Welcome to Howard's Hangout

Just a bit about us. My Wife Vicki and I own Lighthouse Marine in Jacksonville, FL. We came down here from the NY, CT area over 16 years ago to buy Lighthouse Marine. I am proud to say, it is presently one of the largest & best known Mercury, Mercruiser, Mariner repair centers in the Southeast.

In actuality, Vicki has been running it for the last 12 years while I played around in the Car business,until semi-retiring. Now, Vicki allows me to come in and hang around.

I have been a rabid boater and fisherman all of my life, having owned any number of different type boats. Have gone as big as 33'. Now running a 22' Angler center console with a 200 Mariner Offshore.

One of the real pleasures the last few years has been, being able to meet so many people through the Green Grouper and Fishing Fort Pierce boards. I first went to Ft. Pierce in July, 99 and met Jesse, Johnny B Fishin, and some of the local crew for the first time. Have not missed a Frolic or Roundup since.

The last 3 years I have had the luck and pleasure of having my best friend, Dan with me. In 2000, Dan, PK, Greg and I had a day at the Boil that dreams are made of. We had fish in every fish box, cooler and bait well we could stuff them in. Dan caught 5 Reds that day. The first over the slot, so back in it went. The last he caught we gave to another boat in trade for some really awful stinky bait shrimp. We had used everything up. PK had a nice Red too. Greg tore up the Spade Fish. One got even and took his Rod and Reel. 2001 was the year of the big storm that had most of us anxiously awaiting the safe return to Dockside of 4 of our gang. Jack, Monty, Sarge and their Ace Weatherman Howard, did get back beaten, exhausted, but safe and sound. Last year we had the pleasure of fishing with Greg again.

That Man knows his fishing and rigging. Joe/GA and his Brother made the trip from just North of Jacksonville at the same time we did. It was great fishing along side them. As always, it was great seeing so many of those super guys again. We had a couple of great dinners together. Looking forward to this Summer again.

Our other great love is Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Vicki and started to go there in 1984 and have owned Condo's there since 1986. We upgraded our original place in 1997 and bought another in 1998.

If Vicki would give up the day to day running of our business, I would live there 5 month a year. Love the people, the food and the fishing. There too I have been lucky in having Dan down there with me so many times. Dan and his Wife Fely have been there with us 4 of the last 6 years. Naturally Dan and I go fishing. Dan was with me the year I caught a 30 lb Dorado. 3 years ago we had a family crew with us that were not up to long distance trolling, so we fished a bit closer in and caught 55 Bonito in 2 days. They were all in the 5 to 8 lb range. Thirsty work. This year I caught a 25-27 lb Yellowtail, a Peanut Dorado and a bunch of Bonito. Dan was the Man though, he had a 35-38 lb Dorado as well as his share of the Bonito.

The trip with the Dorado, we caught 3 that fileted out to well over 50 lbs of fish. Not a bit went to waste. We donated to a party we went to for well over 50 people. The last 3 years I have stayed 2 weeks. This year I will stay 3.

Another joy and blessing for us,is having my Dad come to live with us from West Palm Beach, almost 4 years ago. Memorial Day weekend, 1999, Dad caught his first Redfish at almost 90 years of age. And, it was a beauty. It went 34" and we released.

But, proudly have pictures of him with others he caught. Proves you are never too old and certainly never too young to fish.

I say to all, get to know the guys on the Fort Pierce Fishing and Green Grouper boards, they are the greatest.