Diving Show Mecca

Talk about an international enlightening and educating experience from all aspects; this was the DEMA Orlando Diving International Trade Show held in Orlando, Florida from November 2^nd to 5th.  With being the first year of being located in the North Hall the space area was massive, but well planned out for the exhibitors and the attendees alike; no one was crushed and all had plenty of “elbow room” to look, try and search out new products and companies.  I have to admit I was overwhelmed with the magnitude of the show and the amount of exhibitors when I first entered the floor, but was quickly acclimated by the Convention Center and DEMA staff alike, as well as the hundreds of warm faces that we met over the course of the four day show.

We were fortunate enough to not only meet and talk with several hundred people and divers from literally all over the globe, but fortunate to have nice neighboring exhibitors next to us as well, and even more fortunate to meet up with an old acquaintance for 30 + years prior who now owns a dive shop and has booked a trip with us this Christmas.  Our booth (#1977) was warm and full of character (as far as a 10 x 10 space can be), and most everyone was happy to interact and participate in our “fishing for coins” aquarium in order to qualify for the five free 3 day, 2 night private liveaboard dive charters trips from Key West to the Marquesas Keys and the Dry Tortugas that were given away during the course of the show.  Everyone that participated was a good sport about interacting with us and to show our appreciation, all were given either a blue dive whistle or a “coozie” drink holder; whether or not you qualified for the drawings of the free trips.  The chocolate coins were a bit hit as well as the 100,000 dollar bars to give everyone that little afternoon zing of sugar energy as they stopped to learn more about us and what we do.  Our show special was unanimously a great hit with 20% off of all our dive trips if booked by the end of November.  Many of you took advantage of this great price break and booked your trips with us for the next couple of months and on into 2012 and through lobster season.  (Kudos to those of you that did….you’ll never see such pristine diving for the price, right here in your own backyard of the state of Florida and the United States).

Congratulations to our show winners, Gregg Johnson from Lancaster, TX, Bill Hardman from St. Petersburg, Florida, John Mikos from Burbank, IL, Tom Ronde from Englewood, Florida, and our final show winner, Justin Wade from Kissimmee, Florida. All and all the show was a huge success for all exhibitors and attendees alike.  Many friendships and business relationships were formed, and some even reunited.  It was a fabulous experience and one that I will most definitely repeat again next year in Las Vegas.  Until then, you can find us on the web at www.adventurewatersportcharters.com for your next diving adventure.  Stay on US ground and close to home for a fraction of the price diving the third largest coral reef system in the world and the only natural atoll in the western hemisphere, and see and experience the same pristine diving as in other  far away exotic places.

Adventure Watersport Charters

305-453-6070

www.adventurewatersportcharters.com

The Calm After the Storm

Thanks to the Urbank team (Robin, Jack, Adam, Trevor, and Kelly), for having the patience to wait out the high winds last week, in taking their 4 day 3 night liveaboard diving and fishing trip with Adventure Watersport Charters to the Marquesas Keys and the Dry Tortugas, as it proved to be well worth the wait!

The skies were beautiful and winds calm as the team made their way out to the reef line and some diving on the Vandenberg and the Cayman Salvage with several species of fish and some gorgeous underwater adventures for all.  Next came a change of pace with a troll and bottom fishing out to some deeper waters on the way out to the Marquesas Keys  with  several hits on the Mahi-Mahi’s.  Robin hooked into the largest at 32” with several others not too much smaller, where everyone joined in on the friendly competition reeling in some fairly good sized black and red groupers as well as a cero mackerel , margates, mangrove and yellowtail snappers, and yes believe it not the ever so tasty triggerfish.  Spear fishing was the adventure on the agenda, with Jack and Robin hunting down a few hogfish (boy what a dinner that was); and several lobster while swimming in between several nurse sharks weighing in at 350 pounds and better that seemed a bit more than curious at the underwater adventurers.  Well worth the dives was the steak and lobster dinner everyone devoured that night.   As the sun arose the following day they were off to the Dry Tortugas for several reef and wreck dives where the visibility was awesome and the sights of the reefs, reef fish and the shipwrecks were phenomenal with some awesome photographic opportunities.  The sunset that evening was gorgeous; as always in the Florida Keys, the sky clear and the almost full moon, as bright as it could be…..what a way to end a magnificent day!  Heading back, Adam and Trevor were the non-stop fisherman hauling in more mangrove snappers, black groupers and their fair share of porgies and grunts as well…..exhausted but happy with their catch, all sat down to an fabulous fresh fish dinner and an evening of recanted “big fish” stories.

