Just logging back in for the first time and thought I'd give an update.
Trip was pretty much a disappointment. Called and booked with Ray off the recommendation of this forum. When we showed up, we actually went out with two young kids running a boat for Ray. My fault for not communicating with Ray more, but I am not a fan of booking with a particular captain thinking that's who you're fishing with, and then being sent out with someone else.
Also, I wanted a 6 hour trip and after 4 hours the young captain started heading in. There was some confusion between he and Ray I guess. When I brought it up he offered to stay out but mentioned that had he known that we could have made a run in the morning to a further (better) spot.... We elected to just go in. All we were catching was dink yellowtail snappers.
Made two FAST drifts over a wreck right at the end and didn't catch anything. When I say fast, I mean 6-8 oz weight to keep the line straight down, and within a minute reeling up because the current had us way passed the structure.
I'm sure Ray is a great Captain. I am an experienced fisherman and have taken multiple guided trips in Texas and Florida. Just felt like I was treated like a tourist on this trip. You know, the ones that don't know any better and they can give them a boat ride, catch a few small fish, and call it a day.
It was my current wife's first time off shore. (second was a few month's later in Roatan, which was also a pretty crappy fishing trip btw haha. But at least that one was cheap and I knew the fishing wasn't supposed to be good there. Hand cranking an old Penn 800' from 800' deep sucks so bad).