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Key West Fishing Report - Offshore
Capt. Ralph Delph
April 9, 2001
Key West - Saltwater Fishing Report
Our surface temperature along the edge of the reef has been around 78 degrees. The north edge of the Gulfstream is along the face of the reef just west of the Tail End and veers to the east south east, until it reaches about 500 feet of water in front of Cosgrove light, then continues east towards American Shoal. To the west a thin line of powder blue separates the green water from the deep blue. This sharp edge has been so loaded with small dolphin that is difficult to fish for anything else. The small dolphin are plentiful along the edge elsewhere as well. Sailfish along with good numbers of little tunny, cobia and a few blackfin tuna have been taken in abundance along the color change as well as inside the greener water. A good number of kingfish up to around 10# have been taken along the face of the reef.
The bottom fishing continues to hold up though most of the action has been close along the edge of the reef while chumming and fishing live baits close to the bottom. The yellowtail fishing has been just fair and the full moon will be keeping things a little slow for a while.
Some large Kingfish up to 40# are still being taken in the gulf by those fishing live bait. The larger fish are hitting on the falling tide. The cobia have been in good supply on the wrecks along with good numbers of permit. The permit are beginning to hit jigs and things should only get better for them. Some mangrove snapper up to 10# have been taken, but the jewfish are taking their share as well. Little tunny are plentiful behind the shrimp boats and some blackfin tuna are beginning to show up.
The harbor has experienced some very good days of tarpon fishing with some of the boats releasing 10 or more fish per day. A few permit and cobia have been taken by those using live crabs on the bottom.
The flats are giving the shallow water boys, some great action with permit, bonefish, sharks, and cudas. The major movement of tarpon has not started down here as yet, though some tarpon are being taken on a daily basis. The main migration down here usually begins in early May and the outside flats will be lined with skiffs, so give them a wide birth as even the slightest noise will stop the tarpon from feeding.
That’s it for now. Tight lines and good fishing.
Capt. Ralph Delph
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