“A Florida Keys Fishy History of the Denizens of The Deep”
Curt Gowdy and President Bush out fishing with Bob Epstein (Credit Bob T. Epstein for image)
American Press Travel News–March 1st, The following is a short excerpt from Bob’s book: “A History of Fishing in the Florida Keys.” –From all corners of the earth, tourist visitors make pilgrimages to the Florida Keys to fish, and it’s no wonder, with more than 600 fish varieties in Florida waters, most of which are caught in the waters between Miami and the 150-miles down to Key West. And according to the writings of Zane Grey, a fabulous outdoor writer, and world famous angler, the waters between Indian Key and Bahia Honda Harbor were the very best in the world (as he wrote in the 1920’s). So, along with locals, and Americans from all over the U.S.A. who come to duel with offshore fish such as swordfish, marlin, sailfish, mackerel, tuna, wahoo, dolphin fish (Mahi Mahi), and a large assortment of other deep -sea fishes, the Keys is most noted for, it stands to reason that the real magnet drawing all to these boney islands, are these underwater finned residents of the Keys! Ask anyone about the Florida Keys, most responses would be about fishing, Key Lime pie-sort of the “apple pie & mom” of South Florida’s special nature, is what is thought of first. Inshore, there is an entire hierarchy of fish-royalty, from the bonefish, tarpon, permit, the triage of the perfecta, to the snook, seatrout, red drum, and mangrove snapper, that today, as in the past hundred years, attract anglers to both shore, and canoe-fish as well as hiring hundreds of fishing guides and their skiffs, in pursuit of these fish for picture-trophy, and the plate as well. Today, with 43-bridges that connect each of the Keys Islands bridge fishing is also a great draw for anglers without boats, to bring their families and friends to go out to sea without ever getting their sneakers wet and still catch fish too!
Davey Johnson, a baseball legendary manager!Wade Boggs a baseball legend!Curt Gowdy and Stu Apte at a Redbone CF fundraising fishing tournament in Islamorada, FL. Keys.Author Bob T. Epstein with an 11-pound bonefish he wanted to swim away with. Image in the Florida Keys!
Brian Epstein holds his friends sailfish. Brian (related to long gone Beatles Manager) is as effective in finding fish as his namesake was in finding great Worldwide Talent!!
AmericanPressTravelNews-Feb 20th, Key Largo, Florida–Captain Key Largo, Brian Epstein grew up in the Florida Keys, more on a boat than in our waterfront home in Tavernier, FL. From a very early age, he had already caught nearly all gamefish you can name that swim the shallows, the reefs, and the very pelagic Gulf Stream. Brian, now married to his wonderful Diane, a Pediatric Emergency Room Nurse, now also teacher, loves the Keys and all wild waters of the world. After many years of Brian working in the steel business, Brian’s passion for fishing could not be cooled in any way. So, his dad (yours truly) and brother have encouraged him to do what he likes best, and has driven so many friends, relatives and business associates to wanting Brian to take them fishing. No kidding, Brian has had virtually no skunked days taking anyone looking for. and fighting the “fins.”
Brian is a genius at figuring out where the lum-lunkers lurk, day or night! Brian is a real “fish-whisperer.” I know you may say, that as I am his dad, I am over-blowing his expertise in finding and putting anyone in his boat on fish? No! He learned from many of the best anglers in the world, and I will not brag on him, and name names because you may think I’m positively prejudiced in his favor, you’d be wrong, I just know the facts, and tell you if you want to catch and keep a few for dinner or release, use a fly rod or any rod-even a handline, Brian is absolute expert. He learned to talk and tell the tides and moon cycles, he finds snook, tarpon and reds, trout, bones and permit, sharks and wahoo, sails and white & blue marlin, dolphin and tuna and many believe he can out-fish anyone in the Keys (how about giant grouper and snapper too). Brian caught his first big blue marlin on no kidding, 20-pound test on an older model Shakespeare, spinning rod outfit with lots of Lithium reel grease. We chased the fish and finally released a 250-plus pounder, after running my Mako for two hours. Captain Skip Bradeen out of Chesapeake Marina, witnessed the fight (he offered to get us a Captains Mount, which Brian refused) Brian was 9-years old and wouldn’t let me touch that rod. Probably would have been a record for a 9-year old on twenty pound test. When I asked Brian what he wanted to do, should I gaff or break the fish off. Brian said: “Pop, I would never kill that fish, it was a great fight, I’ll always remember today.” He has, and now he will be introducing anglers from around the world to the “world class fishing” that the Keys and South Florida is so well known for!!Call him anytime: 954-326-7360 WWW.CaptainKeyLargo.com Promise; outdoor adventures with Brian at the helm, offers lifetime memories!!!
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Son Brian knows where they live! That’s a mutton snapper and baked up for 20-people!
Jose Wejebe was a wonderful guy and angler. He is gone now in a plane crash and the young man in his teens is also gone now. He succumbed to CF.
Seafood soup a gourmet meal in a bowl! Shrimp, squid, fish, mussels, simply great!A model Florida Crawfish aka, lobster.Son Brian became a pal of big Bertha in our Keys backyard. Always made sure she had a good drink during her winter-over behind our home in deep warmer waters of winter!Missed gaff op. in Costa Rica. Fish was 68-pounds!My beautiful pictureThis salad was a meal in itself. It had everything a gourmet would love!Fishing Tarpon and snook in the shadow of the airport in San Juan Puerto Rico!Islamorada Coast Guard Chief on a bonefish holiday!2-Barracudas!
John Kuliski in Islamorada! This picture appeared in magazines and on commercially made fish shirts as well! A favorite shot of mine!Florida Keys and shrimp go hand and hand! And hand and mouth!Love this new angler!The real little rascals know how to take apart a boat. Otters all!!
Port of the Islands redfish!Yes, I always release red drum (Red Fish) they taste terrible compared to snook or snapper!
Bob and Barb “On The Road Again” One of our very favorite places: The Orchard Inn. From great meals, best breakfasts ever and friendly, family caring and oriented owners; The Orchard Inn would be hard to surpass!
Tasty waffles at the B&B before heading out to the shops on Canal Street.
APtravelnews-November 6th,- Bob and Barb in New Smyrna Beach, still stopping to “Smell the Roses”, even visiting the Mosquito Lagoon, as well as tasting the best of what New Smyrna “foodies” already are savvy to.
