KEY WEST – The month of October serves as a turning point for our fishing. Cool fronts start to drop down near the Keys more frequently and the action offshore takes a turn for the better.
The offshore fishing has still been inconsistent for pelagic species but the good news is there have been reports of sailfish, dolphin and wahoo being caught off Key West.
Captain Jay Weed on the Lucky Charm out of the Historic Seaport in downtown Key West reported his anglers released two sailfish this week. The sailfish were estimated to be 25- and 35- pounds.
Generally the sailfish that are found in our waters during the fall and winter months are smaller than the fish we will encounter in the spring. Don’t under estimate these smaller sailfish though, they still provide plenty of entertainment when hooked.
Weed’s anglers also landed several small dolphin, a few tuna and bonito and a kingfish on the same morning trip.
“It’s been up and down,” Weed remarked about their luck with fishing this week. “You either find a few things floating or not, it’s hit or miss,” Weed added.
Weed has been fishing everywhere from the Wall, which is about 18 miles south of Key West, to the reef where he’s managed to pick up some bonito, bar jacks and kingfish. He had made the 18- mile trek but found that much of their better fishing was inside of Wall.
One of the other boats in the Lucky Fleet, the Lucky Strike which is owned and operated by Captain Keith Hebert has had similar luck. Hebert reportedly had a nice catch of smaller blackfin tuna, kingfish, bonito and dolphin.
You can reach Captain Jay Weed on the Lucky Charm at 305-304-0208 or visit him in Key West at the Historic Seaport behind Turtle Kraals restaurant.
Captain Tony Murphy on the Key Limey out of Murray Marina also had some luck with blackfin tuna this week. Murphy mentioned that he’d been fishing every day this week and was doing something different each day. Murphy had just returned from a fly fishing trip where his anglers were interested in catching sharks on fly. Earlier in the week he fished the reef for yellowtail snapper.
This time of the year can be tough for offshore fishing. Captains will try several methods of fishing and switch between them in order to show their anglers a good time and bend a rod.
For more information visit his website at www.keylimey.com.
The reef fishing has reportedly slacked off over the past few days. It had been a strong bet for yellowtail snapper and grouper. The warm water of the Gulfstream could be a contributor. The blue water off Western Dry Rocks is reportedly in very close.
Captain Chris Johnson of SeaSquared Charters out of Marathon has been spending some time in the Gulf this week trying to keep his anglers busy.
Angler Curt Kenney of Chicago, IL released several goliath groupers on light tackle gear while fishing with Johnson. Kenney and his cousin, Jack Weiler of Long Beach, CA also caught several nice mangrove snappers and gag grouper.
Although the offshore fishing has plenty of room for improvement, the flats are still providing good action at least during the early morning and evening hours.
The tides have been just right for wading during the early morning tide change in the backcountry off Sugarloaf Key. If you are not in search of rolling tarpon, a hard sand flat at the beginning of the incoming tide is the place to be.
October hopefully brings some cooler water to the flats. Any lower temperatures will inevitably bring more fish back on to the flats.
Some of the most exciting fishing can happen during this time of year. Large barracuda make their way back onto the flats in greater numbers. There are more sharks cruising the flats, stirring up the bottom in search of food. The crevalle jacks will often follow sharks and sting rays so be sure to take a cast or two near them with a floating plug or popper.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Late September 2006 - Key West Fishing Report
KEY WEST – As the latter part of September arrives there is always the possibility of more fishing options in the Lower Keys.
This time of the year can be a favorite for flats fishing, especially in the evening hours for tailing bonefish.
There are larger single fish that can easily be in the 8- pound range. A rising tide will bring these fish up shallow to feed on shrimp and crabs. For a soft presentation a flat head jig with a shrimp tail or just a live shrimp on a hook with a split shot works good.
For fly fishing it is best to have flies in a variety of weights and sizes. Have plenty of Clouser Minnow patterns with bead chain eyes for those super shallow water fish, as well as heavier flies for deeper water.
Permit have become more active on the flats. Fall is a great time for permit fishing but a little wind makes conditions better for sight fishing for them. Some guides like the wind to be upwards of 10 knots giving the advantage of getting the angler within casting range without spooking the fish.
Inshore fishing is also popular in fall for baby tarpon. For the best results plan on being in your baby tarpon spot by sun up. It is apparent that most of the larger tarpon have moved on up the coast leaving the 20- pound fish behind to set up residency under mangrove roots and tucked away corners of the backcountry.
The best time to look for these tarpon hideaways is during a lower stage of the tide. The fish tend to stay put until the tide is high. High tide is like recess for baby tarpon, free time to roam and seek out food.
