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Tavernier and Key Largo Fishing Report Mid-January

Capt. Ryan Van Fleet
January 17, 2019
Key Largo - Saltwater Fishing Report

Since my last report I worked with some good clients and got them in by rescheduling around the ugly weather. We had a lot of strong north winds, big confused seas not to mention cold temperatures for the Florida Keys. Fishing conditions can be somewhat unpredictable in the winter to say the least. We can have days on end where the wind blows and the seas outside the reef are rough and not safe to fish. It is definitely not a summer time pattern. In the middle of February thru early March the cold fronts become few and far between and then we will start seeing our first signs of summer. Schools of mahi-mahi start migrating through the Florida Keys! And then, the rain comes, gotta love weather.

On with the fishing report for the past week.

On the reef - the big flag size yellowtail are chewing as well as Mutton Snappers. A smoking 4 knot current has been a challenge for reef fishing. I set the hook last Sunday and it was a smoking hot bite. I got the Big Yellowtails up but the Blue Runners were thick off of Pickles Reef where I was fishing - that made it ultra-challenging. But the ones we did get were 3-5 lb. fish which is nice. Golden Tile fish is open for deep dropping so that is an option for those that want to go on the hunt on nice days when the current is light. Blackfin tunas are biting. The blackfins we are catching are nice size for this time of year - gotta love some sushi.

Below are a few of the wahoo we caught since the last report. As you can see I have a wahoo fishing "problem." One of my clients made the mistake of touching my "lucky wahoo hat." "She" had not been "rubbed for luck" in a while so she granted wishes-- one wahoo after another after another.

Catching big Florida Keys Wahoo on a consistent basis is not easy. I have several secret techniques. It's not just about high speed trolling and catching big fish like the pictures. It's not easy especially if you have subpar gear or standard "charter gear". 9 out of 10 times when you hook a big wahoo on a charter boat the mate or the captain is going to grab the rod from you as something is probably going to break so they need to get it in. Not on my boat, as I don't have a mate nor subpar gear. The only time I will grab a rod is if I feel the fish is going to get into the prop or he does something really crazy alongside the boat. I will settle for nothing less than the best gear available for my clients on the market today Shimano offers the absolute best with their Talica Conventional and Twin Power Spinning series of reels. Google Shimano Talica and Shimano Twin Power 8000 they are the best I guarantee. Also I am not sponsored by Shimano to say this or get a discount to buy these reels. I want the best so I buy the best, enough said. I match these reels with the ultra-light weight Adrenaline Custom Rods. My client now focuses on the battle of putting the fish in the box. I am always looking to make the fishing experience fun for all ages.

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Thank you for taking the time and reading my fishing report. I welcome your comments or suggestions. You can email me at [email protected].

Check out my podcast on the Stitcher App, I Heart Radio or my website - Good Karma Sportfishing. It's free and hopefully good information.

Follow Me in Instagram:
www.instagram.com/goodkarmasportfishing_fl_keys/

Like Me on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/GoodKarmaFishingCharters/

Remember, anytime you're fishing "It's All Good."

Capt. Ryan
305-619-2126
Good Karma Sportfishing
http://tavernierfishingcharters.com/

More Fishing Reports:

 

Tavernier and Key Largo Fishing charters aboard Good Karma with Capt. Ryan. We offer offshore and reef fishing charters(1-3 persons) Key Largo and Tavernier. Located at Tavernier Creek Marina. Visit www.tavernierfishingcharters.com further details and booking information.

Contact Info:

Good Karma Sportfishing
90800 Overseas Highway
Tavernier, FL 33070
Phone: 305-619-2126
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