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Key West Fishing Report - Offshore
Capt. Ralph Delph
December 11, 2003
Key West - Saltwater Fishing Report
Water Conditions:
OFFSHORE: Temperature: 75 degrees.
Color and Clarity: Green with a bluish tint and visibility around 50 feet. Northern edge of Gulfstream around 25 miles south of the reef.
REEF: Temperature: 75 degrees.
Color and Clarity: Green with only a tinge of blue with visibility around 50 feet.
INSHORE: Temperature: 71 degrees.
Color and Clarity: Very muddy with a tinge of green. Visibility less than 3 feet.
GULF: Temperature: No report.
Color and Clarity: No report.
FISHING REPORT:
OFFSHORE: The Sailfish have slowed down a little, but a few have been taken over the last several days. After a flurry of action last week, the Wahoo have slowed down, however the best action for these gamesters is still ahead. Blackfin tuna are responding to live chumming at the end of the bar, but pilchards are hard to come by with all of the dirty water inshore. The live baiters have reported a few smoker Kingfish in the 25 to 30 pound class. This action will be picking up as we approach the New Year. Bottom fishing continues to be the highlight with Mutton snapper around the wrecks. The Red snapper action has begun to wane, however bag limits are still being taken. The hottest action is with the Black, Gag, and Scamp groupers with the jigs outfishing live baits. The Gags are of good size with some running to nearly 40 pounds. The blacks are averaging around 15 to 25 pounds.
REEF: Yellowtail snapper are the main target of the reef fishermen but reports of some good size Black grouper are being taken by dropping a live Yellowtail to the bottom. Only sporadic Ciro and Spanish mackerel action has been noted over the last several days. Some bait crashing has been observed along the reef during the early morning and late evening hours. Bait chasing can be an exciting form of fishing if you are willing to get an early start in the mornings. Look for the diving birds and showering ballyhoo. Casting and fast retrieving plugs can produce anything from jacks and mackerel to tuna and grouper on the surface.
INSHORE: Jack Crevalle and small Spanish mackerel have been chasing bait along the face of the color change. A few skyrocketing Kingfish have been spotted along this edge as well. Tarpon action in the harbor has come to a screeching halt with the cool and muddy water.
GULF OF MEXICO: With the high winds out of the northwest and north, I have no report at this time.
FLATS: The shallow water boys will have a little time for boat maintenance with the water temperature dropping below 70 degrees and more cold fronts on the way down. This action can pick up on short notice with a spell of warmer weather.
That’s it for now. Tight lines and good fishing. Captain Ralph Delph
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