Common Fishing Terms Explained

Catch and Release – A conservation motion that happens most often right before the local Fish and Game officer pulls over a boat that has caught more than it’s limit.

Hook: (1) A curved piece of metal used to catch fish. (2) A clever advertisement to entice a fisherman to spend his life savings on a new rod and reel. (3) The punch administered by said fisherman’s wife after he spends their life savings (see also Right Hook, Left Hook)

Line: Something you give your co-workers when they ask on Monday now your fishing went the past weekend.

Lure: An object that is semi-enticing to fish, but will drive an angler into such a frenzy that he will charge his credit card to the limit before exiting the tackle shop.

Reel: A weighted object that causes a rod to sink quickly when dropped overboard.

Rod: An attractively painted length of fiberglass that keeps an angler from ever getting too close to a fish.

School: A grouping in which fish are taught to avoid your $29.99 lures and hold out for spam instead.

Tackle: What your last catch did to you as you reeled him in, but just before he wrestled free and jumped back overboard.

Tackle Box: A box that is shaped alarmingly like your comprehensive first aid kit. Only a tackle box contains many sharp objects, so that when you reach in the wrong box blindly to get a Band Aid, you soon find that you need more than one.

Common Fishing Terms Explained compliments of Sailfish Magazine Spring 2007

Why Use a Travel Agent

We recently read what we think is a great article on Tripology.com. We liked it so much, we thought we’d share it with you.

Why Consumer Travelers Should use a Travel Agent

These days with the Internet being so omnipresent (and you’re obviously using the Internet to read this!) some people think travel agents have become obsolete and old fashioned.

While it is true the Internet can be a useful resource and even a good way to book some travel arrangements directly, the Internet can also be deceptively helpful. There’s too much information out there, and much of it is not quality controlled. Just because a website looks good doesn’t mean its information is valuable, accurate or unbiased….. Worse still, if you have a problem with a booking…you might find there’s no-one available to help you when you most need it….

A good travel agent will provide you with a broader and more complete range of services than can be found on the Internet. And the ability to conveniently speak with a real person can make all the difference when you have a problem, or need some special advice or assistance.

…A good travel agent first gets to know you and learns about you, your approach to travel, what you like to see and do and how you like to do these things. They can then act as sounding boards…. and help ensure you get to see and do the things that are best for you and your preferred style of travel.

They can suggest extra places for you to visit that you hadn’t thought of….Travel agents scan and also volunteer other information such as how a slight change to your travel dates you might save on hotel or air fare costs, or how you might avoid a peak travel period.

A travel agent is there for you to talk to; to answer your questions, and to help you ‘get it right’ when you plan your travels. No web application can do this the same way a person does.

>> Continued: Read more about how travel agents can help you

You can now reach us at two locations.
Visit Fishon-Flkeys.com or FishonTravel.com!

True or False Key West Travelers

It wouldn’t be Key West if we didn’t get Quirky Questions

As Florida Keys Travel Specialists, we really do get asked every question under the sun. That’s what we’re here for. That being said, some questions are as quirky and charming as Key West. We thought we’d share some of our favorites to clear up any questions you might have and hopefully put a little grin on your face.

True, Key West is part of the United States and not a foreign country

True, Key West is part of Florida and not its own state

True, the island is surrounded by water (that’s what makes it an island)

True, the 7 mile bridge is 7 miles long…really!

True, the sun sets each and every day

False, the sun does not set more than one time a day

False, you do not have to pay to watch the sunset (there is a great sunset celebration every night though at Mallory Square)

False, you can not swim under the island

False, you can not see Cuba from Key West

False, you can not swim to Cuba from Key West (it’s 90 miles away. Years ago, Key West Mayor Sunny McCoy water skied to Cuba from Key West, now that was something)

And two more little helpful tips….

The correct pronunciation for conch is co(nk)

When ordering at a restaurant and you see “dolphin” on the menu, don’t get too teary eyed…it’s not Flipper, it is a kind of fish which is also referred as “dorado” or mahi mahi.

