Today is day 14 our last day, finally the wind has dropped and for the first time this trip the day feels like a fish catching day. Because of the bad weather we have had to compromise on our fishing, hence far more Shark fishing than usual. We normally have Shark fishing as a back up plan, but have had to use it several times this trip.

Today I am with Keith and we are to fish with Captain Manny. Captain Manny is a Cuban who we have fished with many times before, a brilliant guide who always delivers for us.
The weather is great and we have a plan, like I always say any plan is better than no plan. We left the harbour to go and catch Threadfins for bait, but as soon as we left we saw the Pelicans diving on Pilchards. Out came the cast net and with Keith driving the boat we put Manny on top of them. Two throws and we filled our bait well.

This guy is a master at catching bait with the cast net

Plan A was now out of the window and we decided to fish over a deep-water rock pile and chum with live pilchards. With the sea the calmest for weeks we made a 35-mile run west and with the aid of our electronics dropped anchor on top of a load of fish in 235ft of water. Within minutes, Keith and I were catching some big Mutton Snappers on our live pilchards, and do they scrap.

Keith posing with a fine Mutton Snapper

I used a variety of tackle, most with 50lb Fireline braid; at these depths this product is fantastic. Bite detection is brilliant and I could hold bottom with a 4oz sinker. I always attach about 20 ft of mono to the braid and then about 14ft of 50lb Stren Flouro carbon leader below that. I have written many features where I tell you not to fish braid direct to a short leader, it is not good. The Muttons were joined by some Amberjacks, which break your back; I skilfully left those to Keith.

Keith has to sit down after fighting this Amberjack to the surface

A few big nasties were joining us as we both had our hooked fish taken. Not good when you are already having a battle and a toothy critter joins in, problem is you are out gunned and out teethed.

We constantly were throwing in a few Pilchards and suddenly I saw a Tuna flash through.
I picked up my Berkley Muscle spin rod loaded with 30lb Fireline braid and a 30lb Stren Fluorocarbon leader to a small 2/0 live bait hook and dropped in a pilchard.

I have raved about this rod before, they are very good and extremely strong as you can see and will handle 30lb Superlines.

The Muscle rod in action as a Tuna tries to gain its freedom

I had a couple of fish drag me through the motors bending the guides. Normal guides would have broken along with the rod. Without doubt Tunas are as tough as they come and never give up.Also Sharks love them so you have to pull hard or your chances of landing one are next to zero. I managed to land one of 32 lbs and Keith had one of a similar size and next drop he had one of half that size...a thirty pounder bitten clean in half by a shark !!.

Roy with his Tuna

I hate to see good fish eaten by Sharks, they can become a pain. It was time for my Beasty Tackle as I could now see several Sharks around the boat and it was time to give them some serious steel. My Beasty outfit is a Big Penn International, 80lb Big Game Mono and a 20-30 Ugly Stick Boat Rod, a combination not to be messed with. Problem is Sharks are not particularly sporting just hard work so I played my usual trick. I hooked a Reef Shark and gave the rod to Keith so I could take pictures; he fell for it and was not amused as you can see from his face.

Keith firmly attached to a Reef Shark whilst Roy carries on fishing for proper fish

Keith soon had the shark alongside the boat but it did give me a chance to catch another species. I landed this Jack Crevalle during Keith’s tug o war.

A Jack Crevalle for Ray

The Sharks were now getting serious and I saw a monster Hammerhead lurking well back, the nasties had now eaten our last four fish so they had to be taught a lesson.
I hooked on what remained of a Bonito I was fighting and dropped it in behind the boat.

What remains of a Bonito is hooked on to the heavy gear in an attempt to catch a Hammerhead Shark

I was waiting for Harry the Hammerhead but a Reef Shark suddenly came from under the boat. I lifted my bait out of the water and it was like watching a trout take a dry fly.
The Shark grabbed my bait when it was at least a foot out of the water. Not good, so I gave the rod to Manny who fell for the camera trick, immediately asking how he had fell for it having laughed at Keith for doing the same. It was not a happy Manny as you can see, however it did give me and Keith the chance for some more great fish.

Now Manny is attached to a shark whilst our two intrepid heroes continue to try and catch more proper fish

The fish were going ballistic behind the boat every time we threw in a few Pilchards. I think this is one of the best sequence of pictures I have ever taken. This is what happens when the fish are hot.

A dozen or so Pilchards are netted from the livewell

They are flipped behind the stern of the boat

Within seconds a couple of big fish are chasing the pilchards

Now they have been joined by a few friends

Its getting seriously busy now

And now the ocean seems to be full of huge fish charging around after the Pilchards...Awesome

What a day we had, and what a way to end a trip to paradise. Loads of fish with great company.

Our other Shipmates also had an awesome day, catching Tunas and Amberjacks among other species. Robin also hooked a big Jew Fish, it pulled so hard it released the anchor and it got back into the wreck.

I hope you have enjoyed just a snapshot of our epic adventures around Key West. It has been another great adventure, my advice is if you want to do it, do it soon or you will not be fit enough to stand the pace.

Team Gulp 2009. From the left - Ray, Robin, Lemon, Damon, Keith & Manny

Goodbye from Team Gulp 2009.