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Key West Fishing Report - Offshore
Capt. Ralph Delph
March 15, 2007
Key West - Saltwater Fishing Report
The wind has blown winter right out of Key West and we are now into springtime, like it or not. Water temperatures along the reef are around 78 degrees and you can count on the bulk of the kingfish swimming hard for the Gulf. With the Gulfstream pushing into the reef from Cosgrove Light, eastward, you can expect good numbers of sailfish and some large dolphin to start showing soon. Little tunny should be making their spring run offshore, providing some good action while you are seeking other species. A good color change has formed in 260 feet of water and that would be a good place to start looking. Watch for Cobia as they start their northward migration. Mutton snapper have been in good supply around the offshore wrecks out front, however, grouper have been more scarce. Bottom fishing has been hard down to the west, however some good catches have shown up at the dock prior to the high winds that we have been experiencing. Be prepared to look a lot and fill your gas tanks before you leave as it will take a lot of bottom to fill the icebox with grouper and snapper.
Inshore, small Spanish and ciro mackerel are working schools of migrating bait. Just look for the birds. The inshore wrecks are barren but should soon start filling with permit. A few cudas remain on vigil, but it is a waste otherwise. The shallow patch reefs are producing keeper red grouper with a few gags thrown in for good measure. Where the water is muddy, large lane snappers have been cooperative.
The Gulf still has a few small Cobia around the wrecks along with the ever present Goliath Groupers. The big news in the Gulf is the reports of blackfin tunas are starting to show around some of the shrimp boats. This is very early, however not a surprise with the warmer water temperatures experienced this year.
The flats have the best news to date with good numbers of permit, tarpon and bonefish as well as sharks. Mullet muds are ever present and they are providing good action with jacks, ladyfish, mackerel, trout and still some pompano. If you are limited to a small boat and are looking for some good action, look for the muds. Top water lures as well as small jigs bumped along the bottom are producing well.
That’s it for now. Tight lines and good fishing.
Capt. Ralph Delph
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