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Contact Captain Joe at
305/304-4580 or visit his website at:
www.killerinstinctcharters.com
The offshore fishing is smokin’ ! The problem is that the wind
has been too. High winds in the 25-30 knot category forced
many of us off the water several days this last week. The mahi
mahi love this weather and of course the few boats that made
it out hammered them. Capt. Skip Bradeen on his battlewagon
the BLUE CHIP TOO from Whale Harbor Marina was able to pound
it out several days catching many nice slammer and gaffer mahi
mahi. I finally made it out on the weekend and caught a whole
cooler full of dolphin, tuna, and snapper. The largest dolphin
was a 44 pound monster bull. He was hooked up for 5 min and
came back to the boat and ate two more baits! Then he jumped
and threw two of the three hooks. After a 45 min battle angler
Kenneth Hooper managed to bring him within gaffing range and
the rest is history. This week to come should be a great one;
the winds have subsided and the water temps are up. The
yellowtail snappers are swarming on the patches and reef edge
making for an excellent start to any day. This will only
improve as the water temps increase and they start to spawn in
April. Amberjacks are thick and mean on the humps awaiting
your live blue runners and strong anglers. If you think your
tough, try wrestling a big 40-70 pound A.J. to the boat and
then tell me who the tough guy is! These fish are great at
reminding us how frail humans can be. A sturdy and well made
fishing rod is a must for this opportunity. Head down to Key
Largo Rods at mm 81.5 and have Rick Berry fix you up with the
right “stick” to help you land that big trophy. He is making
the finest rods in the industry right now that will withstand
the repeated abuse and punishment we dish out. Get out on the
water this week and go “catching”.
High
winds and rough seas dominated the scene again this week,
however; the conditions were still fishable throughout much of
the week. The sailfish have vanished for now but should
reappear very soon. Keep an ear out for them as the month
progresses. We have not seen the last of them yet. The main
target this week for most offshore ventures was mahi mahi or
yellowtail snappers. Both were feed ing well and present in
good numbers. The patches and reef edge both have been great
for the snapper bite. The dirty water on the patches have been
excellent for “keeper” tails with a mix of small grouper,
hogfish, porgies and cero mackerel. This makes for a great
half-day trip in calmer waters. The mahi mahi were moving
through in close from 150-300 feet of water. Numerous
debris/weed lines have been making their way up the reef in
the moderate current. White terns and gulls have been working
these edges and ganging up above schools of mahi mahi tailing
down the heavy seas. Live baits have been the key to getting
these finicky eaters hooked-up. Plenty of ballyhoo have been
present at the usual spots. All that is required is a block of
chum and some small hair hooks with a piece of cut bait. Head
over to World Wide Sportsman at mm81 and ask the guys behind
the counter to show you the hair hooks and how to use them.
They will be happy to assist you in any way and get you out
“catching”. They can also help out with any other tackle or
fishing related questions. They are very knowledgeable and
friendly, always willing to spend time with you to help. The
Gulf of Mexico has been fantastic for Spanish mackerel and
blacktip sharks. Cobia and goliath grouper have also been
present on the wrecks out in 20-40 feet of water. As the water
temps go up in the coming week, the fishing should spark up so
plan on spending a day in the gulf “catching” this week. Don’t
let the high winds scare you off the water. The fishing
remains great and plenty of good opportunities abound for the
coming week. Head on down to your favorite marina and book
that charter for your trip of a lifetime! Come on down to
Fiesta Key Marina at mm70 and look me up in paradise! We have
plenty of openings and would love to get out “catching”!
This has been a windy week for the most part
with lots of big seas and rough days. The sailfish have been
very slow with only a few odd releases reported during the
week. Do not dismay however; as the sailfish season is not
over yet. In the next month we should see the sailfish fire up
again on the color changes near Alligator and Tennessee. For
now the best fishing seems to be for mahi mahi. Many gaffer
and schoolie sized fish were moving through our waters. The
fish seemed to be concentrated from 150-350 feet of water. The
600 foot zone was also productive for dolphin throughout the
week. The mahi mahi were somewhat picky preferring live
offerings like cigar minnows and ballyhoo. I managed to catch
a few on chunks and dead baits however; the live bait was
obviously a better choice. The tip-off was to keep a watchful
eye out for birds working the edges near weeds or a current
seem. Every mahi mahi I found had birds present. The king
mackerel have been lurking on the various wrecks from Pickles
down to Tennessee from 85 feet to 160 feet of water. Live
offerings down deep with wire and a dropper loop or downrigger
were the best bet. Almost anywhere you go on the reef, king
mackerel are present. My largest king this week was 37 lbs,
and fell victim to a live ballyhoo on #6 wire. I have been
using 12 and 15 pound main lines with 25 or 30 lb leader with
much success. I think the lighter line is drawing more
strikes. Try it out and see if this will work for you. Tunas
have been good on the humps with feathers and various
artificials working well every day we got out. Most of the
fish are in the 4-8 lb range with some 12-15 lb fish mixed in.
