 |
Marathon, Florida Keys
Capt. Bob Brown
January 15, 2008
Marathon - Saltwater Fishing Report
Winter Dolphin
Offshore fishing for Dolphin (Mahi-Mahi)can sometimes be spotty in the winter months here in the Keys, but during warm weather periods there are plenty of the good fighting, great eating fish to be had. This past week we enjoyed an extended period of warm weather after the big cold front just after the new year and the Dolphin responded showing up around the reef edge in as shallow as 100ft of water. Some nice fish up to 35lb were hitting the docks in the middle Keys mostly coming in from within 10 miles from shore. This trend will continue in periods of warm weather inbetween cold fronts. After the passage of a front with cooler temps and a north wind, wait a few days until the wind swings back around to the east-southeast to try the Mahi again. Once the warming trend gets into a couple days, the bite usually heats up. Take the north wind days (if it isn't too rough) to check out your favorite reef spots. The reef fishing has been exceptional with nice sized yellowtail snapper, mutton snapper, grouper and mackerel biting all over the reef areas of the middle keys. This action will continue to be good the next few weeks and months.
Sailfish Season
The speedy acrobatic Sailfish that anglers all over the world come here to catch in the winter months have been a bit spotty lately but when you find the right spot.... it can be great action. Yesterday the conditions improved in the Tenessee reef area and the bite was on in the afternoon hours with Sailfish balling up groups of sardines and chasing ballyhoo that were getting pushed offshore by the north winds. Several boats hooked more than 5 Sailfish in the afternoon alone and saw plenty more gorging on sardines and picking in the weedline that was in the area. The fish were a bit hesitant to bite other baitfish besides the ones they were eating naturally and some anglers had trouble getting a bite but some success was had. The Islamorada annual bartenders sailfish tournament was a success yesterday as well with the winning teams releasing 4 sails each. The previous few days were slower on the bite, but if the easterly current that picked up yesterday afternoon holds up for a while, the sailfishing could be great this coming week.
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.
More Fishing Reports:
|
|
|
|
