Islamorada Report- We're Back!!!

[Partnership]

TheRealMasterBaiter, Rodfather, and I just got back from the Florida Keys last nite.

We headed down there on Monday morning and by the time we got to Islamorada- it was rainy and cold. Needless to say our planned Tarpon trip was cancelled for the night as the Cap. said the skies did not look good and the cold front pushed the fish down.

So- we went to the Sportsman Center and spent a ton of $$$$ and then out for drinks and dinner.

2nd day found us at the Boat- a brand new 33 Wellcraft with twin 300's- at 6:30 a.m. in search of sails, mahi-mahi, and hopefully some Blackfin.
The sailfish bite was red hot for about 5 days so we were excited.

It was great watching the cap anchor, chum, and catch live ballyhoo. What an experience. Loaded with sweet Ballys we headed out in rough seas another couple of miles to sailfish territory. We had 4 lines out with live ballys- but no sails.

It was super slow out there. In fact, ESPN was filming their new version of Extreme Billfishing- and the catches were very light to say the least. We ended up travelling 35 miles North- of Key Largo- to find the cobalt blue water- but still no sails. We did manage some nice Mahi and Joe will hopefully post some pics.

Anyway- we ate at Lazy Days where they cooked up a huge platter of mahi-mahi 4 different ways. It was excellent.

Day 3- Met at 6:30 and this was going to be the sailfish day. It was cold, windy, and did I mention cold?? I was covered up like I was fishing for stripers in late Nov on a cold Fall day. Yikes!!! When were were anchored for bait- it looked like the DB in a SC Advisory as waves were just about touching the tip of the bow.

We ended up 35 miles north again in beautiful water- but no sails for us. We bagged some more Mahi-Mahi and called it a day around 3pm. Fishing was not great- but the company was awesome, the food was delicious, and the beverages were good too.

We decided to make a road trip to Key West(77miles) where 1/2 shell cooked up our catch and then we did the crawl down Duval Street. I'll let Mikey fill in those details and if he remembers- the suprise well-known sports figures we ran into. BTW- nobody told me it was going to be Spring Break down in Key West! (Yippee).

Joe will post some pics and fill in other details. Mike and Joe- I had a great time with you guys and I hope we get to do it again soon. It was great getting away from the Winter doldrums and I hope to open up Savoy South in the Keys some day soon. LOL

[Partnership]

BTW- we were supposed to meet up with Gene Kray on Wed afternoon- but our road trip made it impossible. Gene- hope you caught a ton.

It was also nice talking to Johnny D, Hip, Ron R, Rottn, and others.

[hipkvw]

Glad you guys made the best of poor conditions. Just have to go again thats all ;)

[ReelWork]

Sounds like spring break was fun. Just being down there is half the fun. Also if you don't drop a quick $ 250 at the World Wide Sportsman your first time in there you just don't fish hard enough. Thanks for the report.

[RodFather]

What an awesome time with good friends. That cold front kept the sails down but the Mahi fishing was great and certainly very tasty. When we say cold front the temps ranged from 62 to 77 degrees which was much lower then the low 80's just days before. To me to catching your fish, take it to a local restaurant and have it cooked, blackened, grilled, stuffed, franchaise, Lazy Days style and fried along with some great friends, a beverage of choice and awesome water views is certainly living large and I would recommend it to anyone. Captain Wayne Brouder from the RealBusy worked super hard for us and only quite when we asked him to. If it were up to him we may still be out there smile.gif It was very cool having ESPN out there and if and when they show that event look for us in the back ground, we'd be the boat flying the skunk flag lol :D Anyone looking at a Wellcraft CC, I spent two long days in that CC and we were in 3 to 4 cruising at 40/45 miles an hour like we were running out the CM Canal. I was very impressed on how that boat fished and handled. I can't tell ya that it will raise sails but it sure can perform and it is very solid and appeared very well built. We had some fun with two Eagles lineman at Hogsbreath that I originally spotted at the mens room. Very excited to see them and to get the warm response, even though they were... well lets say they were having a very good time down there ;) Key west was great as usual and I am so looking to our next adventure. Guns can I hear you say Bimini :D

