Marathon Key Fishing Report, Marathon Key Fishing information, Florida Keys Fishing Report

Marathon Key Fishing Report, Marathon Key Fishing information, Florida Keys Fishing Report
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	Marathon Key Fishing Report Capt. Chris Johnson
Florida Weather Radar Florida Forecasts Northeast region quarterly fishing forecast Central region quarterly fishing forecast	Report Updated June 23, 2008 Exclusive Report SeaSquared had the privilege of hosting the 1st Annual Moore, Ellrich & Neal, PA Fishing Derby. A total of 19 anglers from this Palm Beach Gardens FL based CPA and business consultant firm fished on 4 boats: the SeaSquared out of Key Colony Beach Marina plus the Native Sun, the Best Bet and the Best Bet II, all out of Marathon's 7 Mile Marina. Conditions were ideal with flat calm seas and no winds. Good thing, since there had been some late-night revelry prior to the outing. Competition was as hot as the weather with 4 awards up for grabs. The First Keeper Fish was called in at 9:22 am by Capt. Nick Borraccino aboard the Best Bet. It was an 18-inch yellowtail snapper caught by Pete Martinsen. Close on his heels were Matt Smith with a similar size yellowtail called in by Capt. Chris Johnson from the SeaSquared at 9:24 am and Sophia Roach with a 12.5-pound mutton snapper called in at 9:26 am by Capt. Howard Kelley from the Native Sun. Sophia may not have had the First Keeper, but she snagged the prize for Biggest Keeper Fish with her mutton. The award for Most Unusual Catch went to Allison Moore for the 6.5-pound remora she caught and released on the Best Bet II with Capt. Josh Gilmartin. The award for Most Keeper Fish went to Pete, Mary Beth, Shivan, Abbey and Claudia with their impressive catch of 50-plus fish with Capt. Jason Long on the Best Bet. The group celebrated their victories with a dinner at Annette's Steak House in Marathon complete with custom, personalized awards courtesy of Stan Haines and Collectors Corner. Shown here are Kyle and Kevin N eal and Matt Smith, who fished on the SeaSquared. Report Updated June 15, 2008 John Hulsey of Jacksonville FL treated his three kids to a half day of reef snapper fishing with SeaSquared Charters out of Key Colony Beach Marina. Accustomed to boating on the St. Johns River, this was a new experience for the family. Venturing to the edge of the reef, they anchored up and started yellowtail fishing. The fish cooperated as if on cue. They caught medium size tails immediately and, as time passed, the fish got larger and larger, with 17 year old Blaire catching the biggest of the day. The family came home with a bag of nice snapper filets that would make a gourmet cook drool. John told Capt. Chris Johnson it was the perfect first fishing trip for the kids and he made it easy for everybody to catch fish. Shown, from left: Blaire, 14 year old Paige, dad John and 12 year old Angus. Report Updated June 22, 2008 The Sundgaard family of Novato CA spent a three quarter day of reef snapper fishing with Capt. Chris Johnson and SeaSquared Charters. The whole family had a great time catching some very impressive 5 and 6-pound flag yellowtail snapper as well as a bonus 7-pound mutton snapper and a couple of nice mangrove snapper. The kids got the biggest yellowtail of the trip, which were some of the largest ever caught on the SeaSquared. As a helicopter pilot for the US Coast Guard, Greg Sundgaard was pleased to have the use of the USCG facilities in Marathon to provide a great family vacation for his wife and children - one they'll never forget. Shown, from left: Laura, Leah, Greg, Cade and Griffin Sundgaard. This report by Sea Squared Charters Phone (305) 743-5305 479 90th Street Ocean Marathon, Florida Keys 33050 adioscharters@bellsouth.net LEON SHELL MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT OFFERS TWO DAYS OF FISHING AND $25,000-PLUS PURSE MARATHON, Florida Keys – Sailfish of the Middle Keys, beware. For its 10^th Anniversary, the popular Leon Shell Memorial Sailfish Tournament, set for Friday through Sunday, February 29 to March 2, in Key Colony Beach, Fla., continues to offer two full days of sailfishing and a $25,000-plus purse. The winning boat is to receive a grand prize of $25,000 cash. There are awards for the top three boats. The angler releasing the most sailfish will be awarded Top Angler. There are additional awards for the second and third place anglers. Weight Fish Divisions – Dolphin, Kingfish, Tuna and Wahoo – are awarded a plaque and $250 each for first place only. Junior Division prizes are $1,000, $500 and $300 academic scholarships and a trophy for first through third places in the Sailfish Division. The Junior angler catches count toward the boat’s total. Prizes for largest Dolphin, Kingfish, Tuna and Wahoo in the Junior Division are $100 cash and a trophy for each weight fish. The tournament is to kick off with a Captain’s meeting Friday, February 29, at Sparky’s Landing at the Key Colony Beach Marina on Sadowski Causeway near MM 53.5 oceanside. This is a two-day tournament. Lines in at 8 am each day. Lines out at 3:30 pm each day. No fishing from 4 to 6 pm. Weigh-in is at Key Colony Beach Marina for contending weight fish, and scales close at 6 pm each fishing day. The awards dinner is set for 7 p.m. Sunday at Sparky’s Landing. There will also be an Angler’s Marketplace at the Marina throughout the tournament, featuring tournament and sponsor merchandise and a special appearance by noted marine artist Joe Suroviec. Entry fees are $500 for the first angler and boat captain, and $150 for each additional angler. Each boat is allowed unlimited anglers, but only four lines may be fished. Registration deadline is Friday, February 22. A $100 late fee applies to all registrations received after that date. Registration forms are available at the Key Colony Beach Marina, most sponsors as well as the tournament website. The tournament is named for the late Captain Leon Shell, best known as the inventor of the “Leon Lure,” an artificial lure widely regarded as one of the best “smoker” or bubble-creating lures ever devised. Proceeds from the tournament benefit Hospice and the Visiting Nurse Association of the Florida Keys, which provide home health and hospice services to the Keys community. The Leon Shell Tournament has raised more than $60,000 for Hospice/VNA since its inception. For more information and registration, contact Captain Terry Fisher at (305) 289-1310 or Captain Chris or Christy Johnson at (305) 743-5305 or visit their website: www.LeonShellTournament.com. To find out about area accommodations, call the Greater Marathon Chamber of Commerce at (305) 743-5417 or (800) 262-7284, e-mail visitus@floridakeysmarathon.com, or visit the Florida Keys & Key West Web site at www.fla-keys.com.