Key West Report

[Jim in CT]

Originally Posted by RIJIMMY

This thread is choking me up. Jim in CT, to follow up on your advice to visit before its too late. I've been to the keys about 5 times. 3 for fishing, 2 for fun. As a kid, My dad always talked about going for barracuda. We never had the $$ to go and as I grew up an on my own and my parents moved to FL, I finally talked him into a trip. I planned the whole thing with a guide. I flew to my parents house in FL and we drove the 4 hrs to key West. crashed at a hotel and hit the water about 5am. What followed was one of the best days fishing I ever had. Ripping tubes and topwaters as fast as we could in water less than 2 ft deep while 25lb cuda slammed the lures and ran. Each hook up was followed by 6-8ft lemon sharks circling the boat trying to get the barracuda. The guide used the push pole to chase the sharks away. We had the best day on the water in my life. When we returned, we were beat and needed a beer. My dad and I were on cloud 9. We couldnt wait to develop the pictures. We went to the first bar we could find (wasnt hard) and sat down for a few beers. I was about 27 and it was the first time I ever was at bar with just me and my Dad. We just BSd and laughed about the day. Despite all that I've expierenced, that was one of the best days of my life. Flash forward about 10 yrs later and my Dad was gone. no one saw that coming. I have the memories and pics from that day and they're priceless. to Jim's point, dont wait.

Great story, thanks for sharing...

I remember the day I landed my first tarpon, about 100 pounds. I held him up as best I could, captain took some pics with a disposable camera I bought for the trip. Like you, I couldn't wait to get them developed. Went to the first photo place I could find. Sign on the store said...

"One hour (or so) photo".

That's the vibe down there...casual like you can't believe. I went to a bar next door and got rip-roaring drunk waiting for the pics.

Next time down, I really want to try spearfishing. I have my scuba certification. I'm just not sure I want to be in the water with a bloody fish.

Last time down, we fished on a 32 foot yellowfin with a captain named Steve Lamb (dreamcatchercharters.com), great guy. His leg was all scars - he got attacked by a barracuda years ago while spearfishing...