It was forecast to be a clear morning so we got up early to watch the sunrise. Despite torrential rain sometime overnight, the forecasts were correct, with clouds seen in the distance making the sunrise more dramatic. We watched the world wake up from the dock. It was a very pretty sunrise.
After the sunrise, we got ready for a day of fishing. I had booked a charter several weeks ago. As I watched the forecast before coming down to The Keys, I wasn't sure if the fishing trip would actually happen since the weather the week before and forecasts were not positive. But we hit the weather lottery with beautiful blue skies and very calm seas.
We got to the marina and met our captain Keith. We talked for a few minutes while he got the boat ready and we headed out to buy bait. After purchasing bait, it was about a 45 minute boat ride to get to the spot we were to fish at. We boated through the Everglades National Park, nearly all the way to the Florida mainland. On the way there, we saw a couple pods of dolphins and at least one large sea turtle.
Keith anchored the boat in "the bomb hole" which was an area that was over 20 feet deep surrounded by 12 foot water. On putting our shrimp bait in the water, we immediately had hits and fish on. Most of what we were catching were mangrove snapper and schoolmaster snapper. They weren't huge, but fought pretty good and the constant action was a lot of fun.
Keith had put a line out the back of the boat with a larger bait on it and at some point it starting taking line. I took the pole and with great difficulty reeled in a large sawfish. It was only at the boat for a few seconds before its rostrum, which was wrapped around the line cut the dinosaur fish free.
It was still exciting to catch a fish that big. We continued fishing and caught more snapper and had several line breaks from other fish, many fighting for a considerable time suggesting good size fish.
While we were fishing, we saw many sea turtles, rays, birds, etc. There was never a dull moment.
For a second time, the larger rod starting losing line and I took the pole again. This time the fight was on. After 15 or so minutes, Keith gave me a fighting belt which helped immensely, but it was still a lot of work - fun work. After fighting with the fish for nearly an hour, we finally got it by the boat a few times. It may have been the same sawfish, but there was no other line/leader visible.
This fight tired out myself and the fish, but we were able to see it well and get a few pictures.
Sawfish are critically endangered and it isn't legal to bring them in the boat, even if it would have been possible. This specimen was between 16-18 feet (the boat was a 24 foot). Her rostrum slightly damaged the exterior of the boat while observing and freeing her. She fought the good fight, and we eventually broke the leader, sending her back to where sawfish go. I found reference to a 16 foot sawfish that was weighed at 700 pounds. It is unlikely I'll ever catch another fish that large.
We took a cooling ride on the boat before going back to fish for a short time. We caught several more snapper, and had some much larger fish on pinfish bait - likely grouper since at one point a grouper followed the bait back to the boat.
Eventually the fun must end so we headed back toward Islamorada. The day had warmed, but was still comfortable and the sea was very calm.
We told a few lies and had a celebratory drink at the marina before heading back to the cottage.
Having been gone from home now for several days with only what we could pack on the motorcycle, it was time to do laundry. This was a bit of a letdown after such a fun day fishing, but it needed to be done.
Dinner that night was a walk down the highway to Lazy Days which was excellent food, inside away from the humid heat, but with a view of the water.
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