Key West trip Aug 4 -12

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I am headed down to Key West to do some lobstering with my brother. I am trying to convince him in to do some fishing. We will be running a 21 ft center console down there. I would like to focus on bottom fishing to get a chance to catch Grouper, Snapper, etc... I fish offshore out of VA and obx so I want to focus on fish I cant catch out of here. Can you help me out with any information?

Thanks Ben
Hampton VA

[Captain Bill Welder]

That week is the first week of lobster season and it will be a zoo down here. The up side is that all most all of the boats will be in the gulf hunting for lobster.

For bottom fishing from KW head South or Southwest. At the edge of the reef 50' to 80' look for fish just off the bottom. Chum and they will come. Bottom fishing here is nothing like bottom fishing anywhere on the East coast. EVERYTHING is different including anchoring.

Conchy Joe's Bait and Tackle in Key West would be a great source for information on what is hot and where. Ask for Rob. He is a straight shooter and will be glad to help you. Their number is 305-295-7745.

My cell number is 305-395-0850 and if you call me before you leave VA I will help you.

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Is there a certian time of the day that it would be best to call you?

Thanks Ben
Hampton, VA

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Keys trip was fun, we ended up with 105 lobster in 5 days. We found a majority of our lobster in 10 -15ft of water and on some ledges as deep as 30ft. Tickeling out a lobster at 30ft on one breath took some time to get use to. One day we limited out early and was able to fish the afternoon. I hooked up on one nice fish that broke me off in one of the wrecks, other than that realized why everyone told me Aug is the worst time to fish in the keys HOT as Hell.