Visitors Fishing In Key West After June 1.

Tarpon Tarpon

Update: — May 17th 2020.. Monroe County just said they would open up the Florida Keys to tourism on June 1.. See the official doc at the end of this report..

Outstanding!!! Lets go fishing.. Come on down..

May 14 2020 – or COVID day 56 The moment we have all been waiting for? Well maybe. That’s the mixed words we are getting now from some reliable sources. Fingers crossed it looks like the Florida Keys and Key West will be lightly open for business to visitors starting on June 1.

The wake of the Covid -19 virus reaction has already left it’s very heavy effect on many Key West and Florida Keys businesses and we expect the fallout to be even greater. All of this after Monroe County installed an “informational checkpoint” that closed off the Florida Keys main road US1 coming into the Florida Keys. In addition to the checkpoint all non-essential businesses were told to shutter which in Key West included accommodations, bars, mom and pop shops and restaurants. Fishing guides were also on that list. This was all in an attempt to keep the number of cases of this virus from climbing for locals living there. Cases now stand at 95 over all since March 19th. This made it very difficult if not impossible for tourism to prosper at all and for visitors to come to Key West and go fishing.

The Keys Are Opening

After personally auditing many of the local resorts and hotels it’s apparent that they feel June 1 is our day to open the doors to visitors as well. This morning we were able to make reservations on line and over the phone directly to many Key West accommodations for June 1. The limitations for a few of them were that they were not planning on have bars or restaurants on site that would be open. Rates were great from what we could tell.

Being Safe

If the virus is your concern. Visitors will be hard pressed to find someone not wearing a mask here in Key West. Bring your collection of sun masks to suffice. Social distancing is being practiced in the restaurants and stores that are now allowed and open for business.

Here at Dream Catcher Charters we always wear masks to keep the sun off our faces and clean our boats daily with disinfectant. In addition some of our boats are even supplied with disinfectant hand soap for those that are concerned.

Let’s Go Fishing

We have kept it no great secret that the closures of our tourism capacity has crushed our fishing season here in Key West we are super excited to hear from you as you book your vacation to go fishing. Speaking of June we have plenty of openings to get folks out in any arena they wish inshore and offshore. The tarpon are here inshore and the dolphin (Mahi Mahi) are offshore. And there are lots of species in between.

Call us 1-305-292-7212 —— Text Us 1-786-847-3808

We Promise

If for whatever crazy reason that they do not open the doors to our county and start inviting visitors back, we and the hotels we surveyed all have contingencies to issue refunds of deposits.

Thank You

I would like to reach out and say thanks to everyone that called, text and supported us during this very tough time in our company history. We are doing well and just want to take folks fishing.

Monroe County Official.. May 17 2020

MONROE COUNTY – Monroe County plans to reopen to visitors Monday, June 1 by suspending the checkpoints on U.S. 1 and State Road 905 and allowing lodging establishments to take guests at 50 percent occupancy.  Monroe County lodging establishments, like hotels, campgrounds, vacation rentals, and other transient-licensed establishments will be required to implement sanitation procedures and follow the American Hotel and Lodging Association COVID-19 guidelines for enhanced cleaning practices (www.ahla.com). The timeline for removing the 50 percent capacity restriction for lodging will be determined at a later date. Per Governor Executive Order 20-123, the County Administrator will submit a written request and safety plan to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation Secretary to seek approval for the operation of vacation rentals. Airport screenings and bus restrictions will also be lifted on June 1.  This is subject to revision based on data regarding the prevalence of the virus within Monroe County, increased testing and contact tracing protocols, and the efforts in the adjacent counties to continue to control transmission of the virus. All other requirements are not lifted. Should the Florida Keys experience an increase in cases and under the advisement of the Florida Department of Health, restrictions may be heightened and/or amenities may again be closed.  Monroe County residents are urged to continue to follow directives set by the State, County, and municipalities to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, including wearing masks in public settings, limiting group sizes to 10 or less, and physically distancing from others by six feet. More information on COVID-19 efforts in Monroe County can be found at www.monroecountyem.com/covid19. Tourism-related information can be found at www.fla-keys.com.

About Capt. Steven Lamp
Dr Catcher Is - Capt. Steven Lamp - Owner of Dream Catcher Charters is a veteran Key West fishing guide for flats fishing, deep sea fishing, wrecks and reef fishing, and fly fishing. An expert waterman and licensed captain since 1986. A Veteran of the United States Coast Guard Heavy Weather Search and Rescue, I.G.F.A. Certified Captain and Standing regional board member of The Florida Fishing Guides Association