Once again we had windy conditions here in Key West. The water temp outside the reef is about 77 and a little warmer inside the reef. The current was moving pretty good to the east and there was a slight color change stacking up bait and fish.

Offshore the Dolphin bite was OK. It was not as good as the previous week but we managed to find some fish along the color change that was meandering between 170 and 250 feet deep. There was not much bird activity and most of the fish we found were singles. Sailfishing was excellent this week due to the rough conditions. Fish were filtering in anywhere from 100 feet to 150 feet. I had a number of fish in that depth and a couple in deeper water that was holding more Dolphin. One Wahoo hit peeled off some line and then dropped the bait. We should see the next wave of Wahoo around the next full moon.

Reef fishing was OK this week. Yellowtail was the most reliable target and a few nice Grouper and Muttons hit the tables at Murray Marine. Most of the fish are in 90-120 feet. Live Pinfish, Pilchards as well as dead Squid and Bonito strips are the best baits. Look for the reef fishing to start to peak in the next few weeks with Muttons, Mangrove and Yellowtail becoming thick as spawning season is here.

Gulf fishing was pretty good during the south wind. I found Cobia, Kingfish, Cero, Spanish, gag and Red Grouper along with Mangrove, Yellowtail and Lane Snapper. The Cobias were on the small side as they are now migrating north.

We should see the Vandenberg this week and everyone is anticipating the arrival of the first new artificial wreck in the Key West area in a long time. It seems like every county in Florida gets many new reefs every year except for Monroe County. With the fishing pressure we receive in the Keys we should be adding many more new reefs to our waters.

The wind is still pounding us down here in Key West. Another week and a couple more lost charters. Some don’t mind the wind while others want no part of getting seasick. The economy is holding things back enough but this lousy weather is the topper. Water temps cooled a degree with this last front but should warm right back up to the 76.2 offshore and 73 inshore we were seeing the past few weeks. 2 dyas of light winds this past weekend should settle things down a little and we should see a very nice color change for a while. A nice color change is great for your game plan but usually attracts so many boats and gets worked over hard leaving you to come up with a plan B. For me that was moving a little farther offshore looking for a second current break and debris and weeds.

Offshore has been spectacular for Dolphin and Sailfish. The WSC tournament is on and waves of Sails are pouring through so we should see record numbers of fish caught and released. The bait situation has been OK but not great and the huge number of boats fishing the tournament will make the bait situation tough for a couple of weeks to come. Dolphin have been along the color change and all over the deep wrecks and any other structure causing rips and any current up-welling. Look for Frigate Birds for direct signs of fish below. If you don’t find birds look for bait sprays, rips, weeds, debris. I found some smaller fish picking off the small baits that hang under the Man-Of-War that are out there in big numbers. I worked close to every Man-Of-War I saw and found a bunch of small fish in between the bigger ones under the birds. Sails can be found anywhere the bait is showing up. Work either side of the color change with live baits on a kite or slow trolling live Ballyhoo. Dead trolled Ballyhoo will work as well but not quite as good as the live ones. Wahoo should make a good showing with the full moon so keep a deep trolled bait out there. A YoZuri Bonito in the dolphin color back to just where your prop wash ends will get attention from Wahoo.

On the reef the water is nice and cloudy making the fish less wary. Muttons should be moving in for the spawn and we will be seeing plenty of fish in the next week or two along with competing views on the best way to deal with the issue of catching these spawning fish. I would guess that there will be some discussion this year about regulation changes on spawning muttons. Grouper have been biting pretty good. Live pinfish always attract some nice Grouper and dead baits work good as well. A whole dead squid has been catching more Grouper than anything else for me lately.

Shark fishing in the backcountry channels has been great. Fish usually move into the shallows in the spring and I love to hang a 1-2 pound Bluefish on a kite and wait for a big Bull or Blacktip to get a fix on the struggling bait.

We had another week of windy weather here in Key West. The forecasts called for 5-10 a couple of the days but it turned out to be more like 15-20 on those. The wind has kept the water churned up pretty good from shore out to a little past the reef. Once you get into deeper water a nice color change lingered all week. The water temp was 76.2 and the current moving to the east at a good clip.

Offshore was all about Dolphin this week. The fish were not huge but there were plenty of gaffers mixed in with the big schools of smaller fish. It was nice not to have to run far offshore but the conditions were rough. Frigate birds were out in force giving up positions of the larger fish. There were also plenty of boats chasing after them but I picked up plenty of nice fish even though I was the second or third boat to work past a hovering bird. I had numerous occasions when a boat closer to a frigate picked up a few small fish and after we past the bird we would hook into a 12-15 pound fish. They are still in close and I worked water from 120-250 feet all week. Sailfish reports were pretty good as well though I only had 1 fish come up into the spread and rob me of a ballyhoo. There were a few reports of Wahoo and a monster Mako caught close into Sand Key. Look for the Dolphin bite to improve. Larger fish should start to move in and the key is to fish those very rough days. Once the run of big fish slows the bite will move further offshore.

