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Key West Fishing Report - Offshore
Capt. Ralph Delph
March 9, 2005
Key West - Saltwater Fishing Report
The Gulfstream has moved well offshore again leaving a large area of moderately cool water from the Dry Tortugas to near American shoal where it once again moves in near the reef line. The water within this lull has been from 71 to 73 degrees. Where the Gulfstream pushes in near the reef, the water temperature has been closer to 77 degrees.
Offshore the water has been a bright blue but has been relatively slow for sailfish as well as most other pelagic species including blackfin tuna and wahoo. Even the area around the sub near the west end of the bar has been lacking in consistence for the blackfin tunas. Along the edge of the reef, a few kingfish have been taken however, the best kingfish and Spanish mackerel action has been in Hawks Channel, about 2 to 3 miles S.E. of the Marquises. The kingfish have been running from 25 t0 30 pounds and are responding well to bait as well as artificials. Large schools of Jack crevalle have been crashing bait in this area. The best bet for action has been the bottom fish. Black grouper to 60 pounds and red grouper into the 20’s have been taken on a regular basis. The mutton snappers have been averaging close to 15 pounds with some running well into the 20-pound plus class. Kingfish have been cutting off a lot of rigs, so a section of light Steelon may be desirable just above the hook.
The patches along Hawks Channel have been producing a lot of action with Ciro and Spanish mackerel as well as Yellowtail snapper, red, gag and black groupers and a few nice kingfish. The fish are not giants, however the action has been good.
The Gulf has been a disaster so far. Although there have been an occasional cobia taken from the wrecks in the Gulf, most of the wrecks have been covered up with 2 to 3 pound bluefish. The temperature of the water has been from the mid 60’s to the high 60’ and the fish do not like this. The northward migration of the blackfin tunas and cobia has not started and the water is too cold for other species. Hopefully this will change as the water temperatures rise above 70 degrees.
The water on the flats has again dropped below the 70-degree mark and with this latest cool snap; I expect the action there to cool as well. The harbor has had some light tarpon and permit action with the action spilling onto the flats, however that action should slow until the temperatures once again rise above that magic 70-degree mark.
That’s it for now. Tight lines and good fishing.
Capt. Ralph Delph
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