All and all the trip was a major success for everyone as ear to ear smiles and non-stop stories continued for hours after returning to port.  Relaxing times, plenty of slap talk to go around, a good catch and some awesome underwater diving and spear fishing rounded out the entire trip.  The group was so excited that they are already deciding on dates to go again before the end of the year.  Thanks for a super trip everyone and hope to enjoy your company again on board with Adventure Watersport Charters in Key West.

Adventure Watersport Charters

Key West, Florida

305-453-6070

www.adventurewatersportcharters.com

The Wait was Worth the Trip

Our thanks to Jay Koehnelin  and his  group (John, Dean, Pat, Scott and Brian) for choosing Adventure Watersport Charters in Key West for their 3 day overnight deep sea fishing expedition  to the Marquesas Keys and the Dry Tortugas National Park.  Although their original fishing trip had to be rescheduled due to high winds, it was well worth everyone’s wait for the catch they hauled in.

John started the trip off on the troll out with a Skip Jack Tuna to get the competition going, and was followed by Jay and the gang hitting several Red and Black Groupers, along with many good sized Mutton and Mangrove Snappers with an average size of 10-12 pounds.  The group didn’t stop there as the fishing heated up with their haul in of Cero Mackerels and Strawberry Groupers.  Dean got the rarest catch of the trip when he reeled in a Hogfish weighing in at about 6 or so pounds.  Scott and Brain were certainly not left out with Scott bring in a few of the Strawberry and Black Groupers, along with winning the prettiest fish prize with his catch and release of a gorgeous blue parrot fish.  Meanwhile Brain, was brining in several Red Groupers, and busily earning his title and claim to fame on the trip as the “Grunt Master”, with hit after hit of many small Grunts.  The excitement of the trip came on the troll back in when Pat hooked into a 4’ Wahoo, weighing about 30 pounds, which gave him the esteem honor of being the largest fish winner for the trip, while Jay hooked into a couple hundred pound Marlin that worked and fought him hard, jumping and rolling into the air trying to break free, (quite the awesome view to watch), however fortunately for the fish, but unfortunately for Jay, the fish ended up spitting the entire lure out and swam back into the safety of the deep waters.

The trip was a wonderful success and the entire group had a fun filled, exciting yet relaxing slap talking time and very much enjoyed the cooking of our “chef” on board, Captain Budd, who cooked up some awesome meals for everyone.   Thanks again to all for waiting and rescheduling your overnight fishing expedition to the Marquesas Keys and the Dry Tortugas with Adventure Watersport Charters in Key West ….we’d love to have all you guys back again anytime in the future!

Adventure Watersport Charters

305-453-6070

www.adventurewatersportcharters.com

Old Friends are the Best...Balanoff Bud's!

Old friends are the Best; as Bill Stan, Jeff and Paul from the Balanoff Dive and Fishing Trip will attest to just that upon their 3 day diving and fishing liveaboard overnight charter in Key West with Adventure Watersport Charters.  Fish slaughter was not on these old friends menu; just some good old fashioned relaxing, enjoying each other’s company, and of course with a bit of fishing, scuba diving and snorkeling mixed in for good measure.