On the reef the fishing has been good as well. Mutton Snapper are biting good. We are getting near the spawn and the usual pillaging of the spawning stocks will soon begin. This is a controversial subject and will surely result in a regulation restriction in the near future. I am surprised that the Grouper issue came up first. Yellowtailing has been OK. Find some current and there will be plenty.

The Gulf fished OK this week and we should find Cobia, Kingfish and Grouper along with Mutton and Mangrove Snapper on all the wrecks and rock-piles. As with the Atlantic side ….keep the chum flowing and you will have the bite gradually turn up and attract different species the longer you chum.

A strong front will pass through for most of this week leaving us with windy conditions. The water temp outside the reef is about 76 and there has been some good fishing just beyond the reef. The current was a little light and it pays to look around for some moving water.

Offshore still is producing some decent Dolphin. This week was no exception with most boats that are trolling finding fish in depths from 150 out to 300 or so. A few boats ventured a little further out and found a few bigger fish. The sailfish bite has not been all that reliable and this wind and rough seas may turn them on. Hopefully we will see a push of fish through the area. Blackfin Tuna, Bonito and Kingfish are being caught in good numbers all over the place. Some Wahoo are around and I had a nice fish on in 140 feet.

On the reef the fishing has been pretty good for Grouper, Snapper, Kingfish and sharks as well as all the misc reef fish. Look for fish to be more plentiful in 140 feet and on some shallower structure. The 80-100 foot depths were not working as well this past week. Muttons were holding in deeper water and again in shallower water. The 100 foot depth seemed to be covered in Kingfish. The Yellowtail bite has been a little slow with the unfavorable current not helping.

Gulf wrecks and rock-piles are producing big Kingfish, Cobia, Sharks and plenty of Snappers like Lane’s, Muttons and Mangroves. Chum hard and vary your baits with Pinfish, Thread Herring, Pilchards, Squid and cut Bonito.

Deep dropping was producing very good on the two nice calm days last week. When the fishing is slow in on the reef it is usually very good in the deeper water. I worked some hard bottom in 350 feet for Yelloweye Snapper, Red Snapper and Red Porgies along with some Yellowmouth Grouper and Snowy Grouper. 550 and deeper water was all Tilefish and Rosefish.

The wind has been blowing non-stop despite what the forecasts have been calling for. Just when the forecast looks for a drop in the wind they change it and bump it up to 15-20. Most of us have become accustomed to fishing the wind but for those visiting for a short time or prone to seasickness it can be a turn off. The good thing is that the fishing is much better when the seas are rough. We had a full moon this week but the fishing remained good on the reef and for Dolphin and Sailfish. Water temperature is around 73 outside the reef but the current is a little slow on the reef and the bar.

Offshore has just been outstanding for Dolphin all year. Again I kept up my streak with at least one nice Dolphin on every charter, except for the backcountry shark excursions of course. There was a very nice current break in 200 feet that meandered a little shallower as I followed it to the west. I pulled a 15 pound cow and a bunch of 6-10 pound fish off of it while making my way west to do some bottom fishing. All the fish hit my blue/white Islander with a Ballyhoo combo that was trolled on a flat-line 40 feet behind the boat right in the wake. I had a few Sails come up on that bait this week as well but I could not drop it back since it is a little heavy and just sinks away. I hooked Sails on plain ballyhoo on the riggers and on a Pakula Uzi on the flat-line in the wake. That set up has been working pretty good throughout the winter. A plain ballyhoo on each rigger, a plain green Pakula Uzi on one flat-line and a blue/white Islander with a ballyhoo on the other flat-line. I have caught Wahoo, Dolphin and Sailfish on the Islander, Dolphin, Bonito, Blackfin and Sails on the Pakula and Dolphin and Sails on the plain ballyhoo. Work the current rips and weedlines. I have not been out past 300 feet in a while.

On the reef the fishing has been excellent. Bottom fishing has been outstanding for Grouper, Muttons, Porgies, Kingfish and Sharks. Surface and dead drift baits have been picking up Kingfish, Cero Macks, Sharks and a few Yellowtail. The Yellowtail bite was not so great this week. I caught a couple of huge flags on the bottom but not much on the traditional freelined yellowtail rig. I have been varying the bait among Pinfish, Squid, Shrimp, cut Bonito, cut Cero and Thread Herring. The bite stays hot for a while then fades. That is when I switch the baits around a little. Pinfish were being hit by some huge Grouper but it sometimes took a while for something to take interest while Squid and cut bait was being hit non-stop.

