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#1 Nov-10-14 5:24AM

Ernie
Administrator
From: Ashburn VA
Registered: Feb-03-06
Posts: 15561

11-10-14, out of Crandon Park, Key Biscayne

Rain delay.....hopefully we will get started at noon.


Time to go fishin' again!

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#2 Nov-10-14 4:58PM

Ernie
Administrator
From: Ashburn VA
Registered: Feb-03-06
Posts: 15561

Re: 11-10-14, out of Crandon Park, Key Biscayne

WARNING: DO NOT scroll down to the bottom!

I met Capt. Mark Hall at Crandon Park ramp at 11:45.

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj320/Kiko13PB/New%20Kiko/001_zpsd2b6a55c.jpg

We have fished together many times but this was the first time we would fish around Key Biscayne which is where my mom lives. The ramp is 5-6 minutes from her condo.

We did not catch any fish at our 1st stop and then we went to a bowl in a flat and there, I caught 6 species of fish...all on a jig!

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj320/Kiko13PB/New%20Kiko/002_zps63087501.jpg

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj320/Kiko13PB/New%20Kiko/003_zpsaa5f4ce6.jpg

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj320/Kiko13PB/New%20Kiko/005_zpsbe11257f.jpg

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj320/Kiko13PB/New%20Kiko/006_zps1b304993.jpg

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj320/Kiko13PB/New%20Kiko/010_zps953602f9.jpg


Lizzard fish
Blue runner
Muton snapper
Grunt
Jack Cravelle
Blow fish

Cape Florida Lighthouse

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj320/Kiko13PB/New%20Kiko/004_zps92655cc5.jpg

After 30 or so fish, we moved on in front of where my mom lives and caught a few more jacks...this time on top water.

My mom's area (1 block back of the water).

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj320/Kiko13PB/New%20Kiko/011_zpsc746d899.jpg

Mark spotted some bait and made a couple of cats to fill the live well full of pilchards!

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj320/Kiko13PB/New%20Kiko/013_zps11183622.jpg

He would use them as a fish magnet.  We went looking for snooks at the end of Government Cut.....

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj320/Kiko13PB/New%20Kiko/014_zps91319a0f.jpg

.....but no one was home except species #7, a needle fish.

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj320/Kiko13PB/New%20Kiko/016_zpscfabbfb8.jpg

The infamous and ritzy Fisher Island.

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj320/Kiko13PB/New%20Kiko/015_zps167d4c8c.jpg

As we made our way back to the marina we made a few stops at some beaches that had rock jetties. We even interrupted a late afternoon photo shoot!

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj320/Kiko13PB/New%20Kiko/017_zpsb0194034.jpg

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj320/Kiko13PB/New%20Kiko/019_zpscbfa6447.jpg

It was now 5 pm, the sun was setting and I declared that I was done. Mark then said, "we have one more spot to go to".

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj320/Kiko13PB/New%20Kiko/018_zps55efee35.jpg

He instructed me on what to do and on the 3rd cast...it was game on.

I have heard all about people hooking a tarpon but not landing it. When I got hit, the fish took off to Cuba. We chased it for 40 minutes or so. My arms have never screamed the way they did today. The fish jumped twice.....spectacularly! The second jump was with the sun setting behind it. I would have been satisfied with that memory, which I will never forget. Then the fish ran...and ran...and ran...and ran. I had him to the boat 5-6 times but he did not want to be landed. So...I tightened the drag and gave it one last effort and Mark was able to bring it in.

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj320/Kiko13PB/New%20Kiko/023_zps65c1d3ae.jpg

I have no words!

I really don't know what else to say but to thank Mark for getting me on the fish, coaching me through it and then landing it.

His last words before we came in were, "Ernie, my trips really don't usually end  like this".

If you are ever in Miami...hire Mark!!

Time to head back to reality......


Time to go fishin' again!

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#3 Nov-10-14 7:03PM

Curly
Patagonian Toothfish
Registered: Mar-15-10
Posts: 5413

Re: 11-10-14, out of Crandon Park, Key Biscayne

Ernie............You are the MAN!  Nice tarpon!  And "back to reality" does suck tongue .  My reality has been travelling back and forth from NC for the past 3 weeks to take care of my mom that broke her hip........couple of weeks to go at a minimum..............but I am not complaining..........just lots of miles/hours on the road with a short turnaround between trips.  She says that I am a good son big_smile .

Think we will ever get out for a second trip this year?

