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Marathon, Florida Keys
Capt. Bob Brown
May 9, 2002
Marathon - Saltwater Fishing Report
TARPON BITE HOT!
The Tarpon fishing is in high gear here in Marathon and the middle Keys. Good numbers of Tarpon can be found at all locations in the Marathon area. The past few days have seen two tournaments come and go with record setting catches in both. The ladies tournament had 31 Tarpon released by 17 anglers the first night with over 75 hook ups by 12 boats. The McDonald,s Faro Blanco Invitational Tarpon Tournament set records for the most fish ever in the tournament and all teams catching at least one fish. Records were also set for the most fish in one evening (6) set by Capt. Kevin Goodwin and crew on the "Kelly's Green". On the "Sundance" we caught 5 out of 11 hookups on the three evenings of fishing. The hottest bite was at the 7 Mile & Long Key bridges. The fish have been as large as 175-200lb. but most were in the 60-120lb. range. Bahia Honda has been excellent for Tarpon on the outgoing tide, but incoming tide was not frindly to the boats fishing Bahia Honda during the tournament hours of 5-9PM. The hot Tarpon action should hold up at the bridges through June and then start to move up the coasts of the islands in July.
Big Dolphin and Lots of Them!
The offshore bite has been fantastic with large Dolphin (Mahi-Mahi) being the main catch lately. Many Dolphin in the 20-50lb. class have been hitting the docks in the middle Keys and they have been quite plentiful. The other day I don't think a boat had a fish less than 15 lb. and all boats were loading the coolers with big numbers of fish. Nice schools of smaller dolphin have been around the past two days. The larger fish have been anywhere from 13-35 miles offshore and have primarily been coming through under birds. The absence of good weedlines lately hasn't hurt the bite but made the fish a bit harder to find. Once an area is located with fish, say 15 miles offshore, that is a good bet as to where more fish will be coming through. Just watch for the dipping white gulls or frigate birds working the surface and you will be in the fish!
For more info on Keys fishng check out our website. Good luck in all of your fishing adventures!
Capt. Bob Brown, Jr.
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