Trip Report — May 9, 2026

Some days build slow. Others flip in a single bite.

We ran hard out to 1,200 feet of water with our regulars Alan, Lisa, and their girls Mary Pat and Emily. The mission was mahi. What we found was a whole lot of water, plenty of grass, and zero fish. We switched gears and dropped deep on a handful of spots. Nada. Zip.

Then, right as we’re getting ready to reset the spread, she showed up.

A massive bull mahi materialized out of nowhere behind the boat. Everyone lost it. And here’s the kicker — Mary Pat and Emily had been feeding him beef jerky sticks. I wish I was making that up.

Watch the moment this beast ate the bait and the chaos that followed — beef jerky, negotiations, and a clean gaff shot.

First bait out, he picked it up and spit it before I could breathe on the hookset. Bull swam under the boat and headed back toward the weed line. I hopped up on the transom and started negotiating out loud.

He turned.

Alan grabbed a bait, pitched it in, and buried the hook. Chad spun the wheel and worked him clean. Alan worked the reel. I had the gaff. Fish never stood a chance.

32-33 pounds of gold, green, and bad decisions made right.

The kind of fish that flips an entire trip in one bite. Zero to hero. That’s why we go.

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Trip: Saturday, May 9, 2026. Boat: Miss Penny. Crew: Captains Kit Carson & Chad, Alan, Lisa, Mary Pat, Emily. Waters: Offshore Islamorada to 1,200 feet.