Florida Keys Fishing Report
Florida Keys fishing reports for offshore, flats, backcountry and reefs, where the fishing is hot

By Islamorada Sport Fishing
Posted Wednesday, July 16, 2014

 


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Offshore:

After six weeks or so of consistent catches of Dolphin where the majority were of the school size from 3 to 6 pounds, things have changed. Good supplies of larger slammer size Dolphin have shown up offshore of Islamorada. Captain Don Chittick on the Kay K IV had two days with several Dolphin ranging from 25 to 35 pounds in weight. Charter boat racks seen from U S 1 while driving past the Post Card Inn were loaded with big Mahi Mahi in the afternoon every day. There was no specific corridor, but the catches ranged from 10 to 25 miles from shore. Most Captains are fast trolling lures so they can quickly run towards working birds. If need be they will skip natural Ballyhoo for the selective fish that will not hit a lure.

Reefs:

The Yellowtail action is still very good, that being said, the current has to be flowing and off color water helps the Snapper feel more comfortable and to come up from the coral to eat your drifted bait. Captain Paul Johnson hit the reef one day last week on a half day. Paul got live bait and slow trolled and had a mixed bag including King Mackerel, Mutton Snapper, Bonito and one large Rainbow Runner that was estimated at 17 pounds. Look for very good action at night with all variety of Snapper including some big Mangrove Snapper in 25 to 35 feet of water.

Gulf and Bay:

Captain Lou Brubaker had a party on a Gulf wreck and was busy with Jack Crevalle, Bluefish, Seatrout and Pompano. Goliath Grouper of huge proportions bolted out from the wreck and ate a few hooked fish. In Florida Bay the Trout and Snapper action is slow one day and good later on. This situation is directly related to the tide and water clarity. Many say the recent "super moon" put the fish off, always a good excuse.

Flats, Backcountry and Flamingo:

Again success in the Flamingo area is directly related to tides and water temperatures. As a rule early in the day may offer a cooler water temperature and more cooperative fish, as the water can get into the 90's in the
afternoon. There are Tarpon in Flamingo and out at the Cape Sable area. Seatrout are all over and there is a fair to good bite on the Snook in the channels and moats around the islands. The channels in Islamorada are holding Tarpon and Permit. Of course the Tarpon want darkness or low light to feed. The Permit may be solitary singles or small packs of fish and will feed on a drifted Crab around the bridges or channel mouths.

Fishing Report Provided by: IslamoradaSportFishing.com