Deep wrecks and hard bottom have been fishing pretty good. AJ’s in the 30-70 pound range are stacked up on almost every deep wreck. Red Snapper and Muttons are out there on hard bottom in 140 feet and deeper. You only need to find some small relief in that depth and it will hold fish.

I have not fished the Gulf much at all but the Kings and Cobia should be out there on wrecks and rock-piles. I am just waiting for the Grouper closed season to end so as to not limit the catch.

The weather made fishing a little tough this week. I spent most days in the backcountry and one very rough day on the reef. The water inshore is running 66-69 degrees and around 72 outside the reef. Current is moving lightly to the east and the blue water is close to the reef.

Offshore was very tough this week with the NE and East wind blowing 20+. We actually had a little south of east which made the seas even larger on Saturday. Sailfish are around and pushing bait right up on the reef. Dolphin are around and have remained steady all winter. With the rough water trolling has been the most comfortable. Tuna, Kingfish and a few Wahoo are also in the mix.

On the reef the conditions are tough but the fishing good. Bottom fishing has been great for Snapper…Yellowtail, Mutton, Mangrove were all feeding on the bottom and a few Grouper as well. I had better luck with dead baits and pinfish were all but useless. Porgies, Yellowjacks, Amberjacks, Kingfish, Cero’s and Sharks round out the species.

With the wind coming from the North I have not ventured into the Gulf but should be ut there once or twice this week as the wind has lightened and moved a little South. Rockpiles and wrecks should be holding Cobias and Kingfish along with plenty of Snapper on the bottom.

Inshore the patch reefs have been a good choice to avoid the big seas. Keep the chum flowing and you will attract Grouper, Yellowtail, Mangrove, Mutton, Mackerel, Sharks and maybe something more unusual like a big Green Moray

Another front is pushing through as I write this report. We had a couple of very nice days and it looks like we will be at the dock for the first two days this week and then some decent weather should set in. The water temp is running 73 outside the reef and we have had a nice color change and a ripping current just outside the reef. Look for conditions to stay about the same for a while.

Offshore has been excellent for Kingfish, Dolphin, Tuna and Sailfish. Dolphin have been surprisingly populous over the past few months. I have had a Dolphin or two on every trip. Some while at anchor on the reef but mostly trolling along the color change. Sailfish have been good and Kite fishing with live speedos or gogs is the best way to approach it. Slow trolling live ballyhoo is a good tactic as well. Look for the fish along the color change on both sides. I found plenty of Sails in the green water and some in the blue as well. Kings are everywhere and can become an annoyance. Tunas are around and anchoring and chumming with live pilchards is plan A and trolling small dark lures way back is plan B.

On the reef the bottom fishing is good if you find the right conditions. If you find some good bottom with a medium current and slightly cloudy water you will be in luck. Live pinfish, ballyhoo, threadfin, pilchards, whole squid…anything will get eaten and try to vary the baits. Keep the chum flowing steadily and Yellowtail will come up. Drifting and jigging with Butterfly jigs, bucktail jigs tipped with squid will cover ground and find fish. I have been hooking a lot of Kingfish on the Butterfly jigs so go with the wire assist hooks and a trace of wire leader.

Wahoo should heat up around the next full moon so if you are trolling keep a bait deep and on the reef live chumming will bring them right up to the motors. Keep a big spinning rod with a circle hook and wire leader. For trolling a blue/white islander with a ballyhoo on the downrigger will get eaten.

The Gulf has been a little slow and we are in the no-take season for Grouper in the Gulf. Cobia have been around but not in huge numbers and we should see another wave pop up in the next few weeks. Timing seems to be what you need on your side to find cobia.

As we move into March we should start to see the cold fronts become slightly weaker and less frequent. This will keep the water temperature steady and the fishing will remain good throughout the month. Water temps outside the reef are running around 74 and slightly cooler inside the reef.

Offshore should be in prime season for Sailfish, Kingfish, Tuna and Wahoo. Look for all of these species to be feeding on the large schools of bait that will be moving up and down the reef and anywhere from 30 feet out to around 250. The current is moving pretty good to the east and we should see color changes, rips and breaks all along the reef edge. Ballyhoo trolled plain or behind a blue and white islander will cover all your bases. One rig trolled deep on a downrigger will find any Wahoo that are around. Look for the Wahoo bite to be better around the full moon. Dolphin have been steady since October and don’t seem to be letting up. Most boats are finding a few Dolphin every day. Bonito and Blackfin will hit small dark lures trolled on flat lines closer to the boat or way way back.

The reef is in prime season for March. Look for large Grouper, Mutton Snapper, Mangrove Snapper and Kingfish to be on drop-offs and ledges in 60-110 feet deep. You will have best results if there is a small current. Keep the chum flowing and you will have many different species show up along the bottom. The top of the water column will produce Yellowtail if you keep enough chum flowing. Whole squid, live pinfish, pilchards, ballyhoo, thread herring and shrimp will all work great for bait.

