The Bottom is Best
Capt. Ralph Delph
January 1, 2009
Key West - Saltwater Fishing Report
Water temperatures continue to hover in the low 70's along the reef line, stimulating good reef action for big CIRO MACKEREL, however a large pocket of still water has formed from south of the Dry Tortugas to well east of American Shoals and from the reef line to more than 40 miles offshore. This has left the water with an off color rather than the crisp blue of the Gulfsstream, slowing the offshore action on SAILFISH, WAHOO, and most other pelagic species that were here in abundance only a week ago. The SST charts hint that the stream may be pushing back in closer to the reef line as early as next week ( I hope). The up side for now is that the bottom fishing remains as good as I have seen in many years for this time of year. RED SNAPPER and BLACK GROUPER have highlighted the past week with large fish and good numbers. The action has been good from right out front of Key West to the Dry Tortugas. RED GROUPERS are starting to show in strong numbers and have been running up to 20 pounds. MUTTON SNAPPER action has slowed a bit, but remains good with larger fish becoming the norm. One angler landed a 23 pounder this past week. AMPERJACKS and JACK CREVALLE have been a plague to the bottom anglers but have helped keep the rods bent all day for constant, all day action.
Hawks Channel has been loaded with small SPANISH MACKEREL and a few large KINGFISH have been seen skyrocketing bait as well. Large JACK CREVALLES have been crashing bait in the early morning but have been harder to find as the day progresses.. The shallow water wrecks have been slow this past week, but should pick up again as the fronts cool the water down and push COBIA into their usual haunts.
The Gulf action has been picking up with COBIA showing around some of the artificial reefs and reports of SPANISH MACKEREL begin to flow in as well. POMPANO action has been reported as very good in the back country along with LADYFISH and JACKS in the muds.
With water temperatures up and down on the flats, the action has been much the same. Some boats have had some good action on PERMIT and BONEFISH while others report only BARRACUDA action.
Check out photos of last weeks catches on www.delphfishingcharters.com
That's it for now. Tight lines and good fishing.
Captain Ralph Delph
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