Two Conchs Sportfishing

I’m sure some of you guys have seen the TV show. Has anyone fished with them or have any information? Also I am trying to decide between backcountry, reef fishing, or off-shore.

No real info specifically on Two Conchs other than that I’ve checked them out before and they seemed more on the expensive side, but probably because it’s worth your while. They have a great reputation and people are willing to pay for it. I have done all three types of fishing you mention in the keys and you can’t go wrong, they’re all a great experience and you’ll probably have a memorable trip if you have a good guide. For me, it’s just as much about the experience as it is what you catch.

Back country is just wild – there’s nothing you can compare it to in Minnesota. A lot of site fishing with the guide on the poling platform spotting fish, get some good polaroids – they’re a must. The amount of wildlife you can see is staggering on the flats and mangroves (Sharks, rays, manatees, barracuda, dolphins and sea turtles in the deeper flats and channels) It’s a surreal experience. Plus, if fishing for the more “desireable” species like bonefish, permit, tarpon or redfish is slow – it’s easy to bend the rod on a ‘cuda or shark for the fight of your life. I would also say you as the client play the biggest role in actual fishing out of the three types. They may provide the pole and bait/lure, but you gotta learn to spot the fish and get the cast where it needs to be. It’s a blast!

Reef or wreck fishing is a lot of vertical fishing, jigging or even bobber fishing but the sheer amount of species you can catch is mind-blowing – Jacks, Snapper, Grouper, Cobia, Shark, Cuda. It’s usually closer in to shore and potentially calmer than offshore on windy days. The numbers and variety is the draw here.

Offshore is a fish of a lifetime trip, but your biggest risk for low or no numbers. Still, for the few times I’ve been offshore, we’ve never come back without a great fish story. There’s usually something big willing to bite. IF it’s windy or rough seas, be prepared for a long day, take Dramamine. Also, depending on what you’re targeting, you’re basically just the reel guy. The mates get things all set while you watch, when it’s fish-on, you get handed a rod. Still something few get to experience.

Not sure if you needed that much info but love talking about Saltwater fishing on sub-zero days. Enjoy your trip!

I have done the inshore back country and the reef fishing styles. I had the option to do offshore one day instead and passed simply because it is exactly how Thunderlund described it. High chance of failure, long boat rides, potentially rough water, and mostly trolling the open ocean.

Reef fishing one day was awesome because it wasn’t too windy and provided a lot of action vertical jigging. We got into a school of snappers and jacks. A big 28 pound jack crevalle is the hardest fighting fish I have ever caught. I would say my favorite was the variety and sight fishing of inshore backwater fishing though. The one day I did it near Key West we caught about 15 species of fish including a big barracuda and several tarpon. The jumping fight of a big tarpon is pretty ridiculous.

Great input guys. ThunderLund thanks for all your information- it helps !

When I was younger we did a few “deep sea fishing” excursions in Mexico. A couple were busts but I did catch a huge sailfish once. That was awesome, but I think I’d rather focus on reef or backcountry with my time now. I’d like to be more involved in the process vs. just handed a rod with the hook already set. Plus, the potential for seasick.

On the flip side for some reason I’ve been hesitant to spend a bunch of money and get taken out in a 17 ft skiff. Guess I should just get over that and sounds like the experience would be worth it.

In the process of planning a trip…. and planning to do a couple days with a guide, a couple days party fishing, and maybe a couple days fishing from shore or (maybe) renting a kayak.

When are you going? Starting in mid March you’ll be getting into prime time, especially if they get warm weather down there.

I’d agree with everyone. Inshore backcountry is the best experience and there will always be something biting. Tarpon, Jack’s, cuda, snook, etc.

Another guy to look up is mike Odell. He guides out of Hawks cay. Not cheap but the best guide I’ve ever been with. I fished with him twice 2 years ago in April.

