Stories
from the Skiff
: March
18,2009
Good bye cold weather, bring on the sunshine. What a
relief to get a break from such cold and how happy those
fish will be. They say work is for people who don’t know
how to fish. So why work when I can go fishing. But
really, the fishing got excellent in a hurry. Down here it
does not take long for good days to come again and with
that some nice catches on long key. Whether you chose the
front side, back side out in-between, catches soared. So
lets gets started and tell you what’s been happening
Trout, Redfish and some big Black Drum were being caught
in the channels and passes from middle cape to flamingo.
Working buck tails tipped with shrimp and worked slowly on
incoming tides seemed best. I use light spinning rods with
either 8 or 10 lb. test. Add a short piece of 20 or 30 lb.
mono. There are many times just slow reeling in with no
rod action can do better as until the water hit’s the best
temps, they can be slow to take. Some really big trout are
taken this way.
Out in the gulf, we got into 2 amazing days of fog that
made a GPS your best friend. For all that time I never saw
another boat and I’m sure there were others that could say
the same. My anglers were grateful to see the boat finally
stopping to anchor and chum. Me too. The catch was a lot
of nice Mangrove Snapper with a bunch of mackerel to keep
everyone busy. And somehow the area was covered with some
big Black Tip Sharks that seemed to swallow any mackerel
that got in their way. No swimming out here fellows.
Way out in the gulf some Marathon boats came across a
school of big Jacks reaching 25 lbs. That’s a great fight
for anyone lucky enough to find them. A couple more days
and some big Permit should be marauding around with Cobia
close by.
With the slick calm surface and late afternoon warming,
Tripletail were for the taking. You get only 2 per person
but once eaten become a culinary delight your tummy will
thank you for. Snook, Gag Grouper and tripletail are 1,2,3
as far as eating go. Just my choice. I have been throwing
mostly a nice plump shrimp but lately I have had great
success offering them small bright red flies. Not sure
why they love to eat that color but both angler and fish
see it well. Might be the next go to pattern. I’ll keep
you posted.
Well that’s it for now but I will leave with this
---President Herbert Hoover Without a doubt our best
leader to fish all the Florida keys especially here on
Long Key, While responding to each arena of his life said
that ALL MEN OUR EQUAL BEFORE FISH. So lets get out on the
water and have a great day unless you have other plans.
Stories
from the Skiff
: March
11,2009
I had just slipped the boat in at the ramp , tied it off
to the dock and was just starting to pull the trailer up
to park when a man walking his dog came up to my anglers,
two girls from Connecticut and I overheard him saying to
them, Your going 30 miles over to the Everglades in this
wind on that boat and paying him. Are you crazy. The gals,
Debbie and Lynn from Greenwich, Ct. just smiled and said:
We do it all the time, in fact for the last 15 years.
What’s a little wind. Of, course it was blowing a gale but
we do fish in some amazing weather from time to time. I
proceeded to park the truck and trailer and thought about
what that fellow said.
We prepared for the journey by slipping on our foul
weather gear and proceeded to make our travel across to
the mainland. When your running across in tough weather,
your smart to run the leeside of the many banks that allow
you a safer ride with certainly less head shaking, butt
kickin, water thrashing adventures that might wish you
stayed home. After some occasional spray of salt water and
a little bouncing, we made the Cape Sable area and
proceeded up and into my favorite opening. Here we were
now out of any wind, and it felt wonderful. Removing the
foul weather gear and checking our joints for any aches
and bruises, we began fishing.
And our day fishing would turn out to be spectacular.
Debbie and Lynn would experience a day that would rank as
their best in the park. They would catch almost what
seemed like an endless amount of backcountry fish with
what seemed like they battled one on each cast. By the end
of the day, they caught 9 nice Snook, 12 black drum to
16lbs. Add to that 20 trout that were all monsters that
averaged 3-4 lbs. And still fight Redfish , Jacks
Ladyfish, Pompano, Tripletail and sheep head. Then Debbie
would hook and bring to boat side a 125 lb. goliath
grouper just to punish her arms a little more. They were
tired, CAPT. RON was tired too.
You know , Ladies today catch their fair share of fish. In
fact, over the years I’d say many can out fish the boys.
And I know why. They are far more patient, listen and
learn quickly. They are very easy to instruct as they have
no bad casting or playing fish habits so I find this the
main reason we love to fish them. You learn right the
first time you have a rod and reel in you hands and you
are now on your way to years of excitement. Did you ever
buy a new reel where in the box were instructions that
show you how to use it properly. NO. Fishing captains are
there to show you the proper way and we know what were
doing. I never take an angler for granted thinking that
because he fishes a lot, he knows the proper casting
techniques. First I’m a teacher who wants all the anglers
to know the right way. I had to learn from someone. When
they depart for there area of the country, its satisfying
to know they can feel confident around anybody in the
fishing circles.
