Key West Gaff Cam – Looking Up From the Hook

Ever wondered what it’s like down below when you’re fishing? Captain Craig of Key West’s premiere sportfishing yacht has rigged a camera to his gaff so you can see the fish at eye level as it’s pulled alongside the boat.







Captain Craig was the first to attach a video camera to the gaff, but at least one other captain got hooked on the idea. They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Here's a clip where the cam encounters a shark.



For more Key West fishing videos, check Captain Craig's Key West Fishing blog or his Youtube page.

Ban on Grouper Fishing in Key West Waters

A four month ban on fishing for grouper in state and federal waters went into effect for Key West and Florida Keys waters yesterday.

The ban through April 30 means anglers -- commercial and recreational -- will not be allowed to bag shallow-water grouper — including gag, black, red and yellowfin — caught in federal and state Atlantic waters from North Carolina to Key West. The ban also extends into state waters on the Gulf of Mexico side of Monroe County.

This comes at a terrible time for local restaurateurs and fishing captains already stretched by a poor economy. To see this new regulation during the height of tourist season just makes things tougher.

"This couldn't come at a worse time,' Key West Captain Andy Griffiths told the Palm Beach Post. "My business already is off 80 percent because of the economy.'

What do you think of the ban?

The grouper in the photo above was caught on the Mr. Z in Key West in November 2009.