Tarpon, Sharks, Tuna, Dolphin, Sailfish...all biting in Marathon
Capt. Bob Brown
April 11, 2010
Marathon - Saltwater Fishing Report
The spring time crossover season is here where we have both good numbers of winter time species still around, and spring time species that migrate through the area have arrived also. Last week the sailfish bite was red hot with some great catches in the double digits while the gulfstream was in close to shore. Cobia were being found in the same area along the reef edge in 15-250ft of water as well and some were topping the 70lb mark!! The condition that caused the hot action has subsided for now, but can change again at any time. It looks like some breezy conditions for this week again, and that should heat back up the sailfish and Cobia on the edge of the reef.
Big Permit are showing up on the ocean side wrecks and big Amberjacks are still inhabiting these same spots. King Mackerel have been around the edge of the reef also, and around some wrecks. Some large Mutton Snappers have been hitting the docks also, and they have mostly been around the 120-220ft depths.
Mangrove snapper fishing continues to be lights out on the patch reefs in 20-40ft of water. Nicer Yellowtail snapper have been starting to hit as well in 40-60ft of water.
The springtime Tarpon migration is on and the action has been heating up at the famous 7 mile bridge this week. Best bite has been on the outgoing tide and around dawn and dusk. The incoming tide has had murky water causing the fish to high tail it out of the bridge area until the tide comes back out. Look for hot action on both tides while the water stays clean. If it muds up this week by windy weather, fish the outgoing tide or catch NOTHIN! lol!
Sharks have been around the bridges and out in Fl Bay north of the islands NW of Marathon in the channels and around banks and mullet muds. Black tips and Lemons are dominating the backwater shark scene but some large preditors are sure to show up now that the Tarpon have moved in.
Blackfin and Skipjack Tuna have been biting offshore at the Marathon west hump and the 409 hump. Some large Tiger sharks have been reported to be out near the humps and doing some munching on Amberjacks while they are being caught and brought up from the depths. A Mako Shark is not out of the question this time of year also. Dolphin have been spotty and some have been offshore of the humps where the warmest water is right now. Looks like the "wall" SW of Marathon has the warmest water line and that is about 30 miles out to the 1600-2000 ft level.
If you would like more info on fishing in the Marathon and middle Florida Keys, check out our web site. Good luck in all your fishing adventures!
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