The troll out proved to be a bit slow but Bill managed to pull out the largest catch when he reeled in a  large Cero Mackerel winning that part of the fishing competition.   Paul wasn’t too far behind with his prize win of a 15# Red Grouper in the largest fish category.  Stan and Jeff joined the group as well with all of the rest of the group with their hard haul of multitudes of Yellowtail and Mangrove Snappers, and several Strawberry Groupers.  The whole group intertwined their fishing experience with a bit of reef scuba diving and snorkeling as well.  Bill and Jeff took to the gorgeous underwater world out on the Marquesas Rock Reef with their scuba dive where several types of gorgeous tropical reef fish, Hogfish, and a variety of corals were seen and photographed, while Stan and Paul joined the fun with their swim and snorkel at Western Dry Rocks enjoying the underwater world of the beautiful Florida Keys.  Competitive card playing for “high stakes” was on the itinerary too, but we won’t say who disembarked with fewer monies than they came aboard with…but all had loads of fun in the process!

Captain Budd was head Captain and cook too as usual, as his flavorful delicious meal of fresh fish was on the menu as well as the multitude of other goodies that the guys brought aboard that were cooked up.  The group was much appreciative of not only Captain Budd’s expertise in fishing but his cooking abilities too.  All and all fun was had by everyone, and the group had a very relaxing long 4^th of July weekend.  Thanks again to the Balanoff Bud’s and hope to have you back again soon on your next buddy adventure with us here at Adventure Watersport Charters in Key West Florida.

Adventure Watersport Charters in Key West

305-453-6070

www.adventurewatersportcharters.com

FIGUEROA WATER SPOUT THRILLS

What a time the Figueroa Clan and friends, (Manny, Yuyo, Jorge, George, Juan and Henry…all father and son teams), had aboard the Emily Anne with Adventure Watersport Charters in Key West when they chose to spend their 3 day liveaboard fishing adventure with us, and got more than they bargained for…free of charge from Mother Nature!

Jorge and Yuyo started the trip off right away with a bang when Jorge reeled in a hard fighting good sized Barracuda while Yuyo hit a few Dolphin Fish on the troll out.  Manny was next up to bat when he hooked into over 100 pound nurse shark that was caught and released, followed up by his award winning largest keeper catch of a 3’ 15 pound Wahoo….way to show the group how to hook into the “big ones” Manny.  Juan and Gorge followed suit when with their hit into a large school of Yellowtail Snappers, a few of which were flags.  The entire group had their home runs with the Mutton and Mangrove Snappers, along with several Kingfish, and Red Groupers not to mention the nice Crevalle Jack that was hauled in.  The excitement didn’t end there either, as Mother Nature was not about to be out shown by this group.  On the second night out the winds kicked up quickly for a short time and produced a small water spout out on the distant horizon; an awesome sight that not many get to behold out at sea, let alone capture on film….an extra at no charge on this trip for all aboard.

All in all the father and son groupings were so nice to see and be around, as the sons made sure their respective Dad’s were taken care of, and all even went so far as to help our Captain in training Jack, brush up on his Spanish speaking abilities.  Captain Budd did his usual superb job of cooking for the entire crew which was much appreciated and enjoyed by everyone; and as always putting everyone on the fish and bringing everyone home safe and sound back to the dock.  Thanks again to all and especially to Manny for taking on the task of being the trip leader for this group.  You are all welcome back anytime with Adventure Watersport Charters in Key West for your next 3 day deep sea liveaboard fishing adventure!

Adventure Watersport Charters Key West
305-453-6070
http://www.adventurewatersportcharters.com/

Peter's....NO....Pompa's Fishing Trip

Thanks to the Pompa Christian Fishing Trip of Matt, Vince, Monte, Dexter, Chad and Art who chose to take their overnight liveaboard fishing trip with Adventure Watersport Charters in Key West Florida this year.   

The trip began with a beautiful sunny hot day when young Matt hooked into a large bull Dolphin fish , but unfortunately ended up losing it as he reeled it in very close to the boat…better luck next time Matt!  At least you now have an “I almost had it story” of your own.  Several Cero Mackerel, Yellowtails  and Barracuda were hauled in along with a 5 foot Lemon Shark who then decided he’d found a good gig, just waiting and hanging out for an free meal and followed the boat around for quite a while.   Monte and Dexter joined the game with their snags of some good sized Red Grouper and a Hind Grouper as well, while Chad and Art held their own with their catch of some really good sized mangrove snappers too.  The fishing wasn’t over even as the trip traveled back into dock as 3 large Bonita fish gave the guys a good fun fight with the trip ending with a very sore and tired gang, but happy one at that!

