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Key West Fishing Report - Offshore
Capt. Ralph Delph
January 15, 2003
Key West - Saltwater Fishing Report
The high winds and low temperatures have kept many anglers off of the water over the past several days and there is not much relief in sight. Another blast of cold air is expected to hit the keys this weekend, keeping the ambient temperatures well below normal. This is not necessarily bad news. The kingfish have been conspicuous by their absence.
The cooler water temperatures should push the smoker kingfish onto the reef line just in time for the SKA Kingfish Tournament scheduled for January 25 and 26. There have been no big kings in the local waters this year.
The great sailfish and wahoo fishing of the past week has shifted to the east and the Gulfstream is well offshore in front of Key West. To the west (off of the Tail End), the current is ripping to the east at an astounding 3.2 knots. This means that any bottom fishing in that area is a total waste until the current slows down. The bottom in front of Key West has been yielding good catches of large black grouper up in the 30# class as well as some large red grouper and big mutton snappers. The reef action is moderate with some mackerel and yellowtail being reported.
Inshore, the harbor has had nothing to report and with the water temperature back into the upper 60’s, the flats will have nothing to show until we once again see the mercury top the 70 degree mark.
That’s it for now. Tight lines and good fishing.
Capt. Ralph Delph
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