The amberjacks have been very slow on the humps. The annual
spawn has been delayed by the recent cold fronts. They will be
swarming soon so get you big stuff ready. I like my Avet 30/02
reels for this fishery. They pull as hard as the toughest jack
and stand up to repeated punishment. Spool up with 65 lb
magibraid from World Wide Sportsman and you are good to go. If
you need a rod, head over to see Rick at Key Largo Rods and
have him make a special rod for you or pick one off of the
shelf. I can assure you that his rods will stand up to the
punishment the big aj’s are about to dish out. Not many other
rods can do this. I found out the hard way that not all rods
are made the same. Rick builds a rod the way it should be….to
last the long haul. He will not cut corners when he puts a
“stick” together. The end result is a product that will whoop
fish after fish for many years to come. If it fails, you get a
new one no questions asked. Get ready for another great week
here in Islamorada.
The
offshore fishing is fantastic here in sunny Islamorada. The
reef edge has been full of life with king mackerel, yellowtail
snapper, vermillion snapper, mutton snapper, grouper, mahi
mahi, sailfish, and wahoo present from Conch reef down to
Tennessee reef. There have also been some cobia moving up the
reef on the backs of rays. The sailfish were slow this week
but northeast winds have been forecasted all week and lower
temps are sure to fire them back up again. We may have tailing
conditions any day this week so be prepared. If the sails
don’t show, there are still plenty of king mackerel around to
keep the rods bent and reels screaming. Kings are great fun
and excellent battlers on light tackle. They are also
delicious to eat after they have been smoked. Kingfish dip,
crackers, and a good pinot noir is reason enough to leave the
dock and head to the reef for some fun. The hump areas have
been producing tuna and amberjacks with some mahi mahi
starting to show. The southeast wind days are the best to
target the mahi mahi. On the pre-frontal days, the tunas are
feeding well on trolled feathers; as long as there is a little
current. I still like the black and red or blue and orange
colors best. The ½ ounce size works well for me too. The
amberjacks are falling to live blue runners on a dropper loop
system with 80-150 lb leader. A vmc 10/0 nemesis circle hook
will work like a charm and rarely misses a bite or loses a
fish. I like to place a small super strong 330 lb swivel 18
inches from the hook to help with tangles. A slow and angled
decent will also help to deploy your offering properly to an
awaiting jack. Watch for signs of life to and from the humps
and a school of mahi might show up. There have been some nice
fish working through the system every other day so tomorrow
may be your chance. More and more dolphin will be coming as
the season changes over to spring. A good run of large fish
always comes early in February or March so look for them when
the wind swings to the east. I just moved my boat down to
Fiesta Key campground at mm70. What a great place! The people
here are wonderful. Rob, Jack, and the rest of the staff have
made me feel so welcome and at home. There is also a great
cantina called Santiago’s right on the ocean with an awesome
view and a killer margarita! It is like the old keys. The
atmosphere is laid back and relaxing. Come on down and check
it out. I am really glad I did, I am happy and proud to call
this great place home!
What
a beautiful week here in the Florida Keys. The weather was
superb. This is why so many come and spend time here in the
winter months to enjoy the mild temps and hot fishing action.
The sailfish were on the slower end this week however; anyone
willing to put in their time got their chances and many fish
were caught and released. Capt. Mel Walker on the GOTCHA from
Holiday Isle was successful at releasing sails more than a few
times this week. Capt. Scott Stanzyk on the CATCH 22 from Bud
& Mary’s marina also caught many sails for his anglers
throughout the week with six releases on Sunday. The best
action seems to be up by Conch reef, only a short ride from
anywhere in Islamorada. Ballyhoo are still the number one bait
in 90-120 feet of water. We should have a little more wind
this coming week so the goggle eyes and blue runners from a
kite will get the job done. The wahoo were moving through the
reef this week as several nice fish from 35-55 pounds were
taken. They will usually show up in a pack of three to five
fish so be ready for multiples if possible. Live baiting
speedos on the reef edge and on wrecks out to 160 feet will
produce huge results. An added benefit is that the sails and
smoker kings love them too. The bad news is that they can be
challenging to procure. While we are on the subject of
PROCURE, I have found a great new product that helps me to
catch fish. The name of the company is PROCURE and they sell
products to add scent to your offerings. The super squid gel
is my favorite one. Add a drop to your squid rig to entice
more and larger snappers and groupers to bite your deep rigs.
Smear some on your high speed jig for that extra touch on days
when the bite is slower. I have even got fish to bite a bare
hook with it! You can find it on-line at
www.procure.com.
Try it out, you will not be disappointed. They also make a dye
to make your ballyhoo bright green, pink, and or blue. The
bright green ballyhoo are really brilliant in the sunlight.
The mahi mahi should be able to find them easier this spring
when we shift our sights to the offshore grounds.
The kings have been steady on the
wrecks up and down the coast from Pickles to Tennessee reef.
