Just got back from a High Adventure scout trip down to Florida, which included a 5 day sailboat trip from Marathon to Key West and back. At least that was the plan… 
Flew into Ft Lauderdale, got into the ocean for a little swimming. Waters a bit rough, no problem. Next day we shuttled down to BSA Florida Sea Base at Islamorada and got ready to set sail in the morning.
We boarded our schooner and headed towards Sombrero Reef near Marathon. Got a little fishing and snorkeling in, then it was time to dodge a few storms. We missed the first wave, but eventually got caught in some real nasty wet weather and returned to port since it was right there at Marathon, and more storms were coming.
Headed out the next morning, battled some rough waves (4-6′ most all the way), but made good time due to the steady winds in our sails. We anchored just outside Key West, got in a nice swim…and got hit again with a brief rainshower. Captain mentioned that they actually got on some fish in the area, so I went back and got rigged up to fish off the back of the boat.
We hand lined some more small ones and tried them as “wounded” (with my knife) live baits, but they were a no go. Got the cut bait out and started getting hits from some bait stealing fish like crazy. I decided to try the other side of the boat, fed the fish some more bait, and then I cast a little further out (huge Penn reel no free-spool underhand flip as there was over 6′ of leader on their rig which ended with a modified circle hook). Finally, got a slower more deliberate hit…then an actual load up. No one else was around to take it, so I started burning the reel and hooked up with a very solid fish. I was just happy it wasn’t a dink, so that felt good! Got it up close, and it’s a shark. Cool!!! 
First time for me. I asked if I could just grab it, but of course have to get a net out because of teeth. 
Got a scout to net for me and hoisted the 36″ 30# Nurse Shark into the boat. I got a quick photo on deck and before I could get one of me holding my catch the captain tosses it back in the water! Unthinkable. 
Of course, that got the attention of a few scouts who love to fish, who joined me for a while. I got keeper Mutton Snapper (16″) a little later, and was watching from the wheelhouse, when one of the scouts gets another fish on and all heck breaks loose. It looks like he’s about to go over and ran back to help him. Of course, the drag on the other reel was locked down and he gets a REAL good one on…after I adjusted the drag the fish starts peeling line off like you were casting a bait. Flying. The captains commented right away it was probably a shark, maybe Sand Shark. It heads to the other side and I get the rod a minute to pass accross. His fish is easily 3-4 times as powerful as mine and not giving an inch. Wow. He fights it on the left side and after a few minutes, it’s back on the right side. I tell the scout whatever you do keep that line TIGHT. At the same time, captain is talking about about reeling down, then lifting. Reel, lift. He dips the rod accidentally giving a little slack and the fish pops off. After 5 or 7 minutes of fighting. What a shame, the skippers guessed maybe 75#, maybe more… 
We spent a day in Key West, attempted to sail back but were turned back by 8′ waves (some over the nose of the boat!!!) and after a second windy day in KW we shuttled all the way back to Islamorada. After a Luau dinner, I got a “big fish” award (broken flipper. 
Next morning on the way to the airport we did an Everglades tour and saw a few gators and soft-shell turtles. While our fishing and snorkling time was cut short, with all the crazy weather we definitely had quite the nautical adventure!
ps I know, not catfish or sturgeon…but hey, I’m a catfish guy and there’s no Florida or Saltwater categories…
