Key Largo and The Upper Florida Keys

Capt. Marc Blackburn
July 4, 2007
Key Largo - Saltwater Fishing Report

Dolphin and Blackfin Tuna are hitting well. July 3, 2007

Dauntless was just re-powered with new 2007 200 HP Yamaha HPDI’s and we missed some time the end of June. Got back on the water Saturday the 30th and did very well on the blackfin tuna at the Islamorada Hump. Joel and Jeff landed about 20 nice tuna from 5 to 10 pounds before moving on to chase some dolphin and swordfish. We landed a couple of schoolies and missed a large cow that threw the bait before setting lines for swordfish. We spent a couple of hours drifting large squid on Floyd’s Wall 30 miles southeast of Key Largo but failed to produce any bites that night.

Sunday proved to also be very good for the blackfin tuna with a group from Jacksonville. We landed 14 nice tuna and a head left over from a shark before heading deeper from the Hump. Schoolies, schoolies, schoolies…….as many as you care to catch was the ticket Sunday. We failed to raise any large dolphin but never went more than 30 minutes without a school surrounding the boat. We caught at least 100 and left several schools still hungry looking for larger fish.

The dolphin action will continue through the summer along with the tuna. Blue marlin are grey hounding and jumping frequently offshore but we have failed to hook one yet this summer. This is the time of year for marlin and numerous have been caught up to 300 pounds already this year by other boats. Yellowfin tuna also make an occasional appearance this time of year followed by hundreds of birds feeding on the scraps left behind.

Reef fishing is best done at night in the summer with yellowtail, mangrove and mutton snapper providing the best action. Grouper are always present and willing to take a bait, the trick is to keep them out of their holes and get them to the boat. Sharks are always willing ready and able to pull some heavy drag at night on the reef. There are still a lot of tarpon left in the area but this fishing will be winding down soon, at least with the large migratory fish.

The weather is superb this time of year with calm seas and warm water. Come down to paradise and enjoy a week or weekend in Key Largo or Islamorada and get in on the fishing action for a day or two. Snorkeling this time of year is fantastic as the water is crystal clear with up to 80 foot of visibility common. If you would like to do some snorkeling on a trip, let us know and we will be happy to accommodate.

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