Our Salty Girl of the Week is Barbara Reeve Maddox from the Florida Keys.   Barbara started fishing in the late '70s when she met her favorite fishing guide and fishing guru, Rob.  Barbara likes to fish on her own Maverick flats boat in West Palm Beach with Rob. While in Marathon she fishes at the reef, bridge or bayside on one of Captain Pip's rental boats (she prefers the 20-ft. Cape Horn).  She likes to fish offshore only if the weather is right. Give her 5-10 knots of wind and Barbara is a happy angler.

Barbara has many fond memories of fishing though one of her favorite memories was fishing off Harbour Island in the Bahamas with their guide, Bonefish Joe Cleare. Her and Rob walked the flats stalking bonefish in a light drizzle. Every few minutes Joe would say in a thick Bahamian accent, "Cast over there ma'am." And Barbara would. Then he'd say, "Expect a hit any minute, ma'am, expect a hit any minute." And darn if he wasn't right, Barbara caught many bonefish that day.

Barbara’s most unusual catch is a moray eel.   As the eel curled itself around her line, Barbara said, "Okay, now what do we do now?”  The Eel must have heard her because he very nicely unhooked himself.  Barbara loves to fish for Grouper and Snapper because they are great to catch and to eat. Barbara likes to relax with a cocktail at Porky's Bayside while having her fresh catch prepared for her after a long, hot day of fishing.

Barbara caught her fish tarpon in May on a fun fishing trip with friends Capt. Chris and Christy Johnson, owners of SeaSquared Charters. Capt. Chris said the fish weighed about 70 pounds and the fight lasted about 20 minutes, but Barbara said it must have been three days.   It was a fish that she was proud to land and even prouder to let swim away.  Tarpon is a truly a majestic and beautiful creature.

The Florida Keys is all about shade. Barbara can't leave the dock without a big hat, polarized sunglasses and sun screen.  Her motto is, if you want to catch a really big fish, leave the camera and gaff on the dock!  Barbara’s favorite snack on the boat is fruit and sandwiches.  There's nothing better than a slice of fresh pineapple or watermelon to wake up your taste buds while you're on the water fishing with Barbara. Also, if the bite is slow, she likes to break out the sandwiches. That will get the reels going.

Barbara is a remarkable lady.  I want to give you a sense of who Barbara really is – a true free spirit upon the water.  This is a direct quote from Barbara.  “It's not about how many fish I catch or how big they are, it's about being on the water, in the present that makes fishing so alluring to me.”

You can visit Barbara at Captain Pip's Marina & Hideaway and Porky’s Bayside BBQ in Marathon, Florida Keys (Mile Marker 47.5).  Capt. Pip’s is known for its spotless accommodations and friendly island atmosphere. Located on Florida Bay a half mile from the Seven Mile Bridge, there's easy open water access to the bay and the ocean. They offer quality Florida boat rentals, beautiful Florida Keys accommodations in tropical vacation suites, as well as world-class sport fishing with their Florida Keys fishing charters and guides. The bayside harbor includes Porky's Bayside Restaurant, where you'll enjoy all-American Bar-B-Q and fresh catch seafood with live music in a casual, tropical, on-the-water setting. Their unique location has hosted famous Keys visitors since the 1950's - including such notables as Ernest Hemingway and Jimmy Hoffa. Visit Barbara’s small resort and make Captain Pip's your Florida Keys accommodation and fishing vacation hideaway.  Tell her Saltwater Style sent ya!