Archived August 2020 report: Fishing conditions, lobster observations, and charter offerings below reflect that period.
It has been a busy stretch here in the Keys! There is plenty to cover, from a strong morning reef bite to improving offshore fishing and some challenging lobstering. Before the fishing report, though, a little preparation talk. It makes a bigger difference to your day than you might think.
Plan for Comfort Before Leaving the Dock
Motion sickness has affected more than two weeks of consecutive trips, including days with very calm seas. Some guests were surprised because they had never felt sick on a boat before. Others brought a remedy but waited until they felt uncomfortable to think about using it.
If you are concerned about motion sickness or unsure how you will handle an ocean trip, make a plan before charter day. Ask a pharmacist or your healthcare provider about suitable options, and follow the directions for anything you use. A reef or bay trip may also be a better starting point than a long offshore run.
My Trip Tips page covers preparation in more detail. Please share it with everybody coming aboard. The person making the reservation should not be the only person who knows what to bring!
Choose a Trip That Fits Your Whole Group
Not every activity I offer is the right fit for every group. Think about everyone’s experience, comfort on the water, and interest in participating. A trip that sounds exciting to you may be more demanding than somebody else in your group wants for their vacation.
I am happy to teach, and people learn at different speeds. A little background knowledge helps us get started. Watching a video about fighting a fish on light tackle or learning what catching a lobster involves can make the instructions aboard much easier to follow.
Prepare for our tropical sun with protective clothing and plenty to drink. Arrive early enough to find the boat and get settled without rushing. The marina is extremely busy, and keeping our departure on schedule helps everybody sharing the dock.
Use the notes section of your reservation to tell me about your group and anything that could affect the plan. That gives me time to prepare for your needs. We are partners in the trip, and good information helps me put that partnership to work.
Reef Fishing: Get There Early
Reef fishing has been really good early, especially before 10 a.m. When conditions cooperate, the bite lasts longer, but an early start gives us the best opportunity.
For this August report, I recommend a morning half-day reef trip. Afternoon fishing in the summer heat generally does not produce the quality I want for my guests. Night reef trips were another option during this period, but those require a separate plan. The later we start a daytime reef trip, the more of that early feeding window we miss.
Offshore Fishing Is Improving
Offshore fishing has been good and has improved over the past week. Tuna have been consistent, and dolphin, also called mahi-mahi, have reappeared with a better average size than we saw through much of July.
July had some tough stretches for dolphin fishing. They are still hit or miss, but recently there have generally been enough opportunities to put together a good day offshore. Finding the fish and making the most of those opportunities remains a team effort.
Lobstering Has Been Tough
Lobster mini season brought its usual dose of managed chaos. I found large pockets of hot, dirty water in shallow inshore areas and around the bridges. Where visibility was better, lobster numbers were often disappointing. We worked through plenty of spots to make the most of the day.
About two weeks into regular season, lobstering has remained challenging. We have been finding undersized lobster and a handful of keepers on each trip. From what I am seeing, heavy recreational pressure is adding to the difficulty. I am hopeful that fewer boats after the school holidays will give some areas a break, but that is an outlook, not a promise of better catches.
Please review my lobstering information before booking. This activity requires comfortable diving skills and the ability to manage tasks underwater. Swimming on the surface and diving down to catch a lobster are different things.
The participation requirements are there to help you judge whether this is a suitable trip. They are not a reason to push your limits underwater. If you are unsure about your abilities, talk with me before booking so we can consider an activity that gives your group a better experience.
A Change to My Charter Offerings
Some returning guests have noticed that spearfishing information is no longer on my website. At the time of this update, I have stopped offering spearfishing charters. The preparation, participation, and responsible use of the resource required for those trips were becoming too difficult to manage consistently.
I still enjoy offering a variety of adventures, and I want the trips I run to be worthwhile for the people aboard. When we choose well, prepare, and work together, the day is more enjoyable for all of us. That is the kind of business I want to keep building.
Before you settle on an offshore run, a morning reef trip, or a lobster adventure, tell me what your group enjoys and what experience you have. I can help you choose a sensible starting point and get ready for the day.
