Key West Fishing Report - August 2006

KEY WEST – August heat has finally taking over the Lower Keys this week. Up until a few days ago we had some beautiful conditions for fishing and just general activities on the water.
Offshore fishing has been a little slow this week but still has some nice highlights. As we moved through another full moon phase there were a few reported blue marlin hooked up, one was on the Captain Conch out of Charter Boat Row in Key West. It’s safe to say that during our summer months it would not be uncommon to come across a blue while fishing out past 600- feet all the way to the Wall, about 18- miles off Key West.
Trolling the blue water will still produce some smaller dolphin up to 15- pounds, but reportedly there are many more much smaller dolphin in shore.
Captain Rob Nevius on Jerkwater out of Hurricane Hole Marina has been spending his time close to the reef edge fishing for yellowtail, grouper and even the occasional kingfish.
The inshore currents have been weak so choosing your day to fish the reef is important. Nevius mentioned there have been some nice flag yellowtail available. The best bet for most of our fishing these days is in the early morning before the water heats up too much.
Nevius says he’s hoping the gulfstream will push in closer to Key West again soon, that will definitely help the fishing pick up a bit.
Deeper wrecks have been holding some larger amberjack. In addition to picking off a few nice black grouper, the amberjack gives an arm-burning fight.
I cannot say I am preferential to the inshore and shallow water fishing; I love all the fishing we have to offer here in the Keys. But lately, the flats seem to be where it’s at.
There is something to be said about the beauty of the fin of a feeding fish breaking the surface of slick calm water. It’s very exciting to see and even more exciting when you’ve made what could be the best cast in your entire life and the fish grabs your offering and runs away with it.
The flats of the Lower Keys still hold all the coveted grand slam species. That includes the tarpon, permit and bonefish. This time of the year the flats get very hot towards mid-day so early morning fishing is also a must on the flats.
According to Capt. Doug Kilpatrick “You’ve got to get them early.” Kilpatrick has been pre-fishing with his angler for the Little Palm Island Slam Tournament. He says that our nice weather and some of the rain showers have kept conditions good.
Kilpatrick also contributes the good tarpon fishing west of Key West and to the east in the backcountry of the Lower Keys to our calm weather.
His pre-fishing tactic: fish a handful of spots, hook a fish and move on. His theory makes a lot of sense since if the fish are obviously there, save some for your tournament days.
Bonefish are making a strong comeback to the flats this week. They can also move off to deeper water if the flats get too hot. I’ve seen them in deeper water congregated in some sort of a spawning ritual. They will still take a bait or fly during this time, but hang on because the likelihood of being broken off is much greater.
Captain Tim Carlisle, a veteran flats guide out of Sugarloaf Marina, was also pre-fishing for the Slam tournament this week. He did manage to pull off one slam yesterday.
He mentioned that there were not many permit around where he was fishing. Permit fishing can be a struggle but hopefully these guys will find some on the channel edges or floating in a little deeper water.
As we skate through August and into the fall season, look for the flats to really come alive for bones and permit. It’s a perfect time of year for tailing fish on the flats.
September 8th – 10th are the dates for the Mercury Redbone S.L.A.M. tournament. This tournament focuses on the flats species and both light tackle and fly anglers are welcome. For more information contact the Redbone at 305-664-2002.