Well we must have used all of our luck last week because we did not catch a single fish today. We had several bites on the bottom although none that yeilded any screaming drags. Winds were blowing from the E/NE and water temps were colder than the week before with no blue water to be seen until 300'. We decided to try trolling with a new spread with no luck. Winds and seas really kicked up during the afternoon so we headed to Peanut. Great day on the water despite no fish but really hope the water warms up soon and the fish start coming back in large numbers. Heard the Kingfish bite was in about 150' off Lost Tree but mostly snakes being caught. Too rough for us to head up that far for just Kings. Will be back out next weekend in full force!

As the winter continues to be windy and cold keeping us in port more often than not, we got a break in the wind and got out for Chris's birthday with his Dad. Hit the water around 8am and headed out to 105 feet ready to drift north. The seas were calm for the most part with a big swell but not much of a chop. Winds were variable but mostly out of the east picking up out of the Southeast as the day wore on with temperatures climbing to near 80. Mr. Calabrese started the day off with a nice 5lb Mutton. After a long drift with not many bites and about to troll we hit a school of Dolphin and the frenzy began. Everyone caught one with a couple being caught on cut ballyhoo, and a couple being caught on sardines. The water temperature was about 73 degrees and semi clear in about 130 feet where we hit the dolphin. Most were in the 28 inch range but they still taste good on the dinner table. After the fishing trip we headed up the ICW to Guanabanas for a nice dinner and cruise.

After a three month hiatus the weather finally warmed up and the winds/seas calmed to what is typical in South Florida. The water temperatures are 5 degrees colder than last year which i must say seemed to impact the quality of fishing drastically. We had some kings, bonito, grouper, and random bottom fish hit however fishing was overall extremely slow. The water temps did not get above 73 even at 4 miles out. Hopefully some east winds push some warmer water in for the next weather break. We trolled ballyhoo and artificials for miles with only a few boneheads to show for it. We drifted with sardines and cut bait with minimal success. Overall the fishing was not great but it sure was good to get out and enjoy the calm seas once again. Light winds and little current also made it quite difficult for the bottom fishing. There had been reports of manta rays with cobia however none were to be found on the weekend. Looks like the weather is going to kick back up this weekend so hopefully we will be back out the following week!!

After a 2 month hiatus, ReelsGood, Calabrese, and me braved the 25mph winds and choppy seas. The wind was west/northwest which kept the seas at bay up to about a mile or so out despite gale force winds. We managed one Kingfish but it was just good to be out in the ocean again. Hopefully the weather breaks eventually and we can return to fishing every weekend! Not much to report about conditions because wind was the predominant condition and we could not do what we really wanted to do. Fish did seem to be in the 50-90' depth range.

Doug and I hit the water at 6pm after the Browns got blown out again! I started the evening off by landing a Snapper and a Grouper, then Doug finished the evening by catching a couple of snapper, trigger fish, and a monster Bull Shark. After a 30 minute fight, Doug finally got the beast to the surface. It was about 7' and our guess was 125 lbs. We were able to get these pictures but without being able to keep it on the surface due to its weight, this was the best we could do. Water was very clear but a little choppier than I expect with a light southwest wind. There were some clouds and light drizzle and temperatures were around 80 degrees at sundown. There was a fairly strong current but we were able to keep our bait on the bottom with 1 and 2oz sinkers. We didnt get any bites on the flatlines or the bonito strips with all action coming on the bottom.

Hit the water early so we could get back to the dock in time to watch some college football. Doug wanted to throw the cast net a few times. We caught a tropical grunt fish that resembled Nemo, blue runner, and a triggerfish. We cleared the inlet around 7am. We Trolled, bottom fished, drifted with livies and managed to come away with a few AJ's, kings, bonito, skipjack, and random bottom fish. All in all a great day on the water. We did find a nice color change in about 300' but only produced a skipjack and a bonito. I now owe Doug lunch because he caught a fish with Nemo. Bottom fishing has slowed considerable but hopefully the first cold front of th year and the strong winds will bring the Sails and Dolphin back in.

After getting rained our for another Wahoo trip on Sunday morning, we hit the water again ready to finally land the long awaited Wahoo. Conditions were very sloppy in the morning and my GPS/depth finder was not working properly so we were trolling blind. Luckily its pretty easy in South Florida to use landmarks and dive boats to know what depth you are at. We trolled all over again for Wahoo with not one hit. Not even the Yozuri Bonito could step up and get a hit. After a few hours of trolling, we fished the bottom ad caught some Yellowtails, Mutton, and Kings to make the day partly successful. Conditions improved throughout the day with storms still scattered about. No Wahoo but better than being at work.

Hit the ocean around 530pm ready to troll for Wahoo. Seas were pretty calm with a west wind. Weed lines were all over from about 150' to about 350' but we couldn't get a hit. We trolled north, south, east, west and no luck. With the full moon, we thought it would be perfect conditions but i think the storms created a problem for us. Water clarity was excellent almost all the way to shore. Wahoo or bust so no pictures this trip. We would have rather caught nothing if it wasn't going to be a Wahoo.

Got out on the water around sunrise this morning and started the day trolling for wahoo and tuna. No luck with the wahoo but did catch 2 nice size blackfin. With the bite slowing down, we decided to try our luck bottom fishing. Reelsgood boated a nice 5lb mutton snapper and released a king. He had another king to the boat that broke through the leader. As usual, a couple bonito were also on the list of catches. With a few nice fish in the cooler and the heat getting to everyone, we headed back the launch around noon. Big thanks to Reelsgood and Calabrese for the morning entertainment after they decided to pull an all-nighter!

After we gave it a quick try on Monday with no luck and some passenger seasickness, we were finally able to get out this morning and enjoy the crystal clear water pretty much right up to the shore. Water Temps are hovering around 87 offshore with a solid 2' swell for the last week pushing in all sorts of blue water. This also contributed to the hot snapper bite. Gary with his lucky OSU hat was able to land 2 Yellowtails and a Kingfish while my Mom was able to land a Remora all by herself. Didn't get the Sailfish they were hoping for but still a successful day when we are able to have dinner on the grille. Most bites came in 80-110 feet with the remora and sharks a nuisance closer to shore.

After a 2 week hiatus, we finally got out after work on Friday for a quick fishing trip which happened to be Frances' first time ever fishing. We found surprisingly calm seas with a lot of weeds in close to shore. The waves were expected to increase from Hurricane Bill but they never materialized. Frances caught here first fish within 15 minutes and it was a 5lb Mutton Snapper that went right in the cooler. After the first fish, she was a natural, probably more so than Dr. ReelsGood who once again manhandled a Bonito and lost it at the boat ruining the triple header picture. Bryan and Jackman quickly added to the feast with a few more Muttons and Yellowtails along with a decent sized Kingfish. The Bonito and Snapper were biting almost every cast in 80' to 100' of water. It was a great day and full of excitement which is always good for a rookie. Conditions were perfect with the current pushing us at about 3mph due north. The water temperature was 88 degrees 2 miles out and 85 degrees 1 mile out which I am guessing helped make it a good day.