OT: Marathon/Keys Charters

[Uncle Ruckus]

I'm going next week and booking a charter for me and my paw-in-law for his birthday. Not inshore or reefs, we do all that here throughout the year. We want to get something we don't get to catch in MS/AL. He's talked about catching a marlin since I've known him, but I know it's not the best time of year. I'm talking to Two Conchs out of Marathon later today when they get in, they were recommended by a fishing buddy of mine. What ya got?

 

[Car Ramrod.sixpack]

I go down there every other year for tarpon and permit on a fly rod and used to book out of Bud & Mary's in Islamorada. They can set you up for everything from party barge, off shore or back water. This time of year I would look into tarpon fishing. If you have never landed a tarpon they are the most challenging and hardest fighting fish on the planet. Most blue water species tire out quickly but a tarpon will never tire out and you are looking at a fish over 100 lb and will put up a hard fight for over an hour.

http://budnmarys.com/

 

[MaroonCrusader]

Call my friend James Simcic. He runs spearcrazy in Marathon, a spear fishing charter. So fun and an awesome guy.

 

[dogmatic]

I'm a big fan of Capt. Tony Murphy's operation.

Check him out on his website here

I like Car Ramrod's suggestion on tarpon. Capt. Murphy offers that specifically on his website above.

Here's one of the stories I did with him a while back about the wide variety of fishing available in the Keys.

 

[Awwhellnaw]

You lost me at “most blue water species tire out quickly”...

 

[Car Ramrod.sixpack]

You lost me at “most blue water species tire out quickly”...

What do you mean I lost you?

Also Uncle, loot at night tarpon trips those can be a lot of fun on conventional tackle.

 

[ShrubDog]

You may have lost him between the reef donkey and amberjack.

 

[Awwhellnaw]

Have you ever hooked a blue water pelagic of any sort? If you had, not sure you’d be saying that.

 

[Car Ramrod.sixpack]

Have you ever hooked a blue water pelagic of any sort? If you had, not sure you’d be saying that.

Yes I've got a few Blue Water species to my name and 1 on a fly rod. Pound for pound I will put a tarpon up against any of them. For me large offshore fish fight for 15min then all you are doing is reeling in dead weight.

Have you ever boated a tarpon? A tarpon will fight strong and non stop for over an hour till you have to run them down in the boat. Granted it is not ethical to fight them this long but they will fight hard as long as you want the fight to last.

Every species and method of fishing has their supporters and critics but one thing that is true, it sure as hell beats sitting here at the office.

 

[Awwhellnaw]

I’ve never hooked a tarpon. I’ll back down at Sebastian inlet in August. Maybe an opportunity will present itself then.

I don’t doubt they are pound for pound one of the hardest fighting fish out there but it’s a little unfair to say that about blue water pelagics. I’ve seen plenty of yellowfins and AJs make some full grown men question their manhood (as I’m sure you have as well). Not to mention good to eat. Not trying to be a dick, hopefully I’ll be back on here in a couple months telling you you’re right.