Key West and Lower Keys

Capt. Dexter Simmons
May 13, 2001
Key West - Saltwater Fishing Report

Cold Water = Cold Tarpon Fishing

Four weeks of Northeast wind has kept the Tarpon Migration offshore and in deep cuts and channels, making the fly fishing for silver kings very, very difficult at best. There are SOME resident tarpon and SOME baby tarpon available here and there, but they are getting beat up so bad that hookups are few and far between. Today we were lucky enough to jump a baby and we had some shots at cruising resident tarpon in the afternoon, but that was it. The forecast is for more NE wind through Monday or Tuesday, then some light variable winds Wed. and Thurs. Hopefully this will happen and the water temp. will warm into the 80's. If this happens, then the Tarpon will begin to swim in from deep water and TARPON SEASON WILL BEGIN! Keep your fingers crossed!!!BOTTOM LINE: We need the wind to shift to the Southeast so that the inshore water will warm up into the low 80's. The Tarpon migration will literally "bust loose" when this happens, and thousands of silver kings will explode onto the flats. It is probably going to be an awesome late May and early June for Tarpon fishing this year! Before the "Florida Noreaster" hit, angler Martin Ward demonstrated the "down and dirty" on this 90-100 pound silver king! Before you travel to the Keys for some great Tarpon, Bonefish and Permit action, call Capt. Dexter Simmons for a live report 305-745-3304. Tight Lines and Screaming Reels!

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