Sitting in a room that overlooks moorings, mangroves, and the Atlantic Ocean, Captain Larry Wren of First Choice Charters tells FishingBooker that local knowledge is key to maintaining the fishery in the Florida Keys.
Having grown up fishing Islamorada, Larry is now living his lifelong dream of being a charter captain. He’s one of the most established operators in the area, with over 50 five-star reviews on FishingBooker and hundreds of happy customers. Having spent time on the village board and fishing councils, he dedicates his time to providing unforgettable offshore fishing trips.
Capt. Larry patiently walks us through the problems facing his fishery, how it’s changed over the years, and how visitors can enjoy the area responsibly. He also explains one key difference that sets a small group of local guides apart from the rest in the Florida Keys…
So, if you’re considering fishing the Keys – or you’re looking to take your guiding operation to the next level – he’ll tell you how to spot a real local expert. Read on to find out what he says.
Islamorada: A Unique Location Worth Protecting
Known as the “Sportfishing Capital of the World”, Islamorada owes a lot of its reputation to its location. With a barrier reef on one side and the Everglades on the other, it has something for everyone. Flats, sandbars, backcountry, and deep sea fishing are all on its doorstep.
“It’s only in the Keys that you have this in the country,” explains Captain Larry. “And if you don’t protect it, it’s gone forever.” The coral reef that runs to the east of the Overseas Highway from Miami to west of Key West is the only one in North America. It’s the breeding ground for over 6,000 species of marine life. And it needs protecting.
Capt. Larry is interested in coral restoration, because it’s this coral reef that underpins the amazing fishing that he’s made his livelihood on. He attends seminars and educates himself on organisations like the Coral Restoration Foundation so that he can talk about this during his trips.
A Paradise Under Threat
It’s no secret that the fishing in the Florida Keys is some of the best in the country. Millions of people visit every year, contributing a serious amount to the local economy. But this comes at a cost. “The problem with this area is that our population is so great and it’s getting really, really overused,” says Capt. Larry.
The impact of tourism is most noticeable on – and near – the water. Increasing numbers of multi-activity vessels mean more people climbing across the sandbars that turtles and Snappers rely on for breeding. Add this to the thousands of fishing boats out on any given day in season, and it’s no wonder that the numbers of fish are lower than they once were. “It has definitely taken its toll on the amount of fish,” Larry insists.
But it’s not just local changes that are impacting these waters. Global appetites are making a difference to the pelagic fish that Capt. Larry targets, too. It may be easier to get a Mahi sandwich in North Dakota than it once was, but you can’t expect the same numbers of these fish to hit your bait in Florida, compared to a decade ago.
“I can go back 8 years and show you pictures of racks of fish where there’s a limit of fish – 10 per person per day, up to six people,” Larry notes. “Now you’re lucky if you see 20. And size has changed too.”
Global fishing practices far away from Islamorada are making a difference to this fishery, and Capt. Larry knows this better than most.
Guides Investing in the Future
But there’s a glimmer of hope. The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, run jointly by NOAA and the state of Florida, regulates this iconic habitat. And all across the Florida Keys, fishing guides and dive operators are voluntarily protecting their local area by joining the Sanctuary’s Blue Star program.
Blue Star is almost synonymous with professional practice in the Florida Keys. It partners with fishing guides and dive operators to promote responsible tourism and protect the local waters.
Being already invested in the area, Capt. Larry joined the Blue Star program almost as soon as it was set up. “I was the first Blue Star big boat in the Keys,” he beams, adding that his is still one of just a couple of offshore vessels accredited by the program in Islamorada.
When asked why the number of participating guides is so small, Capt. Larry is quick to answer, “The written test disqualifies them. Just the fact that you have to do it!”
That’s because this voluntary program takes its entry criteria seriously. Guides who want to join need to pass a 50-question test about the local waters and regulations, before having their vessel inspected. Every year after that, they need to stay up to date on local sustainability practices and take part in an annual reef clean-up.
Because only the most dedicated guides make it through the process, it’s a real indication of the ones who take their trade the most seriously.
A Mark of Professionalism on Crowded Docks
What does this mean for visiting anglers? Well, fishing with a Blue Star guide won’t stop you from catching fish. In fact, it’s quite the opposite.
Every Blue Star guide is well-versed in the Keys’ rules and regulations, and will do what they can to help you catch your limit. The difference between them and other guides is that they have committed to longer term health of the fishery. You can also count on them to have the most up-to-date knowledge of the local laws.
As Capt. Larry puts it, you should look for a Blue Star guide, “If you want someone that’s specialty rated in the area – by the governing board. Somebody that’s vested their time and knowledge into this area.”
This program doesn’t stop at being a good fisherman. Instead, “You have to know the waters, how to navigate them, where to do this, what’s legal, what’s not legal… All of that. And that’s what the Blue Star program does. It makes sure that the fishing captain is cognizant of what’s supposed to be happening in the area, and up to date on it.”
The Blue Star program may be rooted in ecology and sustainability, but for anglers, it mostly means a predictably high-quality trip. The people in charge of who gets in are, above all, looking for quality and dedication – captains who won’t break the rules, understand the area’s ecology, and will try to maintain it as well as possible.
At the end of the day, a Blue Star badge gives everyone on the boat peace of mind that you’re fishing in a way that won’t do undue harm to the local environment with someone who’s looking towards the longer term.
“It Can Do Nothing But Promote You” – Why Capt. Larry Believes More Guides Should Join Blue Star
Even though customers rarely ask him about Blue Star, Capt. Larry believes this program has the potential to be a real differentiator in the busy world of Florida Keys charter fishing. That’s why he would like to see more guides join.
“I think it’s good education for everybody to have that program,” he says. “I learned things I didn’t know. It’s free. If you choose to get it, I think it can do nothing but promote you.” Even though it isn’t easy to get, he adds, it’s a chance to invest in yourself, your business, and the local area. Most importantly, it’s a mark of exclusivity that makes you stand out – when only a small percentage of guides in Islamorada are Blue Star rated, this gives you an additional layer of legitimacy.
In a world where “Most customers have no idea that the Sanctuary exists,” it’s invaluable to have a wealth of knowledge about it at your fingertips when you’re out on the water. And it stops you from slipping up with simple things. Because “That’s part of what you have to learn by being Blue Star – all these little rules,” that keep you on the right side of the authorities.
Keeping the Keys Iconic, One Fishing Trip at a Time
It’s all too easy to despair about changes to our ecosystem. It’s even easier to bury your head in the sand and look the other way. But it’s often the less easy route that will lead to a better future.
Becoming a part of Blue Star is a perfect example of that. Every guide in the Keys is aware of how special the fishery is, and how it won’t last forever if we don’t look after it. But only a select few take the test and continue learning about the fishery, so they can protect it for generations to come. It’s these few who will make the biggest difference in shaping these waters in years to come. Every single one of us who enjoys this fishery has something to thank them for!
What are your favorite memories of fishing the Florida Keys? Or is traveling there a dream you’re still looking forward to? Let us know in the comments below!
The post Serious Guides Hold Themselves to Blue Star Standard: Captain Larry Wren Makes the Case appeared first on FishingBooker Blog.
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