by admin on December 1, 2009
Dreamcatcher of Key West
Located about 30 miles west of Key West, the Marquesas Keys are a group of mangrove islands and flats that make up part of the Key West National Wildlife Refuge. Up until about 1980 the area was used as a bombing range by the USN (and an occasional wreck or underwater shell can still be found). Except for one privately owned island called Ballast Key, the area is uninhabited – and teeming with fish. It is truly one of the untouched jewels of the Florida Keys and a saltwater fisherman’s paradise.
Ballast Key
I spent 3 days motoring and sailing the Marquesas in mid-November with my old friends from Ransom Everglades School in Coconut Grove, Florida: Capt. John Duke and travel writer Charles Greenfield. John’s friend and cohort from the Keys, Capt. Dave Dlugitch came along too. Capt. Dave had a fishing kayak business for years in the lower Keys and is an excellent guide and fisherman in his own right. We traveled in John’s magnificent 70+ ft. steel-hulled schooner (with a retractable centerboard for easy access to shallow water) named the Dreamcatcher.
The first day out I caught a barracuda with a bonefish jig while standing on the rocks off Ballast Key. Unlike my old days in Belize, the barracuda in these waters can’t be eaten because of ciguatera disease, but it was still a thrill to land. He took out a good 20 yards on my ultralite, and I knew I wasn’t in Maryland anymore!
Vic on Ballast Key
That night we were doing some bait fishing with pinfish off the back of the boat, and Charles pulled in 10 yellowtail snapper. We kept 4 of them for a fine fried fish meal with Cuban rice & beans. Slept like a log that night with the quiet rocking of the Dreamcatcher.
Charles Greenfield and Dinner
Day two of the trip to follow shortly….
by admin on November 16, 2009
Tomorrow I’m flying to Florida to meet my old friends Capt. John Duke and Charles Greenfield for a trip out to the Marquesas Keys, 30 miles west of Key West. We’ll be aboard Capt. John’s schooner the Dreamcatcher (see link under “Vic’s Favorites) scouting out the light-tackle fishing potential for the area. Stop back for updates from the road…or the boat. We’re looking for tarpon, bonefish, tarpon, permit, barra, jack, and snapper. And, check out my new “Get Updates” link where you can enter your email for automatic notification when I update the blog. It should be up and running in a day or two.
Marquesas Keys
by Capitol Area Fishing on August 2, 2009
Jonah with his Dad
- Vic and Jonah
Another cool, rainy day in Maryland, but my friend Bob, his son Jonah, and I still took to the water with our fishing gear. We decided on Black Hill Regional Park on Senaca Lake in Maryland, which had John Boats to rent. But, after about a half-hour, the rain – and more importantly, distant thunder – sent us back to shore.
We still managed to get some good catches from the pier and the shore. Jonah proved to be an avid fisherman, catching a largemouth bass, sunnies, bluegill and a catfish. His Dad and I were merely along for the ride! It was fun to watch Jonah catch fish through his eyes.
Whether you’re on the shore, the pier, or in a boat, Black Hill Regional Park is great for family outings. As good for the novice fisherman as well as a more experienced one. To use a cliche – there is something for everyone. Boat and canoe rentals are available by the dock shop, there’s a good boat ramp if you bring your own boat (with a $5 a day launch charge), and there’s also a fishing pier.
Jonah and the Bass
by Capitol Area Fishing on May 2, 2009
Piney Branch Lake
Piney Run Park is well outfitted for either shore or boat fishing. It’s located in southern Carroll County, near Sykesville. It’s a 300 acre lake with two boat ramps available for launching your vessel ($10 entrance fee at park gate). Gasoline motors are prohibited, but trolling motors are OK, and it’s recommended to bring a spare battery.
Night crawlers are sold during season. Boat rentals include canoes, kayaks, and rowboats. Floating piers, as well as fishing platforms provide additional fishing possibilities. Maximum depth of the lake reaches 50 feet.
Today there was good clear water. It gave me a chance to try out my new 8 lb. test braid on my ultra-lite. It’s still raining off and on in this area, and the cool weather has the fish down. I did rent one of the boats and went across the lake to Kickout Cove where I heard there was some bass to be found.
Vic in Kickout Cove
