May 01, 2009
Ok so here we are the first of May and things could not have started out May any better than this.
We started out May fishing with Ken and Ryan from Westin Florida and Tom from South Carolina. We started out trolling the reef hopping to catch some king fish or some bonitos. But what we got was the kings biting like mad dogs and we had our limit of kings in no time.
Ok so now time to go for the big one. We set out our kites with live goggles suspended from the kites and the trap was set. It took a while but at last here coming this MONSTER sailfish and he's hungry. He finally caught one of our goggles eyes and Ryan wasted no time getting in the chair. We had this fish on but we were a long way from catching him. It had to be over 25 minuets of gaining line than losing line back and forth but Ryan broken arm and all hung in there. Finally got this monster sailfish close enough for Captain Greg to reach over and grab him by the bill. We got a few quick pictures and watched him swim away in good shape to fight another day.
Ryan you are one tough SOB with a broken arm and you hung in there. My hat is off to you.
This is just the first day in May so get ready for some great fishing stories coming to a computer near you. (LOL)
Give us a call and let's get YOU on some of these fishing reports.
Captain Taco (954) 764-4344 or toll free (877) SEA-4344
May 2
Today we took out Mark and his son Mark and Cory all from Orchard Lake Mi. We went right to kite fishing and set out our kites with live baits suspended from them. The current all but stopped and there was not much being caught by any of the charter boats but we decided to stick it out with our live baits and kite fishing.
We did finally get a shot at a sailfish but sorry to say that the fish came up jumping and we pulled the hooks (RATS). At this point we were running short on time and we really did not have time to switch fishing teckneeks so we were committed to doing what we were doing. All of a sudden here comes this sailfish hot on our left short bait. Everything looked good and he was just swimming away with the bait in his mouth and then he just let it go. What a heart breaker but then all of a sudden he went after our short right bait and this one he was going to eat. We were Hooked Up. Little Mark jumped in the chair and I can tell you that I don't know who was more lit up the fish or Mark's face.
It took a good 20 minuets' to finally get Mark's sailfish to the boat. We got a quick measurement and a quick picture and watched him swam away in good shape.
Way to go Mark
This is just the second day of May and things are going off so give us a call and let's get you Hooked Up.
Captain Taco (954) 764-4344 or toll free (877) SEA-4344
May 3
Today I went fun fishing with my buddies Mike and Reese.
We had a box full of fresh ballyhoos rigged and ready. Everything was perfect except the weather we had a good 10 to 15 knots of wind coming out of the south east. Ok it was a bit bumpy but this was not going to stop us from going off shore and trying to find some dolphin fish for dinner.
We were not on the Hooked Up today instead we decided to take Mike's boat because it was a lot faster and since it was Saturday we knew there would be a lot of boats out there and we wanted to run way off shore where none of the other boats would be fishing.
It took us a good 30 min to get outside of all the other boats but we figured that if we were going to find fish it would be worth it.
As it turned out we made the right decision. Once we got out to where the water looked good Reese and I set out the baits and from there it didn't take long till we got our first strike. A nice dolphin about a 18 to 22 pounder was all over our right short bait and sure enough he got hooked and Reese jumped at the rod and the fight was on. It took Reese a good 8 to 10 min to finally get his first fish of the day in gaffing range. (IN THE BOX) WAY TO GO REESE. Ok this was a nice fish and it was a cow dolphin so we figured that the bull had to be close by.
We trolled all around the same area with no luck and at this point some of the other boats seen us circling around the same area and were starting to crowd us so we decided to move on.
At this point we were all just kicking back listening to some music on the radio when all of a sudden one of the reels started screaming and line was peeling off the reel and we were Hooked Up again. Once again Reese grabbed the rod and the fight was on. This fish was about the same size as the one we had caught earlier but this fish had eaten a bait on a much smaller rod. Having said that Reese had his hands full with this one. But after a good 10 min of a back and forth tug a war he finally got him with in gaffing range and a great dinner would be had by all.
Way to go Reese.
Next month we will be fighting even bigger fish in the Bahamas so keep up the good work.
Captain Taco (954) 764-4344
May 6
Today we started out with a 6 hour trip with 4 guys from North Carolina. We had Jayson, Kurt Mike and Saiid (AKA Squeaky), we started out trolling the reef to the south looking for some kingfish and bonitos. We set out 3 ballyhoos' on the surface and we sent down two planners trolling slowly about 4 knots. As it turned out we made the right choice because we had none stop action.
I was working our way to a ship wreck down of the coast of North Miami and before I got half way there we already had our limit of kingfish and more bonitos in the box then we needed.
So we reeled in all the trolling gear and ran down to this ship wreck that was on the bottom at 225 feet down. Once we got there J.J. dropped our first bait and from there it only took seconds till the rod bent over and we were Hooked Up. Jayson was first and he jumped in the chair and the battle began. It took a good 8 to 10 min to finally get his catch to the boat.
While Jayson was fighting his fish everyone was busting his chops about how long it was taken him to reel in his fish. But what they didn't know was that the Amber Jacks were biting and biting good so each and every one of them would get their chance in the HOT SEAT. Every buddy got a shot at fighting one of these big amber jacks.