Gulf fishing will also be in its prime for March. Cobia, Kingfish, Grouper, Snapper, Sharks will keep the rods bent. Any rock-pile or wreck will have good action. The same baits will work here as well. I usually keep a ballyhoo on a stinger rig back in the current and chum with cut thread herring to get the Kings active. Most of the Gulf Kings will run in the 30-40 pound range.

Deep dropping is always a good bet and you will find Snowy Grouper, Tilefish and Rosefish in 500-700 feet along ledges and rocky top edges of big drops. Tilefish tend to be more on the top of the humps and Groupers right along the edge. If you patiently work deeper ledges you can find barrellfish and Golden Tiles but I have best results in 575-625 feet. Red Porgy, Vermillion Snapper and Silky Snapper can be found in 350-450 range.

We had some great weather this past week. Great for boating, but no so great for fishing. The calm water seemed to shut the fish down for the most part. The water temperature is about 74 on the reef and 75.5 out a little deeper. The current is ripping pretty good to the east making trolling a slow proposition if you are moving west.

Offshore was very slow this week. A few boats reported Wahoo over deep wrecks and ledges, and a few just in open water. Most of the fish have been in the 200 foot depth. Tuna, Bonito and Kingfish were also biting pretty good. Sailfishing was slow this week and look for the coming front to pick up the bite a little.

Reef fishing was very slow and the strong current made bottom fishing a little difficult. Pinfish and Squid were getting bit but not at a frenzied pace. Anyone who worked deeper waters to no avail and then decided to move shallower probably found better fish. I had a good bite of Muttons and Red Grouper on a patch inside the reef in 40 feet. Small Black Grouper and Mackerel seemed to move in as well.

The Gulf was working good this week with a few nice Cobia and plenty of 30-40 pound Kingfish on the rock-piles and wrecks I worked. Lane Snapper a few Muttons and plenty of undersized Red Grouper filled in the gaps with the Goliath’s becoming a nuisance.

Deep dropping was excellent this week. The current in close to the reef was moving at a coupleof knots, but out in 600 it was only 1.5, which made for perfect deep dropping. Chunks of Kingfish were eaten by Rosefish, Gray Tilefish and Yellowedge Grouper. I had one hit that straightened out a hook. Look for the deep water to pick up when it is slow in close.

Wow what a week of fishing. I have been doing a lot of bottom dropping for muttons and grouper. The shallow wrecks have been on fire such as the Thunderbolt and the Seven Mile bridge rubble. I have been taking lots of amberjacks and a few grouper and a whole mess of muttons. The bite has been on even through this rough weather, which has kept most people at home. I haven’t seen too many boats out, but I guess I can’t blame them. I have been catching some vermilions on the 200+ wrecks, but the wind has really made it tough to hit them good. While dropping for the muttons we picked up a nice African pompano which was close to 40 pounds and a red snapper around 8 pounds or so.

When targeting muttons I like to use 40-60 pound floro about 15-20 feet in length. The hook, which I have been using with great success, is the Demon circle 8/0 by Mustad. I use a swivel-bead-swivel method, which seems to allow you to feel the littlest of bites. I have been using 10 ounces of lead, which is about the norm with the type of current we have been having, or might I say, not having. I like to keep moving the bait around the structures, and I never go over the structure itself, because you will most likely just get snagged anyways. If the conditions are windy like they have been this week I like to get up wind of the structure and put the baits down while moving forward, this helps from you leader getting tangled. Once the baits hit the bottom I put the boat in reverse to try and slow the drift down. This tactic can be very tricky but with lots of practice you should get it down. I basically just try to keep the boat square with the lines and trying to keep the lead bouncing the bottom every once in a while. If you don’t have any wrecks, just go get a dive book with wrecks in it. These wrecks, which are in or over 100 feet are great places to start until you find the hidden wreck, kept secret by us charter guides. I would drift the outside edge of these wrecks; you just might be surprised how many fish live on the outside edge of these wrecks. If you get to close to these wrecks cudas might bite off your rigs or some really big Goliath grouper will eat your fish.

The kingfish bite and sailfish bite has been really good with many people having a chance to bend a rod. The kingfish have been small for the most part, but there are some big ones around in the forty-pound class. If you are interested on both of these species, just go fly a kite with a wire leader. We didn’t seem to have any trouble hooking some sails with a small trace of wire. If you don’t want to get any goggle eyes then use pilchards or blue runners. I couldn’t get any pilchards because I haven’t had time to peruse the flats, so I flew the kite with some threadfins and a bunch of blue runners and we went 3 for 5 the other day. I love to fly the kite because of the kings. When they skyrocket across your spread is just so cool, I just stand back with a grin from ear to ear.

