We moved around the rest of the morning, catching hardhead catfish (which Willcox unhooked with a long disgorger, to avoid the venomous spines in its dorsal and pectoral fins) and even a young goliath grouper, or jewfish (a protected species). It was the kind of fishing during which you eat your lunch in gulps between spots so you don't miss a cast.

Early in the afternoon Willcox brought us out to a light-bottomed flat and handed us light spinning rods rigged with jigs. "We might get some trout here,-¿ he said. "Tip the jig with a piece of shrimp, cast out, and and hop it back.-¿

I quickly caught a trout under the slot size (minimum 15 inches, maximum 20 inches), then a hard-fighting jack crevalle. "I'll unhook that jack for you,-¿ said Willcox. "Swing it over.-¿ Joe and I, intent on catching more trout, didn't see Willcox take the jack and use it to bait up a large conventional rod.

I got a couple of keeper trout, which went into the cooler alongside the keeper redfish. We now had plenty for dinner, but the day was far from over.

Joe was having problems hooking the light-biting trout-he was feeling the hits but missing the hookset. He turned to look at Willcox, who was quietly paying out line on the conventional rod.

"What are you doing?-¿ he asked.

"You'll see,-¿ said Willcox.

TIP: The Keys climate is subtropical, which means strong sun and plenty of it. Cover up with hat and sunglasses, and apply sunscreen before you go out. Reapply during the day. A fishing trip is not the time to get a nice tan; you'll fry in the boat and damage your skin. Long-time Keys guide Captain Jim Willcox wears long pants, long-sleeve shirt, and even fingerless gloves, plus hat and sunglasses, on the water.