All that is required is some live ballyhoo or cigar minnows.
Drop one down on a dropper loop rig with #5 or #6 wire and a
ha ha stinger for great results. Of course the downrigger
works very well as the depth fished will be more precise.
Capt. J.R. Rudzin on the CAPT. JR from Holiday Isle is a
downrigger master. He has been deploying a downrigger in his
fishing system for over 20 years. He catches wahoo, tuna,
dolphin, snapper, king fish, and grouper on his deep baits
routinely. If you like to troll with live or dead baits, a
downrigger will make a great addition to your arsenal. Enjoy
another fabulous week of fishing in world famous Islamorada.
See you next week!
There
was no lack of sailfish excitement this week as the blowing
winds and cool temps kept the sails moving through our waters
all week. The bite has been better in the early morning or
late afternoon so plan accordingly. As of this writing the
GENESIS and Capt. Jeff Fraser from Whale Harbor were leading
the women’s sailfish tournament with seven releases after day
one. The RELENTLESS and Capt. Paul Ross were close behind with
six fish. Of course The KALEX and Capt. Alex Adler are always
within striking distance with five fish. Either way it looks
to be a great tournament with plenty of action and an exciting
finish guaranteed for day two. The sailfish should remain
strong in the weeks to come so come on down and enjoy this
fantastic sail catching season. It is a great time to get away
from the frozen north and enjoy 75 degree temps and sunny
skies. Another benefit is a longer day with plenty of vitamin
d. If you are suffering from S.A.D. the only cure is a big
dose of Islamorada complete with all of the snappers,
groupers, and jacks your arms can stand. Mix that with a
sailfish and a few king macks and you will be back again and
again every winter for the rest of your adult life! The
fishing has remained strong on the Oceanside from the patches
all the way out to 200 feet. The cold water temps in the gulf
have temporarily stalled the bite for Spanish and kings out
back. As the temps come back to the 65-68 degree mark, the
bite will take off again. Meanwhile, for those looking for
calmer waters, focus efforts on the patch reefs for keeper
yellowtails and schoolie muttons. There have also been
grouper, porgies, hogfish, and lane snappers biting. All that
is required is live shrimp for a great day of variety and fun
for the dinner table. Use a light spinning outfit loaded with
20 or 30 lb braid with a 3 foot 20 lb fluorocarbon leader for
best results. This outfit has plenty of pulling power should
you hook a keeper red or black grouper while working the
shallows. I also like a 3/8 once green Hank Brown Hook-up jig
with a shrimp. It is pretty hard to beat on the patch reefs.
Get out and enjoy the ocean this week. The temps will be
warming all week. Another big tip for the would-be fisherman:
do not rely on the weather man to dictate your trip. They were
wrong 100% this week. Ask your captain and leave it to his
judgment. We are paid to be professionals and expert at
interpreting the weather. Do not let the weatherman scare you
away from a trip of a lifetime. GOD bless and have a
wonderful week “catching”.
Another great week of offshore fishing has come and gone in
Islamorada. The sailfish bite was slow in the beginning of the
week but finished up with a big bang. The recent cold front
moved many new fish into our waters from the north. This week
to come should be a good one if sails are your plan.
Concentrate your efforts on the reef edge from 100-120 feet of
water on all of your favorite haunts. For bait I prefer a live
blue runner or goggle eye on the kite. Of course a live
ballyhoo will always take even the most discerning spindle
beak if rigged on 30 or 40 pound fluorocarbon leader. The
standard 7/0 or 8/0 VMC circle hook will give you the results
you want; landed fish! You may also try pilchards or cigar
minnows if you can get them as they will help with the
numerous king mackerel that have been working the reef edge
and wrecks. As we move into February more and more king
mackerel should start to show up. A large king mackerel can
give your rods and reels one of the best work outs you can
find in the keys. Get out and enjoy the reel burning runs
and ultra fast action that can be had close to home. They are
also delicious when smoked as an added incentive to bring a
few home. If finer table fare is your desire then you can
always fish for yellowtail and mangrove snapper. They are
always biting here in Islamorada on the patch reefs and reef
edge. It is hard to beat live shrimp or pilchards for bait
this time of year. Bring plenty of chum and get busy
“catching”. The deep water snappers are starting to show up
on the deep wrecks and reefs. When you can find them they are
great eating and fun to catch. You may also catch a nice
grouper while participating in this fishery.
The Gulf of Mexico is still on fire. The Spanish
mackerel are swarming more than ever out in the Gulf. All that
is required is a few blocks of chum and plenty of live shrimp.
You can catch fish until your arms fall off. You may also get
into a cobia or two passing through while in the midst of the
melee. After your chum soaks for a while some big sharks will
come passing by to see what all the fuss is about. You can use
medium tackle and #7 or #9 wire on a Mustad 7766 7/0 hook for
consistent success. The blacktips love something live. The
big females are moving in right now so please only take the
males. The females are full of young ones. The blacktip shark
is an awesome fighter rivaling the fight of a tarpon. They are
also very good to eat. Take a small one and try it on the
grill. They are great. It is a great time to get out on the
water and fish. Many of us have plenty of openings so get out
on the water with one of Islamorada’s finest this week.
