Fishing conditions, holiday plans, and business updates from November 2022, including an update noted November 25.
Christmas week is getting closer, and the holiday calendar is filling. Thanksgiving demand and limited weather windows have already made the schedule tight. If you know your December travel dates, planning ahead gives us more options.
The colder it gets up north, the busier things tend to get down here. A little sunshine and time on the water have a way of sounding pretty good by December.
You can book through my Reservations page. If you have questions or need to discuss particular arrangements, use my contact form. I do not answer calls while running a trip, so the website is a useful starting point while I am out.
For a look at the outings themselves, browse #captfkra on Instagram and my Florida Keys Reel Adventures Facebook page. I share different catches and activities so you can get a feel for the experience.
Please Keep Illness Off the Boat
By the November 25 update, I had already had a charter canceled because of flu. One firm request for the holiday period: anyone who is actively sick cannot come aboard.
If someone in your group becomes ill, contact me before arriving at the marina. Getting sick can take me off the water and affect other guests who have been looking forward to their trips. Letting me know beforehand helps us address the situation without a difficult conversation at the dock.
Confirm Your Holiday Departure Time
As demand increases, I may adjust departure times to make better use of daylight. An advertised 8 a.m. start may become 7 a.m. when I am running two trips that day. We will confirm the actual time together.
Mornings remain my preference for half-day fishing, although afternoons can be a good option this time of year. Starting early gives us a chance to reach spots before they receive more fishing pressure.
On afternoon outings, I generally choose different locations from those I fished that morning. Other boats may have visited them, so we adjust to what we find.
Fill out your booking notes with information about your crew, experience, and interests. During busy stretches, evenings around 6–7 p.m. are likely to be my main window for returning calls after the trips are finished.
November Reef Fishing Has Been Productive
Fishing was very good through the first half of November. Unusually warm conditions and lingering effects from storms farther up the coast have kept things closer to a summer pattern than I would normally expect.
My approach has been to sample the deep reef, the top of the reef, and shallower areas to find where the fish are active. If a spot is producing, we work it. If it is quiet, we keep looking.
That movement is part of a transitional month. Your group’s experience and the conditions also help determine which techniques and locations make the most sense.
Lobster Trips Are Finished for My Season
I am no longer offering lobster trips for this late-2022 period. Local opportunities have become limited, visibility has been unreliable, and repeatedly getting in and out of cooler water is a different experience from our warm-season outings.
I would rather explain those limits before you reserve and help you choose an activity that better suits the season.
Snorkeling Needs a Flexible Backup Plan
Visibility has been inconsistent following the recent storm disruptions. Calmer periods have given us some good windows, including days with around 40–50 feet of visibility, but tide, wind direction, and wave action keep changing the picture.
For trips through January 1, 2023, we can plan for snorkeling with the understanding that another activity may be necessary. Wetsuits will be part of the preparation, and I can help arrange rentals through Captain Hook’s.
If visibility is unsuitable, the plan is to switch to fishing or another appropriate custom activity. Discuss that flexibility with everyone in your group before booking so nobody is surprised by the alternatives.
If I cancel the trip because the weather is unsuitable, I will refund the deposit under the arrangements described in this update. That is different from changing activities because snorkeling visibility is poor. We will talk through the options for your particular day.
Boat Improvements and a Business Update
The quieter fall schedule has given me time to work on improvements. This year’s projects have included a tower, new GPS units, and new cushions, with a clear windscreen enclosure being installed to improve comfort during cooler or windier weather.
Keeping the boat maintained and ready takes planning, especially when local marine services are busy. I take pride in that work because it supports the experience you have aboard.
Costs have been a challenge this year, particularly fuel, maintenance, advertising, and insurance. My existing insurer has also declined renewal for 2023, so arranging replacement coverage is another item I am working through.
If you have enjoyed a charter with me, an honest review on Google, TripAdvisor, or Yelp would be appreciated. It helps future visitors understand what I offer and supports an independent business. Thank you for taking the time to share your experience.
Before your holiday calendar fills up, let me know which day you are considering for the boat. Tell me what your crew enjoys, and we can discuss departure times, seasonal options, and a sensible alternative if the weather changes our first choice.
