Rod Benders

It was a cloudy windy day in Key Largo today. I had two half-day trips. We tried to fish the Flats on both charters, but It made more sense to head for the Creeks and go for some action. We caught lots of big Jacks and Mangrove Snappers. On the morning trip we hooked into something big, but he finally slipped the hook. Tomorrow is supposed to be more of the same!

Tight Lines, Capt. Dave

Monster Permit

I had a wonderful day on the water today! Had a nice morning trip with two guys from Vero Beach. We had some great shots at Bonefish, then stopped at the Creeks for some super action on Jacks. We caught them up to 6-pounds. We then went back to the Flats where we had four shots at big Tarpon, no eats.

This afternoon I fished with old friend Tom Meyers and his guest from Mississippi. We started things off with a bang! Tom hooked up on a 30-pound Permit! It has been his quest for some time so it was a HUGE thing! Then we went looking for Bonefish , which we found but could not make eat. It was an all around great day.

Tight Lines, Capt. Dave

Back To Normal

Today was back to normal after yesterdays storms. Lots of puddles and some downed trees. We had tornado warnings but no touchdowns.

I fished this afternoon with Mona Brewer from Ocean Reef Club. We were fly fishing for Tarpon and Bonefish. Had no luck with Tarpon , but had some great shots at Bonefish. Discovered they don't like fly line on their heads! We had lot's of laughs!

Tight Lines, Capt. Dave

Stormy Weather

It was a windy stormy day in Key Largo today. I had huge plans to catch Permit, Bonefish and a giant Tarpon today! All those plans had to be placed on hold until tomorrow. We had lots of wind, lightning and driving rain. It was a good day to tie flies and catch up on paper work. Look out tomorrow

Tight Lines, Cap. Dave

Nice Tarpon

I had two fun trips yesterday. In the afternoon I fish with people from Michigan and Connecticut. We Looked on the Flats for Bonefish, but it was quite windy. We opted for the Creeks and had a blast catching lots of Jacks, Snappers and Porgies.

In the evening I went out with Andrew the Tennis Pro at the Club and his future brother in law. We went so several spots and saw nothing. At our last stop first cast we hooked up on a dandy Tarpon! After about a half hour fight we brought the Silver King up along the boat and snapped several photos. It ended up being a great night.

Tight Lines, Capt. Dave

Scary Day

I was fishing yesterday with a father and son from Maryland. We were heading out to the flats for some Bonefishing. We were running through a small creek when a Spotted Eagle Ray jumped right beside the boat. Scary! We fished a couple of spots and were heading up to Ceasars Creek when a Spinner Shark jumped out of the water in our path. It luckily just brushed my passenger on the shoulder!! Real Scary!! It could have been serious! I guess we could say they were "Jumping In The Boat" Hoping for less drama today.

Tight lines, Capt. Dave

Big Tarpon

I fished yesterday afternoon with Gayle Guyton from Ocean Reef Club. It was another beautiful day on the water. We started out looking for Bonefish and had two good shots but they did not eat the fly. We looked for Permit for a while with no luck. Then we were off to the Oceanside flats looking for tarpon. We had several shots at nice schools of Tarpon but no one was interested. Tomorrow its a shotgun!!

Tight Lines, Capt. Dave

Another Nice Day

I fished this morning with Ken Karl from Ocean Reef Club. We headed across Card Sound and began looking for some rolling Tarpon. It didn't take long for us to find some, but they were just having fun and not eating! We made two more stops and had the same results. Away we headed for the Ocean. We spent the rest of the morning looking for Bonefish. It clouded up a bit but we still saw a few fish, but failed to make them eat!

This afternoon I fished with a grandfather, father and young son. We started out looking for Bonefish and found a couple schools. Same story as this morning! We changed out theory and focused on finding my young client some action. He ended up his trip with ten feisty Snappers and an angry Needle fish! A good time was had by all!

Tight Lines, Capt. Dave

Glorious Day

Today was the best day in six weeks! Bright sun and no wind made it perfect. I fished this morning with Ocean Reef Tennis Pro Andrew. We had some great shots at rolling Tarpon. He had four eat the top water plug and got some great jumps out of one! We also had shots at some big Bull Sharks and Barracuda.

This afternoon I fished with a couple of guys from Michigan. They were just learning but managed to land four Sharks. We had a great time and they caught me up on Michigan gossip! Hope tomorrow is a pretty!

Tight Lines, Capt. Dave

Another Yucky Day

It was cloudy and windy again today but we managed to get the day in. It was tough to sight fish today so we opted for blind casting shrimp. It is not what we like to do, but it beats setting on the couch! We did manage to land a nice Bonefish along with lots of rod benders. It looks as if the weather is about to change for the better so let's keep our fingers crossed!

Tight Lines, Capt. Dave

Day Off

It was a stormy morning in the Florida Keys. I met my party at Ocean Reef Club and decided it was best to call off our mission. It kills me to lose a trip with the winter we have had here , but common sense prevailed! I have just come off a crazy week with three tournaments and all that goes with them. It is a lot of fun, but you need to sleep sometime. I have caught up on all my chores and will be ready to fish in the morning. Look out fish!!

Tight Lines, Capt. Dave

Scary Wind

On the first day of the Anglers Club Tournament the wind was howling! It was hard to move from spot to spot and even harder to make a presentation to a fish! We had a chance at a school of Permit and not much else. Maybe we can catch a break today.