Sail fishing remained strong this week as cold north winds
continued to blow. As the wind moves around to the north
east this week, expect more awesome sail fishing to continue.
We are enjoying an awesome season of bill fishing here in
Islamorada. If you want to catch more or get out for your
first one, then this week should be a good choice. The
sailfish love the cooler temps and northeast winds. This will
cause them to migrate through the surface of the water column
feeding on any reasonable offering along the way. My favorite
bait is a blue runner or goggle eye on the kite. If you can
catch some fresh ballyhoo, then this will also be a great
choice to work the reef edge. While out on the reef, a king
mackerel or wahoo may also come up and eat your live baits so
an eighteen or twenty inch trace of #5 or #6 wire will help to
catch one of these guys. If you are only targeting
billfish then 30 or 40 pound fluorocarbon leader will be a
better choice. A VMC 7/0 or 8/0 circle hook is a must
and will help hook more fish. The winds will be fresh
next week around 15-20 knots so it is the perfect time to go
fly a kite! Get out on the reef edge and enjoy the perfect
sail fishing conditions.
If calmer waters are your preference then you can head out to
the Gulf of Mexico and enjoy some fast action with Spanish
mackerel, snapper, grouper, sharks, king mackerel, and cobia.
The gulf season is at it’s peak and the fishing is awesome. If
you want to bend the rod, then the Gulf will always deliver.
The biggest problem is bringing enough bait to last eight
hours. It is not uncommon to go through 500 shrimp in a day
with three anglers. The end result is three sets of very sore
arms and three completely restored souls. Nothing improves
your outlook on life like catching a whole boat full of fish!
Give one of Islamorada’s finest a call and book that trip of a
lifetime.
The winter temps are cold but the fishing is red hot in
Islamorada. We have had many cold fronts this winter.
They have been exactly what we need to spark the fish to
migrate south and spend the winter here in the keys. The reef
edge has been excellent for sailfish, king mackerel, snapper,
grouper, and cobia. We have not had a bad trip this
year. Every trip out has been great. The sailfish have been
center stage on the catch list. They have been holding
here in good numbers all season. Every tournament has
been successful with plenty of fish to go around. The
RELENTLESS team led by Capt. Paul Ross has been dominating the
scene day in and day out. They are in good shape to take the
Gold Cup win this year with only the Islamorada Fishing Club
tournament left to decide the winner. Not ever out of reach is
THE REAL MCCOY led by Capt. George McElveen. They are close
behind and very dangerous if you are in the lead. Capt. George
is sure to show up with a big finish so this one is not over
yet. The KALEX captained by Alex “Cappy” Adler is always ready
to take the victory and so is the CATCH 22 and Capt. Scott
Stanzyk. This has been an exciting tournament season and it
will be a great grand finale when the Gold Cup finishes with
the IFC event. If you have not had a chance to get out and
catch a sailfish yet then treat yourself to a day on the water
and do battle with the fastest fish that swims. They truly are
the best light tackle fighter in the fish world. The fish are
plentiful this year and ready to please.
The king mackerel have also made a strong showing this year
for similar reasons to the sails. They have been on all of the
wrecks and reef points from Molasses to Sombrero. The cigar
minnows work the best but ballyhoo will also work well too.
The bait has been much tougher this week. Hopefully this will
improve in the weeks to come. If not, a butterflied
ballyhoo on the deep rod will catch plenty of kings in a
pinch. It works even better from a downrigger if you have one.
If not, a dropper loop system can be employed with the same
success. The fish have been concentrated from 40-140
feet. Keep an eye out for a wahoo while fishing the edge this
week. They are also moving through the keys reef system.
There have also been some nice mahi mahi in town this week.
Focus on debris with life. Find a triple tail and you will
probably find a wahoo or two and some dolphin. We landed
several slammers and gaffers this week during our travels to
and from the hump and sword fishing. There are also a few
medium tunas out there willing to bite a feather trolled way
back. Get out on the water and enjoy the beautiful cool
weather that makes wintertime so wonderful in south Florida.
Welcome to another fabulous week of catching in the sport
fishing capitol of the world, Islamorada. There were
still sailfish around the reef edge but not as many fish
have been migrating through. If you were diligent and stuck
with the program almost everyone was successful at landing
the trophy billfish. The goggle eye/kite presentation
seemed to be the best method, however; the standard ballyhoo
spread will always work to seal the deal on a spindle beak.
A teaser can be deployed close to the wash to attract a
hungry pack of sails to the transom of your boat where a
live pitch bait can be tossed in front of the working fish.
