Big Bite 3

There’s No oil in the Florida Keys…. Just great sport fishing!

Captain Richard Parks — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 11:01:23 +0000

The fishing offshore has been as good as it gets. Last week we had Captain Bill Barnaby from Toronto on the boat for two days. Most of his Charter fishing with Clients is up at the Great Lakes for Salmon and Rainbow Trout. The pictures show 25 to 35lb fish. Those are large Salmon and Trout! Expectations were high as we left the dock. We did a great job on the Dolphin!

The next day Captain Bill who is a strong large fellow in his 30s’ indicated he would like to try his luck at as big a fish that I can find. Out to the hump we went. My thinking was that here was a fellow that can get a big fish in the boat. 50lb rigs, 12/0 hooks and 8ft of cable on the top of the hump in 300ft of water with the drop off within 100yards to 600ft on the edge of the gulf stream. Nice place for a big one. On the forth drift the line started to run out fast. Bill got in the chair with the pole and went to work with 26lbs of drag. 40 minutes later after backing down and chasing this fish we still had not taken line on the reel. 10 minutes after that we were down to little line on the reel – took the drag up another 5 to 7 lbs and watched the fish spool the line!

No oil in the Keys!

Fishing in the Keys has been the best we have ever seen!

Captain Richard Parks — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 22:42:41 +0000

Fishing in the Keys has been the best we have ever seen. Dolphin offshore, Yellowtail on the reef and Blackfin Tuna in the morning on our way to the Dolphin. All of the large AJs’ anyone can handle on the hump. Sharks if you like them and Tarpon at all of the bridges biting in the evenings. We also have many Land Sharks in business suits and expensive shoes at the hotels having meetings and signing up folks for class action suites. As of today we have NO oil in the Keys offshore. If and when it is coming are the questions of the day. If they can plug the hole(?) soon or at least stop the flow significantly – The Florida Keys may duck this built. There will be some pollution on the beaches and offshore but the reason it will get here and the reason it should not stay or do much damage is the same reason – The Gulf Stream. Hopefully the Ocean River will push most of it off shore and up the coast where it can disperse. It does mean that we need to be mobilized in advance of its arrival. This is the point that has me concerned. Other than the lawyers and BP claim offices opening down here there is no evidence of a plan to clean up the mess when and if it comes. If we do not start the preparations in advance it will be to late after it starts to show up. Just moving equipment and resource down here will not be easy. Transportation from Florida City to Key West is a two lane highway – that’s it! Fast is 50 miles per hour! In the meantime there is no ban on the fishing and no evidence of the oil. And as mentioned before the fishing has never been so good!

The hump is a piece of real estate about 7 miles off the reef due east of Islamorada in the Keys

Captain Richard Parks — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 15:47:42 +0000

As mentioned before the hump is a piece of real estate about 7 miles off the reef due east of Islamorada in the Keys. It is located in about 500 to 600 ft of water. It is the size of two football fields and comes up to 280 ft of the surface. The drill is to put a live bait down about 200ft and wait for the bite – which will come on almost every drift over this hump in the water. The bite is a very large AJ ( AmberJack ). These fish are also called reef donkeys. We have caught a number of these fish over the years in the 40 to 50 lb range. After catching one of these fish the general agreement is that it is one of the hardest fighting fish in the Ocean. On this day the bait went in and within 10 minutes we were hooked up. What makes this different than any other time we have caught one of these fish is the size of the AJs’ on the hump. The one we were hooked up to had to be close to 100lbs. After about 15minutes of holding onto a Penn 80 wide we were bite off by a very large shark. The head of the fish came up with no body attached. The head alone weighted close to 25lbs. The shark that bite it off swallowed in one bite close to 80lbs of fish! Over the next 45 minutes I saw two boats actually land one of these fish that had to weight close to 80lbs. The world record for these fish is 145lbs. I am confident that prowling these waters on the hump is a world record AJ and very likely a world record Tiger Shark that dines on them. The Ocean can be a tough and dangerous place to live!

Tiger Sharks are on the Hump in the Florida Keys

Captain Richard Parks — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 16:32:33 +0000

