Greetings from Key West!
Summer is finally here and a great time for flats fishing in Key West. Our winds have subsided a little and the fishing has been on fire! Migratory Tarpon are still moving through the keys in search of schooling bait as the move north.
The bite has been the best early in the morning and in late afternoon with many Tarpon moving through the deeper channels off the flats.
Fly selections has been darker colors with good tail movement. Toads, baitfish patterns and Tarpon bunnies in red, purple or black are a good choice to start with. Weight forward floating lines with a sink tip will get you down in the channels when tarpon are diving deeper in search of bait.
The Key West reef fishing bite has been good! Offshore the Dolphin bite is in full swing with King Mackerel and Tuna still around too. Keep an eye out for the frigates and a good packed weed-line.
Bottom fishing on and off the reef is hot now with grouper season underway. As always, boat safe and have fun!
Team Saltwater Angler
We at the Saltwater Angler wish you a warm and sunny welcome from our little slice of Key West paradise. Thank you for your interest in our Key West Fishing Report for Fishing in Key West and the lower keys!
The following week will have a bit of wind out of the north and northeast. The temperatures in the next few days will drop to the upper 60’s so dress accordingly. But by the end of the week the wind should hopefully start to pick right back up to the lower to mid 70’s.
Key West offshore fishing reports have been good, when the weather permits us to get out. With the coming of the full moon and some cooler water temperatures we expect to start seeing more and more Wahoo. These fish are a blast to catch and make amazing table fare.
Our Key West fishing captains are still seeing some Mahi-Mahi or “dolphin”. These fish are a thrill to catch and even better eating! This time of year the fish tend to be on the smaller size with the bigger ones mixed in.
We’ve been hearing reports of some sailfish being caught out in the Gulf hopefully start seeing some south winds later on this month which will push the bait fish closer to the reefs, making it a shorter run to find theses elusive fish. Trolling skirted ballyhoo and daisy chains are a great way to get them fired up and eating.
The Blackfin Tuna bite has also been pretty decent, especially if going out with a blacked out well of pilchards. Be on the lookout for birds but pay attention to the sounder as well, for any marks between 100-150ft. Don’t forget the chopsticks should you happen to get in on some Tuna action, as these fish are sushi grade! Bleed them quick and get them on ice ASAP for the best tasting fish.
The Key West reef bite has been picking up. Plenty of Red Grouper and Mutton Snapper around. The Yellowtail Snapper bite has been great as usual, and also makes for good eating.
Keep in mind and be on the lookout for the occasional Cobia, especially if you catch a big shark, as they tend to hang around the big toothy critters. Should you happen to have the Cobia come up on the surface, be prepared with a “pitch rod” or a setup the you can quickly rig to throw a piece of cut bait, pinfish , or even a bucktail jig. These fish tend to eat the scraps missed by larger predators and aren’t too picky.
Our tip is to make sure to let them eat before reeling down on them as they tend to mouth the bait a bit. If you happen to miss the bite, don’t give up! Instead reset and get another bait in their face, they will often hang around looking for what they just missed.
The Key West reef bite has been picking up. Plenty of Red Grouper and Mutton Snapper around. The Yellowtail Snapper bite has been great as usual, and also makes for good eating.
Keep in mind and be on the lookout for the occasional Cobia, especially if you catch a big shark, as they tend to hang around the big toothy critters. Should you happen to have the Cobia come up on the surface, be prepared with a “pitch rod” or a setup the you can quickly rig to throw a piece of cut bait, pinfish , or even a bucktail jig. These fish tend to eat the scraps missed by larger predators and aren’t too picky.
Our tip is to make sure to let them eat before reeling down on them as they tend to mouth the bait a bit. If you happen to miss the bite, don’t give up! Instead reset and get another bait in their face, they will often hang around looking for what they just missed.
Visit us weekly to get your Key West Fishing Report!
CLICK HERE TO: BOOK A FISHING TRIP OR EMAIL US
Visit us weekly to get your Key West Fishing Report!
CLICK HERE TO: BOOK A FISHING TRIP OR EMAIL US
243 Front Street.
Key West, FL 33040
10:00 AM – 6.00 PM
Monday – Sunday
800.223.1629 or 305.296.0700
Email: [email protected]