This is an exciting way to cat ch a sailfish. It can mean
some slow time during the day, but when that fish shows up
slashing at the teaser it will make the wait worth the
effort. If you want to fill in some of the time
between occurrences just put a rig with some wire down deep
and take advantage of the numerous king mackerel that have
frequented our waters lately. There have been plenty of
kings from 6-45+ lbs out there on the reef edge waiting for
your cigar minnow or ballyhoo. I love the way a big
king mack fights. They give a reel smoking run or two and
they can dig deep and work you hard like a tuna at the end.
If you use the light 12 pound sailfish rods on them they can
be a riot. Many an angler has left the boat impressed with
the game qualities of a nice king mack. A smoked king
mackerel is also about the best eating fish in the ocean.
I like spicy hummus, a good organic toast, and a chunk of
smoked kingfish. It is hard to beat. There are a few
people in town smoking fish now so if you are going to be
here for a few days and you are lucky enough to catch a nice
king on the first day, you can have it smoked for the ride
back home to the cold north. The reef edge is alive with
snappers, kings, sailfish, wahoo, cobia, and grouper right
now. We also had a nice push of mahi mahi this past week
with several boats catching slammers and lots of schoolies.
With the warmer east and south east winds the mahi mahi will
pop up and feed. Look for them any time the wind blows from
the south east this time of year. They love a cigar minnow
so keep a few on hand. The yellowtail snapper are
always biting in Islamorada so keep them in mind if you want
a good dinner to go with that sailfish you released. They
are fun to catch on light tackle and plentiful. Get
out on the water this week and enjoy the great weather and
fast fishing!
Happy New Year! The annual Blessing of the fleet party took
place this week on the First after an eventful evening at
Cheeca Lodge. We are very sorry for the fire at the
keys landmark. We hope that the lodge will be up and running
as soon as possible to continue to serve the keys community.
The blessing party was a success with a great turnout of
friends and family to celebrate our fishery and a new year
of hope and happiness. Thanks to everyone who
contributed to make the party a hit. A special thanks to
Whale Harbor for hosting the event and for providing
excellent food for the occasion. We all had a fantastic time
and we look forward to next year.
As for the fishing, I feel like a broken
record; it is fantastic! The sailfish are here and biting
well. Everyone has been enjoying multiple shots every trip
out. They are good at getting away so remember, it is better
to have loved and lost than to have not loved at all. Keep
trying and enjoy the beautiful weather and the plentiful
king mackerel that are more than willing to please. They
have been swarming on all of the wrecks up and down the
reef. Live cigar minnows work the best; however, a live
ballyhoo with wire will also catch a lot of fish. There have
also been wahoo mixed in with the schools of kings so be
ready if they show up. The wahoo on the reef edge this time
of year run big from 30-80+ lbs so if you get one you may be
in for quite a ride. They also make my favorite sushi so
brine them up well in a fish bag and enjoy some fantastic
eating. A fish bag can be found and purchased at World Wide
Sportsman and stashed away somewhere on your boat until
needed. They work out great on those days when you finally
catch that huge fish too long for the cooler. They run from
$89.00-$200.00 depending on the size you need. I have a big
one that will fit a swordfish or large tuna. I had a chance
to use it this week on a nice sized 140 pound broad bill
that anglers Mel, and Lucas caught from the deep during a
recent day trip.
The Swordfish are biting right now. The
Stanzyk brothers down at Bud & Mary’s marina have been doing
very well all week on swords too. I know Scott Stanzyk on
the CATCH 22 had landed several fish one morning and was on
his way back to catch a few sails in the afternoon. These
guys are the best at it and pioneered the sport here in
Florida. If you want to go out and catch one now is a
very good time. Many swordfish are being caught right now.
They truly are a fish of a lifetime complete with an epic
one-three hour sea battle. If you have not experienced the
“Gladiator” of the sea, treat yourself to a day on the water
strapped in to the most powerful big game fish that swims.
When it is over and you have landed your trophy, have your
captain or mate set you up with a Gray’s trophy replica
mount and remember that fish for ever in full color. You
don’t have to kill him to have it done. Just get a good
measurement of the length and you are all set. You won’t
regret it. Get out on the water fishing this week guys, it
really is as good as it gets!
Another
Christmas has come and gone. Hopefully this was a
great Holiday for everyone filled with laughter and good
cheer. We were fortunate enough to have a special visitor
drop in and see us for Christmas Eve this year. My sister
Lisa came down from New York to have a warm Christmas in the
sun. We had a great time fishing for Spanish macks in
the Gulf of Mexico and sunning by the pool. We are very
blessed to live here in Islamorada. It is truly an amazing
and wonderful place to be. If you are down here on vacation
this week, then good for you! Have a great time and enjoy
some fantastic restaurants, and world-class fishing.
The
Sailfishing is still off the charts. This has been one of
the best seasons in many years. Many of Islamorada’s finest
are still posting double digit days. Take a drive around
town and look at all of the flags flying. From Smuggler’s
Cove to Caloosa Cove everyone has been successful. Along
with the great Sailfish bite, King mackerel are swarming on
the wrecks and reef edge from Conch reef to Sombrero reef.
