NOW IS THE TIME FOR KEY WEST
Capt. Ralph Delph
April 26, 2010
Key West - Saltwater Fishing Report
The Gulfstream has pushed in tight against the reef at Vestal Shoals and continues along the face of the reef to at least American light. The current is at least 3 knots and will suck a full size anchor ball below the surface. This will again introduce SAILFISH, WAHOO, BLACKFIN TUNA, LITTLE TUNNY and DOLPHIN into our fishery for some time to come. The MUTTON SNAPPER action has been relatively good over the past week, however, this current will slow that action for a while. Meanwhile, KINGFISH in the 6 to 12 pound range continue to come from the deeper water, mostly while bottom fishing. YELLOWTAIL SNAPPER action is on the increase and should only get better as this full moon heads into its last quarter.
Inshore, the water temperatures have reached the 75 degree mark and exciting things are happening. PERMIT are on the coral heads and all of the wrecks. Although the cooler water has slowed the spring action, spring has sprung. TARPON are in the harbor and Northwest Channel in good numbers and eating well. The main migration is still to come and should not start here in the Key West area until the second week in May.
Action in the Gulf of Mexico could not be better. BLACKFIN TUNA and LITTLE TUNNY are behind the shrimp boats and the action is only slowed by the large number of BLACKTIP SHARKS. Large MANGROVE SNAPPERS, some up to 7 #, and GAG GROUPER are abundant around some of the gulf wrecks after the shrimp boat action slows around 11:00 am.
The basins are still doing well with LADYFISH, JACK CREVALLE, POMPANO and SHARKS in the muds. Yellow nylon jigs have produced the best action. On the flats, PERMIT, SHARKS and a few TARPON have been the main stay. BONEFISH have been less numerous since the cold water kill of this past winter.
That's it for now. Tight lines and good fishing.
Captain Ralph Delph
Key West Fishing Forecast:
The best action of this year is here and should be on tap for the next month.
Target Species:
SAILFISH, FALSE ALBICORE, GROUPER, SNAPPER, SHARKS, PERMIT, TARPON, and BLACKFIN TUNA
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