minneapolis, MN so we decided to go.

This Would Be Me Fishing On a Crab Boat

I expected to get my book signed and say hello, but instead something else happened... Captain Andy asked us where he and John could go after the show for beers, then invited us to come along.

Later that night our phone rang. It was Andy inviting us to meet them for drinks. We ended up meeting them at a local bar just a couple blocks from our apartment.

We talked fishing, drank “duck farts” and crown royal until the bars closed. Captain Andy called Captain Phil Harris (RIP) and put me on the phone to say hello. All good fishermen like to drink beer and tell fish tales and we did a good job of it that night.

We still laugh and recall the events that took place that night. Most of all we still remember these parting words, “Shut up and fish, no whiners or cry babies”.

Celebrate the Full Moon with Yellowtail Snapper and Key Lime Butter!

Traveling the 18 mile stretch through the everglades from Florida City to the Keys under full moon is spectacular! If you have not experienced a full moon in Keys, make sure you put it on your “to do list”.

In the Keys, rather than fish sunrise to sunset, at some point during the year we fish moon up to moon set.

The picture was taken by a local Keys resident.

We celebrate every full moon in the Keys with a “Full Moon Party” and so should you!

In true Keys tradition serve Yellowtail Snapper with Key Lime Butter to your guests at your Full Moon Party this year!

Key Lime Butter Sauce

½ Cup White Wine
1Tablespoon Shallots, chopped
¼ cup of Key Lime Juice
1 cup heavy cream
½ cup cold unsalted butter (1 stick)

Place wine, shallots, and key lime juice in a saucepan and reduce over high heat by one-third. Add cream and reduce again by one-third. Remove from heat and add the butter one piece at a time, stirring constantly. As each piece melts add another piece. The sauce will remain constant and the butter will bind and thicken it.

Place its pan in a pan of hot water to keep warm while cooking the fish.

2 ¼ to 2 ½ pounds of Yellowtail Fillets
¼ cup flour seasoned with salt and white pepper
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 ripe avocado, thinly sliced
1 ripe papaya, thinly sliced

Dip the fillets in the seasoned flour, shaking off excess. Melt the butter in a large skillet and add fish, moving each piece as it touches the pan. This will prevent it from sticking. Brown for 1 minute. Turn and brown the second side. Reduce the heat and sauté 4 to 5 minutes. Do not over cook or it will become dry.

Place the fillets on individual places and spoon with a little sauce over them. Garnish each plate with thin slices of avocado and papaya

6 Servings

Enjoy!