You've got an opportunity this week-end to contribute to the preservation of sport fishing, here around Key West, on the coasts of Florida and throughout the world.
The annual Cortez Fishing Festival is being held this week-end (February 16, 2013) in Bradenton, Florida. For some of us, particularly here on Key West it's a bit of a drive but it should be a lot of fun and it supports a great cause. Admission is a whopping $3.00 and kids get in free.
The festival has been held annually to continue payments on the 95 acre FISH preserve along the Sarasota bay. The Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage (FISH) is a private organization of citizens who are concerned about overfishing. This year they are expected to make their final payment on the land.
What this means to residents of Key West is that the FISH preserve in Sarasota helps preserve the fish populations here around Key West. That means our fishing industry here, especially sport fishing charters here on Key West, thrive due to the efforts of FISH. The sport fishing charters here attract tourism to Key West which helps our economy overall.
We'd like to thank FISH and all the people who have contributed to that project over the years. You're doing a great job!!
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Is Global Warming Killing the Sport Fishing Industry?
A large number of sport fishing charter captains agree that global warming is more than just a myth. Some are raving about the warm weather and the great fishing that it brings. Others say that it's pushing the fish farther north and in some cases the warmer water is credited for killing fish.
So, is global warming a good thing or a bad thing for fishing. Overall, global warming will cause sea levels to rise rather than fall. Right now though, fishing charter captains, particularly in the great lakes seem to be complaining about lower levels and saying that it's killing the fish.
The Key West fishing charters are reporting catches of tarpon, mahi-mahi and other fish that are not normally in the area during winter. In the far north, many speculate that global warming will make the oceans less productive, not more productive.
So, is global warming a good thing or a bad thing for fishing. Overall, global warming will cause sea levels to rise rather than fall. Right now though, fishing charter captains, particularly in the great lakes seem to be complaining about lower levels and saying that it's killing the fish.
The Key West fishing charters are reporting catches of tarpon, mahi-mahi and other fish that are not normally in the area during winter. In the far north, many speculate that global warming will make the oceans less productive, not more productive.
A Pleasant Surprise For This Time of Year - Bluefish Catches
The captain of a fishing charter off South Jersey, captain Jim Cicchitti of the party fishing boat, the Atlantic Star indicated to the pressofAtlanticCity last Friday that they were catching lots of bluefish. He said that this is rare during the winter months, south of Jesrsey.
Jim Cicchitti said they were having pretty good success all around at the various stops they made during the fishing charter. He reported catching plenty of tilefish and sea bass.
Numerous fishing charter captains around the area reported catching sea bass of pretty good size as well as bluefish. A few captains indicated that this may well be a sign of global warming, which of course in the long run could be a very bad thing.
That's real good news for our fishing charters down here in Key West. It's just an indication that fishing is good, even this time of year, all the way up the Atlantic coast.
Jim Cicchitti said they were having pretty good success all around at the various stops they made during the fishing charter. He reported catching plenty of tilefish and sea bass.
Numerous fishing charter captains around the area reported catching sea bass of pretty good size as well as bluefish. A few captains indicated that this may well be a sign of global warming, which of course in the long run could be a very bad thing.
That's real good news for our fishing charters down here in Key West. It's just an indication that fishing is good, even this time of year, all the way up the Atlantic coast.
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Deepwater Horizon Disaster - BP Profits Hit Hard
After witnessing the Deepwater Horizon Disaster on a day to day basis, watching all that oil pour into the Gulf of Mexico, it's difficult for any of us involved with fishing charters that make our living by fishing in the Gulf of Mexico and off Key West feel sorry for BP.
They indicate a loss of £2.6bn last year which indicates that their profit for the year was only about $3.99 billion. Cut me a break! While the sport fishing industry around the Gulf of Mexico has suffered so much that our businesses are in jeapordy due to the LOSSES we have taken, BP has the nerve to complain about only making $3.99 billion last year?