Dinner Fish On Style

Now our favorite dinner as you can imagine is one that includes fresh fish caught in the Waters off of Key West. Many eateries will cook your fresh catch and some of our favorites for this are A&B Lobster House, Turtle Kraals, & Half Shell Raw Bar. Your captain might have a favorite too, make sure to ask him or her what their favorites restaurants are for cook your catch!

As we noted earlier, we are again bringing up Blue Heaven restaurant as a favorite eatery. Not only is it great for breakfast, but dinner is a favorite too. They have several fresh fish dishes that will make your mouth water but our all time favorite is the Caribbean Shrimp. On the weekends they also have live music that is performed on a stage that is nestled high up in a banyan tree over the bar. Now there’s a twist on a tree house!

Another favorite is the Rooftop cafe which is nestled above the treetops on front street across from Mallory Square. The tuna is of a special grade called Hawaiian tuna and will truly melt in your mouth. The crab and shrimp cake might be one of the best we’ve ever tried as well.

A few blocks over on Duval street is a charming restaurant called Bagatelle where you can sit on one of the wrap around balconies and dine while watching the commotion of Duval Street. Try the pecan crusted Dolphin or the cracked conch steak.

We hope you try out some of our favorites and if you’re here right now for New Years, don’t miss out on one of our three “drops” for New Years Eve. We’ve got the Pirate Wench drop at Schooner Wharf Bar, the Conch Shell drop at Sloppy Joes, and the infamous Red Shoe Drop from the Bourbon Street pub! Key West truly has something for everyone!

Happy New Years!

Lunch and Happy Hour Fish On Style

Well the journey continues on in the Southernmost city of Key West, and as promised, we’ll talk about our favorite lunch and happy hour spots. One of our favorites is Camille’s which is on Simonton street in the 800 block. It’s just a little bit off the beaten path but a great local favorite. By the way, Duval and Simonton run parallel to one another and the Gulf of Mexico starts the 100 block. That being said, Camille’s being in the 800 block would mean it’s 8 blocks from the Gulf. Anyway, the chicken salad sandwich is a Fish On favorite and Camille’s always have the best and most original homemade soup of the day.
Move on down to the Gulf and you have many choices for lunch in Key West right on the water. Alonzo’s oyster bar is another favorite. Try the open faced dolphin BLT with sun dried tomato pesto and homemade chips. Just a few steps around the Key West Bight and also on the water is Turtle Kraals where you can get great peel and eat shrimp or mangoe crab cakes amongst other tasty treats. They also have a tower bar that has a wonderful view of the Bight and is only opened during happy hour. We recommend one of the beers on special along with the spicy jalapeno poppers.
If you go for an early lunch at either Alonzo’s or Turtle Kraals, we suggest jumping on a nearby catamaran and going for an afternoon snorkel trip. It’s the perfect way to relax after a meal in Key West.
Catamarans are also great for happy hour. There are several catamarans and tall sailing ships that provide happy hour on the water with a great view of the sunset. Combining happy hour with a sunset sail is a great way to get the most for your money, something we at Fish On always encourage.
If you are really up for an adventure, take a taxi over to Hurricane Hole Marina on Stock Island. It’s the first island just east of Key West and it won’t take you more than five to seven minutes to get there from any where in Key West. It is a real locals favorite for happy hour. Oh, I might mention that you should be a pet lover as everyone brings their dogs to happy hour at Hurricane Hole too. Drinks are two for one and if you have a sense of humor, take a minute to read the Hurricane hole drinking rules posted on the piling.

Now, here’s where the adventure comes in (and we can make arrangements for you for any of these adventures on the water so no need to get out your pen). Just finish your drink, grab your camera, and head on over to one of the local boats for a full speed ride across the Gulf. They’ll take their time in a few spots to let you take photos and have a chance to spot a stingray or barracuda, but then hold on, these boats cruise up to 55 miles per hour!

Stay tuned, we’ll finish the Fish On Style posts next time with our favorite places for dinner!

Breakfast in Key West Fish On Style

Thanks for tuning back in to The Florida Keys Fish On Style. In this post we will share a few of our favorite restaurants for breakfast and favorite dishes served there.

