It looks like Robber Marlow has perked up a bit today, I didn't have to add so many words to force the whole thing to make sense.

After a good nights rest the weary soldiers awoke to another fantastic day in Key West. It must be pointed out that this is not a holiday as the alarms go off at 6.17am and breakfast still has to be made.

Worn line had been replaced and the team had more tackle than many tackle shops to transport to the waiting boats.

Today Robber Marlow was with Harry the Rat (who must not be called Harry the Scab) and they were going Tarpon Fishing again with Captain Jack.

Keith, Garry and Crispy were going off shore with Captain Damon we haven’t got a picture of Damon but that's another story that Keith and I said we would not mention on the land, as it would seriously embarrass Harry the Rat. (However we can mention it on line and that will be in tomorrows story).

Several readers have enquired about how Crispy got his name. We don't like to talk about these things for fear of embarrassment and possible legal reprisals. All we can say is that one evening in the past when the shipmates were having dinner at the Thai restaurant someone ate the entire Crispy Duck to himself and we had to order another. Now you know.

This seems particularly cruel on poor old Crispy Duck. When Wilkie was on the trip and he ate the whole Blooming Onion we didn't call him Blooming Onion, just greedy b'stard as usual

Harry and Roy had another fantastic day with the Tarpon the final score 17 to the boat out of 26, it was one of those days when they just kept jumping off the hook.

Robbers bad finger meant that Harry was forced to fight several of his fish including a big sting ray that both Roy and Captain Jack had said was a Tarpon that they had clearly seen jump. This didn't go down very well with Harry as it gave his back some more additional pain.

The biggest fish was around 100lbs that towed us the best part of a mile before we released it. (That was Harry who was being towed around) the crew just gave him moral support and had a cold drink.

Meanwhile off shore the B team were stretching lines.
The offshore fishing is all about light line fishing mainly free lining small live bait with 20lb class rods and loads of line on the reels.
None of this trolling around its man against monsters. (Man may not be the right choice of words for the B team) as it includes Crispy who forgot to make Harry his sandwich. We cant write what Harry actually said because young innocent children may read this.

I trust those poncy unhooking gloves are on the hands of the skipper and not one of our team
Two sails to the boat, and then a couple of Amberjacks followed by some Permit made this another fantastic day.



No tackle failures yet and no major angler errors but there is plenty of time yet for that to happen.

To round things off we went to the Cuban restaurant and all pigged out.
Back at the ranch and yet more replaced line and preparation to our latest piece of tackle, our new beastie rod, and a stand up 80lbs rod with a matching reel. This is going to be a beast killer and Harry has been designated as the angler to use it, watch this space.
Last time this mob tried to use Beastie Tackle Keith was nearly pulled overboard by a Goliath Grouper. I'm presuming that Robber is hoping that fate might befall Harry the Rat and he'll be able to watch his mortgage sink to the bottom of the ocean

I should explain that I'm in the UK enjoying our amazing April weather whilst the raiding party are in Key West. Numbers seem to be down this year, either the credit crunch has finally bitten and only the SUPER rich can afford the trip (even "Two Ferraris" Harry is only staying for one week) or the others have grown tired of Keith knowing everything there is to know in the entire world. Anyhow, this is the first report sent by "Robber" Marlow with the following comment

"Hi Gus

Very tired, please make this more funny you can write what you like.

Thanks".

The poor old fella is getting past it !!. So here goes (You can click on any picture to see a huge sharp close-up - useful on one particular occasion) :

Another year gone and the group of misfits are back in action at Key West on another big adventure. This year we are Team Marukyu because Admiral Marlow no longer works for Pure Fishing. (He supplied free caps to his team).

Free Caps...That's definitely a backward step. When he was with Pure Fishing we had rods, reels, line, bait and lots more for "field testing". I guess you can't field test EFG131 in Key West Harbour. I also don't know exactly when Able Seaman Marlow became Admiral of the Fleet, the new house has gone to his head

The first week we have a team of five and for the second week we lose three and gain three leaving Admiral Marlow and Chief Purser Keith in charge.

First things first, our adventure did not start off very well and as we all know there is no "I" in team, we have found out there is a "ME". Harry the scab lived up to his reputation by getting an upgrade into first class as we left Heathrow and condemned his fellow crew members to cattle class, just the same as last year. In case you don't know Harry is the one with the Ferrari.

First day out we all opted for an easy day and two teams went Tarpon Fishing with Captain Jack and Captain Chris. The temperature was close to 90 degrees with no wind, perfect for Key West Tarpon.

