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Key West Fishing Report - Offshore
Capt. Ralph Delph
September 19, 2000
Key West - Saltwater Fishing Report
As the doldrums of summer approach, only the bluewater species seem to be aware of it. The dolphin action has slowed a bit, however the smaller fish are available to those willing to brave the heat and summer thunderstorms. Only the offshore boats fishing the edge of the Gulfstream have taken an occasional large dolphin. Bonito have been plentiful and have been the mainstay for action among the trolling boats. A stray sailfish has been taken here and there along with an occasional wahoo.
The bottom fishing is a different matter. Mutton snapper and red grouper along with red snapper and black grouper have been in abundance in recent days with outstanding catches reported from Key West to the Dry Tortugas. Ron MacKendree and his two sons Kyle and Mike, from Miami, caught 10 muttons and 8 grouper by 1:00 p.m. All of the fish weighed between 8 and 16 pounds. Alex Patterson and company landed 8 American red snapper and 8 nice scamp grouper while fishing near Cosgrove light. All of the above were taken on light spinning gear.
The gulf is still reporting good numbers of small to medium permit around the wrecks and structures to the north. The cobia and blackfin tuna have bit farewell to the summer heat and will not return until the cooler weather of November and December. Jewfish are in plentiful numbers around the wrecks for those looking for hernias. Remember, they are still a protected species and must be released.
The flats action for bonefish and permit will be mainly restricted to the cooler morning and late evening tides. Fish the incoming tides early in the morning, take a siesta, then try it again as the sun drops low into the evening sky.
This will conclude my local fishing reports from Key West for the season. I will be in Cape Cod for the stripers and bluefin tunas for a while and will drop a line from there. See you in December for more Key West fishing reports.
That’s it for now. Tight lines and good fishing.
Capt. Ralph Delph
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