February 2014 - Island To Island Charters

Archive for February, 2014

Ladies Day Fishing in Key West!

February 24th, 2014

We were very fortunate to enjoy a really nice day fishing just east of Key West in the backcountry. We caught some Ladyfish, and lost quite a few as well.

We cruised around the basin just off the Gulf of Mexico and had quite a few bites, nothing too substantial. We landed some Jack Crevals. We were hoping for some Pompano that we spotted rolling around, but didn’t catch them.

Too add to our variety, we also caught a Blue Runner and some Lane Snappers.

We had quite a few visits from Black Tip Sharks, one which ate a Ladyfish that we just caught! Cut him right in half, and then came back to finish it. So we rigged up to Shark fish, and landed a young Black Tip Shark! We were hoping the bigger ones we saw would make the young one bait as well, but to no avail. Still a really good fight for a beginner angler in the Florida Keys, especially when you are light tackle fishing in shallow inland waters.

At last we decided to enjoy a white sand beach on a remote mangrove island and relax after a good day fishing .

They were happy to fish and really enjoyed the eco-tour. We saw a large Loggerhead turtle, several smaller ones, Stingrays, Sharks, a Spotted Eagle Ray, and some unknown finning fish on the flats. Jury is still out whether it was a Shark, Dolphin, Permit, or Tarpon. Before returning to the dock we did a short Key West tour from the boat in the Key West Harbor. We pointed out different Key West Bars, Restaurants, & Hotels.

Great day fishing in Key West!

February 19th, 2014

Started the day looking for rolling Tarpon just off Key West. We were successful in that pursuit, but just couldn’t get the Tarpon to eat! So we tried fishing a wreck nearby for Mangrove Snappers. When I dropped the anchor we noticed a large Barracuda near the wreck. My client, Derrick, casted a few times, but the Barracuda was clearly aware of us being there. We did catch some grouper & snappers, but only kept a large grey snapper. One of the largest I have seen in awhile.

We then continued to travel West of Key West in pursuit of Jack Crevals. We landed a few Lane Snappers, Mutton Snappers, and a good size Bar Jack who put up a strong fight. Quite fun and enough to feed their family freshly caught fish that evening.

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Key West Sunset Cruise

February 14th, 2014

Key West is known for its fabulous sunsets where you see the sun unobstructed set into the Gulf of Mexico. It is quite the sight to see! The best way to do this is on a private boat charter from Key West with only your closest friends and/or family to celebrate with. I had three couples who were vacationing in Key West and were long time friends charter Island to Island Charters for a sunset cruise. It is my most relaxed and fun trip. I cruise around Key West Harbor and the two neighboring islands, Sunset Key and Wisteria. Then we go by Mallory Square to watch the performers and all the people without having to be amongst the crowds. Finally we find a white sand bar just a few miles East of Key West and anchor until the sun goes down. We are surrounded by flats in the backcountry and watch sharks, stingrays, and all sorts of fish feeding in the shallow waters. Often we are graced with dolphins swimming through the channel! The grand finale is the Key West sunset!

Key West backcountry extravaganza

February 6th, 2014

I had the pleasure of taking a fabulous family out to experience the true beauty of Key West, the backcountry waters during low tide. A couple with a nine month year old wanted to experience calm shallow waters with a remote beach. We went east of Key West to a remote island full of mangroves and white sand bars. The water was crystal clear when we passed into the gulf we actually saw two dolphins swim under our boat. When we came close to the island I saw a nurse shark cruising by. Before anchoring we passed over coral heads as well, a great lobster are to dive for lobsters. We snorkeled a bit then relaxed on one of my favorite remote beaches in the Florida Keys, maybe a 30 minute boat ride from Key West. Also known for its great fishing!

Key West Fishing & Beaches

February 4th, 2014

A great day backcountry fishing for Jack Crevals and Snappers, saw a few sharks didn’t land any. We had the pleasure of encountering a pod of dolphins along the way. Gorgeous visibility and clear Key West blue skies. We were out during low tide and came across white sand bars and an endless beach just 10 miles off Key West. There was only two other boats quite some distance, so we enjoyed the secludedness. We cruised around the mangrove islands looking for birdlife, stingrays, sharks, and barracudas.