Big Dolphin.....
Capt. Bob Brown
May 27, 2008
Marathon - Saltwater Fishing Report
The Dolphin fishing off of Marathon and the middle Keys has been great lately for smaller fish, but the bigger fish have been a bit harder to locate and get to bite. This past week however, there have been some nice fish hitting the docks in Marathon including a 59lb Bull brought in to the 7 mile marina by Capt Larry Bell on the "Blue Magic". This fish was not all that far offshore and was mixed in with a nice bunch of decent school fish. You never know when the big fish might show, but generally the larger fish are out at least 12 miles. Sometimes nice sized slammer Mahi's are in on the reef edge, but this time of year, it seems like the best bet for larger Dolphin is out on the edge of the Wall about 25 miles south of Marathon. This area is the beginning of the continental shelf where the deepest water of the Florida straits starts. It can hold a variety of game fish including Tuna, Wahoo, Marlin and is the main target area for Swordfish as well. Look for the fish under dipping birds or around floating debris.
Tarpon fishing has been excellent at the middle Keys bridges with the bite at Bahia Honda bridge red hot on the outgoing tide this week. Best bait at Bahia Honda has been blue crabs floated back in the current. Live Mullet can also be good and is a better bet at the other Keys bridges like the 7 mile bridge. Look for the good Tarpon bite to continue well into June.
The reef and wreck fishing has been good with Yellowtail snapper being the main target lately for reef anglers. The bite has been excellent and the fish have been decent size in the 50-90ft range of the reef edge. Mutton snapper are staging on the wrecks as well with some nice ones hitting the docks in Marathon. Look for the Snapper bite to be excellent through June.
If you would like more info on fishing in the middle Florida Keys, check out our web site. Good luck in all your fishing adventures!
Capt Bob Brown, Jr
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