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Robbie's of Islamorada

May, 2011

In This Issue
Ask a Captain
News from Steve
The Islamorada Lady II
Junior Anglers Club
Junior Anglers Club Membership
Vacation Planning Tips
Warm Waters
Party Boat Fishing
Offshore Fishing Report
Check in with Four Square
Checkout Our Blog
Tarpon of the Month Photo Contest   
Tarpon of May


Robbie's Art

 

Ask a Captain

Q. Are children allowed?

 

A. We love children! Children 12 years of age and under have a reduced price ticket and children 5 and under are free. If you are concerned about the seas or rocking of the boat for children ages 2 and under, please click on the "Contact Robbies" link to check boat availability and weather forecast.

 

Q. Is the trip suitable for pregnant women?

 

A. Pregnant women shouldn't have a problem, as we are lucky enough to have calm waters most of the time here in the Florida Keys. Please note that it is up to the individual and their symptoms at the time whether they will be comfortable on the boat and at sea for the activity, and you should consult your doctor if you have any questions.

 

Q. Do I need to have fishing experience?

 

A. No! A lot of people who join us have never fished before. Our expert crew loves to teach you the skills you will need.

 

Q. What is the difference between the night and day trips?

 

A. Day and night fishing generally follow the same route - we'll go out to the reef and anchor. Sometimes at night the fish may be bigger, but we often catch more fish during the day than we do at night! However, the best fishing of the whole year on the reef is in June, July, and August at night.

 

 

 

Recent Catches at Robbie's  

 

May Recent Catches

April Recent Catches

 


 

 

To book a trip on the Partyboat Fishing, a Snorkeling Trips, an Ecotours or a  State Park Tours

 

Contact Robbie's at

305-664-8070

 

Advance Purchase Strongly Recommended!

 

 or Purchase them

online with

Buy your tickets at Zerve   

 

 

Quick Links

 
 
 

 

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Trip Advisor

 

 

 

News from Steve in the Booth  

  

Robbie's of Islamorada can now be found on Facebook. With access to a computer, become a fan and follow all our activities asSteve they are happening. We have monthly contests that allow our fans to win merchandise, fishing and snorkeling trips. We also have updated our website to include an underwater camera!!!  We have also updated our message boards to be more user friendly. Check Robbie's message boards for upcoming Split Charters, Contests and Events!  We have redesigned our monthly newsletter to keep all of you informed of the happenings here at Robbie's!   Also, we will be adding more news and events as they occur. We would love to know what you think about Robbie's changes to the website and new monthly newsletter so please feel free to email us at booth@robbies.com or write on our message boards or leave us a comment on Face book! Keep your eyes out for some exciting things stirring over here at Robbie's!

The Islamorada Lady II   

Dolphin season is here and the mahi mahi are showing up large and in big numbers.

 

If this is the summer you want to experience the Catch of a lifetime make plans to come aboard the Islamorada Lady II.   She's our 47' Hatteras and comes with an exceptional Captain and mate.  With RonCaptain Ron Howell at the helm your trip will not soon be forgotten

 

Captain Ron is native to South Florida and the Upper Keys; he has been a captain for 25 years. His earliest memories are of fishing with his brothers and sisters. He has fished the marlin tournament circuit, been a backcountry guide and has won many different tournaments through the years. His heroes in his teens were not football players, but boat captains, who day in and day out produced catches, when other captains could not. He learned from these captains and will always try his best to put his customers on fish.

 

This boat will take up to 6 anglers very comfortably, with an enclosed air conditioned cabin, a large head and refrigerator to keep your beers and sodas cold it's like fishing from your living ladyroom. All the fishing equipment on this vessel is professionally maintained and adds to the offshore experience.

 

If you are traveling by yourself or other members of your party don't share your passion for fishing let us arrange a split/shared charter for you A split charter makes offshore fishing more affordable and in many cases you will make some new friends. We have put together many splits where our customers actually kept in touch, and planned other fishing charters with us. Taking up to six people, each person pays his or her share making it possible for two folks from Ohio to fish with two from Alaska or even Europe! 

 

A split charter allows a group of 2-3 to pair up with another group, hammerheadthus reducing the total cost. On a split charter you pay a portion based on total number of people. We can take a maximum of 6 people. If you are a group of 2 splitting with another group of 2, each group pays 1/2.

 

If this is in fact the summer that we get to hang your picture on our wall of fame or include your catch in an upcoming newsletter let us know as soon as possible so that we can reserve a date for you.

Junior Anglers Club  

  

Offshore fishing is one of the things that Islamorada is famous for, and Robbie's has been doing it for more than 25 years. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a first-time fisherman, we have state-of-the-art boats, and experienced crews to make your trip unforgettable. With our "year-round" fishing calendar, you can pick from a variety of fishing experiencejr. anglers.

 

Did you know that Robbie's has a junior anglers club? What a great way to spend your Sunday's fishing on the Captain Michael with your children.

 

Children & Teens 12 and under Cost $25.00 per angler.   

