Submitted by socettuum-charters on Mon, 12/14/2009 - 13:41

Mike Ballenger asked :Fly fishing tarpon

Q: I will be at Hawks Cay in late March and I'm looking for a guide that would spend one 1/2day with 2 and one day for tarpon (small would be fine) with a fly rod. I fish for pike with a fly rod but would love to try for tarpon Would you be available ? Mike

A: Last year the tarpon showed up on the 30th of March, but they were huge! 150+ pounds. Not too many small fish are around in the spring. I usually fish with 11 or 12weight outfits. But you never know, we might have some small fish show up, I will be available, will have to wait and see about the tarpon. Capt. Billy

Tracy Barnes asked :A Cookbook!!

Q: Hi Capt. Whitney - My husband, Doug Barnes, was your full day charter this past Saturday, October 22nd. On our way home we stopped at Shell World in Key Largo and he opened a cookbook right to a page that had a picture of you and one of your recipes! Do you know what cookbook that was? I searched Shell World's site and they only show 2 cookbooks. Of the two, I would think it was The Florida Keys Cookbook. The other one was The Florida Cookbook. If neither are correct, please let me know what cookbook you appear in. Thanks so much for your help and, by the way, Doug had an awesome time despite the wind! I appreciate you making his day really great, a charter is not something he's ever done for himself. Tracy

A: Tracy,the name of the cookbook is "The Flavors of the Florida Keys".Linda Gassenheimer is the author. Atlantic Monthly Press of New York is the publisher. I hope this helps. Sincerely, Billy

Dave davidson asked :Do you want to try for a half day today?

Q: Sunday the 9th What do you think?

A: Sorry Dave but I didn't get that message till late. I'll see you in the morning.

Harold Shepherd asked :Species options available in July

Q: My wife and I will be visiting the resort July 14 thru 17th. I'm an experienced angler, but I've done backcountry fishing only one other time and I LOVED IT! What species can I expect to find in mid-July? Thanks.

A: Gee Harold, there have been a few redfish, but the fishing was a little slow last month. I usually only get up to the park on all day trips because it is so far north of HawksCay and so I got up to the Backcountry twice in June. But we did catch lots of redfish, and hopefully some of the other gamefish will return this month now that the rain has come. That should push some of the baitfish back out into the bay. I have a couple of allday trips planned for early July, so by the 12th I'll know better. Capt. Billy

June 5 asked :Fishing

Q: My son and I are staying at Hawks Cay. We would like to fish the back country on June 5th. Are you available? Russ Cogdell

A: Russ, I am available, if you decide to book a charter it will be easier to contact the marina at the resort as they handle all the bookings. thanks,

cliff porter asked :we have a house in Hawks Cay, do not need lodging

Q: only interested in fishing only, we arrive week of march 6, leave mar 12 so so basically mon - fr- to fish , we have 3 dads, 3 highschool srs haveing their sr spring break and 2 younger kids, I realize everyone can't go at once , interested in tarpon fishing, close in top / bottom fishing and catching fish to eat, possible bone fisshing depending on weather, how many boats sizes do you have cell 804 3991326

A: i only carry 2 ppl

Tim Garritty asked :Fishing with you?

Q: Hi Bill, I'm staying at Hawks and will be in the Keys the week of Jan 23rd and are trying to set up a small fishing trip with my wife whos never been fishing before and 4.5 year old daughter. I was thinking some reef fishing for snapper and grouper for a few hours...? can you accommodate this? Please let me know your thoughts and pricing options for a Monday or Wed couple hour affair? Thank you, Tim

A: Mr. Garitty: You need to contact the booking office at Hawks Cay Marina. fishing.agent@hawlscay.com they do most of the bookings. I do not accomadate the persons on my boat unfortunatly.

Chris Myrick asked :Fishing right around Hawks Cay

Q: Dear Captain Whitney, My family and I are going to be visiting Hawks Cay in about a week, for a week. I'm an avid (some would say pathological) fisherman but this is a family vacation, so fishing is not the top priority. However, I would like to do some fishing, and also have my children do some fishing (their typical fishing trip lasts from 30 - 60 minutes). Thus, I was wondering what the options are for fishing right on Hawks Cay/Duck Key or perhaps (if possible) on flats accessible from Duck Key. Additionally, I was hoping to FedEx/UPS some fishing gear there, rather than bring it on the flight with us, and was hoping you could give a quick description of what sort of tackle I should bring to (1) get the children (3, 4, 6 years old) into a fish or two and (2) what sort of tackle I ought to bring to get myself into a fish or two (I have everything from light spinning gear to fly gear to baitcasting gear to light tuna gear). I'm not picky, I just want to catch some saltwater fish! Thanks! CM

A: The shoreline on Duck Key is pretty rugged, (limestone rocks), and the Cay is surrounded by a deep water, fast moving tidal canal. There is some access off Sunset village to shallow water and under the bridges. You'll need a kyak to get to the flats unless you drive off the island. Light spinning gear, 1/4 to 1/2 oz jigs or sinkers with light leader. You can buy live shrimp at the ships store.

Ted Merciez tedmerciez@wowway.com asked :Tarpon fishing

Q: Capt. Whitney; My wife and I have two days reserved with you to fish in the end of April. Are you using shrimp? Ifso, what are the usual size and color of the shrimp that you use for bait. We are spin fishermen, and are bringing some of our own tackle. Thanks

A: Well Ted, the end of April is primetime for our Tarpon. We use live mullet for bait and we save the shrimp for the bonefish. And the shrimp are usually kindof small. So unless you have 20lb tackle for the Tarpon, we will have to save it for the bones. I have heavy tarpon tackle for your catching success. These fish are not easy to catch. You are welcome to bring your own tackle, but if youreally want to catch a big tarpon , you might want to use my gear. Look forward to fishing with you. Capt. Billy