Marathon- Florida Keys Fishing Report: March 27, 2009
Courtesy of Marathon charter fishing boats, Best Bet Sportfishing and the Florida Keys Weekly Newspapers.
CHANGES AHEAD
Springtime marks a period of transition in the Florida Keys. Seasonal residents begin packing their bags in preparation for a mass exodus up north; the weather slowly shifts from the cool, dry climate of the winter months, to the warm, rainier conditions of summer; and anglers start saying goodbye to the sailfish and other wintertime pelagics, and welcome in an entire new wave of exciting species to target.
The excellent springtime fishing is highlighted by the arrival of tarpon season, when droves of monster silver kings make their way into the Florida Keys island chain. Tarpon season is one of my favorite times of year to fish, and I'm looking forward to welcoming a new boat to the Best Bet fleet this year (the Best Bet II), which is ideal for targeting big tarpon at the bridges and inshore.
Currently, the tarpon migration is yet to get into full swing, but there are plenty of resident fish in the area, and the warming water temperatures have made them active and hungry. On a recent trip, Captain James "Bucko" Platt landed nine tarpon up to 50 pounds. Look for the tarpon bite to heat up even more over the weeks ahead, and for the large migratory fish to continue showing up in good numbers.
The arrival of spring also embraces an influx of cobia into the Atlantic and Gulf waters. Look for cobia at the bridges, the Gulf wrecks, and out to 200 feet in the blue water. No matter what type of fishing you are doing, always have your favorite cobia rod ready as you never know when, or where, you may encounter this hard fighting, and great tasting species. Also keep your eyes open for permit to begin showing up on the deep wrecks any day now.
In Hawk Channel the fishing continues to be excellent. The mackerel species (kings, Spanish and ceros) are thick, and there are plenty of large yellowtails and mutton snapper around to be caught, with the occasional keeper grouper in the mix. Keep an eye out for cobias, and be prepared for one to show up in your chum line.
On the patch reefs (25-35 feet of water) we've been catching good numbers of yellowtail snapper in the 13 to 16 inch range. Quality mangrove and mutton snapper have also been producing on flat lines, so be ready to test your light tackle angling skills when one of them eats your bait. It's a good idea to have a wire rig on hand as well to land one of the many cero mackerels.
The deep reef (60- 90 feet) has turned on lately with solid catches of flag yellowtails up to six pounds. The predator species (bull sharks, Caribbean reef sharks, and Goliath Grouper) remain a problem, but provide quite the challenge for those looking to test their strength and endurance. We've also been having success with large kingfish chumming with live pilchards.
The strong currents have made it difficult to hold the bottom on the deep wrecks (110-300 feet), but we have been rewarded with nice mutton snapper catches up to 20 pounds. Keep an eye out for pelagics while out fishing the wrecks as well- last week we caught a large sail tailing in the strong currents.
Offshore the dolphin fishing remains spotty with a few fish still in the area. Your best bet offshore is to live bait for blackfin tuna in 140 to 200 feet of water, or at the humps.
Over in Florida Bay we're continuing to catch big mangrove snapper up to 5 pounds. On two trips this past week we limited out on mangroves using live bait and fresh cut ballyhoo. Out on the Gulf wrecks, Best Bet Captain Nick Borracino reports that the kingfish and the cobia bites remain solid. He also wants to remind everyone that grouper season is closed until April, and that as difficult as it may be to release those keeper gags, it is the law.
Your BEST BET for the Weeks Ahead: Be careful when photographing your catch!
Michael McNulty, aka "the Prodigal Son" learned first-hand while fishing aboard the Best Bet II that you should never hold a lively fish over the gunnel while posing for a photograph. McNulty watched in horror as his delicious, soon-to-be hogfish sandwich, slipped from his grasp and escaped back into the sea.
Always remember that while posing for a photograph with your catch, do it in the center of the boat, keep a firm grip, and don't hold the fish too high in the air.
Be sure to visit TryCharterFishing.com to read next week's Florida Keys fishing report.