Some good old fashioned cooking from Captain Budd kept the group nourished, and Captain in training Jack shared in some good old fashioned Christian witnessing that was threaded in throughout the trip. Perhaps some seeds were even planted that will be watered and produce fruit eventually…hey…you never know!  Thanks again personally to the group for choosing Adventure Watersport Charters for their liveaboard deep sea fishing charter to the Marquesas Keys and Key West!

Adventure Watersport Charters Key West Florida
305-453-6070
http://www.adventurewatersportcharters.com/

Donation to King Neptune!

The Volt party fishing trip who booked with Adventure Watersport Charters in Key West for their overnight liveaboard deep sea fishing charter started with some great excitement and ended with fish boxes full, six happy guys and a rather expensive donation to King Neptune.

Jim P started the catch off with a Dolphin Fish measuring 48”, and weighing 18 lbs, thereby sending him skyrocketing to first place for the large keeper fish on the trip.  Immediately after putting back into the water from the first Dolphin catch, he nailed another; this one was a bit smaller but still a keeper nonetheless.  Jumping into action next was Jimmy Lee when he landed a good sized Cero Mackerel.  The heat was on with the competition running when Philip got his turn hooking into his first ever Black Fin Tuna; and the “firsts” didn’t stop there as the fish was filleted on the spot, the Wasabi and Soy Sauce broken out for some fresh first time ever sushi for Philip.  Following the mid-day snack of sushi, Nick was up next hitting one right after the other in the grouper family; first a Black, then a Red, and immediately followed by a Strawberry….way to hook those great tasting Groupers in Nick!   The fight was on when John got into the competition with a large catch and release Barracuda that gave him quite the run for his money, but a good fight back by John.    The Red Grouper game swimming back around when Jim P reeled in a fairly good sized keeper.    The excitement from the day went into relaxed mode a bit when everyone on the boat watched the sunset that evening and all witnessed the infamous “green flash” when the tip of the sun disappeared over the horizon….so much for the unbelievers on this “myth”….seeing IS believing as the saying goes.  The second day proved to be a bit slower with the winds kicking up when Phil turned it right on striking a Black Grouper, followed by a second, and again by a third….all right in a row and all good sized keepers.    Jim P came back strong following when he reeled in a Black Grouper, a couple of Trigger Fish and an Atlantic Spade Fish.  Phil answered back with a couple of large flag Yellowtail Snappers and Jim P jumping on board with a large Mutton Snapper.  Steve got into the game with the catch of the usual Mangrove and Yellowtail Snappers as well as the usual array of Porgies and Grunts, as did everyone else.  John proved to be the “shark magnet” on this trip hauling in close to 20 catch and releases of nurse sharks, and would have won the largest fish contest, however unfortunately for John sharks don’t count in the competition, but it was some awesome fighting with John coming out as the winner!  In the end when all was said and done King Neptune turned out to be the biggest winner when an anonymous angler in their party accidentally donated his expensive fishing pole to the King of the seas, (ooooohhhhh, ouch…. that one really must have hurt).

All and all everyone had a great time and the catch turned out to be not only quite the variety but filled two fish boxes as well….not bad for a 3 day trip.  They feed Captain Budd and Captain Jack in training like royalty, who truly appreciate all their hard work in not only keeping them safe and helping with the lines, but putting them onto so many fish throughout the trip.  Our many thanks to the anglers from the Volt party in choosing Adventure Watersport Charters for their overnight liveaboard deep sea fishing trip in Key West….your weekend date is already reserved for next year guys….see you then.

Adventure Watersport Charters

Key West

305-453-6070

http://www.adventurewatersportcharters.com/