What to do next?? We already had a box full of king fish and bonitos and everyone got to fight and reel in a big amber jack so we all talked about what to do next. The decision was made to go off shore in search of dolphin fish.
We went a good 8 miles out without a bite and I knew that we were running a bit short on time and we had to get back for our afternoon trip.
Once I made the turn toward our inlet our high line got hit. J.J. was up on the fly bridge with me as we both seen and said sailfish at the same time.
The sail came back for one more swipe at our bait. This time we got him and we were Hooked Up. Squeaky jumped in the chair and the fight was on. At first this fish was dancing all over the surface of the ocean but then he went down and it seemed to take Squeaky for ever to turn this fish around. But after a good 30 min he finally got his sail to the side of the boat. It turned out that it had taken so long to reel his fish in because he was hooked in the side.
It turned out to be a great day on the water thanks again guys and looking forward to seeing you again next year.
Captain Taco (954) 764-4344
Ma y 7
Ok let me start out by saying that it is not always the BIG fish that makes the trip!!
Today we had Alain and Dominique both from France here in Sunny South Florida on vacation and they had signed up to be a part of a shared charter. We also had Steve from Phoenix Arizona who was so posted to be joining us today for this shared charter. However the night before our fishing trip I gave Steve a call to let him know that I had found a couple to join us the following morning. However Steve had told me that he had gone out on a different charter boat and that he did not have a good time so he had decided not to go out on another charter. I had told Steve that not all charter boats and crews are the same and I also told him that if he did not have a good time fishing with us that the trip would be free.
So he said that that was a pretty big statement and that he would be there in the morning.
We started out trolling down the reef looking for some king fish and bonitos. Now when we are trolling the reef we set out three lines on top with ballyhoos skipping across the surface and two deep lines on planner boards. The thing about these planner boards is that we've got 60 feet of leader behind the planners so our anglers reel the fish in till they get the planner to the rod tip and then the mate grabs the leader and hand lines it in the rest of the way. Not today!! Today Steve had to not only hand line the fish he caught but he also had to hand line every fish that bit.
To top thing off the kings were snapping and we filled the box in no time.
Now we had a very happy crew on the boat and the only thing left to do was to catch Steve a dolphin fish. I'm not sure what the deal was with a dolphin fish but Steve made it very clear to me that if he could catch just one dolphin his life would be complete.
So off shore we went in search of this dolphin that Steve needed so badly. I'm sorry to say that the dolphins just were not around and I was starting to run short on time. So I turned the boat and started heading for the inlet. When all of a sudden we got a bite on the high line. Guess what kind of fish it was??? THAT'S RIGHT A DOLPHIN needless to say Steve could not get in the chair quick enough and I don't think I've ever prayed for a fish to stay hooked more than I did for this one.
I'm not going to say whether we caught this fish or if it got away but let's just say that not only did he pay for the trip and leave us a very nice tip but he also chartered my other boat the Local Knowledge the next day.
Remember Steve not all charter boat and crews are the same.(LOL)
Captain Taco (954) 764-4344 toll free (877) SEA-4344
May 8
Today we took out the singing Pastor Simon and the rest of his band Mark, Terry and Kevin. They were all from Shawnee Tabernacle in the Poconos of Pennsylvania. The name of their group is (Simon Said)
They were in Sunny South Florida to enjoy the Sun and a bit of fishing before going to New York to sign a record deal. We had a total of 8 guys all together but the other four fished aboard the Local knowledge and I did not get their names. All the same both boats fished close to each other and we both started out by trolling down the reef looking for some king fish and bonitos. As it turned out they were biting and they were biting good. Both boats ended up with a box full.
After trolling we set out our kites with three live baits suspended from them and one dead king fish also out of the kite. We also set out one king fish on the bottom about 350 feet down and a last one half way down.
It took a while but we did manage to finally get Simon Hooked Up to a big fish. And I've got to say Simon is a big guy and this fish really made him work for every inch of line Simon gained.
After a good 40 min of this back and forth tug a war Simon finally got this MONSTER Hammer Head Shark to the boat. (124 inches)
The decision was made to have a replica mount made of this magnificent fish. The only problem was that this fish was well over 350 pounds and we needed to slide him into the boat to get a good measurement of him.
So we put a rope around his head opened up the tuna door and everyone helped pulling him in the boat for a quick measurement a quick picture and right back out the door he went. Everything went well and the shark never really put up much of a fight as we were pulling him into the boat however as we slid him back out the door at the last second I guess he just wanted the last laugh and with one swipe of his tail he managed to get us all wet. (I guess we had that coming)
To Simon and the rest of the band thanks so much and best of luck with your record deal.
Captain Taco (954) 764-4344 or toll free (877) SEA-4344
May 9
Today we had an old customer Ben out for a day of fishing. Ben had brought along two of his sons Todd and Weston all from Nashville Tenn.
We started out trolling the reef looking to just throw a few fish in the box before going after the big one. However the reef was dead and we had a full moon and no current and trolling was just not panning out for us. So we decided to go for broke and in came the trolling gear and out went the kites with a couple other baits down on the bottom.