Guns and Mike enjoying the Colbalt Blue water
http://www.rodfather.com/RodFather%20site/Guns%20&%20mike%20small.JPG

http://www.rodfather.com/RodFather%20site/Me%20with%20Mahi%20small.JPG

The Captain
http://www.rodfather.com/RodFather%20site/the%20Cappy%20small.JPG

[ 03-05-2005, 08:59 AM: Message edited by: RodFather ]

[Capt Lew]

Tom, Joe, Mike, It's sounds like you had a really great time. :D It's nice to get away from here and head south even if the fishing wasn't really on. Too bad you hit it just in time for the cold front. :( Nice pics Joe, won't be long and you'll be taking pics of those striped one's. :D ;)

[theREELmasterBAITER]

Cuz & Joe-

Wow it was an AWESOME trip. I really wished we could have raised a few sails. Kinda depressing when it was red hot the week before. We did have a great trip but you guys covered the fishing side pretty good I guess I will describe out Key West excursion :D
Day 3-- We got in from what felt like a long day of fishing at about 3pm and got back to the house and showered. At about 5:15 we had Guns behind the wheel Joe as the Navigator and me as the onlooker and we were heading South, well West whatever. At about 6:45-7ish we finally arrived at our destination of choice, Key West. With a cooler full of Mahi we were set to eat some of the fresh, and Half Shell was our choice. We had a few appetizers a few drinks then came the fish. We opted for fried, blackened and grilled for this meal and it was great. After our dinner was complete we started walking the docks with our sights set on Duval St. We walked a little then stopped for a drink then stopped and so on. Well our first stop was Hogs Breath, an outdoor bar with a great party atmosphere. After about 20 mins and 4 drinks, I ran into the gift shop for something for Mrs Crabbs;) and when I can out Joe was like dude thats John Runyan (#69) from te Eagles. Sure enough it was and he was there with Hank Fraley. We were having a blast BUT we weren't having as much fun as they were. I got a few pics with them also, it was pretty cool. After that we ventured off to my favorite stop of the night Irish Kevins, that place was jammin' and it was a total mixed crowd but we were having a blast. We stayed there for a few hours then off to the next stop Sloop Joes, that was a sweet place too. Like Guns mentioned it was definitley Spring Break, and they were partyin'. Well due to large consumption of beers, rum, shots and whatever else I am not real sure what time we left of when we got home but Tommy got us home somehow( he volunteered to be the DD) Man what a great time.

The next day (Thursday- the last day) we got up around 9:30-10 and decided we wanted to feed the Tarpon we didn't catch so we went to a marina down the way called Robbie's. After we paid a few bucks we were off to feed the fishies. We had a blast and saw some biggun's and I layed down on the dock and got a little to close to them, but Joe has the video of that. After that we made our final deposit at the Sportsman Center and our suitcases couldn't hold anymore goodies, had lunch and we were off to Ft. Lauderdale Airport for the flight back to A.C. Time flew but I had a great trip with GREAT friends. We have got to do this again.

The plane ride home was an adventure in itself. We sat 1st class all the way because we had a celebrity with us "Rodfather" So with that being said we were up there with a "different" kind of group. And not in the different way you are all thinking, more of a how the heck did they allow these people up here. It was like a skit right out of Beverly Hill Billy's (Come on) They were having a blast and we were loving the entertainment. Who would have thought that Tommy has a new Real Estate advisor. :D

Thanks guys for the memories, they won't be forgotten like the last few hours of Wednesday night ;) :D smile.gif :cool:

[ 03-05-2005, 11:04 AM: Message edited by: theREELmasterBAITER ]

[finally]

Sounds like you guys had a memorable few days down there. Just think Tom a few years ago you didn't even know these guys, and now you have had a great getaway, and the Bass Barn made it possible.

[RottnCaptn]

I'm glad you guys had a great trip. Now stop dreaming about moving down there and get ready for some spring stripers.