S15:E6 - “The Lower Keys Highway” (2020)
Captains Tom Rowland and Rich Tudor head to the Lower Keys for Tarpon and various types of Jacks.
S15:E5 - “Blackfin In The Keys” (2020)
Captains Tom Rowland and Rich Tudor venture to the Atlantic oceanside of the Keys for Blackfin Tuna.
The Florida Everglades make up one of the most well-known and treasured American National Parks. They are also being “strangled” by water issues. Since the damming of the Kissimmee River, the Everglades’ primary source of freshwater, this beautiful fishery has seen “endangered wildlife populations, declining water quality, water mismanagement, [and] extensive urban and agricultural development,” according to Captains For Clean Water, a conservation organization dedicated to restoring the health and natural beauty of the Everglades. Read more on Waypoint…
S15:E4 - “Up From The Deep” (2020)
Captains Tom Rowland and Rich Tudor head out from their Middle Keys home base to deeper waters.
The Florida Everglades make up one of the most well-known and treasured American National Parks. They are also being “strangled” by water issues. Since the damming of the Kissimmee River, the Everglades’ primary source of freshwater, this beautiful fishery has seen “endangered wildlife populations, declining water quality, water mismanagement, [and] extensive urban and agricultural development,” according to Captains For Clean Water, a conservation organization dedicated to restoring the health and natural beauty of the Everglades. Read more on Waypoint…
When I discovered that guiding anglers was actually a way to make a living, I dove in head first. My career started in Jackson, WY at Bressler Outfitters. I was the everything guy who was the lowest on the totem pole and called “The Swamper”. I did everything from changing bearings on trailers to taking firewood to camp. I also got to do some guiding when everyone else was full and when they weren’t it was up to me to go teach fly casting at local guest ranches to try to recruit some trips.
I thought that the Opah was only found in the Pacific Ocean, but I was wrong. My friend, Geoff Arias sent me a picture today of an Opah. (You may remember Geoff...we shot a TV show together and you can see that here.) When I first looked at it, I thought that he had probably taken a trip to Hawaii. Then, I looked back at the text and saw that it was not caught in Hawaii but rather, off the coast of Ft Lauderdale.
Jesse Simpkins of St Croix Rods comes down to visit and test some St Croix Mojo Salt and Mojo Inshore rods on the giant tarpon of the Florida Keys. Mission accomplished!
Check out this SLO MO tarpon jump right next to the boat.
St Croix Rods are the perfect tool for the Florida Keys Tarpon. We like so many of the models, but it is hard to beat the Mojo Salt and Mojo Inshore for outstanding quality, incredibly durable boat rods for a charter boat. Day in and Day out, these things stand up to the abuse of these giant fish and (sometimes) the abuse of the clients.
One of the things I did to keep my kids super excited about fishing was to become very involved in the Key West Fishing Tournament. The tournament is a long format ongoing tournament that begins March 1 and ends on the last day of November each year. Anglers and guides receive a citation/certificate for fish that achieve the minimum citation length. The tournament keeps records for All Time and for the year which allows for anglers and guides to target specific fish on specific tackle to try to win the different categories...
Mercury introduced the Joystick piloting a few years ago and it is getting even better. We have watched our 5 year old kids dock a 3 engine Yellowfin like they are playing a video game. This technology allows anyone to be able to dock a big boat with confidence. If you are going to the Miami Boat Show, stop by Mercury and see the newest technology...
Trolling motors continue to evolve into more effective fishing tools. We have been using the Xi5 motors from MotorGuide for years and have been very pleased. Now, MotorGuide just introduced the Xi3 motor which is a little lighter, and skips a few of the features of the Xi5 and comes in a little cheaper. Here are the Features of the new Xi3...
Some power and service has been restored in the Florida Keys. Some landlines are working at Bars and establishments in Key West and other Keys, therefore much more news is getting out of the Florida Keys. We are doing our best to vet this information and republish or share accurate, helpful information. We will be doing this throughout the day today and whenever we see good information. Relief efforts are beginning and supply drops are being organized. If you have a relief effort and want to get the word out, please let us know and we will post it here.
