The dolphin adventure began with over 100 "Flipper" dolphin (porpoises) jumping and nudging at the bow of the boat just off the reef. What a sight in the crystal clear blue/green waters of the keys. The next show was put on by hundreds of "peanuts" (less than 20" mahi mahi dolphin) greyhounding after flying fish, then following the 2 that bit on our outriggers and schooling behind the boat lighting up the water with their Florida Gator blue, yellow, and green colors.
We kept looking and the next school we caught were "slingers" (keeper dolphin too small for the gaff). Then the aerial show began with Bens big bull. His 1st dolphin trip and He is now "hooked". After catching lots of "schoolies", we ran offshore to 1,000 feet (the wall) for the big one. Pictured L-R; David, Charlie, Ben, Capt. Gator.
Day 2 with Charlie and Ben took us the reef for some bottom fishing (Ben wanted a big shark and some yellow tail snapper). Saw a couple of birds just off the reef in about 150' water and could not resist the temptation to try for a tuna. It took all of 10 minutes to find and catch a tuna before we went and anchored. The Yellow tail were out in great numbers as were the hungry sharks. Ever seen a "scorpion fish"? These guys were amazed at the number of different species we catch (8-10 on an average day). Back to the sharks. Ben pulled in a 6 footer in only 30 minutes while Charlie took almost an hour man handling an 8 footer.
Thanks to Captain Pips for their special rates on fishing and lodging that lured these two great fishermen to us. Part of their package was a rental boat they took and caught bone fish the day before their charter on PaPa Pip.
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