 |
Key West Fishing Report - Offshore
Capt. Ralph Delph
December 18, 2005
Key West - Saltwater Fishing Report
Conditions have certainly taken a change for the better. The satellite photos show that the high chlorophyll laden waters around the Dry Tortugas and up the keys has diminished as a result of the Gulfstream moving in closer to the fort and the lower keys. Investigation (several trips into the area) has proven that the satellite in good working order. With the cleaner water, fish have moved into the area in mass. There is more bait along the reef line than I have seen in years. Spanish sardines, a small pilchard like bait and much more. The Birds and white water will guide you to the action. Ciro mackerel, flag yellowtails, kingfish,Yellow jacks, jack crevalle, little tunny and blackfin tuna form one of the largest bio-mass of fish that I have seen since the early 1980’s. The key is to use a lure that matches the size of the bait that the targeted fish is working. The action seems to be along the reef line and the further west that you are willing to go, the better the action and the longer the action lasts. That is to say, the action will drop off around 10:00 am to the east however the further west that you go, the action will last through out the day. The water along the reef is green with a visibility of perhaps 20 feet. Further offshore the Gulfstream is screaming east at 2 knots and will be a bluish green in color. Inshore the water will turn to an opaque motley green and here the chlorophyll will be highest. Little or no action has been reported here. The deep water Grouper and Mutton action is the best that I have seen for some time. Full bag limits of black grouper up to 50 pounds have been common. The mutton snappers have been running from 15 to 20 pounds and both have been falling for large jigs with soft tail glow worms. This may be some of the best jigging that I have ever witnessed. I have not heard anything from those fishing for sailfish but with this kind of action, why are they fishing for sailfish?
The Shallow water boys are having a struggle on the flats however; they are finding some action in the channels with jacks and mangrove snappers. The water quality is still poor and permit, bones and tarpon are scarce.
Get the lead out and head west before this action is over.
That’s it for now. Tight lines and good fishing.
Capt. Ralph Delph
More Fishing Reports:
|
|
|
|
