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Key West Fishing Report - Offshore
Capt. Ralph Delph
December 24, 2006
Key West - Saltwater Fishing Report
Christmas has brought a gift of many large Wahoo in the area around the sub and the end of the 10-fathom bar. Reports of boats with double digit catches of wahoo into the mid 50’s were taken on light tackle and live and trolled baits. This often occurs when the Gulfstream moves into the bar from the southwest. That is exactly what is happening right now. This means an increase in action from the pelagic species such as sailfish, blackfin tuna, wahoo and bonito. Expect some good offshore action during the holidays. This is a double edge sword, in that it is causing a back current to the west of Cosgrove light and the bottom fishing will only get slower until that west bound current slows or stops altogether. Only those persistent, will catch grouper and snapper in the deeper water. The reef is starting to show some good action. Yellowtail snapper remain strong and some mackerel are starting to show on the face of the reef and in Hawks Channel. Kingfish are starting to show from Key West to the Dry Tortugas. They are running from 8 to 25 pounds with a few smokers into the mid 50’s.
Inshore and back into the Gulf, cobia and gag grouper seem to be the words of the day. The wrecks seem to be shaping up for some good winter action with good numbers of cobia, some running into the 50# class. Gag grouper have been abundant and a lot of legal fish and some running into the 15# class. There have been a few reports of some Spanish and King mackerel from the gulf as well. This is a little early for these species. Maybe they are trying to tell us that they expect a cold winter. This would be welcome as it should push high numbers of winter species all of the way down to Key West. We could be shaping up for a great winter.
The flats have been producing well with a few Tarpon still around. Bonefish are in good supply with most boats reporting a high rate of success. Permit remain in good supply as are the sharks. Barracudas have not been cooperating well reports most of the shallow water boats.
That’s it for now. Tight lines and good fishing. Merry Christmas and happy New Year to everyone.
Capt. Ralph Delph
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