Q? Can you give me some tips on how to catch the fish I want to catch?

A. Yes, quite a few, if you will read all of these FAQs.

Q? What distinguishes Key West Light Tackle Sportfishing from other types of fishing available in the Key West area?

A. As the name implies, the tackle used is lighter in weight and in breaking strength of the line used. But, it does not just stop there. The light tackle boats are smaller, faster, more maneuverable, and have a shallower draft so we can get to the live bait that are usually in very shallow water and catch them with a cast net. Fishing with live bait as hook baits and using live bait as live chum is one of the most productive types of fishing there is. When chumming with live bait, we are basically just throwing large quantities of them over the side creating our own school of bait fish where there was none before. This gets the speedy predator fish into a feeding frenzy gorging themselves on the slower, easy to catch bait fish. Of course, they get careless in such a frenzy and eat the ones that have your hook in it, too.

Q? Why are the faster, more maneuverable boats an advantage?

A. Several reasons. Faster means we get to fishing spots quicker so you get more fishing time with less running time. This also means we frequently go to further away spots that larger, slower boats don't usually go to very much because it takes them so long to get there. Further away spots means less fishing pressure and thus more and bigger fish. More maneuverable boats allow us to be able to fish the lighter tackle because we can chase the fish with the boat when we need to to keep them from breaking off the light line by taking it all off the spool. Anchoring a smaller boat is easier than anchoring a larger boat in that it takes less rope to hold bottom. This is especially true when fishing some of the deep wrecks where larger boats would have a hard time holding bottom.

Q? Do we always anchor?

A. No, sometimes we drift or troll, depending on conditions or the type of fish we are after.

Q? Why is light line an advantage? A. For several reasons. The lighter, smaller line is less visible to the fish, thus they are more likely to bite the bait if they do not see the line sticking out of it. Conversely, they are less likely to bite the bait if they do see a heavy line sticking out of it. Light tackle is more sensitive to the fisherman's feel so you get more action on the light rod which is more exciting and enjoyable than just cranking the fish in like a winch. Q? Can stand up light tackle catch as big a fish as the heavy tackle with the fighting chairs? A. Yes, and you will have more fun doing it because it gives you more of a challenge. You get to feel the fish's fighting actions on the line more which is exciting and more fun.

Q? While light tackle fishing, if I want to, may I hold the rod while waiting on a fish to bite so I can feel the strike, set the hook, and immediately start fighting the fish?

A. Yes. Actually, it is recommended, because more fish are lost if the rod is sitting in a rod holder rather than getting your immediate attention. (Trolling usually puts too much pressure on the rod for a person to comfortably hold while waiting on a bite.)

Q? Why is a full day charter always better to take than a half day charter?

A. Because with either one you have the same run out time, the same run back time, the same live bait catching time, and the same anchoring and pulling anchor times, so the actual fishing time is 4 hours longer for not much more money.

Q? Knowing that, what will we do different if I go for a half day charter?

A. Depends. We can go to closer in places where there is more fishing pressure and less fish and smaller fish. We can forgo catching live bait and use dead bait or lures which is less productive. We can troll like the big charter boats and have similar catches to what they have on half day trips.

Q? If the wind is up and the water is rough, what can we fish for in closer in protected areas like the harbor?

A. Several kinds of fish. Tarpon (seasonal), sharks, rays, permit, jacks, cobia, snappers, groupers, mackerel, barracuda, pompano, snook, etc.

Q? Why, under certain conditions, do we sometimes use a fishing kite?

A. The kite is used to hold a bait further away from the boat and also creates more commotion at the surface which is an attractant. Some fish are boat shy and will come only just so close to the boat before turning away.

Q? What do you suggest we should bring with us? A. POLARIZED sunglasses, hat, sunblock lotion (do not bring oil base), lunch and drinks.

Q? Ok if we bring our own rod and reels even though you provide them?

A. Yes, of course. We have plenty of room. Some people prefer their own favorite rod and reel that they are used to.

Q? Do we need to bring a cooler on the boat with ice?

A. No, we have plenty of cooler space. Leave yours in the car for your fish!

Q? What questions do I need to answer for you about the kind of fish I would like to catch?

Are you interested in fish to eat? If so, do you want just enough for a meal for your party or do you want to take what you can home in coolers?

Are you interested in trophy fish to mount to put on the wall? If so, any particular kind?

Does the particular type of fish you catch matter or are you just wanting to have a good fight with any good fighting fish?

Is there any particular type of fish that you want to target?

Q? Do we have to kill a fish in order to get a trophy mount?

A. No, we can measure and then release the fish and have a replica mount made. We always release billfish and tarpon. The only types of fish that the taxidermist actually uses parts of the fish are barracuda and sharks (for their teeth), but even they can be released, if you like, and replica teeth can be made. You can eat a fish and still have a trophy mount made of it, too. I can tuna fish, but I can't sing.

Q? Can we sell the fish?

A. No, unless you have a special license(s) to sell fish in Florida.

Q? What does the work, the rod or the reel?

A. The rod. You gain line by lifting the rod tip from near the water's surface to almost straight up. You take up that amount of line by cranking the reel as you smoothly lower the rod tip back down to near the water's surface.

Q? What do I do and not do when a fish is taking line off the spinning reel spool against the drag?

A. Hold the rod tip high. This puts more pressure on the fish. DO NOT TURN THE CRANK ON THE REEL. This is DETRIMENTAL because turning the crank while line is going out twists the line. A twisted line can loop and catch on the rod tip or the reel and BREAK THE LINE.

Q? When I have reeled a fish in close to the boat, how much line should I leave between the rod tip and the fish?

A. At least one rod length or a little more. If you reel it up any closer, there is not enough line left to work the fish on the gaff and get it into the fish box. With a fish alongside the boat before it is gaffed, keep it's head in the water so that it is less likely to throw the hook when the head is in the water than if the head gets up into the air.

Q? What is deep drop specialty fishing?

A. For that answer click here.

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