From the archives: This post was published in December 2014. The local business descriptions and fishing plans reflect that time and may have changed.
A big thank-you to all the new and returning customers who shared time on the water with me this year. A handful of trip photos is enough to remind me how lucky I am to do this work, and looking back over the year makes me appreciate it even more. Thank you all!
Christmas week is one of the busiest times for visitors here, so I wanted to highlight a few local businesses I appreciated and recommended in 2014. Their descriptions below are from that original post; please check each business directly for current details.
Local places I recommended
- Seascape Motel and Marina — an oceanfront stay in Marathon with marina dockage and a pool.
- White Sands Inn — a quieter beachside option just outside Marathon.
- Captain Hook’s Marina and Dive Center — a marina offering bait, tackle, rentals, dive gear, and trips. The original post mentioned the afternoon fish feeding.
- Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters — described at the time as a new interactive facility with experiences involving local marine life.
- The Turtle Hospital — a Marathon attraction supporting sea turtle rescue, rehabilitation, and release.
- Marathon Kayak — guided mangrove and sunset kayak trips for a range of ages and experience levels.
- Florida Keys Kiteboarding and Stand Up Paddleboarding — the original post highlighted kiteboarding instruction, paddling, and other gear and services.
A year-end fishing and weather update
Back to my world: fishing trips were rolling along, with a few more challenging days when winter wind and weather came through. Keeping an eye on the forecast and letting me know what matters for your group helps us make a practical plan. In-water activities are especially dependent on conditions, so bring what you need to stay warm and comfortable, including towels and dry layers.
Wind can make the ride rougher, so think ahead about your comfort and talk with me about any concerns before trip day. The more I know about your group, the better I can plan around the conditions.
As 2014 wrapped up, I was looking forward to the January season changes and adding electric deep-drop fishing to some offshore trips. That was the plan at the time; the options and regulations have changed since then.
One last reminder: I’m often out on charter and can’t answer the phone. Leave a detailed voicemail and I’ll get back to you when I can. If you’re planning a trip, send me a message. Happy New Year, and thanks again!
