Capt.ChrisLembo
11-29-2007, 01:26 PM
Key West Report
Fishing in Key West is really starting to get going this week. We have had some windy conditions and a full moon but we managed to find plenty of fish this week. Water temperatures are around 79 outside the reef and 76 inside. As this moon phase passes we should be in for some non-stop action wherever you try.
Offshore is still in transition mode with Dolphin being caught in small waves and Sailfish filtering in little by little. I found both species close to the reef this week. The bait is thick in close to the reef and the predators are not far behind. I found a few of each species and received countless reports from other captains. Most of the Dolphin are in the 6-10 pound range and the Sailfish on the small side but it is a good start. Tuna are moving into all the usual areas and live chumming with Pilchards is the way to go. You need a full livewell to keep the fish behind you for a while. Look for diving pelicans and the Pilchards should be in the area. Wahoo are a good target species for the next month or so and fast trolling or live baiting will work best. I usually deep troll a Wahoo Express on a downrigger back through my chum-slick after I am through fishing on the reef. After the chum has been flowing for a few hours there are all sorts of fish way back there. Pick up your anchor and move a few hundred yards above where you were anchored. Then turn around and put out a couple of deep baits and troll right back through your slick. I usually troll about a mile or so before I pick up and move on to plan B. I have caught many Wahoo, Sailfish, Tunas and Bonito down in the slick.
Reef fishing has been excellent up until the full moon. I found lots of big Grouper in 85-110 feet along hard bottom and drop-offs. Live Pinfish were ignored and strips of Bonito were hit instantly. The current has been slow and that makes for tough conditions. Keep the chum flowing and they will show up. I found big Margate, Mutton Snapper, Yellowtail, Porgies, Red Grouper, Black Grouper and Cobia in numerous spots along the outside edge of the bar. Inside the reef I found lots of Gag Grouper moving into the 30-40 foot reef areas. Again strips of Bonito worked best. Spanish and Cero Mackerel were also hanging out behind the boat and make great strip baits as well.
Inshore was a necessity during the 30 mph SE winds last week and we found loads of keeper Yellowtail, tons of small Mutton Snapper and a few just over mixed in. Red and Gag Grouper as well as Mackerels and small Cobia kept the action moving. Most of the fish were on the small side but we always manage enough for eating. Those just over the limit fish are usually much better filets than the big ones anyway.
Fishing in Key West is really starting to get going this week. We have had some windy conditions and a full moon but we managed to find plenty of fish this week. Water temperatures are around 79 outside the reef and 76 inside. As this moon phase passes we should be in for some non-stop action wherever you try.
Offshore is still in transition mode with Dolphin being caught in small waves and Sailfish filtering in little by little. I found both species close to the reef this week. The bait is thick in close to the reef and the predators are not far behind. I found a few of each species and received countless reports from other captains. Most of the Dolphin are in the 6-10 pound range and the Sailfish on the small side but it is a good start. Tuna are moving into all the usual areas and live chumming with Pilchards is the way to go. You need a full livewell to keep the fish behind you for a while. Look for diving pelicans and the Pilchards should be in the area. Wahoo are a good target species for the next month or so and fast trolling or live baiting will work best. I usually deep troll a Wahoo Express on a downrigger back through my chum-slick after I am through fishing on the reef. After the chum has been flowing for a few hours there are all sorts of fish way back there. Pick up your anchor and move a few hundred yards above where you were anchored. Then turn around and put out a couple of deep baits and troll right back through your slick. I usually troll about a mile or so before I pick up and move on to plan B. I have caught many Wahoo, Sailfish, Tunas and Bonito down in the slick.
Reef fishing has been excellent up until the full moon. I found lots of big Grouper in 85-110 feet along hard bottom and drop-offs. Live Pinfish were ignored and strips of Bonito were hit instantly. The current has been slow and that makes for tough conditions. Keep the chum flowing and they will show up. I found big Margate, Mutton Snapper, Yellowtail, Porgies, Red Grouper, Black Grouper and Cobia in numerous spots along the outside edge of the bar. Inside the reef I found lots of Gag Grouper moving into the 30-40 foot reef areas. Again strips of Bonito worked best. Spanish and Cero Mackerel were also hanging out behind the boat and make great strip baits as well.
Inshore was a necessity during the 30 mph SE winds last week and we found loads of keeper Yellowtail, tons of small Mutton Snapper and a few just over mixed in. Red and Gag Grouper as well as Mackerels and small Cobia kept the action moving. Most of the fish were on the small side but we always manage enough for eating. Those just over the limit fish are usually much better filets than the big ones anyway.