The Amazing Ecotour- A Key Largo Trip Report - UPDATED 2/14 - Capt. Mike aboard! - Page 7 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Then, off we went for open seas. The boat went so quickly! During this part of the trip we saw a family of dolphins, a sting ray, lots of iguana, and a shark. Unfortunately, none of these showed up in the photos, so you'll have to imagine them under the water in the photo above.
Jennifer and Captain Mike wanted to do some fishing. I took the job of spectator.
Captain Mike used a bait called Gulp Alive.
This shrimp shaped material floats in a special liquid. The shrimp shapes absorb the liquid to "recharge" after each use. The liquid contains a scent that attracts fish.
Before we knew it...
Captain Mike and Jennifer caught several fish! Captain Mike carefully removed the hook from each fish and gently placed it back into the water as quickly as it was caught.
He did not seem phased by some of the motorboats speeding by and creating a wake. He didn't seem phased by the narrow thickets, the shallow areas where the boat scraped, or the sea creatures of all sizes beneath the boat or crawling in the shadows.
You know what does scare Captain Mike?
Lightning! He told us about a trip when the fish were not biting. Hoping for some trout, the group stayed out into the late afternoon. The skies were crystal blue, but in the distance some black clouds were forming. All of a sudden, everyone's hair was standing up straight from the electricity. "The storm chased us all the way back with this strong wind hitting us all the way," Captain Mike recalled. He said it seemed like a solid black wall going after them.
Captain Mike feels that a brave fisherman can fish in up to 30-40 hour winds safely. I am definitely not a brave fisherman. While most of his tours are fishing trips, he does get several requests for Ecotours, where the main reason for the trip is adventure.
Captain Mike loves his job because every day brings something new and different.
And, believe it or not, we still have some mysteries and unique adventures ahead!
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Hmmmm... wonder what the thatched roof place is going for? ...just wondering!
The last think I'd want to see is a caffeinated gator!
There are some nice deals out there on foreclosures, thanks to the economy, but property has not fallen as much as in the rest of the country. Paradise is a bit more recession-proof than other areas, I guess.
Know what? I just LOVE PassPorters! You can post at any time of day or night and it seems someone is always there with you. The board upgrades changed the way photos are uploaded, so it was a real challenge to post this leg of the trip.
Great pix. Your trip has been very enjoyable. Captain Mike is right. The weather changes in the keys can be very fast and dangerous (with thunder storms & water spouts.)
I could so see myself on one of those decks. How nice it would be to have a holiday home in The Keys!!
Lightning over the water scares me too! Sometimes storms blow up so sudden on the water, happened to me while out paddling. Several kms away from club house. I can tell you I wasn't a happy camper. Was never so thankful to get back without an incident.
How exciting to see the dolphins. I'd love to see a manatee too.
I could so see myself on one of those decks. How nice it would be to have a holiday home in The Keys!!
Lightning over the water scares me too! Sometimes storms blow up so sudden on the water, happened to me while out paddling. Several kms away from club house. I can tell you I wasn't a happy camper. Was never so thankful to get back without an incident.
How exciting to see the dolphins. I'd love to see a manatee too.
Hi Sue,
There was a small lightning storm, while I was there. Usually I LOVE lightning storms. You can just feel the electricity. (I used to run up to the roof to enjoy it when I lived in a tall apartment building.)
Well, when the storm approached Key Largo, I was out on the deck enjoying the drama. Suddenly it felt as if I were on a big rock out in the middle of the ocean.
I think it had something to do with the fact that I was on a big rock out in the middle of the ocean!
Anyway, there was something about the way the deck opened out into nothing but ocean as far as the eye can see that made the lightning real intense!
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