Last edited by Curly (Nov-10-14 7:10PM)


Hell or High Water...........I'm Fishin!!   big_smile

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#4 Nov-10-14 7:42PM

Ernie
Administrator
From: Ashburn VA
Registered: Feb-03-06
Posts: 15561

Re: 11-10-14, out of Crandon Park, Key Biscayne

Curly wrote:

She says that I am a good son

That's a good thing! My mom just had knee surgery. One sister was down here last week to help her. But she is doing great so I got to go fish...and feed her the catch!

Curly wrote:

Think we will ever get out for a second trip this year?

Bob wants to go pickle fishing Saturday...it's predicted to get up to 45! I was chilly yesterday when it was 67.....supposed to be even colder next week. I may shut down for the year......


Time to go fishin' again!

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#5 Nov-11-14 5:10AM

firemunkee
Patagonian Toothfish
From: Ashburn, VA
Registered: May-23-13
Posts: 1766

Re: 11-10-14, out of Crandon Park, Key Biscayne

Nice catch Ernie! Well played.


Together we'll fight the long defeat.

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#6 Nov-11-14 6:26AM

Curly
Patagonian Toothfish
Registered: Mar-15-10
Posts: 5413

Re: 11-10-14, out of Crandon Park, Key Biscayne

Ernie wrote:

Bob wants to go pickle fishing Saturday.........

Kosher dill or Gherkins? lol


Hell or High Water...........I'm Fishin!!   big_smile

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#7 Nov-11-14 6:27AM

Osprey
Patagonian Toothfish
From: Forestville, MD
Registered: Nov-16-07
Posts: 1234
Website

Re: 11-10-14, out of Crandon Park, Key Biscayne

I might hang that picture on my wall. The expression on your face says it all, nice going.


20' Key West..16' C-Hawk...Hobie Pro Angler...Hobie Outback

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#8 Nov-11-14 6:50AM

GregF
Northern Snakehead
Registered: Mar-21-11
Posts: 712

Re: 11-10-14, out of Crandon Park, Key Biscayne

Congrats Ernie!  Catching a fish like that takes a lot of skill (and a good guide to help).  You can tell by the look on your face that you have about 1000% surge of adrenalin and joy going through your veins right then.  I bet you are still on that high today.  NICE FISH!!!!!

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#9 Nov-11-14 7:16AM

Ernie
Administrator
From: Ashburn VA
Registered: Feb-03-06
Posts: 15561

Re: 11-10-14, out of Crandon Park, Key Biscayne

30lb leader, MH spinning rod, 30lb braid.

Mark kept me calm and made sure I stayed patient even though my arms were searing. He is a master with these animals. Took great care and made sure it was ready to roam the waters before being released.

As I sit at the terminal on the way back to reality, I member the commands he gave. Following them earned me that fish. Otherwise, it would have been....."I wonder how big that was"?

We did not measure but that really is not important. Landing it was!

Now I want one on a fly!


Time to go fishin' again!

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#10 Nov-11-14 7:18AM

Ernie
Administrator
From: Ashburn VA
Registered: Feb-03-06
Posts: 15561

Re: 11-10-14, out of Crandon Park, Key Biscayne

Curly wrote:

Kosher dill or Gherkins?

Those pickerel guys call them pickles......maybe sweet?


Time to go fishin' again!

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#11 Nov-11-14 7:28AM

jumping jasper
Patagonian Toothfish
Registered: Apr-03-07
Posts: 844

Re: 11-10-14, out of Crandon Park, Key Biscayne

Nice Ernie!
Before I saw the final pic. I thought you were having a great trip. It quickly became a trip of a life time.

Did you ever have the blow fish at fords fish shack? Really good eating. But you need more than one.


smile

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#12 Nov-11-14 7:37AM

Ernie
Administrator
From: Ashburn VA
Registered: Feb-03-06
Posts: 15561

Re: 11-10-14, out of Crandon Park, Key Biscayne

Jeff- I have heard that blow fish are tasty! We caught 3....appetizers.


Time to go fishin' again!

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#13 Nov-11-14 8:12AM

GregF
Northern Snakehead
Registered: Mar-21-11
Posts: 712

Re: 11-10-14, out of Crandon Park, Key Biscayne

Never saw the blowfish on the Fords menu.  I will have to look for it and give it a try.