Captain John Smouse on the Flat Out out of A&B Marina has had some luck with these smaller tarpon early in the morning and in the early evening hours just before sunset.
Smouse has his best luck with the bite using a red and white plug. “It gets the most bites,” Smouse said. This plug suspends just below the surface but others including Bagley’s finger mullet in black/silver or tan work well too.
Smouse also works the deck and spends time as captain of the Triple Time, also out of A&B Marina.
The Triple Time had a remarkable summertime catch this week consisting of wahoo up to 46- pounds and an 18- pound dolphin. Smouse was at the helm during this trip and said they went 2 for 3 on wahoo.
The fish were hooked just south of Sand Key in 400- feet of water on ballyhoo, the wahoo were taken on a downrigger.
Late September and into October we should start to see the beginning of our fall pattern of fish come through. This includes wahoo, sailfish, larger dolphin and blackfin tuna.
Captain Tom Ault on the Time Out reported that the wreck and reef fishing has been fair for amberjack and yellowtail. Ault explained that there was fair action for yellowtail this week. He has not only been anchoring to fish for them but deep trolling off the edge of the reef.
Ault is looking forward to some fall weather. “A little wind would help,” Ault said. We’ve had some calm and still days in the Lower Keys this week and it does not make for good surface fishing.
General advice is to get out early for the best fishing. The majority of the fishing is done around 10 A.M.
Dolphin fishing has still been spotty and varies from day to day. The color change is reportedly in close to the west of Key West and there is an eastbound current.
October should hold some better dolphin fishing with more fish in the 5- to 15- pound range. “The dolphin grow up a bit,” Ault remarked.
This time of the year can be a favorite for flats fishing, especially in the evening hours for tailing bonefish.
There are larger single fish that can easily be in the 8- pound range. A rising tide will bring these fish up shallow to feed on shrimp and crabs. For a soft presentation a flat head jig with a shrimp tail or just a live shrimp on a hook with a split shot works good.
For fly fishing it is best to have flies in a variety of weights and sizes. Have plenty of Clouser Minnow patterns with bead chain eyes for those super shallow water fish, as well as heavier flies for deeper water.
Permit have become more active on the flats. Fall is a great time for permit fishing but a little wind makes conditions better for sight fishing for them. Some guides like the wind to be upwards of 10 knots giving the advantage of getting the angler within casting range without spooking the fish.
Inshore fishing is also popular in fall for baby tarpon. For the best results plan on being in your baby tarpon spot by sun up. It is apparent that most of the larger tarpon have moved on up the coast leaving the 20- pound fish behind to set up residency under mangrove roots and tucked away corners of the backcountry.
The best time to look for these tarpon hideaways is during a lower stage of the tide. The fish tend to stay put until the tide is high. High tide is like recess for baby tarpon, free time to roam and seek out food.
Captain John Smouse on the Flat Out out of A&B Marina has had some luck with these smaller tarpon early in the morning and in the early evening hours just before sunset.
Smouse has his best luck with the bite using a red and white plug. “It gets the most bites,” Smouse said. This plug suspends just below the surface but others including Bagley’s finger mullet in black/silver or tan work well too.
Smouse also works the deck and spends time as captain of the Triple Time, also out of A&B Marina.
The Triple Time had a remarkable summertime catch this week consisting of wahoo up to 46- pounds and an 18- pound dolphin. Smouse was at the helm during this trip and said they went 2 for 3 on wahoo.
The fish were hooked just south of Sand Key in 400- feet of water on ballyhoo, the wahoo were taken on a downrigger.
Late September and into October we should start to see the beginning of our fall pattern of fish come through. This includes wahoo, sailfish, larger dolphin and blackfin tuna.
Captain Tom Ault on the Time Out reported that the wreck and reef fishing has been fair for amberjack and yellowtail. Ault explained that there was fair action for yellowtail this week. He has not only been anchoring to fish for them but deep trolling off the edge of the reef.
Ault is looking forward to some fall weather. “A little wind would help,” Ault said. We’ve had some calm and still days in the Lower Keys this week and it does not make for good surface fishing.
General advice is to get out early for the best fishing. The majority of the fishing is done around 10 A.M.
Dolphin fishing has still been spotty and varies from day to day. The color change is reportedly in close to the west of Key West and there is an eastbound current.
October should hold some better dolphin fishing with more fish in the 5- to 15- pound range. “The dolphin grow up a bit,” Ault remarked.
