I got this email from Tanya and Perry that went fishing with us last week and I just had to share it with you !

Hi Craig,

I can’t thank you and Steve enough for the wonderful fishing trip Perry and I took with you on June 19, 2008. The excitement of catching that sailfish created memories that will last a lifetime! The instructions and encouragement given to me by both you and Steve made it possible to catch such a ”big” fish and made my fishing dreams come true. And although Perry wanted so much to give the same instructions, out of respect for you and Steve he tried really hard to hold his tongue. He enjoyed watching me enjoy the moment. We both loved every minute of the experience.

Can you please email me the photos you took? My work email may not let the photos through the firewall so can you also send a copy to Perry?

I think what attracts us to fishing just like gambling, hunting, chasing (men) women in bars, is the element of “ya just never know.”  About the time you think you’ve got it figured out, you find out you don’t know squat.  I always say that I leave the dock with a plan that is subject to change at any time…

 Today, we fished off-shore for Dolphin.  And we did catch some schoolie size Dolphin.  And one out of two Sailfish (see following entry) and a nice 25 pound Wahoo!  That makes for a Key West Slam, by the way.  Billfish, Dolphin, Wahoo.  We also had time to fish the reef where we caught Barracudas, Snappers, and had a Grouper eaten by a Dusky Shark right at the back of the boat for all to see. It’s good to be at the top of the food chain.

I had actually talked the charter into going to the reef to start the trip because I thought the off-shore action would be slow and I like to catch everyone a fish….  Then we end up the day with a Slam :)  So, rule number one is:  Ya just never know

Pictured below:  Katherine Witherspoon from Seneca, SC with an oversized Sailfish.  Released of course.  Nice work Capt Steve!

The most requested fish to catch in the Florida Keys is hands down the Atlantic Sailfish.  And the most asked question is WHEN?  Well, here’s a little secret.  Hardly a day goes by that there is not at least one Sailfish caught out of the charterboat fleet.  Some days there are double digit Sailfish caught aboard most of the charterboats and that is usually in the springtime months and then again in the fall of the year.  So, I hope that narrows it down for you… Oh yeah, we caught one out of two Sails today and missed two yesterday…  WE CATCH FISH YEAR ‘ROUND

Today, Perry Kirsch and Tanya Segarra from Whitehouse, TN fished aboard the Mr. Z and caught schoolie Dolphin and Tanya released this size XL Sailfish!

Tom Cleary and family own at the Galleon Resort right next door to the A and B Lobster House where we dock.  Every year they bring down the family and some friends for good times and great fishing.  This year was no exception.  We spent the first day trolling the weedlines in the deep water and caught Dorado (Dolphin) and Cero Macheral.  The second day we spent fishing the reef and caught several nice Snapper, Grouper, and Big Barracudas!

Thanks Tom and Scott and hope to see you next year!

Something new that Capt. Steve and I are adding to our repetoire this summer is daytime Swordfishing. 

There are many “secrets” to the daytime version of Swordfishing (it is usually done at night) but we have learned quite a few from, of all places, the internet!  Daytime Swordfishing involves dropping a properly rigged, large Squid to the bottom in 1,000 to 2,500 feet and waiting.  Daylight disappears about 400 feet down, so whether it is day or night now makes no difference :)  Another “secret” Capt. Steve figured out on his own is how to retrieve the 10 to 15 pounds needed to get your Squid to the bottom…  Sorry, if I told you, I’d have to use you instead of the Squid!