Later , we arrived back at the dock fighting the same
wind and waves as we had in the morning. Maybe more, but
how we wished the man and that dog were still there. We
really liked the dog. The man was perhaps not a fisherman,
certainly not a rough day fellow. But my girls were
fantastic and this guide is so proud of them. WAY TO GO
GALS.
Last , I leave you with this: Returning home from a
fishing trip, a man stopped at the roadside diner and
ordered a cup of coffee. As he attempted to make
conversation with the waitress, he said,” It looks like
rain doesn’t it?” She promptly replied,” I can’t help what
it looks like,we sell it for coffee
Stories
from the Skiff
: March
04,2009
The other day I was asked
how I became a fishing guide in the Keys. So I thought I
would let my readers know the answer. Being born in Miami
in 1948 was a lucky start for our family as my father
would take me and my two brothers to Islamorada in search
of simply amazing fishing opportunities in the early 50’s.
Our favorite fish was the Permit which we did off 3
bridges. Indian key, our favorite haunt along with Channel
5 and Long key. Along the sides of those bridges they
built catwalks, wooden walkways that you could safely fish
from. As a kid, I remember laying on my stomach peering
through the spaces between the boards and counting the
schools of permit and tarpon that sat in back of the
bridge pilings. My dad only wanted to hook and catch
permit. Strictly sight fishing, we would pitch small finny
crabs to a permit we were after and if a tarpon came over
to eat it, we would pull it away from him. No way were we
to want a Tarpon on a crab. We used some stout tackle back
then and a monster Tarpon could drag you all over that
bridge, not to mention perhaps rip the outfit right out of
your grip. And over those early years, we caught perhaps
1000 permit to 42 lbs. there. I believe the Wagner family
has caught that many. Catching the crabs was fun as we
would walk the Oceanside flats early in the morning and
dip net them as they scurried from our approach. Once we
had a couple dozen, it would be a mad dash to catch the
prime tide change that they prefer to feed. This we did
what seemed like every weekend , coming down from the
mainland, leaving at 3 a.m. and fishing as hard as we
could for just one type of game fish. We were addicted
beyond belief as permit filled the insides of our families
heads. I think today, all I have to do is blink and they
there. And years later I’m still hooking them at the same
places my father took me too.
I got married right out of High School in 1966 and with my
wife Carol and a newborn daughter, we left the north and
moved to Islamorada. Working for a tackle shop was just
right for me and besides on my lunch break, I could drive
down to Indian key bridge and hook up a permit quickly. Or
I would wade the flats off sea oats beach and throw the
fly rod for Bonefish. The first Bonefish I caught there
was in 1968 and it weighed 12 lbs. What a lucky guy. We
lived right across from the Green Turtle Inn on the
bayside and I would fish anytime I could. During the time
working, I hate that word, I would meet the elite anglers
of the area and the best guides anywhere. I spooled their
reels, cleaned their drags, dipped their shrimp. I was a
Kid and enjoyed it.
The tackle shop was sold so my next step was to open my
own almost right across the street called Wagner’s Tackle
Shop where the new liquor store is today at mile marker
82. And there the wife and I would meet baseball legend
Ted Williams who stopped in most early mornings. We would
talk fishing until customers would come in the doors and
cause Ted to leave. He would invite me fishing, I never
refused as Carol would mind the store. She was a natural
for selling tackle. We would leave very early either going
for Tarpon in Sandy Key basin or running up the Cape to
Little Shark River where the Reds and Snook were always
waiting. I learned a lot from him, most importantly to do
it to the best of your ability. This sticks with me today
like it was yesterday. Why not be a guide , Ted said, I’ll
be your mother and show you the ropes. Forget being
indoors, get out in the fresh air. You can do it.
To make a long story short, I got my coast guard license
in 1968 and the rest of the years that I have guided, I
would not want to change a bit of it. I fished out of
then called Islamorada Yacht Basin , now the Lorelei, for
25 of those years, and a couple of other places but prefer
the solitude of trailering. Each day I thank the Good Lord
for all my blessings he has given me and my better half.
Those people I had the pleasure to know, 43 great years
here in paradise. My home ,now on the other side of the
Green Turtle. Straight line it is maybe 200 yards from
where it all began. That is most amazing. All of this
because of my passion to go fishing.
I leave
you with this. GOD NEVER MADE A MORE CALM, QUIET AND
INNOCENT RECREATION AS FISHING --
Stories
from the Skiff
: February
25,2009
The fishing report from Long Key was very good the past
week and lets be thankful for the excellent weather the
Island is now experiencing. And it looks like we’re going
to be in for another week of good times.
