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Coach McGuirk

Joined: 12/22/2002 Posts: 13693
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I saw a post about fishing in Islamorada, but can't find it now. I got the


notice from @Nova Hokie 95 and I do have a guy that I can recommend. Capt Greg Hartlaub of Takedown Charters. But I haven't actually fished with him - or any Captain for hire, for that matter (you may want to consider robbing a bank before you get here, ha), but I used to play poker with him, and see him around regularly. He's a really good natured, friendly guy and he takes his craft seriously. He's also still young enough where he isn't burned out, and sincerely wants to see you have a good day. He has his boat at Whale Harbor on Upper Matecumbe.

I don't know when you are coming, but if you are new to offshore fishing, seasickness is something to be wary of - especially in wintertime here. The good news is, if you can handle it, the best fishing always seems to be in the roughest seas - go figure. If the wind is up, and from the east, that is a great time to go for Sailfish at the edge of the reef, for example. The baitfish get pushed up there, and the Sailfish follow. With both hands occupied fishing, you have to be a dang surfer to stay on your feet in the jerking sea, though.

If you want to eat your catch, my favorite is Dolphin, but they like it hot, generally. Still, the big ones are always around and are more loners (the smaller ones school up), and if you catch one in winter, it will be a almost surely be big one - 30lbs plus. You could also get Wahoo, and Black and Yellowfin tuna, trolling around up to 25 miles out to the "Islamorada Humps".
Trolling is my favorite way to go to avoid seasickness. Anchoring up? Ehsometimes brings up the chum. But there doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to it for me.

Last few tipsit's fine to throw down a few beers the latter half of the day while you are out there - unless it is super hot (the WATER is in the upper 80's in summer). Even I won't do that, because you will get really dehydrated, and maybe get heat stroke. (I had real trouble this past summer - getting old!). In contrast, I remember going offshore in VA in the summer, and it was like being in air conditioning (water temps maybe 70 tops?) - just heaven. Not so here. It's really different. And one more about the alcoholI would abstain completely the day before you go out. You want to have a clear head - for lots of reasons.
[Post edited by Coach McGuirk at 02/20/2020 4:44PM]

(In response to this post by VTHokie2000)

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Posted: 02/20/2020 at 4:42PM


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Current Thread:
 
  708lb tuna caught off VB -- Technocrat 02/20/2020 12:44PM
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  No, because the freezer life for tuna isn't very long. ** -- hokietony 02/20/2020 1:28PM
  I didn't know that. (Sorry 48 was so rude to you.) ** -- PhotoHokieNC 02/20/2020 1:54PM
  Can it ** -- 48zip 02/20/2020 1:44PM
  Gee, zip. hokietony was merely stating a fact. No need to quiet him. ** -- PhotoHokieNC 02/20/2020 1:51PM
  Pot stirrer! 😂 ** -- Hoakie82 02/20/2020 3:16PM
  Isn't it common practice/courtesy to give a portion (maybe half) -- VTHokie2000 02/20/2020 1:03PM
  We tipped with cash on the trip I did last year. -- reestuart 02/20/2020 3:17PM
  This wasn't a charter ** -- 48zip 02/20/2020 1:45PM
  Sometimes if it is a large take.. -- vtturkey01 02/20/2020 1:30PM
  The charter fishing I did was in NC (Outer Banks) ** -- VTHokie2000 02/20/2020 1:34PM
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  Beats me. I only eat fish, don’t hunt it down and kill it. -- PhotoHokieNC 02/20/2020 1:07PM
  I have only done the charter fishing where you basically drop -- VTHokie2000 02/20/2020 1:14PM
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  You were likely on a head boat (pay by the head) as opposed to a fee per .. -- 48zip 02/20/2020 1:49PM
  Head Boat. Gotta find me one of those. ** -- Stork 02/20/2020 2:34PM
  Not necessarily -- Nova Hokie 95 02/20/2020 2:13PM
  FWIW I think there were about 20 other people on board at the time -- VTHokie2000 02/20/2020 2:17PM
  Did you know all the other people on the boat? Were they with your group? -- Nova Hokie 95 02/20/2020 2:19PM
  No, I didn't know the other people (outside my group of 4 people) -- VTHokie2000 02/20/2020 2:24PM
  Definitely head boat -- Nova Hokie 95 02/20/2020 2:28PM
  Make sense. I wasn't the one who arranged it so I don't know -- VTHokie2000 02/20/2020 2:07PM

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