Lower Keys Fishing Report

The dolphin are here, better late than never.  This season has not been great so far, I have felt like we have been missing the best part of the dolphin season.  Our biggest fish of the year usually come in April and May.  Let’s hope they continue to pass through.

Monday’s West wind did not seem to bother the dolphin much.  We found fish and they were more than willing to eat.  Big schools were jumping on anything we threw at them.  We found fish up to 25 lbs and enough schoolies to keep us busy.  300-700 ft of water had lots of structure and rips.  I am sure that the dolphin are on structure well past the wall but fuel prices are limiting the long runs a bit. 

Typically West wind is the kiss of death for offshore fishing so I would expect the bite to take off once we get back to E-Se winds.  Look for some great dolphin fishing until right after the full moon, but who knows that might not bother them either.  Run until you find good looking water and remember to keep an eye on your temp gauge, just a slight change can hold some big fish.  Look for frigate birds to mark big fish as well.

Reef fishing was mediocre this week with nothing red hot.  The yellowtail were doing ok in the 60-90ft depths but the fish were not huge.  Bonito strips were bitten two to one over anything else we had to offer.  Luckily the bonito are all over the reef and are easily caught on live shrimp.  The bottom bite was ok with most of the grouper being throw backs.  Pinfish landed the numbers and large pinfish and grunts got attention from the bigger fish.  There were some muttons out on the deeper spots and the mutton bite should continue to be good throughout the next week. 

Wreck fishing slowed a little this week.  A few big amberjack were willing to put a bend in the rod.  The butterfly jigs got more attention than the live bait.  Live pinfish hooked a few snapper but getting them past the sharks and cudas presented a major challenge.  There have been a few permit out on the wrecks so keep an eye out for silver flashes around the Bush wreck on your way offshore.  I like to keep a crab or two in the well just in case.

The tarpon fishing took a big hit with Sunday and Monday’s West Winds.  Things had been looking up big time until the winds started blowing.  Saturday was one of the best tarpon days I have seen this year.  We found fish willing to eat flies and the fishing got better as the day went on.  This weather will probably put the fish off until late this week.  A few days of light winds and will get them going.  It looks like the water temps are going to stay up so all that is needed is light winds to get them going again. 

Bonfishing has also been very good.  With most of the boats targeting ocean side tarpon you might find that no one has been on your favorite bonefish flat in a few days.  Match your fly to the bottom color or throw shrimp tipped jigs.  Look for the fish to push their way across gulf side flats riding the incoming tide.  There have been schools of permit out front to round out the visual slam.  These fish, sunning Oceanside, can be very difficult to get to eat.  A live crab will sometimes bring out there inner jack.  Good luck and good fishing.

Last Cast Charters
scarpa1@bellsouth.net
www.lastcastcharters.net
(305)744-9796

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