Florida Keys Fishing Report week of 2/19/2018
Provided by:
http://www.IslamoradaSportFishing.com
(this report may be reproduced in any media format as long as credit is given to:www.islamoradasportfishing.com)
Reminder: The Ask the Captain and fishing forums are open for new members once again at http://www.islamoradasportfishing.com/forums

Offshore:
A few nice light wind days last week allowed some charters to run offshore to the Islamorada hump. Captain Paul Johnson on the Reef Runner reported a good bite on the Blackfin Tuna, but there is still a Shark problem and it was tough to get many Tuna to the boat. Captain Travis Dickins ran a Swordfish trip on his charter boat Indigenous out of Bud and Mary’s Marina. Captain Travis put his fare on a Sword and made the day a success.
Reefs:
Captain Billy Chrisman on his Vera Vita charter boat out of Whale Harbor Marina fished the reef area last week and among other finny creatures caught a handful of Mahi in 140 feet of water. The action on the King Mackerel has been good and Sailfish cooperated also. The annual Bartenders Sailfish Tournament was held last weekend and of the 16 boats there were 15 Sailfish releases. The first place boat was Olympic Gold with four releases for the anglers from Hog Heaven bar. The next three boats in line released two each. It was a little rough that day for the bartenders unfortunately. Captain Lou Brubaker fished the reef on one beautiful pre front day last week. With just one angler fishing thirty feet of water, they quickly had a limit of Snapper including one Mutton that weighed in at fourteen pounds. There were quite a few Black and Red Grouper released along with miscellaneous other reef dwellers. With some time on their hands they decided to run out to 200 feet of water and troll some lures back up towards home port. In 235 feet of water one reel screamed and a Wahoo of about fifteen pounds came to gaff.
Gulf and Bay:
The action on Spanish Mackerel, Trout and Snapper has been good one day and slow the next. Finding the clean water has been the secret to finding the bite most days. Captain Tim Klein had a banner day with the Snapper and Trout last week in the bay. Captain John Gargan also fished the Gulf and did an excellent job on the Mackerel and Snapper. Captain John said two Cobia swam up the chum slick and they caught both, with one being just short of the legal minimum size of 33” to the fork.
Flats, Backcountry and Flamingo:
With the air temperatures in the low eighties and the water temperatures in the mid seventies, some Islamorada guides opted to Tarpon fish. Captain Vinnie Biondoletti cast netted some Mullet and did catch Tarpon close to home in the channels. Captain Tim Klein also got his gang a Tarpon bite, releasing one Tarpon estimated at 80 pounds. Captain Skip Paxton ran a half day trip up towards the northern region of Florida Bay and found Trout and ladyfish for his efforts.

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