Happy holidays to everyone I sure hope lots of families are coming to the keys this year. Take advantage of all the keys has to offer, especially the fishing of course, whether it be backcountry, offshore or even from the shoreline.
Offshore this past week the sail fishing has remained very productive. One area captain caught and released 10 sailfish on Monday; great job guys. They found pilchards on their way out of the whale harbor channel and were able to throw the net and gather up a couple hundred. Pilchards, even though a smaller bait, can be very helpful in raising sailfish up behind your boat and giving you a great opportunity at catching multiple fish or even on those slow days making that one bite happen when it seems almost hopeless. Keep your eyes peeled in those channels on the way out in the morning you never know what you might be running over could be the pot of gold your looking for, as far as bait are concerned. We are also seeing balls of sardines moving down the edge of the reef, the tell tail signs for those guys are birds diving in the water and hanging in one tight area slowly moving to the south west. Don’t disturb the school just run up along side and throw a No. 4 sabiki in there and catch all you want. If you run your boat through the middle of the school you won’t have a chance at catching any; you will just drive them down out of sight and reach.
If you are into catching a good dinner those yellow tail snappers are still on the edge of the reef in good numbers and size, there were a few reports of yellowtails being caught in the 2 to 3 lb range, which is very nice for this time of the year. Catching your limit of yellow tail and mutton snappers is not unusual this time of the year lots of action on the reef edge especially with those bait balls moving through. Always keep a treble hook on wire ready. Soon as you get a couple of cutoffs, while yellow tailing, fling a live bait back there on the wire and expect a quick bite probably a king fish for the grill or smoker or a great eating cero mackerel. There are only a few more days left that you can catch grouper so try to take advantage of it while you can. They should be fattening up for their spawn, giving you a good opportunity to put a couple in the fish box for dinner.
On the Gulf side of things, the Spanish mackerel are still there in good numbers, as well as some lane snappers and pompano. All great light-tackle fish, great fun for everyone. Cobia are starting to show up more often and I am going to guess, after another good cold front. With more bait pushing through the gulf you will start to see more. For those looking for the big game fish the black tip and bull sharks are definitely attainable and wow what a fight you’re in for.
Keep those rods bent . . .
