Loaded up the ol’ Excursion with enough rods/reels, cast nets, bait cages, tackle bags, etc. to stock a small tackle shop and rolled out at 2:00 am on 1/11 south bound and down for Islamorada. Got into town around 12:00 noon loaded the boat and was on the water by 2:30.
By Keys standards it was crazy cold. High of 42 on the day we arrived. Spent the first afternoon scouting out my old ballyhoo patches. The cold water pushing out of florida bay had the bait bunched up in areas that did not get direct flow out of the bay. Took some moving around to find them but once we did they were there thick and we got them easily every morning of our trip.
First full day of fishing resulted in 8 sailfish bites, 6 hookups, and 4 releases. Also caught dolphin and tuna.
Second day = 4 sailfish bites and 3 releases
Third day = 5 bites and 3 releases plus a 20lb blackfin
Fourth day = 8 bites, had 5 on pulling drag, jumped one off and broke a second one off when we got split two directions on a double and taken to the knot by one, ended up releasing 3. Also got 5 dolphin up to 20lbs.
■■■■ I love live baiting sails! Back to Bluffton tomorrow
