Keys Lobster Mini

[RidgeRunner]

Weeks vacation coincided with Lobster Mini-Season. Zero Fish for the week. Tried to fish the reef in the Whaler in 4 to 6. Too rough for comfort considering the entire family was with me. Only dropped the anchor once, fish finder marking fish like crazy but had to call it. Mom is 75 and she snorkeled for the first time ever. Dad is 80 and in great health. Tried for some Mangos at the Channel 5 bridge. Fed them until we got tired of the 2' wind chop. Only tried fishing twice. Fed large jack and Tarpon by hand at Robbie's on a day of sightseeing. Got 9 lobster by bully net opening day between 12:01 am and 3:00 am Surf and turf Wed. night.. Bully netting by 9:00 pm. Got too close and ended up with my VHF antenna snarled in the mangroves by 9:05 pm. (I never seen one bend that far without breaking) As I am throttling the boat clear of the trees I dislodged a dead branch with the antenna which fell butt end onto dad's ankle.9:06 pm I knew it cut him but before I could clear the mangrove island and assess the damage the blue lights appeared.(still 9:06 pm) USCG with intent to board and check us out. Super nice guys in a 30' RIB w/ tripple 300 Verados. They put a man on our boat to do triage and administer first aid to my dad's ankle. Six stitches at Mariner's Hospital and home by 11:00pm. The balance of our time was spent relaxing and snorkeling the various reefs and mangrove islands. Water was nice. Coming back to reality now...Keys Vacation - 2011 036.jpg

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