I heard that there had been some decent size tunas at the hump, but I will believe it when I see it. It is close to the time when the larger tunas will start making their way back, but I still think it’s a little early. And besides, it’s been blowing so hard if you did make it out there, you might need some new kidneys. It’s been rough and I’ll tell yah, I had clients out this week who are die-hards and we braved the seas and came back with some nice fish every day.

With the weather letting up, get out there and get some dinner and a great time on the water. Be safe and always check your safety equipment and don’t forget to check your fire extinguisher

January weather is on us and we should be in for a good month of strong fronts passing through. Not been many boats were on the water this week due to the 25+ winds and cold. The Key West Race Week is usually a little slow anyway.

Offshore has been steady for dolphin all fall and winter, and hopefully the same trend will remain right through to the spring. There have been some nice fish caught this past week. Most of the fish have been in the 5-10 pound range with a few 15-20 pound fish mixed in. Any depth from 100 feet to 250 can produce this time of year. I have been working 2 small lures, 1 plain ballyhoo and 1 deep lure in my spread when trolling. The Dolphin are small and lures keep from having to constantly change out ballyhoo. Wahoo, tuna and sailfish were biting good this past week and the tunas and sailfish should remain hot while the wahoo bite will fade until the next moon phase.

Reef fishing has been good and should be on the upswing as the full moon moves out. Look for a good current along drops in 60-100 feet. Try to stay in water that is not crystal clear and the bite will be better. I have been catching a good variety of fish on whole dead squid and pinfish. This time of year is good for keeping the rods bent with a variety of species from grouper to snapper to margates to porgies and African pompano. Yellowtail have been ok but the fishing has been tough with the current running up the anchor line. I worked a little closer to the reef and shallower and found plenty of fish in the medium size range. The action was fast and furious and came in waves.

The gulf is excellent from now through the spring and into summer. Look for cobia, kingfish, grouper, snapper, bonito, cero and Spanish mackerel and some big sharks to be cruising any of the wrecks and rock-piles. Keep the chum flowing and you will find the fishing to just get hotter and hotter the longer you sit. I tend to stay on the structure much longer in the gulf than I do in the Atlantic.

Deep dropping is very productive this time of year if the current cooperates. It can be difficult to hold bottom and you may need a lot of weight to do so. Clear water with a good current usually produces good catches of snowy grouper, yellowedge grouper and tilefish. All of my barrelfish have been in clear fast moving current during the winter. On shallower structure there should be loads of silky snapper and red porgies.

Deep wrecks will be holding tons of bait and huge amberjack, african pompano and sharks will be working the bait schools. Close to the bottom there should be plenty of grouper and red snapper.

Things were a little slow this week with the full moon cycle on us. The water temperature is about 74.2 on the reef and the current was ripping east early but has since slowed down. Dirty green water has been out to 200 feet and hopefully the powder blue water will hang around the bar area and the clear blue in the 150 foot depths.

Offshore has been spotty but we are still catching Dolphin in good numbers. I have caught Dolphin at least once a week every week of this year. Usually we see a huge drop in Dolphin catches but it has remained above average right through early winter so far. Fish have been caught in every depth from 30 feet right out to 300 or so. Sailfish have been cooperative and just starting to become a reliable target. I found a few small fish this week and landed all of them. All were under 30 pounds. Trolling with Pakula Uzi’s picked up 2 and a naked ballyhoo the other. Boats have been finding fish on Kite flown baits and by casting live Ballyhoo to fish spraying bait right up on the reef. Wahoo have been around this full moon cycle with fish working bait in my chum-slick twice this week. Tunas are working the usual spots to the west and live chumming Pilchards is the only way to go.

On the reef the fishing was a little slow with the full moon but small waves of feeding were there and you had to be ready. Saturday we found a couple of nice Black Grouper in the 90 foot depths along with two 5 pound Porgies. We would have a feeding wave with a bunch of fish for 5-10 minutes followed by 40 minutes of little Yellowtail stealing baits. Then another wave, another wait and another wave. The current was running right up the anchor line most of the time but has slowed quite a bit. Keep the chum flowing, vary your baits and move around a little and it will pay off. I found whole Squid to be the best bait. I had a pinfish sit for 2 hours without a bite and squid were being eaten as soon as they hit bottom. The biggest black of the week for my charters was 14 pounds and ate a 4 inch whole squid.

The Gulf was fishing great just up to the full moon. Cobia were on a few different wrecks and rock-piles I worked and big Kings were there as well. I found 3 Kings over 40 pounds and a bunch of 15-25 pounders. The bottom gave up the usual undersized Red Grouper and some good Mangrove Snappers. Most of the Cobia were release size and 1 25 pound fish ate a live Pinfish.