One of our favorites is a hidden little gem called Blue Heaven. If you weren’t looking for it you probably would walk right by without even knowing that nestled back in the banyan trees is one of the best eateries in town. Feast on banana pancakes with walnut syrup or fresh seafood omelets at a hand painted picnic table and enjoy true Key West ambiance. Even though Blue Heaven is a wonderful place for Breakfast, we will have to mention that the Caribbean Shrimp on the dinner menu is probably the best shrimp we’ve ever tasted.

Another breakfast favorite with true Key West flair is Pepes Cafe. After a night with a few too many cocktails on Duval Street, this is the perfect spot to cure what ails you. At breakfast time they serve everything from traditional breakfast and build your own omelets, to pancakes to creamed chipped beef. They use real butter, jumbo eggs, and Hormel bacon. To add to our list of really yummy big breakfasts that won’t break the bank, make sure to stop by Two Friends Patio Restaurant. You can have a morning meal for as little as $4.00 or spend just a few dollars more and get a huge omelet filled with fresh seafood. Be sure to wash it down with an Absolute Peppar Bloody Mary, another cure for too long a night on Duval Street.

If a bistro setting is more your style, try out Croissants de France. It is considered one of the best Bakery, Pastry and Chocolaterie of the lower Keys. Their crepes and gallettes are some of the best and most unique in the world in our optinion.Where else would you find a crepe filled with Green Salad, Goat Cheese, Nuts, Raisins, Hearts of Palm, or another favorite with big chunks of fresh Mahi Mahi in our special Seafood Béchamel. Yum!

Stay tuned, next week we’ll cover lunch and happy hour!

Key West Fish On Style

Ok, you’re almost to Key West. Just follow US1 until you have to make a choice to go right or left. Which way you go depends on where you are going and what you want to do. Once again, there is so much information we want to share, we won’t get to it all in this post.

This post will focus on what you might want to do out on the water in Key West. We’ll talk to you more about what attractions to visit and our favorite eateries soon.

So, what are our favorite things to do on the water? So many choices and so much to do. Our first suggestion is to experience smooth sailing aboard one of the islands sailing charters and indulge in the Wind and Wine Tour. The evening includes wine tasting on the water at sunset featuring upscale wines, beers, and hors d’oeuvres.

Another must see is the Dry Tortugas National Park. Located almost 70 miles west of Key West are the seven islands and surrounding waters of the Dry Tortugas National Park. The snorkeling here is some of the best in the world. You might even encounter sea turtles, dolphin, and flying fish along the way.

If you are looking for something more adventurous, we can recommend something for you. Our day for the wild includes parasailing, waverunners, water trampoline, and banana rides. There is something for everyone.

Please don’t forget what our island in Paradise is famous for. Fishing – Fishing – Fishing. Whether you want to fish the deep blue waters offshore, fly fish the flats, bottom fish the reef, or fish light tackle in the backcountry, Key West is the place for you.

Can’t decide? Contact one of our experts now. We’re glad to help!

Touring the Florida Keys Fish On Style, Part Two

We’re glad you’re back. We are about to embark on the second part of our journey down the Florida Keys to Key West. The first stop is Marathon, the largest Key in Monroe County. If you didn’t get a chance to get a bite to eat yet, stop by the 7 mile Grille, MM 47, Bayside. The atmosphere is traditional Key West style and the food is phenomenal. After your meal and before you embark on the journey over the famous 7 mile bridge, mile marker 47.5, you’ll want to take a walk over the old 7 mile bridge to Pigeon Key. This was the basecamp for Henry Flagler and his crew who engineered “The Railroad that Goes to the Sea”. As you can imagine, the views are spectacular.
As you cross over the new 7 mile bridge, you may want to note this is the only time you will see the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean surround you for a full 7 miles. It is truly a peek in to Paradise.
Next stop, mile marker 36.8, Oceanside is Bahia Honda State Park. The Bahia Honda beach was voted the best beach in the Continental U.S. by Conde Nast traveler. You can rent Kayaks, snorkel, or just walk the beach and look for shells.

