Fishing conditions, trip arrangements, and business updates from August 2023.
Oh, July. That was a doozie! Relentless heat, a busy lobster mini-season, and an unexpected surgery made for a challenging month on this end.
I had my appendix removed July 3 and missed a week of charters. Getting back into the schedule was harder than I hoped, especially after several trips with sick guests aboard and then becoming ill myself. I am looking forward to a steadier August, with a few changes to help everyone prepare.
Booking, Payment, and Keeping Illness Off the Boat
I manage every part of this business, from reservations and preparation to running the boat. The booking instructions and check-in conversation help me organize your trip and make sure we understand the plan.
At the time of this update, I am preparing to increase reservation deposits after several missed commitments. Please review the terms supplied with your booking rather than assume an earlier deposit amount still applies.
All lobster trips must be paid in full before we leave the dock. Read the participation requirements before reserving so we can discuss whether the activity suits your group.
I am also adding a health question to the check-in process. Anyone who is actively sick cannot come aboard. If someone becomes ill before your trip, contact me promptly instead of arriving at the marina and hoping we can work around it.
Under the policy announced in this August update, arriving with a sick participant means the trip will not depart and the reservation deposit will be retained. Having that conversation beforehand is much better for everyone than addressing it at the dock.
Rain Has Cooled the Water—and Changed Visibility
Some welcome news: three days of rain temporarily brought local water temperatures down from around 90°F to 85°F. We needed that break from the heat.
The rain arrived around lobster mini-season, limiting time on the water and reducing visibility across some areas. That may have left more lobster untouched, but the reports and conditions have varied enough that I do not have a clear picture of availability everywhere.
For your trip, communication matters more than a broad prediction. We will discuss the conditions and the locations that could work for your group.
Read the Lobster Requirements Before Booking
Please read my lobster trip information before making a reservation. Swimming, snorkeling, and diving down to catch lobster involve different skills. I need an honest picture of what everyone can comfortably do.
I will choose suitable areas based on what I know about your group and the conditions. Some days will be more demanding than others, and we need to decide whether the activity is appropriate before we head out.
For this August schedule, I can discuss switching a lobster reservation to fishing as late as the evening before the trip. Let me know as soon as you have concerns so I can prepare the right equipment and confirm the revised plan.
Early Starts Have Helped the Fishing
Fishing has been fair overall, with early departures and some persistence producing nice catches on the reef and offshore. I keep more than one plan available because the first idea does not always match what we find.
Many of the deep-water species we had been targeting are no longer available to keep during this report period. There may be opportunities to explore queen snapper or rosefish, subject to the applicable regulations and suitable conditions.
Those are fisheries I am still learning. If you are interested in spending part of a trip exploring them, we should discuss that beforehand. It takes patience, and watching a quiet rod tip is not everybody’s idea of a good time.
Offshore, tuna have been a little quiet, while mahi have been fairly plentiful. Many have been below keeper size, so seeing fish around does not necessarily mean putting them in the cooler. We need to check each catch against the applicable size and harvest rules.
On the reef, yellowtail snapper have been cooperating early and when the current moves. Very clear water combined with little current has made some trips tougher. We adjust the approach and change locations when that gives us a better opportunity.
Snorkeling Has Been Good, with Some Variable Days
Snorkeling has been pretty good overall. The dry stretches gave us warm, clear water, while changes in weather have brought some less-consistent days.
Moon jellyfish have also been present at times. Bring a long-sleeve rash guard, and we will assess the water before choosing where to get in. We can plan for snorkeling while leaving room to adjust if conditions are unsuitable.
If you are unsure whether lobstering, fishing, or snorkeling is the right choice, send me a little about your crew and what you hope to do. We can work through the requirements and current outlook before you commit to a plan, giving everyone a clearer idea of the day ahead.