Over the last week we have had two types of Sharks move into the Keys. Tiger Sharks are on the Hump ( A hill that is in 700 to 800 ft of water that comes up to 250 ft of the surface ) off of Islamorada. These are large 12 to 16ft eating machines with one of the meanest set of teeth that can be imagined. They probably weight in at over 500lbs and maybe as big as 1000lbs. The hump is a great place to catch large Amber-jacks and Grouper. These Sharks are eating everything that gets hooked on its way to the boat. They can be caught using 80 class equipment with strong hooks and wire leader. We only rent these sharks by releasing them by cutting the wire leader as they get close to the boat. They make for a great picture to take home. Like all Sharks they are under allot of pressure due to overfishing and the Long line Industry. One of my observations is that good fishing always means many sharks in the water. They are very necessary to maintain the balance of fish populations on the reef and offshore. It is not just an accident that where there are no sharks the fishing is slow. In the Bahamas where the fishing is excellent in most locations – the sharks are everywhere. Throw some chum in the water and within 30 minutes the sharks are biting off the fish on the way to the boat. Have a good day of trolling and more than one Wahoo or Dolphin will be lost to the sharks. The other Shark that showed up this week on the reef and on the color changes where Whale Sharks! These are majestic animals that have to be seen to be fully appreciated. They only eat very small things so you will not lose fish to them – but they are magnetic for Cobia who follow them around if they are close to shore. They are spotted with white patches and can be over 15ft long. Some appear to be longer than 20ft. They are huge! I once had one come up and then move under a 25ft boat that I was on. My greatest worry was that it would come up and tip the boat over by mistake! Do not kill Sharks! Come out with us on the Big Bite and we will rent one for an hour and take pictures!

The speed that salt water fish move through the water is very different than there cousins on a Lake or Stream

Captain Richard Parks — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 21:35:53 +0000

I have a cabin in the northwest corner of Maine. I have been going there since I was 7 years old. It is very remote. The access road ends about 6 miles from the cabin which is a full day drive over dirt logging roads to the nearest town or gas station. We are on a 28 mile lake that is fed by 3 separate river systems. When I go up there next month for a week we will see more Moose than people the time there. The rivers have Trout and the Lake has a good population of Salmon. I love to catch all of these fish! Often I have people on the boat who fish fresh water for the same fish in addition to Bass, Muskies, Pike and Walleye. The comment I get after a day of fishing is the great difference in how the same sized fish fight much harder in the salt water. Although there is nothing to replace casting to Native Trout on a small pond in the Maine Woods – the fact is they do not pull as hard as Salt Water fish of the same size. I looked up the facts to this and the speed that salt water fish move through the water is very different than there cousins on a Lake or Stream. The difference is great. 65 to 70 miles per hour for a sailfish. Almost as fast for a Wahoo and over 50mph for Dolphin. Most fresh water fish are in the 15 to 25 mph range. A 4lb blue runner pulls harder than any fresh water fish I ever caught! We use 4lb test line in Maine for almost all of our fishing – the first bite on the reef would probably break the line. We use 12lb as a minimum for 3lb snappers. This is not to do anything but confirm for people who have not done the saltwater thing before that YES you are right the saltwater environment is a tough place to live if you are a fish avoiding those that will eat you if they get the chance!

The Big Bite 3 heading out to the deep water in search of Dolphin, Blackfin Tuna and maybe a Wahoo

Captain Richard Parks — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 21:33:59 +0000

We have been very busy over the last two weeks. Many people on the boat and many Charters. We are in what is called down here as the in between season time. To late for the sails to be dependable and a little early for the dolphin. So the normal day starts out with the Big Bite heading out to the deep water in search of Dolphin, Blackfin Tuna and maybe a Wahoo. The deep Planners go in the water ( We use Z Wings which work real well ) looking for the Wahoo and Tuna and we put a spread of dolphin lures out and look over the Horizon for any surface activity or bird feeding to locate active Dolphin feeding. This time last year we were loading up on Dolphin and that was the day. This year the Dolphin fishing is late. We generally catch a couple of fish by 12:00 and at this time I recommend to the Anglers that we might try the reef for some excellent table food in the form of Snappers and Mackerel. So far all indicate that they would like to try out the reef. The reef has not let us down! In about two hours everyone is hand sore from reeling up the fish and some of these fish are to talk about! If you think Yellow tail Snapper eating is good try Hogfish or Cerro Mackerel! Unbelievable is the only way to describe this as table fare! If you were on for the full day Charter we buy the dinner at the local restaurant in the Marina. The fish comes grilled or blackened – both excellent! Come on down and try it!

People have expectations of who goes out on Charter Boats

Captain Richard Parks — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 23:26:25 +0000

People have expectations of who goes out on Charter Boats. Most would think this is an activity where the Manliness of Men is on display. The fact is half of the Charters are researched and arranged by Women. They will be joined with a Husband and sometimes family members. The rest of the people that book with us are men that are bring a son or daughter along for the day. A small number of Folks that book with us are just the men’s club – 25%.

Of this group a very small percentage bring a case of beer each and proceed to consume it during the day. Now here is the very strange part – not one group that has been on the boat this year was I glad to not see again! All are welcomed back and the behavior has been terrific by all! I hope I did not just jinks myself! As far as bonding goes we can see that almost all of these trips seems to encourage smiles and good times between the Mothers and Children, Friends, and relatives. These are experiences that will be remembered in the future with plenty of pictures to relive the moments on the Boat. There is no place to hide or sulk away on a 43ft boat – particularly when the fish are biting and there is reel work to be done! So come on down to the Keys and get some important bonding done with those you are close to on the Big Bite!