Out back whether you were after Snook, Trout, Redfish or
Tarpon, they were being caught by some area guides keeping
their clients happy and contented. Poling the edges of
banks in the backcountry on falling tides and sight
fishing for Reds and Snook was what I was doing a lot of
this week. I spent most of those trips in the Sandy Key
area throwing buck tails tipped with shrimp or gold
spoons. There were more Redfish caught then Snook on my
boat but this area has always been a favorite for them,
and I think it’s the most beautiful area in the park. My
family and I use to camp out a lot on Carl Ross key, once
connected to Sandy years ago. I remember back in the late
60,s and early 70,s watching the tide come in as I walked
along its shore, seeing more Snook then you can imagine
patrolling the beachfront and slamming the schools of
mullet and pilchards that happened to get in their path. I
could throw at leisure to a particular group and was
assured of a following battle. The best day I had Snook
fishing, we caught 47 of them and I really say, none were
under 10 lbs. It most likely will never happen again but
that’s what keeps you out there, those amazing times.
Tarpon were showing out in the gulf and they should be
appearing very soon in all those places we go to seek them
out. As long as we continue having warming waters, Silver
kings will become the talk around town. From the flats to
the bridges, many of us are ready as it certainly ranks as
one of the greatest fish the Florida Keys has to offer. If
you’ve never had the chance to battle a Tarpon, I strongly
advise you to do it this year and plan a trip here to do
it. You can thank me later for encouraging you.
The gang down at Seabird Marina reported a good time by
all their customers that have been leaving the dock.
Plenty of nice size Mangrove Snappers, Spanish Mackerel
and Grouper.
As usual, I leave you with this: A SMART WIFE HAS THE PORK
CHOPS READY WHEN HER HUSBAND COMES HOME FROM A FISHING
TRIP. Until next week, I’m still CAPT RON
Stories
from the Skiff
: February 18,2009
Good bye cold weather, bring on the sunshine. What a
relief to get a break from such cold and how happy those
fish will be. They say work is for people who don’t know
how to fish. So why work when I can go fishing. But
really, the fishing got excellent in a hurry. Down here it
does not take long for good days to come again and with
that some nice catches on long key. Whether you chose the
front side, back side out in-between, catches soared. So
lets gets started and tell you what’s been happening
Trout, Redfish and some big Black Drum were being caught
in the channels and passes from middle cape to flamingo.
Working buck tails tipped with shrimp and worked slowly on
incoming tides seemed best. I use light spinning rods with
either 8 or 10 lb. test. Add a short piece of 20 or 30 lb.
mono. There are many times just slow reeling in with no
rod action can do better as until the water hit’s the best
temps, they can be slow to take. Some really big trout are
taken this way.
Out in the gulf, we got into 2 amazing days of fog that
made a GPS your best friend. For all that time I never saw
another boat and I’m sure there were others that could say
the same. My anglers were grateful to see the boat finally
stopping to anchor and chum. Me too. The catch was a lot
of nice Mangrove Snapper with a bunch of mackerel to keep
everyone busy. And somehow the area was covered with some
big Black Tip Sharks that seemed to swallow any mackerel
that got in their way. No swimming out here fellows.
Way out in the gulf some Marathon boats came across a
school of big Jacks reaching 25 lbs. That’s a great fight
for anyone lucky enough to find them. A couple more days
and some big Permit should be marauding around with Cobia
close by.
With the slick calm surface and late afternoon warming,
Tripletail were for the taking. You get only 2 per person
but once eaten become a culinary delight your tummy will
thank you for. Snook, Gag Grouper and tripletail are 1,2,3
as far as eating go. Just my choice. I have been throwing
mostly a nice plump shrimp but lately I have had great
success offering them small bright red flies. Not sure
why they love to eat that color but both angler and fish
see it well. Might be the next go to pattern. I’ll keep
you posted.
Well that’s it for now but I will leave with this
---President Herbert Hoover Without a doubt our best
leader to fish all the Florida keys especially here on
Long Key, While responding to each arena of his life said
that ALL MEN OUR EQUAL BEFORE FISH. So lets get out on the
water and have a great day unless you have other plans.
Long Key
Fishing Report Update: February 11,2009
There is nothing like beautiful weather, slick calm warm
waters, shorts and tee shirts. That’s the way it normally
is here in the keys. I do not mind a little wind but
extreme wind and very cold temperatures kept me in port
and spending my time working on tackle and equipment.
Let’s hope it gets the heck out of here and we get some
real nice weather for a change. We live here in paradise
to fish and enjoy the keys and having 2 big cold fronts
come by does not put smiles on our faces as our dress wear
does not impress the chamber of commerce. A few days and
the winds will be off the ocean and bring needed warmth to
the waters and spur our adventures to launch our boats and
hit the throttle to our favorite spots.
