Key West Fishing Report - May 2

KEY WEST – Fishing conditions around the Lower Keys this week have remained consistent with the exception of a front that pushed through the area over the weekend giving us some gusty winds and bringing the temperature of the water down slightly.
Tarpon seem to be one of the most temperature sensitive fish and even though they are following their migratory pattern they veer off into deeper water. This week the tarpon bite slacked off a bit both in the harbor and on the flats. Our north easterly wind kept them migrating but with their mouths shut tight.
Expect the tarpon bite to get back on track this week with warmer weather. Live crabs or pinfish have been the bait of choice. If you are fly fishing for tarpon, the tasty Toad in chartreuse seems to be most popular. I firmly believe that most any tarpon bug would work as long as it is presented correctly. The standard cockroach pattern in tan with grizzly hackle tail or an olive rabbit strip with black rabbit collar will also entice a bite.
Offshore fishing has been exceptional with some early slammer dolphin being caught. Captain Ralph Lennon on the Sailfish out of Conch Harbor Marina reported a nice 25- pound mahi-mahi caught near the Wall just south of Sand Key light. Lennon reported that most of the fish caught this week were not off the weed lines. “We picked one off under a frigate bird,” explained Lennon. This time of year there are normally weed lines that form offshore anywhere from the reef to the Wall and beyond. “There is simply no current so all the weed is scattered, if we had current we’d have really great fishing,” Lennon said.
Those lucky enough to find floating debris find all types of fish. John Ain, of Sugarloaf Key, Jay McDaniel of Cudjoe Key and Capt. Dale Bittner of Key West found a virtual goal mine of fish around a large piece of floating debris off Sugarloaf early this week. Ain reported the party of four caught 40 dolphin, several of which Ain landed on fly. The debris not only produced mahi on the surface but rewarded these anglers with some tasty wahoo from the deep. They were jigging deep under the debris with bucktail jigs and reportedly hooked 8 wahoo.
There was an increase in sailfish releases this week just off Key West. Although there is not much current being found there is a discernable color change between 150 and 180 feet off Key West. “It’s not a real defined color change,” explained Lennon. The color change is clear from a distance but not real defined. Several sails were released off Key West and a larger number were hooked but jumped off. These fish were reportedly taken on live threadfins while sight casting to cruising fish.
One of the most impressive catches this week was from Captain Jay Weed on the Lucky Charm out of the Key West Historic Seaport. Weed was trolling 15 miles south of Sand Key Light in 720 feet of water when his deep troll went off. Weed had a 196- pound mako shark on the line. “The fish jumped once and fought for the next hour and 25 minutes,” Weed explained. He also explained how well the angler Tom Henry of Sea Isle, NJ handled the fight. The shark ate a pink sea witch skirt and a large ballyhoo.
Mako sharks are a rare catch in the Lower Keys. Although these fast swimming sharks are common to tropical and temperate seas, they often prefer cooler water (around 65° F). Makos can grow up to 12 feet long and weigh near 1000 pounds but the more common ones are in the 5- foot to 8- foot range.