2008 has come to a close and 2009 is shaping up to be a challenging year for most of us here in the Keys. It was a good week from Christmas to New Years and we usually get a little break for a week before the season kicks off. Fishing has been pretty good up and down the reef as well as offshore and in the Gulf.

Offshore has been pretty good for Sailfish, Dolphin, Tuna and Wahoo. Sailfish have been spraying ballyhoo close in on the reef. Look for fish under birds or wherever you see bait fleeing. Ballyhoo and Threadfin are hanging close to the reef in large schools. I have found most of the Sails to be right up tight in as little as 30 feet of water. I have had a few fish out deeper but most seem to be hanging close to the bait. Dolphin have been around but spotty over the past week. Some fish have been caught close to the reef while they were feeding on the same bait as the sailfish and a few fish have been caught out as far as 400 feet. The water is running 75 degrees outside the reef and the current has been moving east. Tuna and Wahoo have been better early in the morning and the bite has been better to the west and early. Most boats have reported better fishing early in the morning.

The reef has been fair this week. There are good catches of Yellowtail coming in as well as a few nice Grouper and Mutton Snapper. Kingfish and Bonito are also working along the drop-offs in 75-100 feet. Live baits will bring in the Kingfish quickly. Pilchards and small Blue-Runners will get first billing. The current to the east has been a little lighter than to the west. The last couple of days it has been running right up the anchor line making Yellowtailing difficult, we managed to catch a few really big fish but noting in big quantities.

The wind has been slightly south and that makes for good conditions in the Gulf. The calm waters are great for a long run and there are plenty of wrecks and rock-piles to work in search of Cobia, Kingfish, Grouper and Snapper. A few nice Cobias have hit the docks at Murray Marine and live Pinfish seem to work best on them. Mangrove Snapper, Lane Snapper and Muttons will hang around the bottom and big Kingfish cruise the surface.

We are in full swing winter fishing mode here in Key West. The water temp is running in the low 70’s outside the reef and just under 70 closer to shore. With cooler nights the water temp will continue to cool slightly keeping the fish active. Fronts have been pushing through often keeping the winds up. We should see some relief this week.

Offshore has been great for Dolphin since September. Every trip we seem to find some Dolphin in 100-200 feet. They are not huge but good eating size and have been rounding out the catch. I have been trolling back through my chum slick after a few hours of bottom fishing and the fish have been feeding back there anywhere from 50 feet to a half mile back. Sailfish are coming through in good numbers and any bird activity or bait spraying will give up their location. A medium NE or East wind with some swell is best. The drift will be parallel to the reef and current so you can cover ground. A slight turn of the motors can give you just the right amount of angle to drift slightly across different depths. Most of the action has come on Threadfin on the kite and there are usually multiple hookups. Wahoo should turn on again with the approaching full moon. The Wahoo bite has been great all year and usually cycles up right around the full moon. Early morning is best so get that deep trolled Ballyhoo out there as soon as you hit the edge of the reef.

Reef fishing has been excellent. The current has been variable and if you take your time to search along the reef you can find current in your favor. There seems to be steadier movement out to the west. Yellowtail will be non-stop action once you find that favorable current and Mutton Snapper, Mangrove Snapper and Red and Black Grouper will hang closer to the bottom. Live Pinfish, Threadfin, dead Squid, Ballyhoo plugs and Bonito strips will all work. You may have some Dolphin show up just in your chum slick and I have had some Wahoo, Cobia and big Sharks show up as well recently.

Deep dropping has been pretty good and a medium current is best for covering ground and the fish are more active with more current. Bonito or Kingfish as well as Squid are always first choice for baits. I have had good catches of Tilefish, Snowy Grouper, Yellowedge Grouper, Red Porgy and Silky Snapper.

Gulf wrecks and rock-piles are great spots when the south wind rolls in. The comfort level is good and the fish are active. I found Cobia and big Kingfish prowling a few wrecks and rock-piles. Pinfish were eaten immediately by Cobia close to the bottom and a whole Ballyhoo on a stinger are the way to go on the big Kings. Big smokers will come right up to the back of the boat out there. I wait until the chum has been going for a while and work the bottom first. Once the area is chummed up good I chunk with Thread cut into 3 or 4 pieces. The flash it makes as it sinks gets the Kings motivated. After a few handfuls I throw out the whole Ballyhoo. It is usually picked up very slowly so keep the bail open until he gets a good bite on it.

The fishing in Key West has started to really take off. The reef is on fire and it should remain good from now through the winter months. As long as you get a window of good boating weather you can catch a huge variety of fish. Look for areas with a good current along a drop-off. Set up above any fish that you mark on your fish-finder and chum away.