Islamorada, Key West is one of the best places to sport fish in the United States

Captain Richard Parks — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 23:21:38 +0000

We had a couple of great days with folks fishing the reef in the Keys this week. This is one of the best places to sport fish in the US. There are lots of fish on the Reef down here for the catching and eating. Mix in a bunch of kids and the fun goes on all day. In less than 50 ft of water and after some secret chum mix the Yellow tail came right on up to the top of the water column. Mixed in where Spanish Macks, Cerro Macks, Grouper, Parrot fish, Blue runners, Grunts and a number of toothy critters that broke line – not to be seen.

The kids and adults would take a rest in the cabin for a while and then be back right on it. The mate and I get worn out after a number of hours of this but I never tire when I here whoops and yells over the next fish coming over the rail. Down here you never know what can be on the line until you get it into the boat. This activity should continue as long as the water stays warm and we get favorable winds. The best wind for this is east to Southeast. It keeps the water a little cloudy which seems to help. We use 12 to 15lb line with almost no gear except for a very small weight. That seems to do the trick. I am sure the sharks where present because once in a while the fishing would get slow for 20 to 30 minutes and then it would pick right up when Mr. Shark moved off. Give us a call – all the fish seem to be cooperating!

The winter must be over down here and the dolphin are biting!

Captain Richard Parks — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 12:25:46 +0000

I do not go out for half day charters. The phone rings and a request comes for a half day Charter. I tell this person that I will make a couple of calls for her to see if I can find someone to do this for her. My problem with the half day stuff is that by the time we get out there and get the lines in an hour has gone by which leaves 3 hours for fishing if the fishing is off the reef. For the past week the wind has been blowing very steady out of the SW, West and today the NW. This creates nothing but green water as far as you can see from the reef on out to Africa. The sailfish have left for places unknown and the Dolphin Fish have yet to arrive due to the cold weather and green water.The young Lady indicates that she would like to catch some Blackfin Tuna? Once again – green water and the wrong wind will not help. Then she tells me she is with her 13 year old Daughter and she is trying to get her interested into fishing. No one calls me back right away so I fall for the proposition we agree to a price and we will meet her at the dock at 8:00am.

We get out to the Reef and as far as I can see Green water everywhere. I run for 30 minutes due east where the Blackfin where last spring chasing bait in 400 to 500 ft of water over contours on the bottom that drop 50 to 70 ft in a short distance.As I approach this area I see the water color change from bright green to a greenish blue – I look down at my speed and realize that I have lost 3 knots as soon as I pass the color line that runs up the coast. We are at the edge of the Gulf Stream. I mention this to the young Girl and Her mother and the Young Girl asks is that the same water that Nemo got caught in that sent him up the coast? You have to love the animated movies of today for the kids.

Not a bird in sight and no surface activity. We throw the lines in and I am wishing for something to bite that might be hanging out on the color break. 20 minutes later we get a bite on the dark side of the color and when we get it to the boat it is the first dolphin of the year. Three dolphin later and one barracuda we pick up the lines and arrive at the dock at 3:00pm in the afternoon with two folks that had a great day! I am just as happy in that I now know the winter must be over down here and the dolphin are biting! Wait until that wind moves to the SE and East for a couple of days – We will be in Dolphin Heaven!

The fishing in the keys right now is slow for Sailfish but very good for King Mackerel, Cerro and Spanish Mackerel

Captain Richard Parks — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 19:17:48 +0000

I spent last week in Vail Colorado at 8 to 14000 ft in elevation. The purpose of being there was to do some skiing and take in the majestic mountains that surround the Town of Vail. What I can tell you as a Charter Boat Captain at Sea level in the Keys is that 14000 ft is no fun until you adjust to the Altitude which took me almost 3 days. I am very happy to be back in FLA and looking at the Ocean at 0 altitude. The fishing in the keys right now is slow for Sailfish but very good for King Mackerel, Cerro and Spanish Mackerel. Personally I love to eat all three and the pull on the line from Kings is very exciting. Some of these fish can be over 40 lbs. The trick to eating them is to skin them and try and eat them the same or next day after they are caught. As soon as the wind starts to shift out of the SE for a couple of days we should start to see Dolphin Fish start to show up in size and numbers. The first month or so that they arrive in the Keys we will see the larger fish – 40lbs and bigger. As the season develop es we will catch more and more but they tend to be 7 to 25lbs with the larger fish hanging back in the schools or deeper in the water calm. The disappearance of the Sails occurs about this time every year. A month from now and we will start to catch them again on the reef after a good blow for a couple of days. It could be that this is the start of the migration of these fish back up the Eastern Seaboard as the waters warm up in the spring. There are resident Sails on the reef here all year long but not as many as in the fall and winter. Blackfin Tuna are available but they seem to arrive in large numbers with the Dolphin. We catch them from the outer reef to the Humps offshore. It will be all about the birds! Where the birds are the fish will be!