Redbone S.L.A.M. Results - Sept 2006
KEY WEST – The Redbone Celebrity Tournament Series kicked off this weekend in Key West. The weekend events consisted of a one day tournament for fly fishing only called the Super Fly held on Friday and the two day Mercury S.L.A.M. tournament.
September has been good to us so far. Good Key West weather and good fishing, particularly for the grand slam trio of tarpon, bonefish and permit. The goal for anglers this weekend was to catch a slam to rack up the most points.
Fourteen boats participated in the Super Fly event on Friday. Tournament Director Gary Ellis explained that this tournament was devised to give the fly fishing anglers another chance to fish one additional day that was for fly anglers only. “It gives the guides another paid day of fishing,” Ellis said as he read off the rules for the tournament.
The anglers and guides both do their part to help fight Cystic Fibrosis. The Redbone is dedicated to raising money for this disease. Each guide donates one day of fishing for the cause, and the majority of the angler entry fees also go to charity.
The tournament is unique because the flies used must all be the same pattern but can be tied in different sizes for each of the three species.
There were no grand slams caught in the Super Fly but Mo Smith from Cordova, TN caught 6 bonefish and 2 tarpon to win the event. Smith was fishing with Captain Mark Krowka from Islamorada. The runner up award went to Nicolas Pierce from Wilmington, NC who was guided by Captain Justin Rea.
The Mercury S.L.A.M. (Southernmost Light Tackle Angler Masters) was a complete success attracting celebrity anglers and seasoned Redbone participants. Celebrities included baseball hall of fame great Wade Boggs, astronaut Bruce Melnick, Carmel Cafiero of Fox 7 News, retired NFL players Manny Fernandez and Mark Cooper, Bill Hurst and Joey Cornblit.
There were 35 boats total that fished the event and the total of released fish was 91. This was quite an increase from the 2005 event where 41 fish were released.
Several guides said the fishing was very good for all three species. And although some of the fish released did not meet the 18- inch minimum measurement for the tournament, the anglers seemed overjoyed to be actively fishing for the better part of each tournament day.
Cal Collier, Jr. of Atlanta, GA had his own tactics for racking up points in the fly division. Collier spent part of day two of the tournament wading for bonefish. He was successful in landing one bonefish on fly, while the second one surged as he was landing it and broke off. Collier also released a permit that day. Collier and is father, Cal Collier, Sr. were fishing with Captain Bryan Yates of Key West.
The final results for the S.L.A.M. left Troy Pruett of Naples with the title of Grand Champion Angler. Pruett released 9 tarpon, 2 bonefish and 2 permit with the help of his guide Captain Rich Tudor.
Bill Hurst, former Florida Marlins pitcher, was awarded the Celebrity Grand Champion award. Hurst was fishing with Captain Andy Thompson.
The Grand Champion Lady Angler award went to Linda Denkert of Islamorada. She was guided by her husband, Captain Dave Denkert.
Team Grand Champions were Jim Boker and Jim Hoefert both of Tavernier, guided by Captain Tim Hoover.
The Fly Division Champion was awarded to Mike Allen who was fishing with Captain Will Benson.
It is obvious by the number of fish caught in this tournament that the flats are alive in the Lower Keys. Anglers and their guides traveled from Marathon to the Marquesas in search of victory.
Offshore fishing has been slow this week. There are still some smaller mahi-mahi around in close and reportedly there are some larger mahi out past the wall.
Sportfishing charters and light tackle boats are fishing deep wrecks for mutton snapper, grouper, amberjack and yellowtail. Reportedly the patch reefs at Western Dry Rocks and further west of Sand Key have been good for yellowtail snapper. The bite seems to be good early in the day and the water has been clear. Be prepared to move around in search of cloudy water to help the bite. All types of bait are working including squid, fresh ballyhoo, silverside minnows or glass minnows, and strips of bonito.
September has been good to us so far. Good Key West weather and good fishing, particularly for the grand slam trio of tarpon, bonefish and permit. The goal for anglers this weekend was to catch a slam to rack up the most points.
Fourteen boats participated in the Super Fly event on Friday. Tournament Director Gary Ellis explained that this tournament was devised to give the fly fishing anglers another chance to fish one additional day that was for fly anglers only. “It gives the guides another paid day of fishing,” Ellis said as he read off the rules for the tournament.
The anglers and guides both do their part to help fight Cystic Fibrosis. The Redbone is dedicated to raising money for this disease. Each guide donates one day of fishing for the cause, and the majority of the angler entry fees also go to charity.
The tournament is unique because the flies used must all be the same pattern but can be tied in different sizes for each of the three species.