If you like nature, be sure to stop at the Blue Hole and Key Deer Refuge in Big Pine, Mile Marker30, Bayside. The refuge is the primary home of the famous Key deer, a small subspecies of the Virginia white tail deer. The deer are best observed in the early morning and early evening hours
Up next, Cudjoe Key. Look out for the big building with the red roof at Mile Marker 21, Oceanside. Believe it or not, that building hosts one of the best spas and restaurants in the Keys. Try a facial at Nadine’s Day spa, or have a quick bite at the Square Grouper. The appetizers there are original and indulgent. Our favorites are the flash fried conch with wasabi ginger sauce and the bacon wrapped barbequed shrimp. They will fill you up just enough for the remaining adventure.
Just a few more miles and we’ll be in Key West.
Stay tuned for more Touring the Florida Keys Fish On Style in our next post.

Touring the Florida Keys Fish On Style

Plan on driving to Key West? Not only is the view breathtaking, there are so many hidden treasures along the way, you really should see at least a few. We have so many Fish On Favorites that we’ll only be able to touch on about half of them in this post.

So you have a frame of reference, we’ll need to explain how we navigate in the Keys. Did you know that Mile Markers are commonly used navigational references in the Keys? They can be seen each mile along the Florida Keys Overseas Highway. Mile markers are small green signs with white numbers, beginning at 126 near Florida City & ending with 0 in downtown Key West. Oceanside and bayside are additional reference points to help navigate around the Keys. Oceanside refers to places on the Atlantic Ocean side of the Overseas Highway. Bayside refers to the side of the road next to Florida Bay or the Gulf of Mexico.

So let’s begin. The first Fish on Favorite spot can be found at MM 102, Oceanside. You won’t want to miss John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. The snorkeling is second best in the United States in our opinion, and our number one pick is also on the list. Divers from around the world visit John Pennekamp State Park to explore the spectacular living reefs of the Florida Keys and experience diving amidst the area’s extraordinary wildlife. John Pennekamp is also where you can find the famous “Christ of the Deep” statue located at Key Largo Dry Rocks reef.

Next stop, MM 84 Theater of the Sea, Bayside. This Marine Mammal Adventure truly can’t be missed. Here you can swim with Dolphins, Rays, and Sealions. An adventure for all ages.

If you have someone with you that can be the designated driver, stop next door at the famous Islamorada Tiki Hut, Rumrunners located Oceanside at MM 84.5. As the name suggests, they are famous for thier frozen Rumrunner cocktails, we also love their Pina Coladas.

Another favorite is MM 77 where you’ll find Robbie’s Marina, bayside. For some small change, you can marvel at the beauty of the many tarpon here and offer these magnificent creatures a snack. It’s well worth the stop and a great place to stretch your legs.

Now one would think by looking at the map that Marathon would be the next stop….but don’t be so certain. Grassy Key is another wonderful place to stop and visit the dolphins at the Dolphin Research Center, MM 59, Bayside. The Dolphin Research Center is an education and research facility and home to a family of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins and California sea lions. To reach as many people as possible, the Center provides a variety of programs that allow the public a chance to learn firsthand about the world of the dolphin. Truly a Fish On Favorite.

Also due an honorable mention is the Turtle Hospital Mile Marker 49, Bayside. The turtle hospital provides rescue and rehabilitation to sick and injured Turtles.

There is so much more we have to share. Stay tuned for more Touring the Florida Keys Fish On Style in our next post.

Fishing Tip From Captain Shannon of the Miss Budweiser

Take the time to stop and catch live bait on your way offshore. Threadfin hering are around markers and hawk channel or catch live ballyhoo on top of the reef. As the Florida Keys has just had it’s first cold front of the season, Sailfish & Blackfin Tuna will be showing up just off the reef edge.

No luck with the Sails? You can also drop the same baits to the bottom of a deep water structure such as rubble piles or wrecks to try and land black grouper.

Good Luck, Fish On!