Offshore: The fishing offshore prior to this cold front has been excellent with catches of blackfin tuna to 15 lbs live baiting and smaller with trolling feathers. The issue is the onslaught of boats catching and keeping small tuna. Please remember to release small tuna as they can grow to 10 pounds within 6-8 weeks. We try to leave the masses behind and focus on finding free ranging schools of tuna. Mahi fishing has been excellent with several large gaffers taken this past week in the areas we fish in.
There are smaller mahi are in schools but the slammers are one at a time where you find them. We hunt for the larger fish and avoid the smaller schoolies at this time of year. We have caught 5 mahi from 35 to over 55lbs this past week. Last week we caught two blue marlin two days in a row. One a 150 rat and another 325 lb female onBost Lures. It is only going to get better.
Reef and Inshore: The sailfish are still present and in fair numbers. One day you see charter boats flying flags and then nothing for a few days. The tailing conditions should occur strong but waiting for that ideal situation that occurs for about 3-5 days. We have not concentrated on sails as our focus has been Marlin offshore. Yellowtail snapper and muttons are in good supply along the reef and patches provided a good current and cloudy water. Grouper fishing is good but all fish released due to closed season. Kingfish are still being caught but not to the extent as in the colder months.
Flats and Backcountry: The key word right now is tarpon, tarpon, tarpon. We have caught several in 4 hour trips to 150lbs. Permit are in good numbers along wrecks and a few spotted in the flats. We have taken two monster permit the last 2 weeks. Bonefish are good in the near backcountry for those wanting to take one on. Call Upper Keys Sportfishing if you want to target big fish.
We do not generally go for numbers unless someone specifically wants to as our target are big fish. We live up to our motto"We put you on big fish with fly, light and conventional tackle" 305-509-7745 www.upperkeyssportfishing.com
Reef and Inshore: The sailfish are still present and in fair numbers. One day you see charter boats flying flags and then nothing for a few days. The tailing conditions should occur strong but waiting for that ideal situation that occurs for about 3-5 days. We have not concentrated on sails as our focus has been Marlin offshore. Yellowtail snapper and muttons are in good supply along the reef and patches provided a good current and cloudy water. Grouper fishing is good but all fish released due to closed season. Kingfish are still being caught but not to the extent as in the colder months.
Flats and Backcountry: The key word right now is tarpon, tarpon, tarpon. We have caught several in 4 hour trips to 150lbs. Permit are in good numbers along wrecks and a few spotted in the flats. We have taken two monster permit the last 2 weeks. Bonefish are good in the near backcountry for those wanting to take one on. Call Upper Keys Sportfishing if you want to target big fish.
We do not generally go for numbers unless someone specifically wants to as our target are big fish. We live up to our motto"We put you on big fish with fly, light and conventional tackle" 305-509-7745 www.upperkeyssportfishing.com