It was the usual serious competition with Keith’s crew being Garry Grouper and Admiral Marlow’s team being Crispy Duck and Harry the scab.

I should apologise to Crispy Duck and Garry the Grouper, I have no idea of their correct names. Roy spends his entire life in his own little world and has bizarre names for anyone that he meets.

Sport was hectic and soon we had our first casualties, Crispy fell foul of Marlow’s supposedly bad elbow and kept playing the mighty Tarpon, unfortunately as the day wore on the bad back syndrome came on and pathetic cries were heard. Harry the scab had to come to the rescue and finish off a big fish. (How will Crispy stand the pace watch this space)
The final score was 20 Tarpon to the boat out of 27 hooked to Admiral Marlow’s team and 11 out of 17 for Chief Purser Keith.

That is incredible fishing when for most anglers 4 Tarpon to the boat would be a good day. No monster fish but several in the 80lbs bracket and two close to a 100 lbs.

Both boats had several double hook ups and crispy and Harry had a very relaxing time at the front of the boat.

 

Hundreds of Tarpon pictures but they all look the same.

This great picture with the boat and Keith’s crew is interesting !!

Looking at the old farts in that boat I'm wondering if that could be a blow-up doll sunbathing on the fore deck. Actually it's Jack's granddaughter. When I used to go with them it used to be Keith's video camera mate, the bloody Kosovan or Croatian or whatever he was...bummer !!

Admiral Marlow has to be nice to Harry for personal reasons and can be seen giving great advise to him and is explaining how tiring Tarpon Fishing can be.

Visitors to The Glebe Fishery will have noticed a magnificent new residence being erected to overlook the fishery. Rumours are that Harry the Scab might be the mortgage provider for one or more floors of Marlow Mansion, I guess that's why they're "buddies" for the time being

Now most of you will think this adventure is a holiday, well it isn’t.
Crispy on day one has a bad back, Keith has sweated off a stone in weight, Garry and Harry have got sunburn and Roy has a wounded finger.

It’s an early night for the crew and everyone was very tired, the weather forecast for day 2 is fantastic. Keith is going off shore and Roy is again Tarpon fishing with Capt Jack.
Watch this space.

 

Fishing Lure Lures

Whats the best fishing lure to use when catching bass in the middle of the day?

I know its hard to catch bass in the middle of the day, but its possible. What do you think is the best lure to use when the fish are in the middle of a lake?

The middle of the day or even the heat of the summer does not necessarily mean the fish are in the middle of the lake. They are also around the base of the cypress trees, usually on the shady side, and are off the points in a little deeper water then earlier in the day . Lilly pads are also good middle of the day spots to fish. Sometimes in the middle of the day you can find schools of bass feeding on threadfin shad on the surface of the water. You lure choice would be determined where you are fishing at. For instance the point would be a good crankbait spot, or a weighted lizard or worm. The cypress trees would produce fish using a weighted lizard or worm, or crankbait, or spinner bait. The schooling bass could be caught on buzz baits, crankbaits or the plastics. Even top water will produce fish when a school is found. If one type of structure or area fails to produce fish, go to the next area and try it out.There are some days when the middle of the day has produced my best catches.Just go, have fun, and good luck!

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Fish Tuna Fishing

Where can i find the male part of the tuna fish monologue?

I'd really like to find the male version of the laughing wild tuna fish scene. I know its out there but I'm having problems finding it.
Please help.

you're not going to find it online because it's copyrighted! you're going to have to order it or go to a bookstore and just copy it down. author is christopher durang. the play is "laughing wild".

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Penn Conventional Fishing

How do you line a conventional fishing reel??

I have a Penn 65 with an empty spool and want to add some new line to it.

The reel goes on top of the rod with the handle on the right. Run the line off the supply spool and through at least one guide of the rod, then tie the end to the middle of the reel spool.

Make sure the supply spool is set so it will turn to let the line roll off, rather than spinning off the top -- you'll twist up your line if that happens. The best way is to have a friend holding the spool on a pencil so it turns easily.

The Penn 65 is a saltwater conventional reel, with no level wind, so you have to level the line yourself when you fill it or when you're reeling in when fishing.

Wind the line onto the reel, using your left thumb to guide it back and forth across so the reel fills evenly. If you have a friend holding the supply spool, have him put some tension on the line by letting it rub against his body as it turns; otherwise you have to put some tension on the line by using your left thumb and forefinger as you level the line on the reel.

You want enough tension to pack the line solidly on the reel -- if it's too loose you'll have problems when casting. Fill the reel to about 1/4 inch from the top of the spool.

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