There were no grand slams caught in the Super Fly but Mo Smith from Cordova, TN caught 6 bonefish and 2 tarpon to win the event. Smith was fishing with Captain Mark Krowka from Islamorada. The runner up award went to Nicolas Pierce from Wilmington, NC who was guided by Captain Justin Rea.
The Mercury S.L.A.M. (Southernmost Light Tackle Angler Masters) was a complete success attracting celebrity anglers and seasoned Redbone participants. Celebrities included baseball hall of fame great Wade Boggs, astronaut Bruce Melnick, Carmel Cafiero of Fox 7 News, retired NFL players Manny Fernandez and Mark Cooper, Bill Hurst and Joey Cornblit.
There were 35 boats total that fished the event and the total of released fish was 91. This was quite an increase from the 2005 event where 41 fish were released.
Several guides said the fishing was very good for all three species. And although some of the fish released did not meet the 18- inch minimum measurement for the tournament, the anglers seemed overjoyed to be actively fishing for the better part of each tournament day.
Cal Collier, Jr. of Atlanta, GA had his own tactics for racking up points in the fly division. Collier spent part of day two of the tournament wading for bonefish. He was successful in landing one bonefish on fly, while the second one surged as he was landing it and broke off. Collier also released a permit that day. Collier and is father, Cal Collier, Sr. were fishing with Captain Bryan Yates of Key West.
The final results for the S.L.A.M. left Troy Pruett of Naples with the title of Grand Champion Angler. Pruett released 9 tarpon, 2 bonefish and 2 permit with the help of his guide Captain Rich Tudor.
Bill Hurst, former Florida Marlins pitcher, was awarded the Celebrity Grand Champion award. Hurst was fishing with Captain Andy Thompson.
The Grand Champion Lady Angler award went to Linda Denkert of Islamorada. She was guided by her husband, Captain Dave Denkert.
Team Grand Champions were Jim Boker and Jim Hoefert both of Tavernier, guided by Captain Tim Hoover.
The Fly Division Champion was awarded to Mike Allen who was fishing with Captain Will Benson.
It is obvious by the number of fish caught in this tournament that the flats are alive in the Lower Keys. Anglers and their guides traveled from Marathon to the Marquesas in search of victory.
Offshore fishing has been slow this week. There are still some smaller mahi-mahi around in close and reportedly there are some larger mahi out past the wall.
Sportfishing charters and light tackle boats are fishing deep wrecks for mutton snapper, grouper, amberjack and yellowtail. Reportedly the patch reefs at Western Dry Rocks and further west of Sand Key have been good for yellowtail snapper. The bite seems to be good early in the day and the water has been clear. Be prepared to move around in search of cloudy water to help the bite. All types of bait are working including squid, fresh ballyhoo, silverside minnows or glass minnows, and strips of bonito.
Fishing August 2006
KEY WEST – Fishing conditions prior to the arrival of Tropical Storm Ernesto were good for both inshore and offshore action.
August and September are the hottest months here in the Lower Keys. There can definitely be some lull in the fishing action because of the water temperatures that can reach close to 90 degrees.
This week the offshore fishing was decent. Mahi-mahi are still the staple fish in the blue water. Clearer water and better defined weed lines are down to the west of Sand Key to the Tail End Buoy.
Captain Brian Welzenbach of the Andy Griffiths Charter Fleet out of Mayberry Marina on Stock Island spent this week trolling the clear blue waters west of Key West and bottom fishing during the evenings. Welzenbach fishes multiple day charters to the Marquesas and Dry Tortugas fishing grounds.
Welzenbach’s charter this week spent the duration of the trip west of Key West trolling for mahi and wahoo. Welzenbach had a 47- pound wahoo to add to 26 mahi the group caught on the way to their final destination west of the Marquesas atoll.
Welzenbach noted that fishing conditions have remained consistent for the month of August and bottom fishing has been excellent.
Their catch consisted of yellowtail snapper, mangrove snapper, porgy, sharks, kingfish and four different species of grouper.
“It is not really the time of year for grouper but we still manage to catch a few,” Welzenbach said. Grouper generally like the cooler water and are more active in shallow during the winter months.
A trip to the fishing grounds west of the Marquesas Keys and the Dry Tortugas is a great experience for anglers who want to see the Florida Keys from a different perspective. The fishing opportunities are abundant for bottom fish like snapper and grouper.
Visit Captain Andy Griffiths website at www.fishandy.com or contact Captain Brian Welzenbach at 305-797-7525.
