Islamorada fishing fishing report

Capt. Rick Rodriguez
September 28, 2019
Islamorada - Saltwater Fishing Report

We have been catching Yellow Tail snapper on the edge of the reef in the usual places. Yellow tail snapper have not been easy to land because of the sharks. The sharks are not endangered, all the sharks you want in Islamorada. In fact, they are a nuisances to the charter boat fleet. Many sharks have been conditioned to follow charter boats that frequently fish the Islamorada area. They seem to recognize the sound of working boats more than others. I have observed them following boats from one area to the other. They patiently wait for a fish to become distressed during the fight and devour them. Ruining the expectation and joy of the client who spends thousands of dollars to have fun fishing. The sharks never get full during their relentless pursuit of food.
Hard to imagine it could be worse, but it is worse at the Islamorada Hump. Those sharks don't discriminate at all. Any boat hooking a fish at the Hump is subject to the Tax man. The sharks at the Islamorada Hump are BIGGERRRRR and are a larger concentrated amalgamation of species. Landing a decent size Black Fin tuna or an amberjack has now become a celebrated event. It is hard to imagine until you have been there working to hook a fish, doing all the detailed task to get a bite. Then fighting a large fish for a while and feel your expectations of landing it disappear. It is a hopeless feeling that enrages most anglers with expectations of catching and eating a fish.

Enough gloom and doom lol. Overall fish very good on the edge of the reef and offshore. The Mahi have been moving through the Islamorada area with consistency. Nice size schoolies and a few bigger fish have been the norm on daily outings. Away from the hump schools of blackfin tuna have been moving through and have been easy to catch on small trolling lures.

We out smart the sharks everyday and catch some nice fish. Sharks have and always will be around doing what they do.

Islamorada Fishing Forecast:

More Mahi and tunas offshore. Plenty of reef fish also!

Target Species:

Mahi Tuna Snapper

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