Offshore is mostly about Sailfish, Tuna and Kingfish this time of year. There are some Dolphin around but it can be a tough day if that is your main target. Slow trolling live Ballyhoo along the reef edge in depths ranging from 50 to 200 feet should be productive for Sailfish. Look for bait showering as they try to escape predators. Frigate birds will give away large fish and any current break or color change will hold bait and the predators will be right behind. Kite fishing with live Thread Herring, Blue-Runners or Speedos will also draw in the Sailfish. Kingfish, Tunas and an occasional Dolphin will certainly pick up the same bait as well. Down deeper the Wahoo are here in good numbers and the bite is better around the full moon and early in the morning.

On the reef the fishing has been great. The Yellowtail are not huge but they are hungry and plentiful. Keep the chum steadily flowing and throw back a handful of Mahua or cut up Thread Herring when you drift your baits back. Keep the leader small and you will catch plenty. On the bottom the Mutton Snapper and Grouper bite has been very good. Live Pinfish or Pilchards will be eaten quickly and dead Squid or Threadfin will work well also. I prefer Pinfish for bottom fishing as they are more durable whereas the Pilchards make for better surface live chumming. The variety of reef fish will keep the day interesting and you may find a Sailfish or Wahoo back in your chumslick. I had a big Hammerhead working back and forth across my slick last week but he was not interested in eating the Blue-Runner I threw him.

Deep Dropping has been good. The usual Rosefish, Tilefish, Snowy Grouper and Yellowedge Grouper are holding on the edge of drop-offs in the 575-600 foot range. I found Red Porgy and Yelloweye Snapper in 350 feet on some small structure.

The Swordfish bite has been good during the day and I have had plenty of slashed baits and a few good hookups in the last few weeks. One nice big fish came all the way to the boat before coming un-hooked.

Gulf fishing is good for the winter months. I usually head to the Gulf on a South wind or East wind and find Cobia, Kingfish, Grouper, Snapper, Cero and Spanish Macks along with plenty of Sharks. The action is good and a Cobia usually finds its way to the fishbox. Work any wrecks or rock-pile with Pinfish, Squid and Thread Herring.

We have had some sorry weather the past few weeks and it takes good timing to get out on the water. When you do get out the fishing has been exceptionally good. A good chop on the surface is always good for fishing and locate the current and you will have good luck. The current varies daily along the reef but seems to be a little more favorable to the west of Sand Key.

Offshore has been excellent for Dolphin, Sailfish and Wahoo. The approach of the full moon seems to turn on the Wahoo and we had plenty of fish around last week. A deep trolled bait or live bait at anchor will get them to bite. Dolphin seem to be on a never ending run this year so take advantage while the fishing is good. Sailfish are moving in thick and covering some ground is always a good way to start the day. Once you find fish the area should be productive and switching to a kit and live baits will increase the bites.

Reef fishing has been excellent. Deep wrecks and structure has been producing plenty of Grouper and Mutton Snapper. Mangrove Snapper and the vast array of misc. reef fish that cruise the lower keys are about as hungry as you will see all year. African Pompano, Kingfish, Amberjack, Margate, Porgies..you name it and it will eat a Pilchard, Pinfish, Squid strip or Bonito strip.

The Gulf has been productive the past couple of days with the south wind. Look for Cobia, Kingfish and the Groupers and Snappers to feed on any wreck or rock-pile.

Deep Dropping was good last week. Plenty of Rosies and Tilefish on the top pf any humps and big Snowies and Yellowedge on the edge just before the drop-off.

Swordfishing has been good and any break in the weather will be a perfect opportunity to make a few drifts. A 20 pound weight will get you to the bottom in 1600-1800 feet. Leave it on as long as you can and then break it off and let the bait drift up. Most bites are coming within 100 feet of the bottom. The winds do let up some of the time but they started blowing again. In the strong Northeastern winds the Sailfish bite gets hot. Many Captains reported sailfish hook ups and many landings too. Wahoo was hot off the end of the Bar and the early morning bite had some nice Dolphin catches too. After the early morning bite you had to move farther offshore to find them again. If you stay inside Hawks Channel the seas are smaller and some good fishing is to be found. Around the patch reefs, they are loaded with Red Groupers, Some nice Mutton Snappers, and a good variety of other species, too. Just this Monday I had a warm party of 4 ladies and 2 men anglers. With my Fly rod method the ladies had a great time and out did the men

We have had some nice weather the past few days and it looks like it should stay for the week. The water temp is running 74 outside the reef and there has been a color change in close to the reef to the west of Sand Key and a little further offshore to the east of Sand Key. Current has varied along the reef with the color change. Bait is everywhere on the reef and it takes about 2 throws to have more than enough Pilchards for a few days of fishing. Ballyhoo, Blue Runners and Threadfin are also abundant right now.

Offshore has been excellent for Dolphin, Sailfish, Wahoo and Tunas. Anywhere in the 90-170 foot range has been producing assorted species. Boats trolling Ballyhoo have been doing well - drifting and live chumming will bring in Tunas, Wahoo and Sails. The fall/winter Dolphin fishing has remained excellent for the past month and it looks like it may hold on a while longer. Most of the fish are close to the reef with all the bait.

