COMFORTABLE
The charterboat SOUTHBOUND is a 40 ft. custom fiberglass sportfisherman.
She has a 14 ft. beam (width) to give you a comfortable, stable ride on the water
and a roomy back deck that can support 5 fishing chairs comfortably.
The SOUTHBOUND has the latest in marine electronics
including GPS, Loran, Color Depth Sounder, VHF Radio, CB, and Cell phone.

The SOUTHBOUND is equipped with a stereo CD player,
so if you would like to listen to music,  please bring your favorite CD's
and if we don't hate your taste in music, we'll play it for you.

FAST
Less running time means more fishing time!
600Hp generated  by SOUTHBOUND'S  twin Caterpillar diesel engines
gives SOUTHBOUND the speed to get to the fish faster. 
With a top speed of 27 kts and a 20 kt cruise, you'll be there
while other boats are still running out.

EXPERIENCED
As Captain and owner of the SOUTHBOUND, Captain Richard Houde has been a professional sportfisherman for over 20 years. Equipped with a U.S. Coast Guard
Masters Captains License Capt. Rich can operate vessels up to 100 tons.
Before owning the SOUTHBOUND,
Capt. Rich operated vessels up to 75 ft in length.

EVERYONE WELCOME
from BEGINNERS TO EXPERTS
Having the right tackle for different anglers and conditions is important.
On the SOUTHBOUND  we offer a wide range of tackle so we can accommodate both the beginner
and the seasoned angler. The Key West fishing charter boat SOUTHBOUND is equipped with
a wide range of tackle, everything from 80 lb. trolling rods to 15 lb. spinning reels. 
Our preferred tackle while trolling is 30 lb. test line. This has proven to be a great all around line size.
Not too small for the big fish and still light enough to allow smaller fish to put up a great fight.
We've successfully landed Blue and White Marlin, Sailfish, Wahoo, Dolphin,
Barracuda, Tuna, Grouper and Snapper using 30 lb. tackle. For the more experienced angler,
15 and 20 lb. spinning tackle is available. All bait, tackle and fishing licenses are included
in the cost of a charter. Customers bring their own food and drink, however,
cooler space to keep it in and the ice to keep it cold are provided.


Captain Richard Houde
aboard the
"SOUTHBOUND"

For reservations and availability contact Captain Rich
at (305) 747-3668 or by e-mail at fish@sportfishingkeywest.com

Yellowfin tuna, also known as yellow fin tuna, allison tuna and long fin tunny are found
worldwide in tropical and subtropical waters, from latitudes of approximately 40°N to 35°S.

The yellowfin tuna is an oceanic fish,
living above and below the thermocline, at temperatures of 65 to 88°F (18-31°C).
It is generally found in the upper 330 feet (100 m) of the water column.

Yellowfin are strong schoolers. Their tendency to school with organisms of the same size
is stronger than the tendency to school by species. They often swim in mixed schools of skipjack,
bigeye, and other tunas. Yellowfin will commonly school under drifting objects such as driftwood,
patches of seagrass, boats, or dead marine mammals. There are many hypotheses addressing
the reasons for schooling under such items. Yellowfin may be attracted to the object to feed on
smaller prey which are foraging on the structure. The drifting object provides shade and shelter
from predators. Yellowfin tuna may utilize the object as a substrate on which to lay their eggs
or as a "cleaning station," where parasites are removed by other fishes. Also, the fish may
view the object as a "schooling companion". Yellowfin swimming further from the surface
are less likely to school, and tend to scatter. There is perhaps less benefit to schooling
in such cases, as there are fewer predators and little reason to attempt to obtain food at depth.

· Distinctive Features
The yellowfin is a large tuna. Its body is strongly fusiform, and deepest under its first dorsal fin,
while tapering considerably towards the caudal peduncle.
Two dorsal fins are present. In adults, the second dorsal fin is very long,
as is the anal fin, which is directly below the second dorsal.
These fins become relatively longer in larger individuals.
The pectoral fin is also long, reaching beyond the space between the dorsal fins.
The caudal peduncle is very slender and includes three sets of keels.
Seven to ten dorsal and ventral finlets are present. Scales are lacking behind the corselet,
a band of large scales forming a circle around the body behind the head.
A swim bladder is present. The eyes are small; teeth are small and conical.

· Size, Age, and Growth
The maximum length reported for yellowfin is 110 inches (280 cm) total length
and the maximum weight is 880 lbs. (400 kg). The all-tackle record recognized by
the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) is 388 lbs. 8 oz. (176.4 kg).
This latter example is more indicative of the common maximum size for the species.

· Food Habits
Primary prey items include fish, cephalopods, and crustaceans.
Yellowfin appear to forage rather indiscriminately for any of these items.
Fish species consumed by the yellowfin tuna include dolphin, pilchard, anchovy,
flyingfish, mackerel, lancetfish, and other tunas. Other prey items are cuttlefish, squid,
octopus, shrimp, lobster, and crabs. Yellowfin are apparently sight-oriented predators,
as their feeding tends to occur in surface waters during daylight.
Other large fish and marine mammals compete with yellowfin for food.


Yellowfin are a sportfishing target in many areas. As well as southern California, Baja, Mexico
and Hawaii, Yellowfin are caught along the southeastern U.S. including the Gulf of Mexico.

The yellowfin tuna is not listed as endangered or vulnerable with the World Conservation Union (IUCN).
The IUCN is a global union of states, governmental agencies, and non-governmental organizations
in a partnership that assesses the conservation status of species.


For reservations and availability contact Captain Rich
at (305) 747-3668 or by e-mail at fish@sportfishingkeywest.com

Photography by Capt. Richard Houde Design, construction and website maintenance by Caldwell Marketing and Advertising / knotink.com  websites@knotink.com
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