FromTheYak.com

Please sign your boat up now!  $20,000 top prize!

Click here to register

(photo courtesy of Captain Chris Morrison)

We’re also still looking for anyone who can donate prizes to auction off at the awards banquet. All proceeds to benefit Florida Keys Hospice- a great cause.

Please check out TryCharterFishing.com, your source for everything Florida Keys charter fishing and Florida Keys vacation planning.

I’m in the process of updating the site as we speak. There’s a wealth of good info here- including a Florida Keys species guide of what you will catch in the Keys.

Wasn’t the monster we wanted-and may have had hooked up at one point- but we got a keeper.

Leon Shell Memorial Billfish Tournament Raises Money for Hospice of the Florida Keys

Every winter enthusiastic anglers gather in the Middle Keys to share a passion for fishing, and more importantly, to raise money for an organization that may one day play a vital role in all of our lives: the Hospice and Visiting Nurses of the Florida Keys.

Since its inception in 1998, the Leon Shell Memorial Billfish Tournament has raised over $125,000 for Hospice, including $25,000 in 2009 alone. Additionally, each year the Leon Shell raises money for a Youth Division that awards academic scholarships to young anglers looking to pursue higher education.

The non-profit Leon Shell Tournament, and the wonderful donations made annually to Hospice, are made possible only with the support of the local citizens and businesses of the Florida Keys.

We are currently accepting sponsors for this year’s event, as well as items that can be auctioned at the awards banquet. These tax-deductible sponsorships are not only a great way to support a worthy cause, but also help to promote your company through radio and television ads, tournament press releases, tee shirts, posters, and more.

The Leon Shell Memorial Billfish Tournament, to be held March 5-7, is quickly becoming Marathon’s premier sailfish tournament, with 20 boats competing in 2009 for a $25,000 top cash prize.

With your help and support, we look to continue the success of the event and exceed last year’s donation to Hospice and Visiting Nurses of the Florida Keys.

Please lend a hand in helping those that aid us in need.

To become a sponsor or register to compete in the tournament, please call the Key Colony Beach Marina at (305) 289-1310. For questions and additional information visit www.leonshelltournament.com or email Drew Dinan at ddd@lonestaroh.com.

Thank you for your support!

It would have been nice to catch a keeper, but two swords caught and released is not a bad way to close out the year.

The last sunset of 2009 wasn’t bad either!

If anyone is interested in daytime swordfishing in the Florida Keys please email me at Drew@fromtheyak.com, or fill out the inquiry form found on TryCharterFishing.com.

Catching a swordfish 1,600 feet below the surface of the Atlantic is a one-of-a-kind experience that every angler should experience during his or her lifetime.

Props go out to Captain Ty Price for another successful “mission” aboard the Permit.

Thanks for the photos Trey!

Second to last sword of 2009. Probably could not have been caught without the matching visors (I knew I should have worn the beige one).

Jeff Reilly with a clean swordfish release.

Jeff and Trey with our last sword of 2009. Also released unharmed.

What a great way to close out the year!

Happy New Year!

You just never know what you’re going to see here in the Keys!

This is a photo of my neighbor “walking” his cat. The cat is riding in a “cat recreational vehicle,” a term dubbed by my neighbor who created this unique device.

Poor thing…

Thanks for the photo Lauren!

When you’re on a budget like me, you have to know where to find the best drink prices in Key West.

Here’s a look at at the bars and restaurants that offer the best Key West happy hours.

Alonzo’s Oyster Bar 700 Front Street

4-6pm: 1/2-priced  drinks and appetizers!

Dante’s 951 Caroline St.

4-8 pm: half-priced drinks, oysters 3 for $2, stone crabs 2 for $6.

Conch Republic 631 Greene St.

4-7pm: 2-for-1 beer and well drinks.

The Lazy Gecko 305 Duval St.

5-8pm & 5-midnight (Sunday and Monday):

75-cent wings, 2-for-1 premium well drinks and beers. $1 off frozen drinks.

Kelly’s 301 Whitehead St.

4-7pm: 1/2-priced wings, $2 micro brews, $3 margartitas

Big’ Uns 218 Duval St.

open-8pm: all drinks 2-for-1

Rum Barrell 528 Front St.

4-7pm: 2-for-1 domestic drafts, bottles and well drinks

Willie T’s 525 Duval St.

4-7pm: 1/2-priced premium well drinks and beers

Bottle Cap Lounge 1128 Simonton St.

noon-7pm: $1 off beers, $2 off wells

Pepe’s 806 Caroline

$1 Yuengling drafts

Cowboy Bills

$1 PBR’s after 7, $2 PBR’s all day

5-8pm: 2-for1 daquiris, beers and wells

PLACE TO AVOID:  the Sports Page     610 Greene St.    They claim to offer $2 shots during football games when “your team scores,” yet despite presenting game ticket stubs and alumni cards when our team scored the OWNER (who hasn’t gotten the memo that Key West is a laid-back town), would not honor the special that is advertised throughout the restaurant. I guess graduating from a school and having season tickets does not qualify you as a fan. Way to save a buck buddy!

Sports page also has a $1 draft happy hour sign hanging outside which they did not honor, instead offering 2-for-1 draft beer prices that cost MORE than most bars charge for 2 beers anyway.

AVOID the Sports Page. Rude Service, false adverstisements, and all-around not what you came to Key West for.

But I’ll take her any day!

Another fun trip with Phil, Mel, Ty and Jason Long of Best Bet Sportfishing.

From left: Phil Price, Jason Long, myself, and Ty Price.

Congrats to Captain Ty Price and Nick Borraccino for helping landing this once-in-a-lifetime catch this past week. This fish, which weighed in at 504-pounds, was caught Thursday off Marathon, Florida.

Photos courtesy of Denise Matzen.

Stay tuned- I’m hoping to do a feature on Ty and Nick’s catch to be published in next week’s Florida Keys Weekly Newspapers.