Florida_Keys Report

By http://www.islamoradasportfishing.com

Offshore:

Still windy and still only a pick of Dolphin offshore this past week. There were several Blue Marlin seen and one hooked and lost on the Fish tales from Whale Harbor Marina. Capt. Ron Allen on the Fish Tales hooked a Blue that was estimated at near 400 pounds. The fish ate a blue Islander lure rigged with a Ballyhoo in 600 feet of water. The humps are producing Black Fin Tuna and Amberjack, but the big sharks are still on the prowl and make it tough to get many whole fish to the boat.

Reefs:
Go figure, the Sailfish are still here and willing. Capt. Chris Scott again this week on his Dog House Charter boat had a banner day on the Sails, releasing eight out of 13 one day. The Yellowtail Snapper are biting well and most anglers are getting a limit of the feisty “Tails” before heading farther out to look for Dolphin. Also in the 90 to 140 foot depths are the King Mackerel and a live bait deep should prompt a bite from the toothy critters. The Permit are showing up on reef coral heads and wrecks. Most captains do not venture out to the reef without taking several live Blue Crabs to throw at the Permit.

Gulf and Bay:
Gulf /bay boundary areas such as Schooner and Oxfoot bank, Sandy Key and 1st. National bank have seen very little angling due to the relentless wind that has been blowing. These areas hold great numbers of Tarpon and are a haven to many guides and private anglers due to the remoteness and distance to travel to get there. Also, the Seatrout and Snapper action can and will be very good, as the water temperature is in the mid to upper seventies in these areas.

Flats, Backcountry and Flamingo:
In and around Flamingo the Trout are in good supply and are eating jigs as well as Shrimp on a float. The east Cape Sable beaches are giving up Snook, Reds and Drum while drifting Shrimp along the sandy beach bottom. Closer to home, Capt. Dave on the No Politics skiff has been catching Bonefish with regularity Oceanside Islamorada. Tarpon action is good, bad and ugly, mostly due to the wind and hard tides. Mullet are thick as thieves in the Whale Harbor area and pretty easy to net as Tarpon bait. Many captains are getting Pilchards too as bait for Tarpon and Snook. There are plenty of Tarpon being caught, but the catches will get better when, you guessed it, the wind lays down.