4.22.25 KEY WEST OFFSHORE

Posted on by
Name of Captain; Greg Mercurio
Where were you fishing? OFFSHORE
Is this a tournament entry Fishing Report; No
The date you went fishing; 04-22-2025
Your Name; Jack Hexter
Your Fishing Report: If this is a tournament report do not state the fish’s length in this box. State the length and species in the box below David Diehl and I (jack Hexter) traveled to Key West to fish on the 100′ boat Yankee Capts.  We were targeting Mutton Snapper, Red Grouper and Blackfin Tuna..We drove to Marathon on Sunday, April 20, and picked up 4 dozen primo baits (Goggle Eyes) from a supplier at $60.00 a dozen  (Who says fishing is cheap.)  Saturday we continued our trip to the lower keys arriving at the boat in plenty of time to enjoy a lunch at the Hogfish Grill.  The boat was set to depart at 3:00 PM and did so right on time, but with only 9 paying fishermen, we had plenty of room on the rail.  Did I mention that it was blowy and seas were lumpy, Minimum 15-20 the whole trip and seas were occasionally 7′.  we arrived at our first stop, a place known as half way ledge, 14 1/2 hours after departing.  I should mention that fishing was SLOW.  We fished for 2 1/2 days.  ave ended the trip with 1 Mutton 1 red grouper and1 tuna.  I ended up boxing only 1 mutton and 1 red grouper.  We also ended up fighting a LOT of BIG sharks, both those that too our baits and those that took our fish.  We arrived back at the dock very early on  April 27 and drove the 9 1/2 hours home from Key West.  I have been going on this boat , usually twice a year for about 35 years and this was one of the slowest I’ve ever seen it.  I will say the anglers who were using slow pitch rods and that technique were doing a lot better than we fishermen who were bait fishing.  On one occasion, I was fighting a shark and got it about 20′ from the surface when it swam up and bit another anglers mutton snapper in half.  Another unusual tidbit on this trip was when another angler and I hooked up on a grouper at the same time, each of us pulling the fish up.    Usually in circumstances like this, the deepest hooks wins the fish but in this case, both hooks were in the fishes mouth and no one could tell who had the deepest hook, the were both hooked in opposite corners of the mouth.. My hook was 7/0 circle and the other angler had a long jig.  We decided to split the fish at the dock, but after seeing how few fish I had caught (2) and realizing he had he had about 10, he decided to present me with the second half

4.24.25 INSHORE

Posted on by
Name of Captain; Frank Bellizio
Where were you fishing? INSHORE
Is this a tournament entry Fishing Report; No
The date you went fishing; 04-24-2025
Your Name; Frank Bellizio
Your Fishing Report: If this is a tournament report do not state the fish’s length in this box. State the length and species in the box below Dave and I were scheduled for a day of fishing with Capt Dencil, but he had an injury the day before, so we took my boat out to see what we could find.  It was a beautiful day on the water. The fishing was slow at the first couple of spots we tried.  We managed to catch a few spotted trout and a mackerel, but we finally found a place where the spotted trout just kept coming continuously.  Most of the trout were between 14 and 20 inches. It was a great fishing trip with an old friend.
Type a question Yes

4.18.25 INSHORE

Posted on by
Name of Captain; John Grieder
Where were you fishing? INSHORE
Is this a tournament entry Fishing Report; No
The date you went fishing; 04-18-2025
Your Name; Frank Bellizio
Your Fishing Report: If this is a tournament report do not state the fish’s length in this box. State the length and species in the box below Friday was an excellent day to be on the water.  John and I made it out to Mark 4 by the crack of noon in expectation of finding mackeral. But…. we just didn’t find any.  What we did find was ladyfish, all kinds of them.  We caught a few trout of small to medium size but for the most part we played with the jumping fish.  When not fishing for the pot it is hard to beat ladyfish for fun fishing.  Thank you Capt John for a great day on the water.
Type a question Yes

4.23.25 OFFSHORE

Posted on by
Name of Captain; Carlos (BOTTOMS UP CHARTERS)
Where were you fishing? OFFSHORE
Is this a tournament entry Fishing Report; No
The date you went fishing; 04-23-2025
Your Name; Bruce Archambault
Your Fishing Report: If this is a tournament report do not state the fish’s length in this box. State the length and species in the box below On Wednesday the 23rd of April I was fishing with CPT Carlos of Bottoms Up Fishing Excursions out of Tarpon Springs on an 8 hour 6 pack charter.

We were targeting Red Grouper and a Lane Snapper bycatch in 90′-100′ of water roughly 40 miles offshore from Anclote Key. Our bait was frozen sardines 4″-5″ long, frozen squid chunks and cut bait from some of the trash fish we caught.

