We just completed the Shell Key West Challenge Fishing Tournament this weekend. The format of the tournament is really fun, Shell hires all the top charter boats in Key West and sends them out to catch a wide variety of different fish. Sort of like a scavenger hunt except , we are “hunting” for fish like Sailfish, Dolphin, Tarpon, Sharks,  Cobia, Permit, Tuna, Wahoo and several more species.

The weather got very windy and by the end of the second day it was pushing the limits of sporty. The good thing about windy weather in Key West , especially from the East is it really improves the bite. The fishing got better and better, and we only broke a few things , nothing serious like a leg or neck , just equipment.

We did not win but we were respectable and really enjoyed some great fishing in competition with a lot of great charter captains and mates. I like to post pictures with these fishing reports but , this weekend I was using both hands to  hold on.

I would like to share some photos and thoughts from our charters this week. The weather and conditions have shaped up for outstanding Sailfishing only a few miles offshore of Key West.  The World Sailfish Championship is next week and that tournament is going to really be exciting with this kind of fishing going on.

The weather conditions that make all this happen can seem a little rough when the fish aren’t biting , but I really don’t notice when they are biting like this , the adrenaline keeps it smooth.

It seems that most charters were having a little better action in the afternoon so we helped the guys hangover with a few AJ’s one morning, burning  off a night on Duval first thing .

This is my favorite picture mostly because it sums up the action and how close it all is from the back of the boat.

Jeff and his family recently spent the morning with us fishing in Key West on a half day charter. Having fished in the real big lakes up north he had caught trophy Pike and Salmon .  On his first encounter with a Sailfish,  Jeff found that you just don’t reel ‘em in.  A really aerobatic display with several runs convinced our angler that some fish are going to have their way.  Along with Sailfish there were Bonitos and Dolphin.  The charter  worked perfect with lots of hot action and fresh caught lunch, maybe a sore back too.

With the Northeast still a little frigid, a break in  Key West was just the cure. Our new friends bravely faced the 80 degree weather to capture Dolphin and Mackerel for dinner. The Sail slipped away without being properly  acquainted . The action in Key West is red hot with spring break in full force, and the fishing is just as hot. With the nice weather March is really turning into a great month with fun, sun and lots of fish.

Nice Bonito Baby

Last night it was blowing 35 knots and fishing was doubtful. At 7:00 AM the winds in Key West were under 20 and out of the North . North  winds in Key West are not so bad as the fishing grounds are to the South and in the lee of the island. By the time our good friend Kevin’s trip began this afternoon the winds were very light and it being the full moon spelled one thing : Wahoooooooo! And Wahoo we did with this nice 53# screamer. When the line smokes off the reel not once , not twice , but three times and your not really sure whether to get a tag stick or a gaff , go for the gaff first.

In the last few days it has seemed more like May with the Gulfstream just a few miles off the reef here in Key West. Big schools of flying fish being chased by Dolphin below and Frigates above makes for an awesome show.

The Dolphin bite is good and a nice change from just Kingfish , Tuna , Wahoo and Sailfish. It’s nice to have some new fish come by.

Just love the look of fish for dinner in  Key West .

Does this scene look just a little too familiar?

Have heart , just come on down to Key West for Hot , Sweaty Fishing and melt those blues away.

Did I mention spring break is just starting in Key West ?

Sorry no pictures , just visions.

For better details click here!