Tight Lines, Capt. Dave

More Wind

I fished yesterday morning with a mother and daughter from New Jersey. We left Ocean Reef Club in a stiff 30- knot wind! The first flat we tried we tried we caught two Sharks. We moved several times and ended up the morning with another Shark, two Triggerfish and a fat Grouper. Not bad for a windy day!

Tight Lines, Capt. Dave

Rod Benders

I fished yesterday with Andy Hays and a friend from the Chicago area. We left Ocean Reef Club in some real windy conditions. We tried our best to sight fish for Bonefish and Permit. After a morning of very little action we gave in and went to the " All Else Has Failed" spot and finished the day with some rod benders. We used both shrimp and fly and finished the day with some action. The catch for the day included Sharks, Groupers and Snappers.

Tight Lines, Capt. Dave

Rainy Day

Yesterday was a total washout! We tried to take kids out, but not a chance. It is supposed to be windy today but sunny today.

Tight Lines, Capt. Dave

Cloudy Day

I was a cloudy windy day in key Largo yesterday. I fished in the morning with a couple from New Jersey. We Had a mixed style with one fishing bait the other fly. With the conditions we had the bait team won with a Shark a Flounder and some Snappers.

On the Afternoon mission I fished with Don Asher. Conditions got worse as the day went on! It was our last trip for the season so we spent most of out cloudy windy time going over shutdown of Dons Ocean Reef operation for season.

VIP trip today! My grandchildren from Cleveland. No pressure!!

Tight Lines, Capt. Dave

Ocean Reef Flats Tournament

I fished yesterday with Don Asher and Matt Forelli In the Ocean Reef Flats tournament. It was a cloudy windy day on the flats. We fished hard and had some good shots at both Bonefish and Tarpon. We only managed to catch a 10-pound Bar Jack, great fight but wrong species! A Bonefish and Permit won. I am sure we had more fun on the boat and fixed all the problems of the world!!

Tight Lines, Capt. Dave

Big Tarpon

I fished yesterday with Don Asher. We were mainly looking for Permit. It was a slow go on the Permit front. Where did they go after yesterday? That is what they do, make us crazy. Last hour of the day was insane for us with giant Tarpon. Saw over a hundred fish. They were just resting and hanging out, not eating! We will prevail today!!!

Tight Lines, Capt. Dave

Permit Crazy

I left the dock at Ocean Reef yesterday morning with a couple fellows from the D.C. area. They just wanted to catch some fish! We started out catching a couple of Sharks. Then we went to a flat on the edge of a channel and our luck changed we ended up catching two small Permit!!

On the afternoon trip we were fly fishing for Bonefish and Permit. We had four great shots at large Permit, but they would only window shop. We had really good looks but no takers. Today we are going to resort to live Crabs!

Tight Lines, Capt. Dave

Bonefish Bonnies Tournament

I fished in a flats tournament yesterday with Mona Brewer and Sandy Rule. It was a beautiful day and we had some good shots at both Bonefish and Permit. Mona was fly fishing and Sandy was using bait. We had no hookups sorry to admit. It was a fun time and a wonderful dinner following.

Tight lines, Capt. Dave

Bonefish Day

It was a Sunny breezy day In the Florida Keys. On my Morning trip I fished with a father and son from both Coast. We were fly fishing for Bonefish and Tarpon. We had some great shots but were unable to manage a hookup.

On the afternoon mission I was fishing with a trio from all over also. We left Ocean Reef and headed for Card Sound we caught a mess of Snappers and Jacks then we headed for the flats. That is when things heated up! We ended up with three Bonefish and two Sharks. What a great afternoon!! Tomorrow I have a tournament to fish.

Tight Lines, Capt. Dave

Fun ,Fun, Fun.

It was a wonderful day on the water yesterday! I had three charters and we caught some scrappy fish. Finally some weather you would expect in the Florida Keys. Morning trip was a bit slow , but we made up for it on the last two trips. Highlights of the day was a afternoon Bonefish that launched himself back into the bay as we tried for a photo and a dandy Snook which I was able to get a photo of on the evening trip.

Tight Lines, Capt. Dave

Shark Day

I fished with Don Asher and the Bowens from Chicago yesterday. We were looking for Bonefish and Tarpon. Saw a few of each , but we were only able to capture Bonnet Head Sharks. It was a lovely day and the Sharks gave us a great fight. We were also able to solve most of the worlds problems!

Tight Lines Capt. Dave

Tailing Bonefish

Yesterday was a glorious day. It was sunny and warm with a light breeze. I fished the morning trip with a father and daughter from long Island. We left Ocean Reef and headed west looking for some rod benders. They had a lot of action and caught lots of Snappers, Jacks and even a Blowfish. The daughter won round one, but round two is tomorrow evening.

On the afternoon trip I fished with a father and son from Indianapolis. We spit our time between fishing for dad and son. Dad had some great shot at both laid up Tarpon and tailing Bonefish.He was a bit rusty from a long winter and only managed to spook the targets. We went to the secret spot for the son and managed to release a mess of Mangrove Snappers, a less wary quarry. Tomorrow looks great!

Tight Lines, Capt. Dave

Big Tarpon

I headed out from Ocean Reef yesterday with Tee Rowe fly rod in hand looking for Tarpon. At the first stop we found several schools of rolling residents. Tee got the fly close but we did not make contact. We had bright sun and no clouds so the fish were spooky all day. We headed out to the ocean in the afternoon. After about an hour we encountered our target, several 100-pound Tarpon coming down the shore. It was a thing of beauty. Tee got various shots , but never got the fly in the wheelhouse. All we could do was watch them slide away! Tomorrow is another day!!

Tight Lines, Capt. Dave