King Mackerel are Chomping in Marathon!!
Capt. Bob Brown
January 25, 2009
Marathon - Saltwater Fishing Report
A big mack attack has been going on here in the Marathon and middle keys area. Good numbers of Kings and Cero Macks have been chewing up the reef edge on the Atlantic side of the island chain. Some Kings up to 50lb have been hitting the docks at the 7 mile marina lately with plenty of school sized kings invading chum lines on the reef and around wrecks. If you like the sound of a screaming drag on a spinning reel, then you need to experience some of this exciting fishing. The other day we had a King Mackerel near 50lb skyrocket on a kite bait and we had him right up to the boat before we pulled the hook. Otherwise I would post the photo of that huge critter right here!
Sailfish have also been plentiful up and down the edge of the reef from Tennessee reef down to Big Pine Shoal. There have been instances where small packs of sails have given captains some fun multi hook ups, but sometimes the fish win when you have three or 4 fish on at the same time crossing lines 100yds from the boat! Sailfish have been biting the best when we have had some strong east current. That condition seemed to die out the past couple days off of marathon, so we will be looking a bit east and west the next couple days to find the hottest bite.
Dolphin have been a bit slow due to the extended cool period, but when the gulfstream has been in close to the reef we have been catching some nice Mahis. Some Blackfins have invaded the inshore area from 100-300ft of water recently as well. Live baiting has been producing the best catches of Blackfins and Sailfish so you might want to take the time to chum up a few ballyhoo on the reef to throw in the live well before you roam offshore looking for pelagics...
The reef bite has been decent for yellowtail snapper when the current has been running. Mangrove snapper have been good on the patch reefs along with the Cero mackerel. If you would like more info on fishing in the Marathon and middle Keys area, check out our web site. Good luck in all your fishing adventures!
Capt Bob Brown, Jr
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