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Marathon, Florida Keys
Capt. Bob Brown
September 2, 2002
Marathon - Saltwater Fishing Report
A Blue or Two!
The summer fishing in the Florida Keys has seen some flashes of greatness on the offshore scene. May and June were fantastic with large Dolphin just about everywhere, July and August saw a slow down in Dolphin action but some great reef fishing was going on. Lately, there has been some smaller schoolie sized Dolphin showing up around debris offshore of Marathon but have still been spotty. Now in late summer, the Marlin fishing usually heats up and this year has seen an increase in the numbers of White and Blue Marlin on the offshore scene. Sightings and hook ups on Blue Marlin offshore of Marathon and the middle Keys has become more common in recent weeks. Also, greater numbers of Swordfish have been reported lately as well. This can possibly be attributed to the end of longlining for Swords off of the Keys the year before last. Night Swordfish trips are starting to become common with some of the locals. Also, some nice Blackfin Tuna have been coming in from the offshore humps, but have not been there consistently.
Reef Report
A good friend from Grassy Key, Tom Wammack reports that the night fishing has been excellent for large Mangrove Snapper on the reef. He has been hitting the reef around dusk and around 10:00PM the large Mangroves show up behind the boat near the surface (chum required). Tom’s been working the patch reefs and staying away from the crowds where he says the large Bull Sharks have taken up residence. The Yellowtail Snapper have also been biting at night, but the day time fishing has also been excellent for YT’s lately. A few large Black Grouper have found there way onto the reef lately also with some up to 35lb. being taken off of the 60-100ft. ledges.
Bayside Bite
Some excellent Florida Bay action has been going on as well. Lots of nice Mangrove Snapper have been coming in from the deep turtle grass beds northwest of Marathon near the long bank and north of Grassy Key near sprigger bank in 9-10 ft. of water. Limit catches of Mangroves in the 14-18” class have been common along with some nice Trout. Bayside lobster hunters reported a much improved season the first couple weeks of August compared to last year, so hopefully there will be a season long improvement in lobster stocks this year. Time will tell.
Killer Whale Sighting!!
I have seen lots of whales in the Keys over the years, but have never seen KILLER WHALES in the waters surrounding the Keys. Recently, a large pod of killer whales was reported by several charter and private boats moving east along the middle keys. Quite interesting to say the least!
Good luck in all of your fishing adventures!
Capt. Bob Brown, Jr.
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