Key West Fishing Report - May 2006

KEY WEST – Today we finally got some stormy Key West weather and much needed rain in the Florida Keys. Although it’s not what any fisherman wants to see on the Doppler radar on a perfect flat calm morning, but it was inevitable that today the captains and guides of the Lower Keys would catch a much needed break on the couch. I’d heard on our local radio news that we’ve had about a half inch of rain since January so our much needed rain is certainly welcome even if it’s just for an afternoon.

I’ve been out fishing this week for permit again just off the Trinity rocks near Western Dry Rocks. They’re still there although the permit have been a bit skiddish. My guess is that the boat traffic has put them on edge. Regardless, we hooked and landed six permit up to 17- pounds.

Captain Mike Weinhofer on the Compass Rose out of City Marina explained that he’s had similar luck with permit fishing this past week. They are still on the spawn but they’ve been a bit spooky. “Permit have been real active and eating crabs,” Weinhofer said describing his fishing techniques. He explained that the permit fishing has been very active to the west near the Marquesas on the wrecks.

Weinhofer also mentioned he had been fishing way to the west near the Fort and the Dry Tortugas. Dry Tortugas fishing can yield some fabulous bottom fish including black grouper in the 20- pound range. Weinhofer also had the pleasure of experiencing the mutton spawn. This past full moon was good for mutton snapper but not consistent over the full moon phase. “One night was red hot, one night was slow, the next night was real good,” Weinhofer said. He was using ballyhoo as bait for these spawning fish. Mutton eat a variety of baits but Weinhofer was using fresh dead ballyhoo to get the bite.

Captain Steve Rodger on the Spear One out of Murray Marina also had some good luck with the mutton snapper spawn this past week. He caught his limit of mutton the night after the full moon and when I asked him about the fishing action he seemed to believe that next month’s moon the fishing would be even better.

Rodger’s anglers for his day time charter has an active fishing day as well, landing a 38- pound kingfish, several flag yellowtail and a nice 25- pound blackfin tuna. Rodger was fishing near the Eyeglass Bar just off Key West.

Captain Steve Impallomini, also out of Murray Marina, had a nice catch of dolphin and a cobia, caught in the same area.

Blackfin tuna have been thinning out on the wrecks, the mix has mostly been Bonito and a nice selection of sharks, according to Weinhofer. Captain Tony Murphy on the Key Limey out of Murray’s has also been fishing behind the shrimp boats a few days this week and mentioned that the run is about 60- miles.

Offshore fishing has remained consistent for large mahi mahi this week. Several large fish in the 20- pound range have been caught among the Key West fleet. Several notable catches belong to Captain Steve Magee on the Ramarizi out of Charter Boat Row in Key West, with a 55- pound dolphin and Captain Rick Breedlove on the Fish Check with a close second at 53- pounds.
Larger mahi-mahi have been running in the area for the last few days. This is the season where the bigger dolphin run closer to Key West. Look for a big bull or cow running with a pod of smaller dolphin.