All that is required is a livewell full of cigar minnows,
which have been plentiful. The Kings have been running from
6-12 pounds on average but there have been some 30-45 pound
fish mixed in too! A large Wahoo is always a possibility
this time of year so high speed trolling or dragging around
big live baits will produce a monstrous result. If
bottom fishing is your desire then drop one of those cigar
minnows down deep to the bottom on the reef edge and you may
tangle with a Black Grouper or a nice Mutton Snapper. You
can also add a deep rig to your spread easily while kite
fishing for Sails. Drift out off the edge with a few kite
lines, a few flat lines, and a deep rod and you may end up
catching Sailfish, King Mackerel, Tuna, Dolphin, Snapper and
Grouper all in the same trip. The fishing has been fantastic
so get out and give it a try.
The Gulf
of Mexico has been great for Spanish macks and Cobia. The
Cobias are migrating through our waters now so look for them
on all of your favorite debris piles and wrecks in the Gulf.
The Spanish are thicker than ever so bring lots of bait and
chum, and get ready for some sore arms! The forecast for
this week looks great. We all have plenty of openings so
head down to your favorite marina and get out on the water
fishing this week. It is sure to be another Holiday season
for the record books!
Islamorada is still the place to be for excellent weather
and red hot fishing. The reef edge has been the best
bet for consistent rod bending action. Plenty of sailfish
are still working around the reef edge and can be easily had
with either a live ballyhoo or blue runner. On the windy
days I like to fly the kite for excellent results. On the
calm days a spread of ballyhoo slow-trolled over your
favorite hot spot will work fine. The key is to have lots of
patience. The good news is that you will get the bite if you
put in the time. On the better days you may be into fish
steady for the whole day. If you are looking for fast action
and good smokin’ then the recent run of king macks will make
your day. They are swarming up and down the reef from
Molasses all the way to Sombrero. Live cigar minnows will
always get the job done, however; you may want to put them
down near the bottom with either a downrigger or an 8-16
ounce lead. The standard ha ha rig with a pair of #2 treble
hooks joined with a piece of #3-#6 wire will always work
wonders for most species. The rig was named for short biters
who would have made off with the tail end of your offering
but instead got a mouthful of hooks and eventually the gaff.
There have also been some wahoo moving through with these
kings so be on the lookout.
Yellowtail snapper are always biting well and this week was
no exception. They were plentiful especially in the
beginning of the week as the water was still dirty from the
big winds last week. The deep water snappers are also on the
move and will be getting better and better as the winter
progresses. Leave the dock armed with plenty of frozen squid
for best results. Nothing can be easier than that. Some hawk
channel patches are still holding plenty of keeper mangrove
snappers. I still think the mangroves are one of the ocean’s
best eating fish. Look for coral heads and chum them up with
a block of sardine chum and use live shrimp for bait. A 3/0
3407 Mustad still works great for me but the VMC 4/0 circle
hook works great sometimes too. It depends on the current.
If you have a strange current, then try the circle. It can
work very well in this situation.
The Gulf of Mexico is still producing record numbers of
Spanish macks. I can’t stress this great fishery enough. It
is just too much fun. The fish literally are jumping in the
boat. It is almost impossible not to catch all you could
ever want on every trip out. If you need to catch something,
then this is for you. It is also great practice for fly
anglers and new fisherman alike. Nothing will teach you to
catch fish like catching a lot of them! Merry Christmas to
everyone, and, remember that Jesus is the reason for the
season and rejoice!
The sailfish continue to reign supreme here in Islamorada. We
are right smack in the middle of sailfish tournament season. It
has already been one for the record books as the number of
releases soar. The Captain’s Cup sailfish tournament was a huge
success with 129 releases. The MAIN ATTRACTION and Capt. Marty
Lewis ended on top with 17 fish and the 20,000 prize. Close
behind was THE REAL MCCOY and Captain George McElveen with 16
fish and second place. Watch for Capt. George and crew to win a
big tournament this year like the World Sailfish Championship.
They are always on top and overdue for yet another victory. Good
luck George we all hope to see you in the winner’s circle this
April.
From Conch reef to Tennessee reef the sails are on fire. There
are also many other reef species biting well at this time. King
Mackerel are thick on many of the wrecks and reef edges. Cigar
minnows or speedos will work the best for them. The best bite
has been coming from the bottom so drop them down for best
results. Mutton snapper have also been strong on the same
structures so fishing an area well will result in a great
variety of high quality species. This time of year a great trip
will include sailfish, king mackerel and several species of
snapper including yellowtails and muttons. You may also catch a
wahoo or amberjack while working the wrecks. The best bite is on
the reef edge just a few miles out so take advantage of this
great time of year. The business is usually slow these next two
weeks so you may get out and be all alone on one of the many
“hot” spots. A full day is always better but a half day will
still give you plenty of fishing time right now. The winds
should come down this week making it more comfortable to be on
the water. Get out and enjoy the red hot reef action.