Still, the water here off the coast of Key West is blue and clean. The fishing charters here around Key West are flourishing this year so we're expecting and hoping for a great year in the sport fishing charter business.
They indicate a loss of £2.6bn last year which indicates that their profit for the year was only about $3.99 billion. Cut me a break! While the sport fishing industry around the Gulf of Mexico has suffered so much that our businesses are in jeapordy due to the LOSSES we have taken, BP has the nerve to complain about only making $3.99 billion last year?
Still, the water here off the coast of Key West is blue and clean. The fishing charters here around Key West are flourishing this year so we're expecting and hoping for a great year in the sport fishing charter business.
Redfish Surprise - Caught At Biscayne Bay
Captain Jimmy Wickett of the fishing charter boat Getchasome was taping an episode of the fishing series Fishing Adventurer. Near the end of a rather successful fishing trip they decided to fish near the Biscayne Bay bridge.
They were really looking for snook, sea trout and tarpon. They were pretty successful in that they even hooked a few tarpon over 60 lbs. They caught their share of snook for the day as well.
They never expected to hook a redfish as they haven't been seen in the area for some time. The really good news is that in a very short period of time, they caught not one but two redfish.
They were really looking for snook, sea trout and tarpon. They were pretty successful in that they even hooked a few tarpon over 60 lbs. They caught their share of snook for the day as well.
They never expected to hook a redfish as they haven't been seen in the area for some time. The really good news is that in a very short period of time, they caught not one but two redfish.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Fishing Charters - San Diego - In Trouble
Fishing charter captains out of San Diego, California are reporting that new regulations imposed by the Mexican government are killing their business.
As it was, fishing charter crew members had to have visas and fishing licenses to fish the waters of Mexico, just below the California border. In addition to that, each customer who is fishing pays $15.00 for a one day fishing permit.
Now, Mexico requires that any person, even customers on fishing charters must obtain a visa before entering Mexican waters. This of course means that San Diego fishing charters cannot reasonably fish the waters of Mexico and many are thinking they'll have to close down their businesses.
As it was, fishing charter crew members had to have visas and fishing licenses to fish the waters of Mexico, just below the California border. In addition to that, each customer who is fishing pays $15.00 for a one day fishing permit.
Now, Mexico requires that any person, even customers on fishing charters must obtain a visa before entering Mexican waters. This of course means that San Diego fishing charters cannot reasonably fish the waters of Mexico and many are thinking they'll have to close down their businesses.
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Key West Bottom Fishing In Winter
You can enjoy some great fishing around Key West during Winter. There is a myriad of fish in the waters off the coast of Key West and they're just as hungry as they are during Spring and Summer months.
One fish that is most apt to be caught during Winter months is hods head which are notably one of the best tasting fish in the sea, if not a little funny looking.
If you fish the bottom, particularly around reefs & structures you can catch lots of snapper, predominantly yellowtail and mutton. Grouper are also great to catch off the bottom. You've gotta be careful to position the boat off the rocks though so you can pull him away from the rocks. Otherwise the grouper will dart into them and cut your line.
Fish with small fish like ballyhoo, sardines & pinfish. Set your tackle for bottom fishing to catch 20 to 40 lb fish. That oughta do it.
Best of luck catching bottom fish around Key West.
One fish that is most apt to be caught during Winter months is hods head which are notably one of the best tasting fish in the sea, if not a little funny looking.
If you fish the bottom, particularly around reefs & structures you can catch lots of snapper, predominantly yellowtail and mutton. Grouper are also great to catch off the bottom. You've gotta be careful to position the boat off the rocks though so you can pull him away from the rocks. Otherwise the grouper will dart into them and cut your line.
Fish with small fish like ballyhoo, sardines & pinfish. Set your tackle for bottom fishing to catch 20 to 40 lb fish. That oughta do it.
Best of luck catching bottom fish around Key West.
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