Florida Keys Fall Vessel Maintenance Update
Fall is officially here; the kids are back in school, and summer vacation is over. This is the time of year when travel to the Keys slows down, and our crew members get to take some well-earned time off to travel and visit family. We have been fishing here and there still; for instance, we had a center console trip this past week after Hurricane Helene passed. Captain Steve and Alex took the trip and caught some Yellowtail snapper, Mutton Snapper, and an excellent big Yellow Jack. [...]
All About Mangrove Snapper – Florida Keys Gray Snapper Facts
Mangrove Snapper, also known as Gray Snapper and scientifically as Lutjanus griseus, is a fish anglers in the Florida Keys encounter frequently. Mangrove snapper seems to live everywhere around here, from the canals to flats, the reef, and even sometimes in open water. We have decades of experience catching Mangrove Snapper as a daily fishing charter business. We know where to find them and how to catch them, filet them, and, of course, eat them! But there are many fascinating things to learn about a fish that you might not glean, even when handling them [...]
All About Tripletail – Florida Keys Atlantic Tripletail Facts
The Atlantic Tripletail (Lobotes surinamensis) is known by many nicknames, including buoyfish, black grunt, black perch, sleepfish, and conchy leaf. No matter what you call them, these fish are fascinating, thrilling to catch, and delicious to eat! Main Attraction Co-Owner Katie Lewis and daughter Natalie with a nice sized Tripletail caught off a floater. Geographic Location Despite being relatively unknown, Tripletail are found in tropical and subtropical waters worldwide. Although they have a broad distribution, Tripletail are less extensively studied than other fish species, leaving much of their behavior and life cycle a [...]
All About North Atlantic Swordfish – Facts About Florida Keys Broadbills
The Swordfish is a globally recognizable and iconic species of fish. A member of the billfish family, the Swordfish earns its name due to the flattened bill that looks like a sword protruding from its upper jaw. Most of the iconic fish we feature are known by different names, and the Swordfish is no exception. Swords are referred to by various names, including Broadbill, Emperado, and, scientifically, Xiphias gladius. No matter the name, the North Atlantic swordfish undoubtedly holds a special place in the world of sportfishing, especially in the Florida Keys. Main Attraction [...]
All About Mutton Snapper – Florida Keys Mutton Snapper Facts
Last week we published an article about the secrets to successfully catching Mutton Snapper. We received such great feedback on it that we decided to spend some time learning more about this fascinating fish this week. We know how to catch it, but what else do we know about this intriguing fish? The Mutton Snapper is scientifically known as Lutjanus analis. Analis refers to its pointed anal fin, which helps to identify it versus other juvenile snappers. Mutton Snappers belong to the family Lutjanidae which contains other famous members such as the Red Snapper, Yellowtail Snapper, and [...]
All About Wahoo – Florida Keys Wahoo Facts
If you are American, you call it Wahoo; Hawaiin, Ono; Japanese, Kamasu-sawara; or a marine biologist, Acanthocybium Solandri. No matter what you call it, this cousin of the Mackerel is an extraordinary fish. When a Florida Keys fishing Captain has a Wahoo pulled over the transom of their vessel, everyone gets excited. Wahoo is a treat, not an everyday catch, even for daily fishing Captains in the Florida Keys. You can only accomplish a Florida Blue Water Slam by catching a Wahoo! So we know we love catching Wahoos and eating them, but what else can we [...]
All About Sailfish – Facts About Atlantic Sailfish
Winter is nearly here, and besides the holidays, there is another gift we have to look forward to down here in the Florida Keys; The Atlantic Sailfish! The Sailfish is undoubtedly the quintessential sportfish of the Florida Keys. Not many species of fish can get an angler's heart racing like having a Sailfish on the line. No matter how many Sailfish our Captains and Crews catch and release Sailfish, it never gets old; it is always exciting and fun. But how much do we really know about the Atlantic Sailfish? Atlantic Vs Pacific First, let us differentiate [...]
All About The Atlantic Tarpon – Facts About Florida Keys Tarpon
The Atlantic Tarpon (megalops atlanticus) is one of the most exciting species of fish alive today. Millions of anglers travel to Florida yearly to catch the “Silver King.” Capable of reaching 8 feet in length and 280lbs in weight, this fish is a formidable opponent for any angler that steps up to the challenge. Nutrition and Growth Atlantic Tarpon primarily eat Mullet, pinfish, sardines/pilchards, shrimps, and crabs. This slow-growing fish takes eight years before it can reproduce and 16 years to reach full length. Tarpon lifespans can reach upwards of 60 years. Tarpon have existed since the [...]
All About The Yellowtail Snapper – Facts About Florida Keys Yellowtail
Well, it's that time of year again, time to catch Yellowtail Snapper! Earlier this year, we published The “Secret” to Successful Yellowtail Fishing Trips in the Florida Keys, which was focused on how to catch Yellowtail and have a great reef fishing trip. Today instead, we will focus on the Yellowtail Snapper itself because while most of us know they are beautiful looking and delicious to eat, there is much more to learn about this fascinating species of fish. Location, Location, Location Yellowtail Snappers (Ocyurus chrysurus) can be found in the Atlantic ocean along the East Coast of [...]
All About The Blackfin Tuna – Facts About Florida Keys Tuna
This article is the second installment of a series we are writing about the many unique species of fish in the Florida Keys. At Main Attraction, we believe the more you know about the fish you are targeting, the better you will be at catching them! Learning interesting facts about the incredible species that live in the waters of the Florida Keys helps anglers develop a greater respect for their quarry and make well-informed decisions on whether or not to keep or release a fish. This week we will learn about the Blackfin Tuna. Our Captains have been catching [...]
Get Social With Us