Fishing was consistent all day long.

For every keeper Red Grouper we caught 6 only an inch or two short were caught and released.

Of note was an absolutely huge American Red Snapper (ASR) which was photographed and released.  I will post the photo if I can get a copy.

Seas were calm but picked up the later part of the afternoon.  I caught and brought a 10′ sandbar shark to the side of the boat before it was broken off.

Carlos is scheduled to be our guest speaker for the General Membership meeting on Tuesday May 13th.

4.19.25 INSHORE

Posted on by
Name of Captain; Capt Michael Paone
Where were you fishing? INSHORE
Is this a tournament entry Fishing Report; No
The date you went fishing; 04-19-2025
Your Name; Michael Paone
Your Fishing Report: If this is a tournament report do not state the fish’s length in this box. State the length and species in the box below Once again the wind was blowing, had to find spots to tuck into. Reds up 251/2” over slot trout with the largest at 21 1/2” fish responded best to white bait .
Type a question Yes

4.19/25 INSHORE

Posted on by
Name of Captain; Captain Michael
Where were you fishing? INSHORE
Is this a tournament entry Fishing Report; No
The date you went fishing; 04-19-2025
Your Name; Pam Paone
If this report includes a tournament entry please state the species and length of the fish caught in this box. Windy but had a blast !!
Captain Michael found the right few spots to caught the prefect size!
Trouts over 19 inches
Reds where 23 1/2 and up
Caught on white bait
Always a great day on the water ❤️
Type a question No

4.14.25 OFFSHORE

Posted on by
Name of Captain; Mike Kaplan
Where were you fishing? OFFSHORE
Is this a tournament entry Fishing Report; No
The date you went fishing; 04-14-2025
Your Name; Mike Kaplan
Your Fishing Report: If this is a tournament report do not state the fish’s length in this box. State the length and species in the box below Trying once again to get offshore in search of Red Grouper, Terry F, Mark C and Bob S, left out of Nick’s Park at 0745. After a 2 hour ride West, we arrived at the Swiss Cheese bottom. We only spent about 15min in each spot. by 2PM we had caught 6 nice sized fish. A big improvement over the last coup[le of fish. The 2 biggest fish caught by Bob S and Terry F, were 29 inches each. Terry also caught a 30in ARS . Squid was the bait of choice. The water was super calm allowing a quick trip home at 30mph. Glad to see the Red Grouper are active again.
Type a question Yes

4.3.25 INSHORE

Posted on by
Name of Captain; Michael Paone
Where were you fishing? INSHORE
Is this a tournament entry Fishing Report; No
The date you went fishing; 04-03-2025
Your Name; Michael Paone
Your Fishing Report: If this is a tournament report do not state the fish’s length in this box. State the length and species in the box below Fished April 3rd &4th was very windy and choppy conditions. We caught trout 18”to over slot  , reds up to 30 inches and over slot snook . We caught fish all day but had to work for them . Trout responded better to artificial baits , reds and snook preferred live bait .
Type a question Yes

3.4.25 INSHORE

Posted on by
Name of Captain; jerry hanes
Where were you fishing? INSHORE
Is this a tournament entry Fishing Report; Yes
The date you went fishing; 03-04-2025
Your Name; jerry hanes
Your Fishing Report: If this is a tournament report do not state the fish’s length in this box. State the length and species in the box below 21 inch red drum
If this report includes a tournament entry please state the species and length of the fish caught in this box. 21 inch red drum from Anclote river on shrimp
Type a question No

2.27.25 OFFSHORE

Posted on by
Name of Captain; Michael Kaplan
Where were you fishing? OFFSHORE
Is this a tournament entry Fishing Report; Yes
The date you went fishing; 02-27-2025
Your Name; Michael Kaplan
Your Fishing Report: If this is a tournament report do not state the fish’s length in this box. State the length and species in the box below Taking advantage of another calm day, Jack H, Terry F, and friend Sean, we decided to try again for some Red Grouper. We left Nick’s Park with Threadfin Herring and Squid and headed West. Winds were light and seas were smooth. After a 2 hour run we arrived at 100 feet of water and started fishing. We tried numerous spots and had very little action. Jack finally got lucky and hauled in a Gnormous ARS. It was huge, measuring 32″. We also caught 1 23″ Red Grouper before calling it a day. Guess we will have to wait for warmer water.
If this report includes a tournament entry please state the species and length of the fish caught in this box. Jack Hexter 32″ ARS for longest fish.
Type a question Yes