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Key West Fishing Report - Offshore
Capt. Ralph Delph
May 29, 2001
Key West - Saltwater Fishing Report
With the water temperature along the reef, over 81 degrees, most of the pelagic species have been hard to find, small dolphin being the exception. For a while we were getting some nice dolphin into the high 30’s, however now that the water offshore and along the reef have exceeded the 81 degree mark, we are only finding small chicken dolphin. Those fishing live baits deep have taken a few blackfin tuna, but they are few and far between.
The mutton snapper will make their final spawn on the full moon in June and will disperse through out the reefs and deeper water. Fishing live baits and split ballao on the bottom should produce some quality fish in the high teens and even higher. You should also be rewarded by large red grouper along with some nice black and gag groupers. The bottom fishing should hold up through out June and into early July. Yellowtail snapper have been cooperative along the reef and if you drop a live one to the bottom, some good size black grouper have taken but you need some stout tackle for these bruisers. The amberjacks have remained strong and the best action has been in the early morning. Some large almaco jacks up in the high 40’s have been taken while fishing for AJ’s.
The gulf has been yielding some surprises for this time of year with some nice catches of cobia, some ranging into the low 40’s. These fish are well to the north but have been found in good numbers. Some permit have been taken, again well to the north of Key West. These fish are fairly small although some have been in the high 20’s. Kingfish have been in good supply far to the Northwest. These fish have been taking artificials very well and have been running into the high 20’s with regularity.
What is going on with the flats this season? The permit are rare and the main migration of tarpon has not started as of yet (I hope). A few tarpon are around but most of the action seems to be around the deeper channels and basins. A number of years ago, I can remember a similar situation. The fish made a mad push at the last minute and the season was over in a 4-week period. I hope this is not the case this year.
That’s it for now. Tight lines and good fishing.
Capt. Ralph Delph
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