So a good buddy of mine was back in town for his spring break (law student at FSU) and we had intentions of fishing nearly every day. Unfortunately, mother nature didn't agree with our plans. She blew and blew for most of the week, but finally decided to lay down the last two days. Initially, we wanted to make an overnight run out to the Dry Tortugas and stay at the fort, which is our normal routine, but time wasn't permitting that, so we concluded that a run way to the west might be the best option.
We loaded up his 31 SeaVee and left the dock around 8am, greeted by a gorgeous morning...slightly chilly, but beautiful nonetheless. An hour or so later, we pulled back on the throttles and began to work our numbers. Our crew for the day was me, Greg, Greg's old college buddy Chase, Greg's grandfather Macho, and Macho's brother Danny. Both Macho and Danny are old school Cuban fisherman and they fish purely with handlines, which is amazing to witness if you never have before.
With a blacked out livewell full of pinfish and our regular arsenal of frozen bait, we were ready for some action. Our first spot of the day and I immediately had a nice mutton in the boat. Our next spot produced a few red grouper, with Macho actually catching one by lassoing it! no kidding, check out the picture! As we hopped around from spot to spot, our red grouper catch was getting better and better. Most everything was coming in on the live pinfish, but not until I switched it up and started tipping a large grouper jig with some bonito strips did the bite really turn on. Our most productive spot of the day was only in about 25 feet of water and the reds were thick. I also landed the largest porgy of my life and watched Macho and Danny's mouths water as I threw it on ice.
This spot not only produced some nice reds, but as soon as they stopped biting, the yellowtail moved in and we got into one of the best yellowtail bites that I've been involved in. Even Danny put down the handline and picked up a rod to get in on the action! In that one spot alone, we ended up picking off 40+ yellowtail and I would say that less than 6 were thrown back due to being undersize. In fact, nearly every 'tail that came in was considered a flag. It was just superb. Every 'tail was caught on a small jighead tipped either with squid or bonito.
As the bite slowed down, we decided to move to a few other spots and see what would happen. Some more red grouper came in along with a few grey snapper that were Large. Both Macho and I nabbed some decent AJ's, too. No sooner, though, than we decided to call it a day when Greg's rod doubles over and starts screaming. Mind you, this is a Cabo 80 spooled with 20lb line... well, after a brief battle the fish rocks him up. A tug, a pull, a give, a take...nothing. Greg puts the rod in the holder, grabs the line and takes a few wraps, and then starts pulling, trying to break it off so that we could go home. well, whattya know, but he actually pulls the fish out of the hole! after a few more bursts of speed, the fish is tired out and come to the surface. Black! Black! it turns out to be a very nice black grouper which I swiftly dispatched the gaff into and hoisted into the fish box. What a great way to end the day!
It was now nearly 5pm and we still had close to a 2 hour run to make it home, so we stowed everything away, pointed the bow east, and let the throttles go. With a final tally of 24 reds, 1 black, 3 Muttons, 42 Flags, 3 Mangroves, numerous undersize grouper, a large porgy, and some released AJ's, I'd say that we had a very productive day! To spend it with good friends/great fisherman on a beautiful boat in the spectacular Florida Keys only made it all that much better!
Incredible Bottom Bite West of Key West 3/13/08 
