Reef Bite Right
Capt. Bob Brown
September 4, 2009
Marathon - Saltwater Fishing Report
Offshore fishing in the middle Keys has been hit and miss lately with some good catches of Dolphin (Mahi-Mahi) being had mostly around floating debris. Some larger fish have been hitting the docks recently, and can be anywhere from 6-30 miles offshore and is more of a hunt right now than just going fishing. Finding the birds can be another key and during spotty fishing times some capts are turning to technology to help in the form of radar that will pick up birds even miles away. This can help put you on Tuna and Dolphin if you locate a group of birds on your radar screen. Key is to get there quickly as the fish can be highly mobile this time of yr. Some capts have been deep dropping offshore with some success on large grouper and Swordfish. Blackfin tuna have been plentiful at the marathon west hump and the 409 hump as well.
The reef fishing off the middle Keys has been excellent lately with some large Mangrove Snapper highlighting catches to go along with Yellowtail Snapper and a few Muttons. An occasional grouper has been making it into the mix and the action has been excellent at night for anglers wanting to avoid the hot summer sun. Yellowtail have been chomping on the deep reef edge from 50-95ft of water and during daylight hours light line has been the key to get the bites with some anglers going as low as 10lb fluorocarbon to get the bites. Mutton Snapper have mostly been on the deeper atlantic wrecks after you pass the 120ft depth.
Florida bay action has been excellent on Sharks and Goliath groupers on some spots and some nice Snapper and Gag grouper on others. A cobia or two should start showing up on outer gulf wrecks as the cool fronts start to work down the Florida peninsula this month so be ready for some hot action out on Gulf wrecks in coming days.
Some hot bonefish action has been happening around the shallow flats of Duck Key and the Conch Keys with a few small tarpon showing up as well near the Tom's Harbor bridges. Some good tarpon action has been reported at night near the vaca cut bridge as well. Permit have been munching around the 7 mile bridge flats especially near Pigeon Key. If you would like more info on fishing in the middle keys and the Marathon area, check out our web site.
Good luck in all your fishing adventures!
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