There has been equal action closer to Key West for grouper, amberjack, barracudas and blacktip sharks. Captain Bennett Taylor on the Outer Limits out of A&B Marina in Key West reports he’s had some great fishing in 200-300 feet of water south of Key West.
Taylor had four black grouper up to 24- pounds this week on an afternoon charter. It was a bit frustrating because only a handful of his deep drops would make it all the way to the bottom. Several times they were cut off by blacktip sharks or barracudas.
Taylor said at one point they put on a circle hook and landed a few sharks.
Deep drop fishing in several hundred feet of water can be tricky. As line comes off the reel it must be regulated by the angler’s thumb on a level wind reel or pinched between the thumb and index finger when using a spinning reel.
Judging how much weight to use depends on the current and the depth of water you are fishing.
Inshore and flats fishing in the Lower Keys still provides the opportunity for a grand slam. The grand slam consists of the tarpon, bonefish and permit.
Tarpon are surprisingly still a major player on the flats even in late August. There are a few big tarpon traveling the outer flats but most action this week has been fish in the 20- pound range.
Captain Eric Bonar, a flats guide out of Sugarloaf Key said he’s been concentrating on the bonefish this week. “Finding tarpon is a bonus,” Bonar said. Bonar has been a guide in the Keys since 1989 and is a native to South Florida.
The flats fish the best in the early morning hours and action will taper off in the afternoon. This pattern will continue until cooler weather settles in, hopefully in mid September.
You can reach Captain Eric Bonar at 305-305-5776 or visit his website at www.backcountryguide.net.
August and September are the hottest months here in the Lower Keys. There can definitely be some lull in the fishing action because of the water temperatures that can reach close to 90 degrees.
This week the offshore fishing was decent. Mahi-mahi are still the staple fish in the blue water. Clearer water and better defined weed lines are down to the west of Sand Key to the Tail End Buoy.
Captain Brian Welzenbach of the Andy Griffiths Charter Fleet out of Mayberry Marina on Stock Island spent this week trolling the clear blue waters west of Key West and bottom fishing during the evenings. Welzenbach fishes multiple day charters to the Marquesas and Dry Tortugas fishing grounds.
Welzenbach’s charter this week spent the duration of the trip west of Key West trolling for mahi and wahoo. Welzenbach had a 47- pound wahoo to add to 26 mahi the group caught on the way to their final destination west of the Marquesas atoll.
Welzenbach noted that fishing conditions have remained consistent for the month of August and bottom fishing has been excellent.
Their catch consisted of yellowtail snapper, mangrove snapper, porgy, sharks, kingfish and four different species of grouper.
“It is not really the time of year for grouper but we still manage to catch a few,” Welzenbach said. Grouper generally like the cooler water and are more active in shallow during the winter months.
A trip to the fishing grounds west of the Marquesas Keys and the Dry Tortugas is a great experience for anglers who want to see the Florida Keys from a different perspective. The fishing opportunities are abundant for bottom fish like snapper and grouper.
Visit Captain Andy Griffiths website at www.fishandy.com or contact Captain Brian Welzenbach at 305-797-7525.
There has been equal action closer to Key West for grouper, amberjack, barracudas and blacktip sharks. Captain Bennett Taylor on the Outer Limits out of A&B Marina in Key West reports he’s had some great fishing in 200-300 feet of water south of Key West.
Taylor had four black grouper up to 24- pounds this week on an afternoon charter. It was a bit frustrating because only a handful of his deep drops would make it all the way to the bottom. Several times they were cut off by blacktip sharks or barracudas.
Taylor said at one point they put on a circle hook and landed a few sharks.
Deep drop fishing in several hundred feet of water can be tricky. As line comes off the reel it must be regulated by the angler’s thumb on a level wind reel or pinched between the thumb and index finger when using a spinning reel.
Judging how much weight to use depends on the current and the depth of water you are fishing.
Inshore and flats fishing in the Lower Keys still provides the opportunity for a grand slam. The grand slam consists of the tarpon, bonefish and permit.
Tarpon are surprisingly still a major player on the flats even in late August. There are a few big tarpon traveling the outer flats but most action this week has been fish in the 20- pound range.
Captain Eric Bonar, a flats guide out of Sugarloaf Key said he’s been concentrating on the bonefish this week. “Finding tarpon is a bonus,” Bonar said. Bonar has been a guide in the Keys since 1989 and is a native to South Florida.
The flats fish the best in the early morning hours and action will taper off in the afternoon. This pattern will continue until cooler weather settles in, hopefully in mid September.
You can reach Captain Eric Bonar at 305-305-5776 or visit his website at www.backcountryguide.net.
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