Anchors Aweigh Fishing Charters - Amelia Island - Fernandina Beach - Charter Fishing Boat

Accepting Applications for 2011-2012

Sun, 22 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT

The application for September 2011-May 2012 can be found at this link: AAC APPLICATION PAGE.
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A Letter From Senator Bill Nelson

Fri, 04 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT

I'd like to share with you, this letter from Sen. Bill Nelson-

US Veterans Program Here at AAC

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

For all of you who follow our 'blog', you may have already noticed that updates have been slim. We've been working away on a fundraising project for our disabled US Veterans who want to use our services. So a fundraising committee of volunteers was appointed by Captain Steve and Wanda Hair.

This committee spawned the "LAST LEG RALLY". A motorcycle rally and charity ride that will take place the weekend before 'Daytona Bike Week' (February 19th - February 21st, 2010). We are less than 3 weeks away from this event and things are getting really busy around here.

Meanwhile, if the weather would cooperate, we have just about an even dozen waiting to get out and do some fishing. We've been waiting for this extreme cold (well...cold for us) to finally break and the fish to go into a feeding frenzy. Drum season starts soon and since last year's drum catch was so fantastic, many of our people want to get in on that action. Don't let the cooler temps keep you from getting in your application.

Getting Ready for the 2009-2010 Season

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Things are getting exciting around here at Anchors Aweigh Charters, Inc. We closed out the 2008-2009 season with record numbers. Everyone on the volunteer staff is gearing up to get back in action and we will begin scheduling shortly. If you have already submitted your application for a fall 2009 or winter 2010 trip, we will be contacting you.

You may have noticed that your telephone notifications mentioned the term: "Pending Funds". Well, we are off to a good start with our wonderful sponsors and donors coming through for us in even these harsh economical times. With the increase in application requests for this new season, Anchors Aweigh Charters will be needing additional help. If you or anyone you know is interested in finding out more on how you can sponsor a trip or two or three.... Please give us a call at (904) 277-6814 or email us at: anchorsaweighchartersinc@gmail.com. Without additional support, we may find that we have more applicants than funds for the first time ever.

Thank you-
The Staff at Anchors Aweigh Charters, Inc.

March to the beat of a different drum

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Here on Amelia Island the charter boat Captains really do march to the beat of a different drum. To be more specific, that would be Black Drum, also known as Pogonias cromis to you fishermen who are fluent in Latin. Anchors Aweigh Charters on board "Ye Ole Pirate" has already scored a few of these big, beautiful fish with more memorable charters to come in April.

February through April the drum action is fast and furious in our local waters. Since "Ye Ole Pirate" is licensed in both SE Georgia and NE Florida, Captain Steve can offer the best of both worlds during the best of the drum fish season. Since the big drum are plentiful inshore, we get maximum fishing time with very little travel time. Who can resist bragging rights that include a 40+ minute fight to get that whopper to the boat?

That is exactly the story that four very seasoned anglers from Massachusetts are telling this week and it's no fish story. Their 42 pound black drum was the highlight of their trip. This drum was caught on the poles rigged with light tackle being used to grab some whiting and sea bass , while waiting for the drum rigs to do their duty.

The 40 minute battle began for Arthur with the sound of his reel screaming and line flying off the spool. His many years of experience taught him the patience and Captain Steve talked him through the entire process required to successfully get the fish to the boat. Art worked that rod beautifully until the fish was tired out enough for Captain Steve to gaff it and lift it on board.

Previous to this AAC trip we had Joey and his grandfather along with 3 of Joey's classmates joined us. They originally were set to go offshore but the weather didn't allow us the opportunity that day. We stayed inshore and relaxed with a good assorted catch of a large variety of fish. Then lo and behold, one of the light tackle rods sang that all too familar song... ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzz. We hadn't seen what had hit the bait but Captain Steve knew it had to be big. The proud holder of this rod was one of the teenage boys with plenty of enthusiasm and stamina. Once again, Captain Steve talked him through his sure fire procedure to assure netting this catch. We lifted the fish out of the water and the boys were all taking in the sight of a very large Red Drum (redfish) or Sciaenops ocellatus. This specimine was quickly weighed in at 35 pounds, photographed and released according to regulations.