The Gulf of Mexico is getting better and better. The Spanish
mackerel are still swarming and many other species are starting
to show up. More and more cobia and king mackerel are moving
into our waters. This will improve steadily throughout the
winter. The kings like something big to eat like a ladyfish or
bluefish and the cobia like a pinfish or shrimp. They will
rarely turn down a crab too so it is a good idea to have a
variety of live bait to present to any willing fish. The cobia
will also be moving on the rays Oceanside this month so be on
the lookout.
Merry Christmas to everyone and
have a Happy New Year. Remember to enjoy your families this
holiday and most importantly let’s remember the reason for the
season, Jesus Christ.
Till Next Week - Capt. Joe
The 45th annual Islamorada Sailfish Tournament has come to a
finish with team RELENTLESS led by Capt. Paul Ross and angler
Jimmy David topping the charts with 30 sailfish releases. Capt.
Paul took a commanding lead after 15 releases on day one and
never looked back until midway through day 3 when THE REAL MCCOY
Captained by George McElveen was coming on strong. Capt. George
took second place with 26 fish in a very strong finish. We all
knew it was going to be close when Capt. George started his day
off with five fish minutes into “lines-in”. This was an exciting
tournament with record catches. This confirms that we are having
a wonderful sailfish season this year. Balls of sardines were
being chewed-up by ravenous sails and tuna all up and down the
reef edge. The frigate birds have been buzzing around like
flies, or as my customer put it best this week, “they look like
mosquitoes”. The reef edge is full of life. It looks like it is
just going to get better with the coming week so plan your
sail-fishing adventure A.S.A.P!
The snapper bite has been good with the off-colored water moving
into the reef. Plenty of yellowtail, mutton, and mangrove
snapper were there for the taking this week. With the fantastic
sailfish bite it is almost guaranteed to have an exciting day on
the anchor catching ‘tails, grouper, kings, and a sailfish or
two. Bring plenty of chum and live shrimp for best results with
the snappers. When the ballyhoo show up behind the boat, catch a
few with “hair” hooks and send them back out with some #5 or #6
wire and a single hook. This will do the trick for kings or
dolphin or whatever else may show up. I like the single hook in
case I hook a mahi mahi or sail. The single hook will work much
better than a treble, just give the fish time to eat.
The Spanish mackerel are totally on fire in the Gulf of Mexico.
If you like fast fishing or more like non-stop-reel-‘til-you-drop
then you will love the Spanish bite. It is easy livin’ fishin’.
All you have to do is get plenty of chum and all the shrimp you
can afford. I like #3 wire and a 4/0 3407 Mustad hook. Tie this
into a 40lb leader of 3 feet and a 10lb or 12lb light spinning
rod, and hold on for some awesome action. The Spanish macks are
also great table fare so save a few for dinner. They are
excellent blackened with Cajun seasonings. They are also very
plentiful and a great renewable resource. Enjoy one of
Islamorada’s best fisheries and take a trip out to the Gulf of
Mexico.
The 45th annual Islamorada Sailfish Tournament will start the
sailfish tournament season this week. This year’s event should
be one for the record books as the conditions look to be ideal.
Sailfish are dominating the reef edge throughout Islamorada
waters. This past week was a great one for sails as most of the
fleet caught sailfish on every outing. The best catch in town
this week went to Capt. Bill Bassett on the SACHEM from Bud &
Mary’s marina. Capt. Bill was working a pod of sails near the
reef edge in 75 feet. He called me in to join him and I raised
the pod of fish catching and releasing two. While I was landing
my fish, Bill and his team of anglers and mates caught and
released 7 fish! He then chased the pod of fish into 35 feet and
caught another fish as he was spraying bait. His total on the
day was 13! Capt. Bill has been around for a long time and that
display of skill was sure a treat to watch. I had more
funwatching the SACHEM from point blank range showing her stuff
than catching fish myself. Hats off to the SACHEM.
If you need a tournament team, Capt Bill would be a good choice
for the win. He has been in the thick of it all week. Of course
the CATCH 22 run by Capt. Scott Stanzyk also from Bud & Mary’s
had many successful anglers this week too with plenty of flags
flying to prove it. If you are interested in doing battle with
one of the ocean’s greatest game fish, they are here now. Of the
many fish available in the oceans to catch, the sailfish is
probably the most fun and thrilling on light tackle. They
possess spectacular speed; capable of reaching 70+ mph. They
also expend much of their energy leaping and vaulting high into
the air in an attempt to throw the hook. Capt. Bruce Anderson on
the CAPT. EASY from Holiday Isle also had a spectacular week
releasing sails on every trip out with one day in the double
digits. Capt Bruce likes to target big wahoo along with the
sails and his best season for this is around the corner. If you
want a big ‘hoo then look him up at Holiday Isle.
