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Key West Fishing Report - Offshore
Capt. Ralph Delph
December 21, 2003
Key West - Saltwater Fishing Report
Water Conditions:
OFFSHORE: Temperature: 73 degrees.
Color and Clarity: Green with a bluish tint and visibility around 50 feet. Northern edge of Gulfstream around 35 miles south of the reef. As you travel West, expect the clarity to diminish. There is little or no current.
REEF: Temperature: 72 degrees.
Color and Clarity: Green with only a tinge of blue with visibility around 50 feet.
INSHORE: Temperature: 71 degrees.
Color and Clarity: Muddy with a tinge of green. Visibility less than 5 feet.
GULF: Temperature: No report.
Color and Clarity: No report.
FISHING REPORT:
OFFSHORE: A few sailfish are still around and responding well. The wahoo action has fallen off and the blackfin tuna have been only fairly cooperative for the live baiters. The best blackfin action has been with the trolling boats working to locate the schools. A few smoker kingfish have been taken, some up to 50 pounds. This should be the beginning of the season for a consistent show of these gamesters. The cooler water should the stage for an influx of snake kings over the next week or so.
REEF: Yellowtail snapper continue to highlight the action with 3 to 4 pound flags the norm. Cosgrove light is the focal point for the crashing bait action with huge schools of jacks and Ciro mackerel the main predators with barracuda helping out. The action has been mainly on artificials. This action has been holding up until around noon each day. Bottom action has taken a beating over the past week, however a few black, gags and red grouper as well as a few mutton snapper have hit the docks.
INSHORE: Jack Crevalle and small Spanish mackerel have been chasing bait along the face of the color change. A few skyrocketing Kingfish have been spotted along this edge as well. Tarpon action in the harbor has come to a screeching halt with the cool and muddy water.
GULF OF MEXICO: Reports of kingfish on the rock pile have filtered in from a few commercial boats that have braved the rough trip there and back. No other information has been reported from the Gulf.
FLATS: The water temperature has been in the low to mid 60’s in the mornings as I pass that way. Check with your favorite guide to find out if he has a secret little honey hole where you may find some action.
That’s it for now. Tight lines and good fishing. Captain Ralph Delph
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