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Marathon, Florida Keys
Capt. Bob Brown
February 8, 2003
Marathon - Saltwater Fishing Report
Sailfish coming back!
Recent cool temperatures had Keys water temperatures at or near all time lows in the area as the water at Sombrero Light off of Marathon reached as low as 61 degrees in late Jan. Anglers were frustrated as the Sailfish bite went down the tubes for a couple weeks as only a few fish were being caught. Recent warm weather has heated up the water temps and the Sailfish action as well. Good numbers of Sails have started showing up again off of Marathon and the mid Keys. Best area the past week has been from Marker "20" off of Key Colony Beach up to Tennessee Reef Light off of Long Key. The fish have been hanging out from 115-140ft. depths the past few days. Live Ballyhoo, Pilchards, Cigar Minnows, and Blue Runners have been the best baits lately.
The warming trend has also moved some Dolphin (Mahi-Mahi) into the inshore mix in 100-200ft. of water this week along with a few nice sized Blackfin Tuna. Tons of King Mackerel have been showing up on the reef edge also and even some nice Cobia have been taken on the reef edge by Yellowtail & bottom fishermen. We had a 45lb Cobia the other day after he followed up a yellowtail to the boat. Nice surprise!
Hot/Cold at the Hump
Recent trips to the offshore humps off of Marathon have produced mixed results lately for anglers venturing out to target Blackfin Tuna. Several days this week have been red hot for boats in the morning catching some nice Blackfins up to 30lb and catching some large Amberjacks up to 65lb. off the bottom. Recent sightings of Mako Sharks have also been common at the west hump along with an occasional Blue Marlin. Other days have disappointed anlgers who heard how great it was out there yesterday only to find a slow bite the day they went 'humpin'. Sometimes the bite is great in the moring and slow in the afternoon. Other days it is slow early and the boats who stayed out there late were rewarded with some huge Tunas after 4PM. Some sightings of Yellowfin Tuna have also been reported in the gulfstream lately mixed in with Porpoise and Dolphins. Night fishing for Swordfish has also been hot as most boats have been coming to the dock with Swords that have made the effort. Recent catches have been 30 miiles offshore of Marathon and live baits seem to be producing the best.
Tarpon Bustin Loose!
Warming trends in February screams T A R P O N!! The first big Tarpon of the season have moved in to the famous area around the 7 mile bridge and several boats have been capitalizing on the action the past three nights. The best bite has been on the incoming tide after dark and lately that has been in the wee hours from midnight to 5AM. The outgoing tide is producing some good action also, but not quite as fanatic as the incoming. 10-15 hook-ups have been common the past few nights and some of the fish have been up to 130lb!! Look for the fishing to level off as the next cooling trend moves in, but the action should continue to hang in there and improve as the season wears on. Great news for Tarpon hunters and guides of the Marathon area. If you would like more information on Tarpon fishing in the Marathon and middle Keys area, check out our website.
Good luck in all of your fishing adventures!
Capt. Bob Brown, Jr.
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