The trap was set and all we needed now was a big fish to come along and eat one of the baits. So we waited and waited and waited no fish. Than to make matters worse we had lost all of our wind and the kites fell out of the sky and into the water. (RATS) Just as we got the kites out of the water and the live baits untangled from around our deep baits here comes this 15 to 20 pound dolphin fish swimming right toward the back of the boat. Captain Greg got out a live bait real quick but by the time he threw it toward the fish he was gone (RATS AND DOUBLE RATS) we needed a break and we were starting to run a little short on time. Than at last we got our break. Our bait that was connected to a balloon and was down about 150 got a bite. We seen the balloon going under water and we were Hooked Up.
Weston Jumped in the chair and the fight was on. It only took Weston about 5 min to reel his fish to the boat. It turned to be a six foot bull shark and I'm not sure what the deal was with the fish but it never really put up much of a fight. Either way we had a fish under our belt at this point and I was feeling a little better about our trip. We got our baits right back out there and soon thereafter we got another bite. This time Todd jumped in the chair and once again the fight was on. Todd ended up catching a big amber jack.
We didn't end up catching a lot but we all had a great time all the same. Ben thanks so much for keeping us in mind and we're looking forward to fishing you again next year.
Ok now for our afternoon trip.
Let me set the stage for this fishing report. Today we have Brain who works for our government out of Washington DC and he has charter two boats to throw a little batcher party for his brother LTJG Jack Walsh who is in the Navy aboard the submarine the USS Louisiana. As luck would have it at the last min he was called back to duty and was unable to make the trip. So a few of the guys dropped out of the trip and we ended up taking Brain, Chris from Boston, Caleb and Morgan also from Boston and last but not least Dino the mouth from Washington DC.(LOL)
Since we had already been out there fishing all morning without a any luck trolling we went right to kite fishing with live baits out of the kite a one big dead king fish for bait on the bottom.
O yea did I forget to mention that these guys brought along some beer or I mean a LOT of beer. Remember this is supposed to be a batcher party. (LOL)
Once we got the baits in the water we started to wait and waiting and waiting without even the first bite.
Now here I was stuck in the middle of the ocean with a boat full of guys drinking and drinking and no fish. It was turning into a very long trip. The guys were all pretty good about it but I was starting to put a lot of pressure on myself.
The good news was that the current started to pickup and before I knew it we had a good 2 knots of north current and that was just what we needed.
Captain Greg was sitting up on the fly bridge with me talking about what we might be able to do next to try and produce some fish when I seen a little tug on our deep rod which had the big dead king fish on the other end. By the time Greg ran down stairs the rod was bent over and line was peeling off the reel. At that point I went ahead fast with the boat trying to sink the hook into whatever it was on the other end. All of a sudden the line went slack and I thought we had lost the fish. I slowed the boat down because I wanted to stay near where it was that we got the bite in the first place. Than Greg started yelling go go go ahead the fish is coming up. So once again I went ahead fast with the boat and sure enough the line came tight and line once again was peeling off the reel.
Now you would think we were in good shape now but we had a problem our line was stretched out for more than 200 yards and we had a yacht baring down on us fast. We could not see the fish but there was no question that he was on the surface.
It had to be an act of god but somehow the fish was still connected after this yacht went by.
Ok so now we were looking a little bit better we had Brain in the chair and I can tell you that if it was going to take a week to catch this fish Brain was not going to give up. After about 40 min we knew we were starting to get close but now the fish was straight down and it was a battle to get this fish up to the boat. Now let me back up for just a second and say that this was a batcher party and these guys were drinking some beers and everyone was a bit excited to say the least. And with fishing being on the slow side today we wanted to make sure we caught this fish. Having said that there was a little yelling going on as for as making sure I had a good view of the line and Brain keeping the line tight and everyone busting his chops about how long this was taking.
Ok bearing that in mind we got everyone to settle down a bit and then it happen. The fish came within 20 feet of the surface for just one second and Greg turned around and looked at me and said; did you see that? O yes I did and no one else on the boat knew at this point what we had on but I was quick to let everyone know that things just changed and got VERY serious. We had a BIG sword fish on!!!!
That's right this sword fish had eaten our shark bait on the bottom. Than the fish popped up and everyone seen this monster but we were not out of the woods yet. As it turned out the fish had rolled and rolled and now he had the leader all wrapped around him and he was now wrapped past the leader and onto the line off the reel. In other words he was about to break us off.
At that point I just came back fast on the fish Brain was winding the reel like a mad man and Greg reached out and stuck this SEA MONSTER. I came running down and we got a couple more gaffs in him.
(111 inch sword fish IN THE BOAT)
Way to go Brain Greg and the rest of the crew we estimated the fish to weigh between 200 and 250 pounds. Needless to say a great dinner was had by all and Brain even brought a bunch home for his brother the batcher. O yea the batcher he is out under the ocean somewhere and we all hope he makes it back in time for the wedding on June the13 because if we have to do the wedding without him who knows what will happen.(LOL)
Guys thanks so much for a fishing trip I will always remember.
Captain Taco (954) 764-4344 or toll free (877) SEA-4344