I would rather be fishing than anything else but getting
some down time to bring my boat and tackle back to what
I call Bristol can be almost as fun. I CANNOT BELIEVE I
SAID THAT. Your equipment needs maintenance and if you
now have that chance, let’s get it done. Rinsing your
rods and reels at the end of a trip is automatic, but you
need more to keep them performing at their best. I use to
after every trip, starting at the tip, spray WD-40 right
on down to and including the reel. Then a good wipe down
with a towel and I felt the added sheen and lubrication of
the product was enough. NOT REALLY, It does not last that
long and next trip you are repeating the same process.
There is a product called T9-BOESHIELD made by the Boeing
aerospace company that’s top notch. Spray a light coat on,
wipe it down and you will be amazed how your gear shines.
And it will keep everything operating like you just took
it out of the box. I’ll also spay my pliers, knives, files
and hook removers with it but let it dry right on them
overnight that will form a great film that will keep salt
and corrosion to a minimum. As for price, it is expensive
but keeping your gear up is a very small price you will
pay as you enjoy rewards, with little breakdowns on the
fishing grounds.
Fishing line spends very little time on my reels as I am a
fanatic on fresh line. I can change line on spools at
least 2 times a week and on bonefish trips, any spool that
caught a fish. You might think it sounds overdone but I am
not about to throw that same spool of line the next day
after it has taken a big bonefish or permit. Line is dirt
cheap and a small price I pay to allow my anglers to be
100 % sure that line including knots is not going to be a
problem on perhaps a once in a lifetime fish. They’re not
paying for a great boat ride but relying on their captain
to have it just right. And I am not the only one out there
doing this, many of the area captains behave the same way.
Ted Williams the red sox baseball player who spent years
fishing our waters told me more times then I want to
recall, do it to the best of your ability or find another
career. We might be going through a tough economy, the
charter business is certainly hurting everyone who makes a
living this way, and yet what better time to realize that
in order for a young guide or old captain to make it, YOU
BETTER LOOK GOOD. Sometimes I think I’m sounding like a
preacher but I just want things right. And I’m not
perfect, far from it.
Well that’s it for scrubbing and cleaning this week. .
Even my wife is getting a little tired of me being around
the house. She said, why don’t you go fishing. And I say,
a little better weather and I’m OUT OF HERE.
Long Key
Fishing Report Update: February 04,2009
We had a great week of fishing here on Long Key just
before the next cold front would come knocking on our
hulls. The trips into the back country and gulf holes were
very good for those making the trip. Mackerel along with
good size Mangrove snapper could be found from Sprigger
Bank out to the East Cape. I spent many of those trips
taking my anglers way out in the gulf in search of Cobia,
Permit and Tripletail. You just never know what’s likely
to appear on these trips and being well prepared can give
some fantastic rewards. There were a `lot of Tripletail
off the buoys that sit above and mark the Stone Crab traps
of the commercial fellows. Simply tossing them a fat
shrimp is all you need to do to catch your limit which is
2 per angler with a minimum size of 15 inches. Please
throw back the small ones and you will be assured of
finding them again next year but bigger. As for eating a
Tripletail, there is not much better in the sea, and
that’s a fact. Give it a try and tell me what you think.
Reports around the Flamingo area were also excellent with
a good assortment of Redfish and Snook. Over towards Snake
Bight , and around the holes of Christian Point, those
familiar with the right tides and movement scored well.
Palm Key was another place for some bigger Redfish on the
north side which is deeper. I have caught tons of nice
Snook here but this week it was Redfish. Why complain when
my anglers are happy and smiling. Cooler water
temperatures made them lethargic but with a little coaxing
and working shrimp tipped jigs to them, their instincts
got the best of them. Also never pass up the main channel
in front of the Flamingo marina as many of the biggest
Snook in the bay call this home during the next 2 months.
I love to fish here in adverse conditions and I like to
have it to myself. I will not pinpoint my spot but fishing
right in front of the old restaurant is very close.
Pinfish, Pilchards, Big Shrimp and ½ to ¾ oz. buck tails
are your choices. I really like pitching jigs in the park
waters and seem to achieve more satisfaction when you
hookup. I think I have thrown 10 million casts here. You
can throw any color you want as long as its white. Mix a
little red in and you got the right combo. Walt and Millie
Garretson of Grassy Key, no longer with us and certainly
never to be forgotten, made the most successful buck tail
jigs between New York and Key West. For the many Captains
who knew them and fished their products -- to throw one in
front of a fish was simply, FISH ON. Find one today and
you are now holding a rare piece of angling history. Snook
would shudder at the sound of its name.
Well, that’s the report from this slice of heaven in the
keys. And I would like to leave you with a little piece of
wisdom. If a Man is truly blessed, he returns home from
fishing to be greeted by the best catch of his life.
Valentine’s day is fast approaching and I feel this very
appropriate.
