Quick Glance
Provided by staff writer Captain Russ Pellow
visit him online at
www.RustyIV.com
Offshore:
It seems reports from Islamorada charter docks indicate better Dolphin catches this past week with the better weather. The Challenger Boat from Whale Harbor racked one Bull Dolphin that weighed in at 37#. Capt. Jeff Bollinger (formerly of Whale Harbor Marina) captains a private boat fishing the Bahamas. Capt. Jeff reported that the Dolphin have not showed up in the Chub Key area in any numbers yet either! Calmly Jeff noted “They're Just a little late.” Rumor and History has it that Capt. Skip of Blue Chip fame will officially open the Mahi season may 1st.
Reefs:
Yellowtail Snapper fishing has been better , and a worthwhile endeavor recently. The Party boat Miss Tradewinds has been catching a nice variety of Grouper and Snapper on their half day trips. Capt. Ron Wagner has been hunting the Permit on the shallow patches inside the reef. Ron reports the fish are there, it’s just the progression of acts from sighting the fish to catching can be difficult! Yeah, we know Ron…… If you decide to go Patch fishing for Snapper, take a few small Blue Crabs with you and set one out on a float. Hang the Crab out around a Coral Head and just maybe…..
Gulf and Bay:
Capt. Gary Rehm out of the World Wide Sportsman Marina has been booked solid with anglers wanting to catch a Tarpon. Gary reports, “The fish have been tentative at best most of the week, up and batting the Mullet around, but not wanting to eat.” Florida Bay Trout catches have been great! Most of the larger fish are out to the west in the drains and runoffs in the large banks. Jigs, bucktail or rubbertail , is all it takes.
Flats, Backcountry and Flamingo:
Good Snook activity and catches around the islands near Flamingo this week. With the hard wind early in the week, most anglers stayed in shallow water and had good catches of Trout. What few reports we have had indicate Bonefish catches are “fair.” Perhaps most skiff guides are chasing the Tarpon rather than Bonefishing this week. Let us know! Last but not least, if you want to catch a Bull Shark, fish the channels around Flamingo, a live Ladyfish on a wire rig is all it takes!
Florida Keys Fishing reports here
Fishing Report from the Florida Keys