On the reef the fishing has been good for bottom species. Grouper are cruising all depths and Yellowtail, Mutton Snapper, Mangrove Snapper, Porgies, Margates and Sharks will be on your bait quickly. The fishing is hot for a while then cools down giving you the signal to move or just drop back a little on the anchor line. Keep the chum flowing and have a good assortment of bait ready. One day Pinfish are the best and the next day they sit for hours without a bite.

The Gulf has started to pick up with Cobia, Grouper, and assorted Snappers. Kingfish will make a showing as well. The shallow rock-piles and wrecks are usually good unless they have felt pressure. I try to get out into the gulf on more uncomfortable boating days and the fishing is spectacular. Once the pressure turns on it slows quickly and gets sharky. Deep wrecks are holding plenty of Amberjack, African Pompano, Sharks, Cudas along with Muttons, Grouper on the bottom.

Swordfishing has been good and a few nice fish have been caught over the past month. I had 1 nice fish and plenty of slashes and fish that came loose. Daytime has been the best bite and it takes some trial and error to get it all right. Deep dropping has been excellent. With the light winds and slightly moving current the baits get worked on quickly by Rosefish and Tilefishbut if you stay near the edges of the drops you will find more Snowy and Yellowedge Grouper.

Conditions are great this week for fishing. We have clear skies, a light breeze, water temperature around 75 and the current varies along the reef. West of Sand Key seems to have a little stronger easterly current.

Offshore has been great for fall Dolphin. There have been loads of fish in the 6-10 pound range and a good amount over 20 pounds. Look for fish in depths from 120 to 300 feet. I found some nice 12 pounders cruising along in 150. There was no structure or apparent current break. Just fish chasing Flying Fish. Wahoo should make another nice showing with the next full moon. Look for the bite to be early in the morning. Some really nice Wahoo for the Lower Keys came in this past full moon phase. Sailfish are also working bait in the 120-200 range. If the wind is up use a Kite for 2 baits out front and drift two more behind. Blackfin Tuna and Bonito as well as Kingfish and some Cobia have also been caught in the same range. Drifting with live Pilchards or Thread Herring will bring them to the boat.

On the reef the bottom fishing has been excellent. Get a Grouper or two before the closed season goes into effect January 1. I have been finding big Red Grouper mixed in with some small to medium Blacks. Pinfish and whole Squid has been the bait of choice. Other misc reef species like Porgies, Margate, Kingfish, Cobia, Jacks and Sharks round out the fun. Yellowtail has been good, but not great. The current and wind working against each other has made it difficult, but not impossible. A little work and you will be rewarded with some very large Yellowtail. Just keep that chum flowing steady. Chum them up with some small Pilchards or Mahua.

Swordfishing has been good. We managed to go 1 for 3 on our last trek out and came home with a 49” fish. Daytime bite has been excellent in the 1400-1600 foot depth. A big squid, bright light and 25 pounds of break-away weight will be needed for the job.

We hit a record high temperature today and man was it hot on the water. The water temperature halfway to the reef in front of Boca Chica was 91.7 degrees. It was a couple of degrees cooler outside the reef . Current has moved back into the waters in some areas and it is still non-existent in other areas. The west seems to be better for current and temperature.

Offshore I have not found much to make me happy in the past few weeks. Not much weed, very little debris, picky fish. Dolphin is hit or miss boat by boat. If you listen to the radio you will hear a few boats with small fish, a few with one or two nice fish and a few with none. Keep plugging away as your turn will come. I found Dolphin schools in 250 feet. Most of the fish were in the 3-5 pound range. I have also found some Sailfish and Wahoo in the 120-250 foot depth range. Again everything seems to be a little to the west.

The reef was alive this morning but slowed as the sun moved straight overhead. I had a group from Baton Rouge, LA that caught African Pompano, Mutton Snapper, Scamp Grouper, Triggerfish and Dolphin as well as the obligatory big fish rock-ups and a countless number of Sharpnose Sharks….all while anchored in 110 feet of water. Not a bad day for late summer heat. Look for fish to be in the over 100 foot depth and you need to find good current. I found current and it fished well, but as soon as the current died so did the bite. I moved and found more current and a good bite and so on and so on. Bonito strips and Ballyhoo plugs worked for us today.

Gulf fishing has been OK but will improve with cooling temperatures. As soon as fall sets in on us we should see huge schools of roaming Mackerel chasing bait. Kings, Cobia, Grouper will start to move in as the water temps cool.

Now is s good time to catch up on all your equipment maintenance. Grease up all your reels, replace worn parts, check all the guides on your rods and have everything in good shape for when the fishing really turns back on.