Billfish, Mahi, Wahoo... Marathon, FL Keys Report
Capt. Bob Brown
January 17, 2013
Marathon - Saltwater Fishing Report
With recent weather more like late spring or fall with highs in the low 80' the past couple weeks, anglers have found that summer time fish are still ruling the local waters as plenty of nice Mahi, Wahoo, and Blackfin Tuna have been roaming the coastal waters. A couple Blue Marlin and some Sailfish have also been around lately just off the edge of the reef. The Sailfish bite has been on and off but has been hot at times near Tennessee light and near Sombrero light off of Marathon. Look for Sails to be moving onto the edge of the reef chasing schools of Ballyhoo. Frigate birds will give away the location of Sails as they swoop down trying to eat the ballyhoo that the Sails are spooking out of the water and the slice through the school. Or look for the 'showers' of ballyhoo as they jump out of the water in a long 'push' as the predators glide swiftly under them. Off of Marathon, look for the sails to be a bit deeper on the edge of the dirtier water being pushed offshore by the outgoing tide at the 7 mile bridge. Fishing live ballyhoo, pilchards, blue runners, or goggle eyes along the color break should produce bites on several species other than sails like the occasional King Mackerel, Mahi, or Wahoo.
The Reef bite has been excellent for Yellowtail snapper with some very large ones being accounted for lately. Nice Muttons are also on the reef or deep wrecks. Plenty of Amberjack and a few Blackfin Tuna hanging around the deep wrecks also lately. Mangrove Snapper and Cero Mackerel have been ruling the patch reefs in shallower water and some nice 'throw back' grouper have also been biting on the reef in 25-40ft of water.
Florida Bay has been good lately for some nice Cobia on the wrecks 12 miles out and beyond with some huge king mackerel up to 60lb and plenty of Mangrove snapper, jacks, sharks, etc.. roaming the bayside waters. Some nice catches of trout have been coming in from the islands NW of Marathon mixed with Snapper and some Blacktip Sharks.
Tarpon have been chomping in the dark around the bridges with mostly smaller fish being reported at this time. Vaca Cut and Tom's Harbor have been decent lately.
If you would like more info on fishing in the middle Keys and Marathon area, check out our web site. Good luck in all your fishing adventures!
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