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.