One of the young men was kind enough to send some pictures taken that day as my camera skills were not up to par. Thank you Jacob for these two shots.

Another Kodak moment on board "Ye Ole Pirate" and the hits just keep on coming folks....

During another inshore trip (I have to blame the bad weather again for our good fortune) we were joined by Jim and his son JJ from Georgia. We were scheduled later than normal for an afternoon of fishing and Captain Steve was sure that the weather would hold out for the next few hours to give it a shot. Now Jay is a 'Man of the Cloth' and I'm talking about a higher power than Georgio Armani if you catch my drift. His son JJ was recently accepted to the University of Georgia on his excellent grades and acheivments.

To be continued.....

Thanks for coming back to read the rest of last month's blog. Things have been busy at Anchors Aweigh Charters, so I don't get much time to blog but I do get plenty of time to get out on the water.

Now back to Jim and JJ and their late afternoon charter. The whiting were biting hard and they were filling the cooler with some good sized bull whiting when the rod rigged with medium tackle with half a crab for bait started to roar. JJ grabbed the rod and began a fight with a black drum in about 20 feet of water. Since the tackle was appropriate for the job, Captain Steve guided JJ through the process with every attempt by the fish to go back down to the bottom and as far away from the boat as he could be. It took JJ twenty minutes to bring the drum to the boat for identification. Captain Steve completed the catch by gaffing the drum and pulling it in to "Ye Ole Pirate". The fish weighed in at whopping 32 pounds, the biggest fish JJ or his dad have ever seen, let alone caught.

The black drum should be running for a few more weeks and AAC has 5 more trips scheduled for April. Check back soon for an update on Zachary. Zachary has been going fishing with us for years. Zach is going to have to go some to beat out his last catch.

Zachary and his black drum-

Comment on: March to the beat of a different drum

Sun, 17 May 2009 18:50:42 GMT

Debbie - Thanks so much for the kind words. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

Comment on: March to the beat of a different drum

Sun, 17 May 2009 18:24:36 GMT

I JUST LEARNED ABOUT YOUR SIGHT. I WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR LETTING HANDICAPPED INDIVUALS BE ABLE TO EXPERIENCE SOME FUN. MY SON BECAME HANDICCAPED ALMOST 7 YEARS AGO DUE TO AN AUTO ACCIDENT. I HOPE WE CAN BOOK A TRIP FOR HIM ON YOUR CHARTER THIS YEAR..MAY GOD BLESS EACH OF YOU FOR PROVIDING A SERVICE FOR OUR SPECIAL NEED INDIVUALS. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK.

Comment on: March to the beat of a different drum

Sun, 19 Apr 2009 18:27:02 GMT

Wonderful pics and story!

Comment on: March to the beat of a different drum

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 14:07:05 GMT

Si hoc legere scis, nimis eruditionis habes.

Comment on: March to the beat of a different drum

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 11:40:23 GMT

Do the fishermen really speak honest-to-gawd latin. My son's been trying to find a place he could go to practice it. Sounds like this is the place!

Comment on: March to the beat of a different drum

Sun, 12 Apr 2009 22:13:04 GMT

Congrats on all the nice catches and thank you all. Norm

Comment on: March to the beat of a different drum

Fri, 10 Apr 2009 06:53:30 GMT

Agree! Keep up the great work.

Comment on: March to the beat of a different drum

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 18:54:12 GMT

very nice read man. you folks sure make others feel real nice with what yall do.

