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Key West Fishing Report - Offshore
Capt. Ralph Delph
December 28, 2002
Key West - Saltwater Fishing Report
The year in Key West is ending with a bang. The north edge of the Gulfstream is running from southwest to northeast and is only a short distance offshore between Sandkey light and American shoals. This is causing an eastbound current along the reef beginning just east of Cosgrove light. The results have been that the yellowfin tuna action has been good at the end of the bar as well as along the reef and well to the east. The bad news is that you will have to compete with those interested in commercial fishing this great gamester. Remember, these fish are federally controlled and you must have a federal tuna permit to fish for or harvest these animals. It is also illegal to take a tuna with a spear gun or other mechanical device. It is spelled out very clearly in the law, (Sect. 635.21) the only means by which tuna may be taken and any other means is considered unlawful.
Large whaoo, sailfish and blackfin tuna as well as bonito have been active in the blue water with some of the wahoo going well into the 60-pound class. The best action coming on slow trolled live baits. The blackfin and bonito action has been best using live pilchards as both chum and bait. The kingfish action is starting to pick up and a few fish into the 30’s have been taken. Along the reef the yellowtail action has improved with flags up to around 4 pounds being common. Again, pilchards are consistently producing the larger fish.
To the west, the current has slowed and even reversed and is trickling to the west. This has produced some good bottom fishing with red snapper about as common as I have ever seen them. Full bag limits of red snapper as well as red, black, and gag grouper have been the norm for the bottom fishermen. The red snappers in the Atlantic must be at least 20” long overall with a bag limit of no more than 2 per person. Surprisingly large numbers of black grouper up to the 30-pound class have been taken with regularity, right in front of Key West. Remember, the bag limit in this area is, 2 gags or 2 blacks or one of each per person and they must be at least 24”overall. The mutton snapper action has been good and only getting better as the season progresses. Yelloweye snapper have been in good supply and have been running to around 4 pounds, which is large for this area. They are found in much deeper water than most of the other popular bottom dwellers.
The Gulf has been picking up with some cobia action around the wrecks. Some of these fish are up to around 30 pounds with an occasional larger fish being reported. Large numbers of kingfish have been reported from as shallow as 30’out to as deep as 80’ and appear to be headed south as each day passes. Spanish mackerel seems to be leading the way. From the numbers and size of the kingfish reported, we may be up for a banner season this year. The jewfish are still a plague around the wrecks, however if someone wants to grow a hernia, then this would be a good time to try them.
The north winds have slammed the door shut on the flats fishermen and I would not expect the fishing there to pick up until the temperature once again tops the 70 degree mark.
That’s it for now. Tight lines and good fishing.
Capt. Ralph Delph
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