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#14 Nov-11-14 10:07AM

Bryan
Patagonian Toothfish
From: Bealeton, VA
Registered: Mar-18-11
Posts: 1194

Re: 11-10-14, out of Crandon Park, Key Biscayne

What an awesome report, and great pics too. Congrats on the tarpon catch!


tight lines

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#15 Nov-11-14 2:13PM

drxfish
Patagonian Toothfish
From: Sterling
Registered: Jan-04-14
Posts: 2973

Re: 11-10-14, out of Crandon Park, Key Biscayne

That was an awesome trip!  Way to go and that tarpon is really cool!


Always wishin' I was fishin'

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#16 Nov-11-14 6:11PM

captmikestarrett
Patagonian Toothfish
From: Potomac River
Registered: May-06-08
Posts: 2164
Website

Re: 11-10-14, out of Crandon Park, Key Biscayne

I would guess about 45 lbs.  Did you get a scale? Kinda customary to keep a scale in our wallet.

Capt Mike


Light Tackle Fishing Guide on the Potomac

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#17 Nov-11-14 6:40PM

Bass Hunter
Northern Snakehead
Registered: Oct-19-07
Posts: 727

Re: 11-10-14, out of Crandon Park, Key Biscayne

Beautiful pics and nice report Ernie. Thanks for sharing!!!

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#18 Nov-11-14 6:54PM

Ernie
Administrator
From: Ashburn VA
Registered: Feb-03-06
Posts: 15561

Re: 11-10-14, out of Crandon Park, Key Biscayne

captmikestarrett wrote:

I would guess about 45 lbs.  Did you get a scale? Kinda customary to keep a scale in our wallet.

We did not measure or weigh it. Mark estimated it at 50 or more pounds. I have no idea. All I know is that I saw two spectacular jumps and many runs.

They confiscated my scale at the airport on the way down....


Time to go fishin' again!

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#19 Nov-12-14 4:46AM

jumping jasper
Patagonian Toothfish
Registered: Apr-03-07
Posts: 844

Re: 11-10-14, out of Crandon Park, Key Biscayne

GregF wrote:

Never saw the blowfish on the Fords menu.  I will have to look for it and give it a try.

They used to call it puffer fish. Now the call it something like "fish wings"


smile

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#20 Nov-12-14 6:28AM

hookup
Patagonian Toothfish
Registered: Jan-31-12
Posts: 2301

Re: 11-10-14, out of Crandon Park, Key Biscayne

Memory that'll last a lifetime

Congrats buddy!

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#21 Nov-12-14 6:37AM

Ernie
Administrator
From: Ashburn VA
Registered: Feb-03-06
Posts: 15561

Re: 11-10-14, out of Crandon Park, Key Biscayne

hookup wrote:

Memory that'll last a lifetime

Here is what is burned in my mind....

1. The 1st run
2. The 2nd jump with the sun in the background
3. The last effort to get it to the boat
4. How my forearm feels today


Time to go fishin' again!

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#22 Nov-12-14 11:28AM

GregF
Northern Snakehead
Registered: Mar-21-11
Posts: 712

Re: 11-10-14, out of Crandon Park, Key Biscayne

We will start calling you Popeye! big_smile big_smile big_smile big_smile

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#23 Nov-12-14 1:43PM

captmikestarrett
Patagonian Toothfish
From: Potomac River
Registered: May-06-08
Posts: 2164
Website

Re: 11-10-14, out of Crandon Park, Key Biscayne

Ernie wrote:

captmikestarrett wrote:

I would guess about 45 lbs.  Did you get a scale? Kinda customary to keep a scale in our wallet.

We did not measure or weigh it. Mark estimated it at 50 or more pounds. I have no idea. All I know is that I saw two spectacular jumps and many runs.

They confiscated my scale at the airport on the way down....

No a scale from the fish.. .. it is a custom among poon fishermen.. :-)

Capt Mike


Light Tackle Fishing Guide on the Potomac

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#24 Nov-12-14 2:00PM

Ernie
Administrator
From: Ashburn VA
Registered: Feb-03-06
Posts: 15561

Re: 11-10-14, out of Crandon Park, Key Biscayne

captmikestarrett wrote:

No a scale from the fish.. .. it is a custom among poon fishermen.. :-)

Never thought about it but I was slimed up pretty good.....


Time to go fishin' again!

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#25 Nov-12-14 2:01PM

Ernie
Administrator
From: Ashburn VA
Registered: Feb-03-06
Posts: 15561

Re: 11-10-14, out of Crandon Park, Key Biscayne

GregF wrote:

We will start calling you Popeye!

I will eat me spinach tonight.


Time to go fishin' again!

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