MARCH 12 – 14, 2010
Registration, Friday, March 12th, 6 to 8 pm
At the DoubleTree Grand Key Resort
3990 S. Roosevelt Blvd., Key West, FL
BOAT ENTRY FEE OF $200.00
Fishing, Saturday & Sunday, March 13 & 14
Lines In at 8:30 am & Out at 3 pm each day
Awards Dinner on Sunday, March 14th, 7 pm
At the DoubleTree Grand Key Resort
Awards Dinner, $25.00 per person
WIN $5,000.00 in Cash Prizes
For 15 Different Species
Win $500.00 cash for:
Heaviest Dolphin,
Most Releases of:
Marlin, Sailfi sh & Tarpon
Win $300.00 cash for:
Heaviest Kingfi sh, Cobia
Blackfi n Tuna, Mackerel,
Mutton Snapper, Wahoo
Most Releases of: Permit,
Bonefi sh & Barracuda
Win $150.00 cash for:
Heaviest Mangrove Snapper & Grunt
Junior Division Heaviest Catch
(Anglers under 15 yrs. old)
KEY WEST FISHING TOURNAMENT
KICKOFF 2010 with
CONCHY JOE’S MARINE & TACKLE
1. I.G.F.A. rules and Key West Fishing Tournament rules
will apply. Rod and reel only.
2. All Marlin or Sailfi sh releases must deploy non-offset
circle hooks when using natural baits or a natural
bait artifi cial/lure combination.
3. All catches must be unassisted. Professional
captains and/or mates are ineligible as anglers.
4. NEW~‘Most Releases’ will be scored by registered
boat.
5. Entries will only be accepted from anglers fi shing on
a boat that is registered in the KICKOFF.
6. A maximum of 6 anglers may fi sh from a registered
boat on each day. This rule does not apply to
registered party boats.
7. Anglers wishing to compete for marlin or sailfi sh
releases must purchase a camera at registration
to photo the release. Cost is $5.00. Anglers do not
have to call in releases to the committee boat.
8. Fishing begins with lines in at 8:30 am each day and
will conclude at lines out at 3:00 pm each day. Lines
in and out will be called by the committee boat over
VHF 78.
9. All fi sh must be weighed in at one of the following
offi cial K.W.F.T. weighstations: King’s Pointe Marina,
Sunset Marina, Murray Marine, Sugarloaf Marina,
Cudjoe Gardens Marina and Dolphin Marina.
10. Anglers MUST complete an offi cial K.W.F.T. entry
form for weighed and released catches and deliver
the entry to a tournament offi cial at King’s Pointe
Marina, or fax entry to 305-292-4995. Entries MUST
be received by an offi cial no later than 5:30 pm each
day. Weighed catches can be transported by vehicle
to a weighstation for entry.
KICKOFF TOURNAMENT GENERAL RULES
FINAL RULES WILL BE DISTRIBUTED AT
REGISTRATION ON MARCH 12, 2010
AT DOUBLETREE GRAND KEY RESORT
KEY WEST FISHING TOURNAMENT
KICKOFF 2010 ENTRY
ANGLER’S FIRST & LAST NAME,
ADDRESS, CITY, STATE AND ZIP CODE
Boat Name: ______________________________
Captain: ________________________________
Address: ________________________________
City, ST, Zip: _____________________________
Home Phone: ___________________________
Cell Phone: _____________________________
PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY
To pre-register, complete entry form and mail to the
K. W. F. T., P. O. Box 2154, Key West, FL 33045.
Include registration fee of $200.00 payable to
the Key West Fishing Tournament.
PICK UP THE FINAL TOURNAMENT RULES AND CAMERA
FOR SAILFISH & MARLIN RELEASES AT THE REGISTRATION,
FRIDAY, MARCH 12th AT THE DOUBLETREE GRAND RESORT
1. _______________________________________
___________________________________________
2. _______________________________________
___________________________________________
3. _______________________________________
___________________________________________
4. _______________________________________
___________________________________________
5. _______________________________________
___________________________________________
6. _______________________________________
___________________________________________

Friends Mia and Tony wanted to celebrate there wedding  anniversary in Key West with something really fun like catching Sailfish.  Plans were made to fish on the “day” ,  kids were bundled up and off  to school.  We bundled up a bunch of live bait and headed out on a beautiful day. Perfect with lots of sunshine , fair winds and tropical temperatures .  With the baits out it did not take long and we had a bite , not a Sailfish , but maybe a Cobia–no a shark.

Well that was fun , and we had lots of bait so Tony caught a shark

and so on

There were more , but it just did not seem like picture material,  I really don’t think/hope it was the same one over and over.

We all had a lot of fun,  and thank you Mia and Tony for letting us share in your special day.