I just returned from a family vacation in Key West. So what does a fisherman do on his vacation? Fish, of course.

We chartered a sport fisherman at the famous "Charter Boat Row" for a day of offshore trolling. Our target was dolphin with the possibility of marlin.

Capt. Bryce Barrs and first mate Jerry on the "Double Down" took us 25 miles into the Atlantic near the well known dolphin and marlin hot spot called "The Wall". Trolling rigged ballyhoo, some with colored skirts and some natural, we caught over 50 dolphin with many in the 20 pound range.

Barrs technique was to troll along side a weed line until he saw the dolphin swimming under the weeds and then stop the boat. We threw out pieces of cut up ballyhoo to the dolphin and they came up right behind the boat. Using spinning rods and chunks of ballyhoo for the bait, the dolphin were easy targets.

This style of fishing is lots of fun because it is visual and the dolphin fight hard and jump. In addition to that, they are beautiful fish and taste great just about any way you want to prepare them. We took our fresh filets to a waterside restaurant that night and had them fried, blackened and grilled.

Marlin season is just starting in Key West with many boats from our area going down to fish in the upcoming marlin tournaments.

Many boats from our area also travel to The Keys for lobster season. A special two day lobster sport season starts July 27 and 28 followed by the regular lobster season August 6 through March 31. Consult www.myfwc.com for all the lobster regulations.

Jose Torres and friends had quite a surprise last week fishing for sharks around Anclote Key in Tarpon Springs. Not only did they catch sharks, they also caught two tarpon using their shark gear.

Tarpon are moving into Tampa Bay reports Capt. Billy Miller. On trips this week, using both live and dead baits, multiple releases are the norm.