Southbound Sportfishing Key West report, Saltwater Fishing Report

The middle of May was a bit too calm and the fishing suffered a bit for it. Finally, the wind has picked up, the current has picked up and along with it, the fishing off Key West has picked up too. After a week or so of very calm weather and gradually declining fishing, the Gulf Stream has moved back in close to the reef, (It was out 40 miles). Strong current and a bit of wind always make the fishing better. And true to form the last few weeks have been a blast.

Dolphin, (Mahi Mahi or Dorado, not Flipper) have been moving through in good numbers. Some groups of larger fish, 20- 50 lbs are being caught in the 300-500 depths and a good number of schoolie sized fish are to be found on weed lines as they pass through the area. Floating debris has also been productive. One drawback to the strong east current is that any weed or debris found today is almost certainly out of range tomorrow.

There have been a decent number of Blue Marlin as well as a few White marlin either seen and /or caught over the last few weeks. A Marlin eats the same food as dolphin and they eat dolphin so if you’re in the dolphin, you always have a chance at a Marlin. I caught two last year, both in May. I haven’t been lucky enough to hook one this year, but I’m still optimistic.

Not many Wahoo around, but the ones that are being caught are usually big ones. Mostly in the 40-50 lb range. No real rhyme or reason to the Wahoo. They are where they are and you just have to put your time in.

I haven’t done it, but I hear the inshore fishing for Tarpon is red hot. I haven’t see the large schools of tarpon rolling in the harbor which is typical of this time of year, but I do see quite a few boats hooked up both in the morning on the way offshore and in the afternoon when we return.

About the Author:

Captain's Bio: I have over 25 yrs experience on the waters around Key West Fl and every day is still exciting to me. The great thing about fishing here is you never know what you'll see.

Sailfish, Sharks, Mackerel, Wahoo, Tuna, Dolphin, Barracuda, Snapper, Grouper and more can all be caught in these waters and sometimes many in the same day! That's why fishing in Key West never get old.

In the winter months we use a lot of live bait and light tackle and we encourage a more "hands on" approach for the costumers that wish to. We prefer to teach you how to fish rather than just take you fishing.

One of the best compliments I ever received is when a group got off my boat and said they "didn't feel like they had gone on a fishing charter....the felt like they had been out fishing with friends"