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Key West Fishing Report - Offshore
Capt. Ralph Delph
February 5, 2007
Key West - Saltwater Fishing Report
The water temperature along the reef remains well above the 75-degree mark and warmer along the north edge of the Gulfstream. The north edge of the Gulfstream is pushing into the edge of the reef close to Cosgrove light. The water is a deep blue east of Cosgrove and blue with a touch of powder to the west. The current is moving to the east at a good clip. It is February and we are catching chicken dolphin off shore. There are a few sailfish around along with a fair number of wahoo. Blackfin tunas are on the upswing with the Gulfstream moving in on us. On the bottom, east of Cosgrove light, there seems to be a total absence of snapper and grouper in the deeper water. A year ago, we had a similar condition and found that the bottom 20 feet of water column on the north edge of the Gulfstream was 55 degrees and was killing the small fish that could not get away from it. The condition was prevalent from Key West to Ft. Pierce. It lasted for nearly a month. I believe the condition has returned at this time.
Kingfish remain numerous and some of the fish are running into the mid 40# class. Yellowtails are spotty. Mutton snapper and grouper are scarce and seem to be reluctant to bite. This may be due to the changing conditions as described above. A few African Pompano in the 30# class have been taken and we are noticing more Amberjacks at the ends of our lines.
Inshore, a few Ciro and Spanish mackerel have been taken, however the large schools of jack crevalles normally present, are absent. The water remains very muddy due to the high winds. Back into the Gulf, the water remains dirty in close to the keys. Further offshore, the water clears somewhat. Kingfish remain numerous but cobia are the fish of the day. They are abundant with many leagals and some going into the high 40’s.
The flats have been fairly good with some bonefish and a few tarpon still around. The big sharks should be showing up by the middle of the month along with good numbers of barracudas.
That’s it for now. Tight lines and good fishing.
Captain Ralph Delph
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