When I arrived in Key West, my first effort was to find a knowledgeable fishing guide. I was introduced to Joe Alexander and hired him for a week to fish on my boat. One week was enough to teach me that this was just the beginning of my Key West Grouper education. Joe taught me a lot about how to anchor properly, about cooling your catch, using the tides, watching the color of water, and what kind of bottom structure to work. I also learned the proper use and care of both fishing equipment and everything else related to fishing. This was the best decision I made when I arrived in Key West. I didn't learn everything and probably have forgotten many things, but it got me started in the right direction. (Many, Many Thanks Joe.)

Joe also taught me how to chum (DIDN'T DO THAT IN THE BAHAMAS) how to catch and use live bait, and most importantly the proper presentation of the bait.

Oh! So much to learn and so little did I know? But learn I did, and my fishing results improved through the use of these instructions and through the use of many different techniques.

During that week we fished the Atlantic side of the Reef, the wrecks of the gulf as well as the channels too. I should have adopted him as my father for the first year I was in Key West. Joe would wave to me from his boat when wefished near each other, and I was always amazed to see him catch at least twice as much as our anglers, and his too. Over time I learned by experimenting and listening to other guides in the area, and now, after all these years I can pass on some of the mythology and information I have gathered. This information isn't all that there is, and I am often amazed when I try something new and it works. Following is my tried and tested knowledge about catching grouper and snapper.