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Marathon, Florida Keys
Capt. Bob Brown
January 5, 2008
Marathon - Saltwater Fishing Report
Cool Weather - Hot Bite
The recent record cold temps experienced here in the Florida Keys have dramatically cooled the inshore waters around the islands. This makes fish go on the move from the cooler waters of Florida Bay out to the Atlantic side of the islands where the waters are deeper and warmer. This causes the reef fish like Grouper and Snapper to lock onto some of the first good reef structure after they pass through the bridges and travel out into the Atlantic. Once fish find a suitable area to hang out where the water temp is more to thier liking, they will camp out in those areas as long as there is plenty of food. The best places to find enchanced action after a cold period like we have just experienced, are the coral patches and humps in Hawk's Channel and the inside edge of the reef where there is good coral structure. This week the bite has been excellent on the humps to the south of the Long Key bridge, 7 mile bridge, an Bahia Honda bridge. The best patch reefs were in water deeper than 30ft and with even deeper water nearby. Red Grouper, Mutton Snapper, Mangrove Snapper, Mackerel, Jacks, and some other Grouper and Snapper species were the main inhabitants the past couple days.
Other Cold Weather Benefits...
The Sailfishing in the Keys usually improves significantly right after cold fronts as more fish get pushed down from further north. There was some good sailfishing today with several boats catching more than one Sail with some boats topping 7 fish. There have been some nice Cobia caught the past two days as well as the north wind tends to push them through the bridges to the Atlantic side also. King Mackerel are usually heating up also after cool weather this time of year with some super hot action happening on the reef edge for the next few months.
The shallow waters of the Keys warm back up quickly also, so not to worry if you are coming to the Keys to fish inshore in the next week or so. Looks like a warming trend and the bite should be warming in Florida Bay and on the flats.
Good luck in all your fishing adventures!
Capt Bob Brown, Jr
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