Quick Cast:
 Area Reports
 Find-a-Guide
 Forums
 Tides

Departments:
 Articles
 Books
 Clubs & Orgs.
 Fishing Reports
 Feedback
 Forums
 Fly Fishing
 Guides & Charters
 Links
 Photo Gallery
 Reef Locator
 Regulations
 Software
 Survey
 Tournaments
 Travel
 Weather
 Home

Administration:
 About Us
 Advertising
 Contact
 Privacy
 Terms of Use
 Web Development

Tuna Bite is as Hot as I Have Ever Seen !!

Key Largo to Key West - including Florida Bay, the Marquesas and the Dry Tortugas.

Moderator: admin

Tuna Bite is as Hot as I Have Ever Seen !!

Postby captainmarc » Thu Oct 26, 2006 4:01 pm

Our first Florida Keys cold front of the year arrived just a coupe of days ago and the temperature dropped below 70 for the first time in months. The tuna bite has been amazing and the sailfish will start snapping anytime now. November is still a great bargain time to cash in on some great fishing. Airfare to Miami is cheap, hotels prices are low in Key Largo and Islamorada and I am offering 10% off any bookings for the month of November, just mention this article when booking.



October has produced some of the best catches of Blackfin Tuna I have ever had. Last weekend, October 20, 21, and 22 were amazing. On Friday, we had three anglers from England and tore up the blackfin tuna at the Islamorada Hump all morning long. We also released a white marlin that struck a feather while tuna fishing at the hump. White marlin are rare in the Florida Keys and it was a treat to see such a beautiful billfish along side of the boat. We also landed a 60 pound sailfish two weeks earlier trolling at the hump, you never know what will happen at the hump.



Saturday and Sunday produced at least 60 blackfin tuna a day up to 20 pounds. Four fish on at a time was common. Blackfin tuna are not as large as some of thier cousins like the yellowfin or the bluefin but the meat is sushi grade just like them. We are able to use 20 pound spinning tackle and these footballs scream line and provide great fun on light tackle. The Islamorada Hump is a submerged sea mount located 15 miles offshore in 500 foot of water. The top of the Hump rises to 260 foot of water and the Gulf Stream warm water current runs over the sea mount bringing nutrient rich waters from the deep. The baitfish feed on the nutrients and the tuna and other species feed on the baitfish.



Sailfish season is kicking off now that the fall cold fronts are arriving. Sailfish season in the Florida Keys lasts from November through April with the best fishing taking place from December through March. We start the day off early, leaving the dock at 7:00am to catch live bait, ballyhoo. I have added a 2000 gallon per hour pump and 55 gallon additional live well to ensure lively baits for this season.



After filling the livewell, we head to just beyond the reef in 100 to 250 foot of water and slow troll live ballyhoo keeping a sharp eye out for tailing or feeding sails. We use 20 pound test line on Penn spinning reels, leaving the bale open as sailfish will strike their bill at the bait before swallowing it. We let the fish run for 20 to 30 seconds, then close the bale and set the hook. The battle is then on, usually the sailfish is out of the water more than in. We bring it along side after a 15 to 60 minute fight, grap the bill for a few pictures and let it go to fight another day.



Reef fishing in the Florida Keys is a treat for the entire family. The Florida Keys coral reef only lies 5 miles from the dock and is only a 15 minute ride to the fishing grounds from the dock in Key Largo. Hundreds of species of fish make the reef thier home, including; grouper, snapper, barracuda, sharks, mackerel, bonita, jacks, permit, cobia, and amberjack.



The action is usually non stop with yellowtail snapper from 1 to 3 pounds and makes great fun for the kids. Yellowtail snapper are some of the best table fare available anywhere. Grouper provide a bigger challenge raging from 5 to 50 pounds and can really bend a rod as they try to escape back to the reef for protection. Barracuda and numerous varieties of sharks are always a thrill to see them strike and come along side the boat.



There are a tremendous amount of fishing opportunities in the Florida Keys this fall and winter. Key Largo is just over an hour South of the Miami airport for those flying in or living in the Miami area. Call me today to get your trip reserved 305-304-9129
Provides charter fishing trips in Florida. Areas include Key West, Key Largo, Islamorada and Miami. Species targeted include sailfish, dolphin, tuna and wahoo.

Florida Keys Key Largo Fishing Charter Miami Islamorada Key West
captainmarc
Swabbie
Swabbie
 
Posts: 11
Joined: Sun Apr 30, 2006 9:01 am
Location: Key Largo, FL

Return to Florida - The Keys & Florida Bay

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 24 guests

Copyright © 1997-2024, CyberAngler - All Rights Reserved
Privacy Policy :: Terms of Use
For Questions and comments please use our Feedback Form

Back to the Top
cron