3/3/11 Windy day backcountry fishing, but good florida keys fishing action!

Well it was HOWLING today, reports of 33mph sustained winds out of the east - very nasty!  Though the backcountry wasn't too bad if you rode along the edges of the banks and fished the runoff channels and such where you were protected.  That's what Capt. Rick Stanczyk did, he had Dan Memory out for his first islamorada fishing trip.  They started off catching some whopper trout, some over 20 inches, which were very nice as there hadn't been many big ones around.  We also caught a handful of redfish, ladyfish, and an unusual flounder.  We then put the big rods out which was tough as there were 3 footers in the main channel where we shark/tarpon fish with the tide going right into the wind!  We gave it a try and ended up getting a few shark bites which bit us off, so we put the wire on and ended up catching a few blacktips which were very cool and acrobatic!  We had two big 'mud marlin' on again as well, one slashed through the leader pretty quickly as he made his way directly out into the gulf - which was likely for the best as it was very rough out there!  The other we fought for about 45 minutes and he stayed in the channel hugged to the bottom, though it was tough to pull on the leader myself and drive the boat at the same time with the howling winds, we finally got him tired and coming up a little when he started slashing around on the bottom and knicked the wind-on leader above the wire.  But very tough battle, Dan said it was like trying to pull up a small car!

2-27-11 Backcountry mixed bag!

Capt. Rick Stanczyk had Charles Ruoff out fishing today in the backcountry.  We mixed things up a bit, first caught some nice mangrove snappers for dinner and a nice red grouper.  We actually hooked the red the day before and he cut us off, and we got the jigs back from out of his mouth!  After this we moved out further and caught some mackerels and blue runners, they weren't biting great but good enough the water was pretty clear and current into the wind didn't help.  After this we tried some tarpon spots, though didn't see any fish and no bites, though did catch a few blacktip sharks.  Ran out to closer gulf spot, but no signs of any real life so we moved back into the backcountry.  After putting the tarpon rods out again for a bit with just a shark bite, we decided to finish the day just bending the rod on small stuff.  Lots of ladyfish and jacks with a handful of trout, pompano, snappers, and this nice little baby permit in some ditches nearby!!

Capt. Rick Stanczyk
305-747-6903
rick@seethefloridakeys.net

My brother also fished Thomas from the local resturant Overseas Kitchen today on the "BnM" and caught over 20 tunas and this nice amberjack!

2/23 + 2/24 Lots macks, snappers, trout, and some big sea monsters!

Captain Rick Stanczyk & Captain Jim Willcox had the honor of fishing Ed Nightbert & Frank Sadler for one day each. These guys hunt & fish all over the world. After a great experience last year they returned to Bud & Mary's & stayed with us again.  Both days the boys caught their limit of snapper,many many mackerel, trout, ladyfish, jacks etc.....Then both days we put out the big rods. We had tarpon on, but they alluded us , however multiple large bull sharks & blacktips were brought to the boat by these guys. Both days the men experienced the huge mystery fish we encounter so big we couldn't get them past the leader. Bottom line serious heavy action both days. Here's Rick leadering up another monster fish, they fought this one for almost 2 hours and it drug them 4 miles into the Gulf of Mexico! Likely close to 1000 lbs, had some wraps on the wind-on leader, but the hook eventually broke.  Today Capt Jim fished Dennis & Laura fellow Philadephians, similar results as Ed & Frank with a finish of huge trout!!

2/19 + 2/20 Backcountry & Offshore action!

Capt. Rick & Nick Stanczyk fished another father/son team over the weekend.  The Hodges were down and did some islamorada offshore fishing and some florida keys backcountry fishing out of Bud n' Mary's!  They caught their limit of kings, some yellowtail, and this nice  33 1/2 lb african pompano on 15 lb test.  In the back, they caught blacktip sharks, a bull shark, a big nurse shark, plenty of mackerel, a couple nice 3-4 lb pompano, and some trout!  They said they had a fantastic time and can't wait to do it again!!!  The water temps in the back finally reached 70 today with a warm south breeze blowing, so look for some reports of tarpon here soon!  Rick Stanczyk fished a half day today, and the mackerel were CHOMPING, every cast!  The sharks were swarming too we caught 4 blacktips, including one 35-40 lber on a 10 lb spinning rod!

2/20/11 Good backcountry fishin'

Captain Jim Willcox fished with Bud & Mary's regulars,staying at the marina, Bill & Diane from Moorehead City NC today. Plenty of Jack, ladyfish, & some huge trout & we finished with several lemon sharks over 200 lbs. The most amazing part of the day was this 6 foot goliath grouper tailing in 2 feet of water!  Fantastic day on this florida fishing charter!!!