A Tale of Two Buddies - 2/8/09

Fri, 13 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

February is getting busy here at Anchors Aweigh Charters. The first week of February bought us Mike & Marc, two long time fishing buddies. They gave us permission to put Marc's letters to us on this blog. I'll let Marc do the talking:

Marc's application letter-

To The good folks at Anchor's Aweigh:

I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you on behalf of the disabled people that still enjoy fishing, but have too many obstacles to pursue this activity. Back in 2004, my friends and I met in Miami for a fishing trip. As fate would have it, the following February I had an exacerbation of Multiple Sclerosis which has left me pretty much immobile. I was forced to retire prematurely and basically have had to make changes in my recreation life as well. My dear friend Micheal promised me we would get out again on the water. He was searching the internet and came upon your site. He sent it to me and I was overwhelmed. Micheal is flying down to Atlanta (my home) from New York (his home) to drive me in my handicap vehicle to Florida to fish, once again. Between his efforts and your offering I can realize my passion. I can not thank you all enough for returning a smile to my face.

Marc & Mike joined us on Sunday, Feb. 8, and Florida treated them to some of our best warm February weather. The water was like silk as we headed out to sea, approximately 20 miles off shore. Being the mate, I estimated that between the two of them, they pulled in close to 100 fish.

Marc wasn't too happy to find out that the fish on the left had to go right back to where it came from, as it was caught in International waters and the rules required it's release. I'm sure that the fish was happy to hear that however.

After an exciting trip, we received the following email from Marc's buddy Mike. Mike sent this email to all of his friends and family-

Dear Friends who know me and maybe my buddy Marc,

As many of you know I took a road trip this past week with my buddy Marc down to Florida to venture into fishing, (once again). Somehow while searching the Internet under 'disabled fishing', I found an unbelievable married couple who make the dream of fishing for adults and children with disabilities a reality. I cannot express to you all what a wonderful time me and Marc experienced thanks to Capt Steve Hair and his first mate Joe. The captain modified a beautiful 36 foot fishing vessel with an door that opens from the side allowing a person in a wheelchair or scooter access to the beautiful bays and ocean off of Amelia Island Florida. He has adapted fishing polls over these past 10 years to accommodate people with missing limbs. He takes out veterans who have become disabled defending our great country. He takes out children who under normal circumstances would never have this kind of opportunity out on the water, because of their disability. Believe it or not, they do this for FREE. But like any charity they need constant donations to keep it going.

My friends all know about Marc. He played guard in High School way back when. We all felt safe running around with him in his prime as he was not a guy you would want to mess with. Diagnosed in his late 20's with a disease such as MS has humbled Marc now in what should be his midlife. He doesn't look for sympathy or pity. He is one of the strongest persons of character I know, and thank God he met a wonderful woman in Marsha to be at his side. All this being said, the people involved with Anchors Aweigh brought a smile back to his face, and a day I know that I will never forget.

ARC for January

Sun, 08 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Even the cold temperatures didn't chill the warm smiles from the people from Nassau County, "ARC". We had some shark bites and they always make for an interesting time once they're pulled on board. The crew from ARC were treated to an up close and personal look at a lizard fish and everyone on board the "Ye Ole Pirate" pulled up at least 2 fish.

Welcome!

Fri, 16 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Welcome aboard! We are expecting 2009 to be a very exciting year for Anchors Aweigh Charters, Inc. We will be starting our fishing season by welcoming the members of ARC and have been meeting with the Nassau Council on Aging to coordinate a number of fishing trips for their members.

But first, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Dreams Float Joe and I am a recent addition to Captain Steve's crew. I've known him and his lovely wife Wanda for years and they always amaze me with their non-stop community suport and charity work.

I'll be here blogging here from time to time, to tell you about our trips and the occasional fishing report. So make sure to check in every once in while to hear the latest.

Comment on: Welcome!

Sun, 08 Feb 2009 17:46:18 GMT

Comment on: Welcome!

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 19:15:49 GMT

Keep your eyes peeled because Anchors Aweigh Charters is gonna shake up those fish! I'm getting ready to write up our January action. Check back soon!

Comment on: Welcome!

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 19:03:55 GMT

Hey Joe, Love the Blog. I hope we tell many a fish tale here this summer. The Captain's Wench