INDIAN KEY

If you manage to catch your limit with some time to kill, one thing you might want to check out is the Key's very own ghost town, known as Indian Key. At one point in time this island was the county seat for Monroe County, but now it is a State Park. Along with Key West, the island was the only part of the keys to remain populated during the Second Seminole War. That is, until the Seminole Indians staged a raid of the island and massacred 13 of the residents while forcing the other 50 or so people to flee the island.

There is not a whole lot to do on Indian Key, but it has an interesting history and there are still some remnants left from the people who lived there. There is a nice boat dock and a lookout tower provided by the park service, but I don't remember there being a whole lot else. I do remember it being really hot, with not much shade on the walking paths. Its a tiny island and only takes a short time to explore, so if you happen to be boating by with some time to kill be sure to check it out.

While you are there, try to guess what the "deep opening" is in the town square... because thanks to this placard we know that the Florida Park System has no idea. Hey, at least they're honest.

NEEDLE FISHING

Needle fishing is a mini season tradition that started in 2008 when we decided to attempt bully netting for the first time. Since we had, and still have, no idea how to bully net our excursion was not going so well. As we were trolling the bay we realized that needle fish seemed to be attracted to our underwater light and out of sheer boredom it didn't take long for us to start trying to catch them. Before you knew it this had turned into a competition of who could be the first to catch one of those slippery darts.

Don't be fooled, catching needle fish is no easy task. We have been trying for the last two years to catch a needle fish and have come up empty handed. Now I know what you are thinking.... "I just Googled needle fish and there are pictures of people holding them, it can't be that hard"... well I'll bet the farm they didn't catch those needle fish by hand! Thats right if you are not needle fishing by hand you are not needle fishing.

Although we are yet to actually get a needle fish onto our boat here are a few tips for anyone who wants to try and out do us:

1. The needle fish love figure eights, shining the light in a figure eight pattern will attract them.

2. Be patient, do not scare them by prematurely motioning towards the water.

3. You need to lead the needle fish, they are quick so strike in front of where you think they will be.

4. Needle fish taste delicious, and I will prove it when we finally catch one.