Cold North Winds Slows Action
Capt. Ralph Delph
March 5, 2009
Key West - Saltwater Fishing Report
The high winds have hampered the efforts to get very far from home. Offshore, BLACKFIN TUNA, WAHOO, SAILFISH and LITTLE TUNNY have been taken with some regularity by those who will spend the time to find the pilchards. There have not been an abundance of any of the above over the past week. MUTTON SNAPPER have been scattered, however there have been some big fish scattered among the little ones, some topping the 20 pound mark. Large BLACK GROUPER are in good supply along the reef and are responding well to those chumming for YELLOWTAIL SNAPPER and dropping live bait to the bottom while doing so. There have been some outstanding catches of 40 pound plus KINGFISH taken at the same time while using live yellowtail for bait. RED SNAPPER remain in good supply with fish running a little smaller that in the past.
The Gulf of Mexico is very muddy and it should take a week or more to clear up enough to check it out. Also with 20 knot plus winds out of the north, it will probably discourage any interest in the Gulf for a while.
The water temperatures remain cool on the flats and I would not expect much action there until the temperatures once again top the 70 degree mark. Just before this last cold front, a good influx of really big BULL SHARKS has moved into the flats and should be back with the warm water.
Sorry, but that's it for now. Tight lines and good fishing.
Captain Ralph Delph
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