Big Pine Key Christmas 2015

[randlemanboater]

Was lucky enough to make it down to the Keys for Christmas. Anticipated catching Mahi and Wahoo offshore, 20-25 knot wind dictated bridge fishing all week.

Caught enough to feed the 5 of us all we could eat and bring home 3 gallons of fillets.

Temp was 78 at night, 84 during the day, water was 77 degrees.

Short grouper caught by my 14 year old daughter.

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r222/randlemanboater/20151231_145448.png_zpsz3eegaa1.jpeg (http://s145.photobucket.com/user/randlemanboater/media/20151231_145448.png_zpsz3eegaa1.jpeg.html)

Typical catch each day, Grunts, Porgy, Yellowtail and Lane Snapper.

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r222/randlemanboater/20151227_162652_zpstyho2adx.jpg (http://s145.photobucket.com/user/randlemanboater/media/20151227_162652_zpstyho2adx.jpg.html)

My little boy with a nice Porgy...they taste very close to fresh flounder for those who haven't been lucky enough to consume one.

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r222/randlemanboater/20151226_120835_zpspg4mcds3.jpg (http://s145.photobucket.com/user/randlemanboater/media/20151226_120835_zpspg4mcds3.jpg.html)

Other than wind, the weather was great.

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r222/randlemanboater/IMG_2321_zpsypqstfmw.jpg (http://s145.photobucket.com/user/randlemanboater/media/IMG_2321_zpsypqstfmw.jpg.html)

Watch out for Iguanas.

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r222/randlemanboater/IMG_3469_zpszcxmz7dc.jpg (http://s145.photobucket.com/user/randlemanboater/media/IMG_3469_zpszcxmz7dc.jpg.html)

[THEFERMANATOR]

I see you were at Bahia Honda with the old railroad bridge in the background. We used to catch amberjacks in the summer time trolling under the old railroad bridge.

[Pipe_Dream]

Sweet. Hoping to get back to the Keys this April. You just made me want it to come that much quicker.

Thanks for sharing!

[SkunkBoat]

Thnx for the winter fish porn. I hope to also be sharing some Florida fish porn in a few weeks.

[macojoe]

Havent been to the Key's in a long while now. wish I could go! caught ton's of yellow tail and a 35 or so pound grouper man can thm things fight!!!!!!!

[randlemanboater]

I highly recommend that you all go to the Keys, I am seriously thinking about staying the winter down there when I get retired.

The V-20 was made for the Keys.

[randlemanboater]

I see you were at Bahia Honda with the old railroad bridge in the background. We used to catch amberjacks in the summer time trolling under the old railroad bridge.

I think you would catch something there any day of the year.

We had real good action there but most of the boats were on the north side of the US-1 bridge...like I tell my fishin buddy all the time, I don't care where I catch em.

[SkunkBoat]

One of my best fishing vacations ever was a week in Summerland Key.
I have to agree winter retirement in the Keys is in my future

[phatdaddy]

rmb, were u guys at big pine key or the state park?

[randlemanboater]

We stay at Big Pine Key Fishing Lodge. We have been there enough that all the workers know us and we have gotten to know a fair number of the snowbirds, we really enjoy it.

I am scheduled to work next Christmas but I am planning to spend a month there Christmas 2017, I retire May 31 2017.

[twhrider2]

Looks like a fun trip....maybe someday!!

[randlemanboater]

Looks like a fun trip....maybe someday!!

No reason to wait, hitch up and head south.