If you ’ re reading this magazine then you ’ re a sportsman . Whether by hook and line , or gun and shaft , we all share the same passion : to pursue fish and game with affection , conviction and , most importantly , respect for our quarry .
We honor our heritage as hunters by adhering to the rules and regulations , and foster a sense of fairness and compassion for others with whom we share the waters . This couldn ’ t be truer than on the awesome wrecks found in the Florida Keys . There are plenty of tin ladies scattered along the depths of the ocean floor from Key Largo to Key West . All harboring numerous species of fish we as sportsmen dream of landing . Three of my go-to spearfishing wrecks in the Upper Keys are the Bibb , Duane , and Eagle . Throughout the year , I ’ ll harvest everything from hogfish to wahoo on these deep ladies .
The Duane and Bibb are Coast Guard cutters roughly 300 feet in length and found about 5 miles off Key Largo . Intentionally sunk in 1985 , the Duane sits upright and her sister , a little over a swim away , is on her side . You can strap on a tank and drop down through crystal clear water to the awaiting sand at approximately 125 feet and find hogfish , mutton snapper , and grouper . Or you can hang on the wreck ’ s deck at 100 feet and fill your stringer with yellowtail and gray snapper . Maybe you skip the tank and float motionless on the surface peering through the purple seas awaiting those wahoo or African pompano .
Capt . Jimmy Nelson , Luiza of Fishing with Luiza and I hit the Duane hookedupdesigns . com
DECEMBER 2016 HO OKED UP 63