The Gulf of Mexico is on fire with mackerel. On the last trip
out I had a family of five catch over 200 fish. The best bait is
live shrimp. As soon as the bait hits the water, BAM, you’re
hooked-up! I like to use 6-10lb light spinning outfits. The
Spanish have been running up to 8lbs, so the light tackle will
be tested. Make sure you have enough line on the spool as you
will soon need it when an 8 pound Mack hits your shrimp and
heads for Key West. The long range wrecks have been very slow.
Save the wear and tear and wait until the water warms up a few
degrees. As soon as it does the cobia should start to show up
along with bull sharks and rays. The permit will also fire up
too, so make sure to bring a few crabs with you if you go. As is
the norm in the sport fishing capitol of the world, the fishing
is off the charts! Come on down and enjoy some fast fishing and
good times here in sunny Islamorada.
Sailfish .
. . Sailfish, sailfish, and more sailfish are pouring
through the reef edge in sunny (and windy) Islamorada. The fresh
northeast breezes and cool temps have the sails on the move. The
bait has been abundant and the fish are here working on the
shoals of baitfish. The frigate birds have been following the
marauding spindlebeaks into the shallows to feed on ballyhoo
fleeing for their lives. Many of Islamorada’s finest were out on
the edge participating in the fast sailfish action. Capt. Steve
Leopold on the YABBA DABBA DO from Holiday Isle has been
successful on every trip out this week with his best day
capturing and releasing nine sails. Capt Alex Adler on the KALEX
from Bud & Mary’s had thirteen sails one day and ten on another.
Of course he also loaded up on cobia and king mackerel too.
Capt. George McElveen on THE REAL MCCOY posted several double
digit days along with Capt. Scott Stanzyk on the CATCH 22. Both
of these guys and many others who can put you on the fish can be
fo und at Bud & Mary’s marina at mm80. The sails are coming to
the boat by the kite and by running showers. The best baits seem
to be ballyhoo and pilchards. In other words; the usual suspects
are still doing the job. The bite has been from Conch reef all
the way down to Tennessee reef so just about anywhere in
Islamorada is a good place to start. When you do connect with
that first sailfish and you want to remember it forever; think
of a Gray’s taxidermy release mount. They are the largest and
most trusted taxidermy service in the world and they have a wide
range of styles and sizes to choose from. They can make an exact
duplicate of your trophy and you can still let ‘em swim. Ask
your mate or captain what you need to do before you catch that
fish so they can be ready in case that special fish presents
himself.
The gulf of Mexico fishery is under full swing due to the cold
fronts. The Spanish mackerel are moving in well with many fine
fish up to 8 pounds being taken on shrimp and cut bait. The
fishing for these guys will steadily improve over the next month
or two, however; it is already wide open. It may take a little
longer for your chum to start working so be patient. Once the
dinner bell is rung, hold on to your hats. It is wise to make a
bunch of rigs before going out to your favorite haunts. It is
much easier to tie them up in front of the T.V. instead of when
your hands are covered in slime from the frenzy. Bring plenty of
live shrimp with you if you plan to enjoy some quality time. I
usually go through 250-500 shrimp in an outing. If you need live
shrimp, either Islamorada outfitters, Able’s, World Wide
Sportsman, Bud & Mary’s, or Caloosa Cove will be open early and
have what you need. Have a great Thanksgiving Holiday and
remember to thank God for your life, family, and friends, and
whileyou’re at it, thank a Veteran too!
September 06, 2007 - Islamarada Offshore Report
The slow season is officially upon us. Most of the boats spent
the majority of the week at the dock. The few boats that made it
out had great success catching.
Capt. George on THE REAL MCCOY from Bud & Mary’s was one such
boat that went out tuna catching. He had his way with the medium
blackfins and skipjacks on the humps. He said they were eating
freebies right out of his hand at the transom.
Capt. Skip Bradeen on the BLUE CHIP TOO had similar results
fishing for tuna offshore on the hump. You can find the
legendary Mr. Charterboat at Whaleharbor marina.
There are still some dolphin moving through but they were
getting tougher and tougher to find. If you were one of the
boats that crossed paths with the offshore denizens you found
that the fish were pretty nice.
There were a few great catches brought in this past week. We did
a fun trip with several captains and mates and caught some nice
blackfin tuna and we also ran into a school of nice mahi mahi.
Capt. Mike Hancock on t he MAN O MAN out of Holiday Isle had a
few nice catches of tuna this week on the “hump”. If you are
looking for some fast action, the edge of the reef is still
producing great catches of king mackerel and mutton snapper.
There are still plenty of little tunnies around to keep the rods
bent too.
We had several chances at sailfish this week but failed to land
one. Several other boats have reported sporadic sailfish action
up and down the reef edge. Be on the lookout for them in your
travels. You will probably get a shot at one during the week to
come.
Once again I will borrow a line from my good friend Capt. J.R.
and say that there are more fish than fisherman, and there is no
better time to go catching!
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