Center Console Angler Magazine: My Center Console - Bahama's Bound!

Bahamas Bound!

John Stanton of Fort Lauderdale, aboard his 31-foot Ocean Master, Brass Ring in the Bahamas

John Stanton of Fort Lauderdale loves spending time with his sons Michael and David in the Bahamas aboard his 31- foot Ocean Master, Brass Ring. In fact, he and the boys have taken the boat just about everywhere you can possibly go in the islands!

“In four years, we’ve put 10,000 miles of traveling and trolling on the boat,” Stanton said, “almost all of it in the Bahamas! We’ve fished Bimini, Chub Cay, Great Harbour, Walker’s Cay, Green Turtle Cay, Spanish Cay, Hopetown, Davis Harbour, Cat Island, San Salvador, Rum Cay, and both Stella Maris and Clarence Town on Long Island.” Stanton and the boys have even taken Brass Ring to the remote Diana Bank south of Long Island, a spot normally frequented only by larger inboard sportfishing boats.

“We’re proud of our boat,” Stanton added, “and the times spent with my sons are priceless. I’m pleased to share that experience with your readers, and hope to see you at a dock somewhere, sometime.”We hope so too! When do we leave?

Destinations
Islamorada, Florida

THE “SPORT FISHING CAPITAL OF THE WORLD” IS IDEAL CENTER CONSOLE TERRITORY. BY JOHN BROWNLEE

Islamorada, Florida

OK, so I’m not objective about Islamorada. After all, these are my home waters, and for a committed boating and fishing junkie like me, it’s hard to imagine a better place to be.

Here’s why—it offers an almost limitless number of fishing opportunities, from outstanding sailfish, dolphin, tuna, king mackerel and reef fish offshore, to redfish, bonefish, tarpon and snook in the beautiful and protected waters of Florida Bay and Everglades National Park. Everything you could possibly ask for is right at your back (or front) door, with an incredible diversity of species. It’s all close by, too, so even smaller center consoles work great.

And if you tire of fishing, there’s beautiful snorkeling on numerous shallow-water reefs, and gorgeous backcountry sightseeing.You can also visit many historic Islamorada landmarks by boat, including Alligator lighthouse, Bud-n-Mary’s Marina, one of the most famous fishing marinas in the world, Cheeca Lodge, a Keys lodging icon for decades, and the Lorelei, Islamorada’s most popular sunset watering hole.

It’s almost overkill to mention the great food the town has to offer. My favorites—breakfast at Mangrove Mike’s (known locally as the Islamorada Cultural Center), lunch at the Hungry Tarpon or Lazy Days, and dinner at Uncle’s.

It’s all here—excellent fishing, including some of the best charter boats and guides, beautiful scenery, and great people. What are you waiting for? For more information, check out www.flakeys.com/islamorada

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