Conditions and holiday outlook as of December 22, 2025.
Judging by how long it takes me to cross US 1, the holiday crowd has arrived. Welcome back! I have been looking forward to spending more time on the water and helping you enjoy a little Keys sunshine before we turn the calendar to 2026.
A couple of local tips before we talk fishing: give yourself extra travel time, use your turn signals, and pay attention on the highway. Our grocery stores get crowded this week, too. Sending a couple of people in for supplies instead of the entire vacation crew helps keep things moving. The frozen pizzas probably do not need a seven-person escort.
Holiday Charters: A Little Planning Helps
For the first time in 14 years, I am heading into Christmas week without the rest of the year already booked solid. More reservations have been coming in at the last minute. I am ready to work with that, but my best trips still start with some planning on both sides.
Holiday crowds put pressure on local supplies and store hours. I can prepare the boat and organize what we need, but I cannot buy something that has already sold out. A little notice gives us more room to put your trip together.
Before booking, double-check your travel plans and our location in Marathon in the Florida Keys. I recently had a booking canceled after a guest realized they were headed to a different Marathon elsewhere in the state. An easy detail to overlook online, but a pretty important one when you are trying to get to the dock.
Tell me who is coming, what you would like to do, and what everyone is comfortable with. I have been running these trips since 2008, and that information helps me turn local knowledge into a plan that fits your group.
Working with the Winter Weather
As of this update, the forecast for the holiday stretch includes some wind and bumpy conditions. That can change where we fish and which activities make sense from one day to the next.
The goal is a good time on the water. Your group’s comfort matters when I decide where to go, so let me know beforehand about limited boating experience, concerns about rough water, or different interests among the people coming along.
It is worth having that conversation with everyone in your group before choosing a trip. Some people want to fish all morning; others are mainly interested in snorkeling. Knowing that early helps us set realistic expectations, especially when winter weather limits the choices.
We can build a plan around what we know and fill in the smaller details on the day. A few moving parts are normal. An entire trip made of question marks is a little harder to organize.
Reef, Bridge, and Bayside Fishing Options
Close-to-shore reef fishing has been good and getting better. Cooling water can bring more fish closer in, giving us opportunities without always needing a long run offshore.
There is a balance, though. Water that gets too dirty or cools too quickly can slow things down. The deeper reef tends to have more stable conditions, but getting there only makes sense when the seas are suitable for the group.
The fish may not mind the waves, but you still need to be comfortable enough to fish. Holding your footing and working a bait gets harder when the boat is moving around.
On windy days, the bridges and shallow Gulf-side areas can offer more protection, depending on the wind direction. It is common for a winter reef trip to take us around to the other side of the island. I choose the location by looking at the conditions, the fishing opportunities, and the people aboard.
Snorkeling Outlook for the Holiday Week
At the time of this December update, snorkeling opportunities look limited through the end of 2025. There may be a few openings, but with dirty water moving around, visibility will depend heavily on the tides and weather.
If snorkeling is the main reason you want to go out, tell me before booking so we can discuss the outlook. We can keep an eye on conditions, but getting in the water has to remain a conditions-dependent part of the plan.
A Few Holiday Reminders
For guests fishing across the 2025–2026 holiday period, the annual shallow-water grouper harvest closure begins January 1 and runs through April 30 for the species covered by the rule in Atlantic waters, including all state waters off Monroe County. The scheduled reopening is May 1, 2026. This is not one season covering every grouper species or every fishing area; what we can keep depends on the species and where we fish. You can check the FWC grouper regulations when planning your dates.
Captain Hook’s is expected to have limited store hours on Christmas and New Year’s Eve during this holiday period. That affects my supply runs and preparation, so advance notice is especially helpful this week.
I have also renewed my insurance for the activities I offer. Keeping the business properly insured is an important part of the preparation that happens before you step aboard.
One firm request: please do not arrive for your trip actively sick. Let me know beforehand if someone in your group is ill so we can discuss the situation. Keeping illness off the boat matters to your group, to me, and to the guests scheduled after you.
Looking Ahead to More Adventures in 2026
Thank you to everyone who has spent time on the water with me this year. This business is a big part of my life, and sharing the places and activities I love is what keeps me excited about it.
I still think of my boat as a magic carpet on the ocean. Add a group ready for an adventure, suitable conditions, and a little preparation, and we have the ingredients for a memorable day. My job is to put those pieces together and help you make the most of the opportunity.
If a day on the water is part of your holiday plans, send me your dates and your crew’s wish list. I will help you sort through the options and explain what the conditions may allow. A quick conversation before the trip gives us a much better starting point when we meet at the dock.
