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Key West Fishing Report - Offshore
Capt. Ralph Delph
January 25, 2000
Key West - Saltwater Fishing Report
For the last week, the winds have kept the gulf far to muddy and rough to even consider heading north out of Key West. With the frontal passage earlier in the week and another on Monday, the water temperatures are sure to have an effect on the fishing and that effect will change from hour to hour until the weather stabilizes.
Offshore, the sailfishing has held up well prior to this last frontal passage. The sails have been showering the balahoo up on the edge of the reef in 20 to 30 feet of water. Just look for the birds and the spray of bait. A few wahoo have been reported at dockside. The kingfish have not made much of a show as of yet as the water temperature has been around 73 degrees at the edge of the reef. The cooler temperatures that are forecast for the remainder of the week might be the key to our kingfish this season. With the SKA tournament scheduled this week end, and the temperatures as sporadic as they are, where to go is anyone’s guess.
Bottom fishermen have been doing well on large yellowtail snapper on the edge of the reef and the deeper water has been giving up good catches of red grouper, some black grouper and good catches of mutton snapper. Some of the red grouper have topped the 20# mark and the muttons have been around 12#. Jigging with light tackle and fishing live bait have yielded the better catches. Both party boats and light tackle boats returning from the Dry Tortugas, report outstanding catches of muttons up to 20#.
The blackfin tuna have all but disappeared but should return as the winds clock around out of the east and the blue water returns.
The flats have a dismal outlook for the next several days until the water temperature gets back into the 70’s and the water begins to clear. The ocean side flats will be the first to show signs of life, as the incoming tides bring in the warmer water.
That’s it for now. Tight lines and good fishing.
Capt. Ralph Delph
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