Bring your own gear and get some white paddle tails or gulp shrimp. You’ll catch a bit of everything from shore if you watch the tides.

https://www.hawkscay.com/fishing-charters/right-on-fishing-charters

Thanks Gimruis and thank you Matt

I am going mid March. The only other salt fishing I have done is in SW Florida (which was awesome) but really looking forward to fishing the Keys

I have been eyeing Hawks Cay hard but was not sure which guide to choose. I will take a look at Mike Odell for sure

Hawk’s Cay is a phenomenal place. We stayed there a couple times before the Hurricane. It’s now completely rebuilt. Not sure where you are staying but it’s worth a look. Only downside is it’s a drive to other bars/restaurants.

We usually stay in Islamorada now because you can walk to a bunch of places. Last time we stayed at Amara Cay which was nice it’s more like a hotel. They did have free kayaks and I was able to paddle out and get some Barracuda. There is a breakfast place called the Midway Cafe in Islamorada…..it is absolutely phenomenal but get there early! I cannot recommend this place enough.

https://www.midwaycafecoffeebar.com/

That should be a good time – hope for a warm stretch before and light winds. If you get that the Tarpon should be moving into the bridges.

I gave a friend staying at Hawk’s Cay right now and I’m getting REAL TIRED of looking at all is awesome pictures on Facebook

Going off his picture, he did a charter with an outfit called “Snapshot” and they go into a couple of really nice Amberjack, some Blackfin Tuna and Yellowtail snappers. By the looks of it they really enjoyed it. Had it cooked up for them back on land at a place that does that – pics looked amazing. Not sure if they’re through Hawks Cay or based somewhere else in the keys.

I’ve been out with Two Conchs twice, once with a large group when we were in the area for a wedding and then once again just a year ago. As far as quality good fishing I don’t know you could do much better. Like you mentioned, they sure are spendy, but they really seemed to have their stuff together and put you on fish.

I left last year with a bad taste in my mouth. It basically came down to some confusion, I had booked one thing but then my confirmation e-mail showed something different, and then they showed up with yet another different boat and thinking different times. In a situation where there was nothing to prove who was right or wrong, just a misunderstanding on both sides, you would think most businesses would go with the customer, but they stuck to their guns and insisted I was misunderstood and I ended up paying quite a bit more than I planned on. I was very unhappy about that but I also know that’s one isolated incident so it doesn’t necessarily reflect their whole product. Bad billing experience aside, again, I’d bet they put you through a good adventure with lots of fish.

Thanks for the feedback guys.

I would have loved to stay at Hawks Cay, but everything I was seeing was real expensive. Decided to rent a small house through VRBO and put the extra money towards fishing.

Mike O’Dell was totally booked for the week we are going, as well as most the other guides out of Hawks Cay.

I did get a 1/2 day Backcountry trip booked with Hooked Up, out of Hawks Cay. And a 3/4 day reef fishing with Two Conchs booked as well.

Might be able to get another 1/2 day guided trip in…. still doing some research. Otherwise will do a couple party-boat trips too.

Can’t wait

I had never been saltwater fishing until 2015. The power those fish have is incredible. I look forward to going again in the future too

Just got back from my trip. Wanted to mention that Two Conchs was great. We had captain Austin Haberle in a 26ft Yellowfin.

I’m Hooked was also great out of Hawks Cay with Captain Taylor, Jeff Malone’s crew.

We caught a bunch of Snapper. Enough to eat for days down there and ship home. Also caught a big Tarpon, some Redfish, Sharks, and a big Jack.

This was the Jack I caught with Two Conchs, after limiting out on Yellowtail. So awesome.

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Awesome! Gotta get back there – so bummed that we had to cancel last April due to COVID – haven’t gotten around to rescheduling yet.

lindyrig79 wrote:

This was the Jack I caught

Ya those fish are insane. I hope to go again in the future.

Thanks guys!

For those who have never fished the FL Keys it should be near or the top of your list. It truly is a fishing paradise…

lindyrig79 wrote:

For those who have never fished the FL Keys it should be near or the top of your list. It truly is a fishing paradise…

I’ve only done it twice but I would agree. Neither time did we have to make the decision of “numbers or trophy.” Seems like you can land your large fish like sharks, cobia, grouper, etc. and also get into schools of great eating fish. And they all fight like hell too.