 

· Every Jr. Angler will receive a Jr. Angler Membership card, which will entitle member to free admission to the tarpon dock at any time.

 

· Quarterly news letter with articles that are educational and fun relating to fishing. We encourage members to write and send in articles for publication.

 

· Fjr. anglerree fishing on the captain Michael every Sunday. Angler must be accompanied by a paying adult customer.

 

· Free Quarterly fishing clinics Local captains will share knot tying techniques, fish filleting, cast net throwing, and other fishing related info.

 

All members can fish free on any scheduled day off from school during the school year (summers do not apply).  When accompanied by a paying adult.

 

· Birthday parties for members. All members are invited to celebrate that special day at Robbie's for $25 per child attending.

 

· Each child will become members of the Jr. angler club and will have all the same privileges as any other club member.

 jr. angler

· Party includes ½ day trip on the Captain Michael and all equipment is provided 10% off at the Hungry Tarpon restaurant after the trip.


· Junior Angler fishing tournament to be scheduled in summer. Entrants must be a member, and prizes awarded in many categories; limited to the first 50 anglers to sign up.

Junior Anglers Fish All Year for $25.00  

Junior Anglers Club Mission Statement:

 

To instill a lifelong love of sport fishing and conservation in young anglers from around the world and to promote futureconservationsJunior Anglers Club and environmental stewards. To ensure great fishing for generations to come, while fostering fun educational activities and lifelong friends around fishing.

 

Benefits are discussed in detail on our website. Also you may sign up to become the next Junior Angler on our website or calling (305)664-8070 for more information. Looking forward to fishing with you all!!

 

Sign up at www.robbies.com

Vacation Planning Tips 

 

Let Robbie's help you with your summertime vacation plans

 

Tarpon feeding ~ length 5 minutes to 5 hours ~ Capacity unlimited

 

"Amazing," "breathtaking" and "impressive" are words we often hear from first-time visitors to the end of our dock. What they're referring to is the school of 50 to 100 tarpon that come here daily and linger for hours. Occasionally, a tarpon actually rises up from the water in a powerful flash of silver and green to meet the fish astarpon it leaves your hand. It's a sight to behold! Maybe the "Silver Kings" just come here to see the humans, but toss a baitfish among them and the water churns as these monsters and the resident pelicans vie for the snack, causing quite a spectacle.

 

Robbie and his wife Mona started feeding a tarpon named Scarface 18 years ago. Scarface appeared floundering in the shallow waters near the dock; Robbie saw the struggling tarpon and, thinking it had swum too shallow and gotten stuck on the bank, went out into the water to free it. He lifted the fish and saw that the right side of its jaw was torn open. Hoping to revive the tarpon, Robbie placed it in the oxygen-rich shrimp tank and called old Doc Roach. The doctor showed up with his wife's mattress needles and some twine, and Scarface became the first known tarpon with stitches. After several days of force-feeding, Scarface showed good recovery and weight gain; six months later he was released into the waters off the dock. Afterwards, Scarface continued to frequent the docks; sometimes bringing a friend. Soon more and more of the fish began to appear.  Today, the tradition continues, with visitors from all across the world coming to marvel at the spectacle and offer these magnificent creatures a snack.

 

Historic Island Tour ~ length 2.5 hours ~ Capacity 30 people

 

Arrive at Indian Key, which is only slightly more than 10 acres in size, and has had a colorful past; it dates from the time of prehistoric Indians to the 1830s, when this small key was the seat of the newly created Dade County. The foundations of buildings and cisterns on the island date back to this prosperous time.

 

Lignumvitae KeyDepart Indian Key for Lignumvitae Key State Park; A State licensed Botanist will guide you thru the serenity and isolation of this remote island to step ashore here is to take a step into the past. The Matheson House, built in 1919, has changed little over the years. The virgin tropical forest that thrives here is typical of the kind of scenery that was once enjoyed on most of Florida's upper Keys. As the Keys were developed to accommodate an increasing number of people, most of the unique vegetation was scraped away, making the tropical forest of Lignumvitae Key a very rare and special place. Here, you walk in the shade of trees with strange names like mastic, strangler fig, poisonwood, pigeon plum , gumbo limbo and of course lignumvitae .

 

Reef Snorkeling Tour~ length 2.5 hours~ Capacity 30 people

 

Florida Keys Snorkeling Aboard the "Happy Cat"

Robbie's Happy Cat Snorkel Boat is a great way to interact with some of the only beautiful living Coral Reefs in the U.S. Snorkeling in the Florida Keys in these pristine waters hold adventure and snorkelexcitement with colorful coral and fish that stretch for miles. Our Happy Cat is spacious and provides a smooth and enjoyable ride throughout your snorkeling trip in the Florida Keys. With plenty of room to relax and enjoy the pleasantries of the Florida Keys our Captain and crew will be able to personally interact with each and every guest aboard our Happy Cat Snorkel Boat. So, come on down to Robbie's Marina and hop aboard our newest addition to the fleet! Our clear, tropical waters await your arrival! We look forward to seeing you aboard our Happy Cat Snorkel Boat

 

Party Boat fishing tour length 4 hours capacity 50 anglers

 

As the "sports fishing capital of the world", anglers keep returning year after year to fish the Atlantic Ocean.  Many have been Capt Michaelreturning to us here at Robbie's for over thirty years. If you want an opportunity to fish over the only living coral reef in North America, come aboard The Captain Michael - our 65' Custom-built Party Boat.  She has an enclosed cabin, two heads, sundeck, and can accommodate up to fifty people.  Our professional and courteous crew will provide assistance. From baiting your hook and netting your fish, to cleaning and filleting that catch once we're back at dock.

