Islamorada Summer '09

[mlutz95]

Hey guys, I just arrived in from fishing in Islamorada in the heart of the Keys. We, as always, had so much fun just hanging out and fishing and would rather do nothing else. First of all I just gotta say the fishing for dolphin has been SLOW. Last summer we got down in the heat of the season, and not to brag, but we did very well. This time around, it was a quality versus quantity trip. Well we arent lucky enough to own a boat, but thats not gonna stop us from fishing. Thanks to some good connections we rented a 27 contender that got us around for the time we were down there. Anyways, back to the fishing. To start off the trip my dad and I drive down to South Texas to meet my brother and prepare for the weeks ahead of us. We purchased some new rods that turned out to work great for us and we also finished rigging up the last of the rods for the trip. The following Monday (we left on Friday) I meet up with my mom and other brother and we begin the long drive to the keys from the middle of Texas. We stop on Sanibel, Fl to do some shark fishing but the weather sucks so theres just no possible way to do that. So we head down a day early. For the second time we stay at the Caribbean Resort, a great place next door to whats left of Cheeca. I gotta say though: this place sure beats Cheeca, if you make it down there you gotta stay here. Phil, the owner, is the nicest guy ive ever met. So back to the fishing. Well the original plan was for the boat to arrive on Friday but after some confusion we find out it wont get there till Monday. Obviously not wanting to wait that long, we get two charters setup and go backcountry one day and offshore the next. Thankfully we wouldnt have to charter anymore for dolphin. But a quick tally for those two days brought us 3 reds 1 snook some trout 2 20 pound 'phins and some blackfins, and we also jumped off one sailfish. Finally the boat arrives monday and we are off. UNfortunately there is a west wind blowing which we found out, kills the fishing. But we tried. The first two days yield a 20 pound mahi, a 8 pound schoolie and some blackfin. Made a great drift for swords but came up empty handed. Went out with Capt Randy Towe for two days/nights in hopes of our first sword but can only find sharks, and lots of 'em. Released 25 sharks one night. Oh well, we will be back. Only two days left now!! the next morning we drag ourselves out of bed after a long night and head out to the marathon hump in hopes of some dolphin action. trolled around some zuker feathers and ballyhoo/ilander skirts and brought in one 25-30 pound cow and as many blackfin as you could ask for. That was all for that day. Next day is our final day and we head out hopefully to do better than the last day. Well, we tried. Not a dolphin to show for but we were trolling through some tuna balls on the hump and got almost spooled by what we concluded was a yellowfin(????? any thoughts?????) And that was all for that trip!! We all agreed it was the SHORTEST trip ever and I honestly feel a bit homesick for Islamorada!!!!! I NEED TO GO BACK! Well im going to get the pictures up as fast as i can. however i cant post all of them so if you want to see them all, just friend me on facebook.

[mlutz95]

[pelagic predator]

Nice report! Great pics also. Keep trying for that sword, you'll get one.

[triplethreat1]

i hear ya the dolphin definetely havent been as thick down here as in recent years but the tuna bite is ferocious as always, i see you guys went out with catchalottafish out of bud n mary's great choice he knows his stuff. i have a house down here in islamorada and i kno i cant get enough of it, next time your down let me know and well go out on my boat. keep trying for that sword

[Disco Lady]

Great! report and pics! COÑO!!!!!!!


Thanx
DL,

[Captain Juan]

MLutz, nice work!!! You always do well in your fishing travels from Cabo to Florida and in between. What you guys are especially good at are the pix!!!! Sweet!! That's a heck of a camera. Photographer's pretty good too. Keep up the good work dude!!

Juani

[down-rigger]

HaHa you caught that Black Fin Looking,thats why he got hooked by the eye

[mlutz95]

thanks guys. but yeah triplethreat we went out with catchalottafish that first day we didnt have our boat; hes a good captain..............and also Captain Juan I cant take credit for these photos, my brother shot them, and i have to agree he is a great photographer