Against all odds, the huge shark was lip-hooked
Against all odds, the huge shark was lip-hooked

Fishing the Keys: Sweat, blood, slime, blender drinks and shark attacks

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In a year or two, this baby dorado will be beautiful on the table.
In a year or two, this baby dorado will be beautiful on the table.

Dorado

En route to a second reef, Murphy diverts to check out a lone frigate bird. It turns out the bird is diving on a school of baitfish, chased to the surface by a few dozen “baby dolphins.” He kills the engines, and we grab rods and toss whatever baits are already rigged into the school. Within minutes, everyone is hauling in 18- to 24-inch dorados. They’re too small for the table, but still possess the species’ characteristic Frankenstein head and amazing iridescent green-gold flank.

A typical amberjack—another hard-fighting saltwater fish. (Photo: Tiffany Renshaw/Columbia Sportswear)

Amberjack

The new reef is hot. We boat a few fish of varying species, and then the bite-offs start. It seems like the underwater commotion has attracted the man in the grey suit. After my next hook-up, we know for certain. The fish initially pulls very hard but then, oddly, begins running toward me so fast I can barely keep tension on the line. Looking down into the turquoise water, I watch as a 24-inch amberjack (similar to the one above) emerges from the deep, with a long grey shadow spiraling up behind it. Just as the jack reaches the surface, a huge shark breaches and chomps it. That may not officially constitute a “catch,” but I’m counting it, especially because of what happens next…

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