 

Florida Keys Kayak    tour length 2-4 or 8 hours capacity 2 per boat groups to 50

 

Five minutes from our shop, nature provides us with a spectacular mangrove eco system. You will find exploring the mangrove tunnels and flats fascinating and relaxing. Manatees, Bald eagles, Egrets,kayak Sharks and Leopard rays are just a few of the Keys wild life you may encounter. We have the best access to two historic state parks, Indian Key and Lignumvitae Key, from first timers to the experienced; the Kayak Shack offers guided tours. For those who want to explore at their own pace our 1/2 or full day rentals are the way to go. We will set you up with a quality Knecky or Wilderness kayak and all the equipment needed.

 

Sunset Cruise Eco Tour   Tour length 2 hours capacity 30 people

 

Robbie's Eco-Tours are a perfect way to experience the raw beauty and wonder of the Florida Bay. Our two-hour trips take you on an excursion through passages among the sea grass beds that rim the many protected shallow bays. We take you among the hundreds of small, uninhabited mangrove and hardwood hammock islands, which host an amazing variety of wildlife and create the island network of the Florida Bay. Like nature, our Eco Tours are not scripted. Rather, we will follow your interests, stopping along the way to describe any natural occurrence that presents itself, often at such close distance that binoculars are just in the way. Our guides have a very well-developed understanding of what makes this part of Earth work, and enjoy sharing their knowledge to educate and inform you. Robbie's offers Eco Tours-Historical Excursions and Nature Watch Sunsets.

Warm Waters  

Summer is approaching and the water temperature is rising.  As the water warms up more and more snappers are being found on the reef.  The Mangrove Snapper are getting ready to spawn andfish the Yellowtail Snapper are swarming in full force.

Grouper season has opened at the begining of the month and the bite is on.  This year is a contrast to last years May in which the grouper seemed to know our season and get a case of "lock jaw" on May 1st.

You can be confident that as the water temperature rises the reef will continue to produce nice catches and the Mutton will follow suite to the Mangroves and the Yellowtails that will add to our daily bad limit of snapper.  

Party Boat Fishing   

Party boat fishing is going well again too!  During the day trips we are able to keep all the legal groupers we have had to let go in Yellowtail Snapperduring the closed season.  Keeper Yellowtails, and nice Big Eyes have been keeping anglers busy.

 

The night bite has been excellent with 2-3 lbs Yellowtails on the mid-depth wrecks, every night trips produce some nice Muttons and the night before last a beautiful Cubera Snapper.  Mangroves have also been showing up on the patches. 

Offshore Fishing Report    

Offshore fishing for Dolphin, Tuna, Wahoo, etc., is in full swing!  Calm waters have allowed us to search for birds, debris and weed lines most effectively.  Our 47" Hatteras, "The Islamorada Lady II" managed to bag over 30 gaffers yesterday.  For the past month, all of our offshore boats on the dock have managed to bring in at least 20-30 Mahi Mahi.

The charter boat, "Blue Heaven" released a Sailfish on their last trip and 2 Wahoos on the trip prior.  If tuna is more your taste, the guys can bring you to one of the humps.  There you will encounter 20-30 lb Black fins.  

Check in with Four Square  

Remember to check in with Four Four Square 

Square to see our specials and become the mayor so you can have you picture taken feeding the tarpon and added to our newsletter.

Checkout Our Blog

 

Visit our fishing blog titled Islamorada Fishing Reports which can be viewed by clicking here. blog

 

We will be keep you updated on our recent catches here in Islamorada with pictures and videos.

 

Please feel free to post anything fishing related on our blog as we would love see what you are catching too.

Check out our Special Deals!

Capt Michael
 
Fishing Package

Come out for a great day on the Capt. Michael

Join us for a full day of fishing all for just $60




 
 
Happy Cat Snorkel
Snorkel/Fishing Package

Come out for a great day on the Happy Cat and the Capt. Michael

Join us in the Morning for your snorkeling trip and then come back in the afternoon for some great fishing all for just $60




state tour1
 
State Island/Fishing Package

Come out for a great day on the Happy Cat and the Capt. Michael

Join us in the Morning for a tour of two state parks and then come back in the afternoon for some great fishing all for just $60



To receive the deals listed above or to hear about our split charters  

Contact Robbie's at 305-664-8070

Free Rod or Wetsuit Rental


Bring this coupon with you to receive your free rod or wetsuit rental on the Happy Cat or the Capt Michael Party Boat.
Offer Expires: May 31, 2011