Florida Keys Fishing Report week of 3/5/2018
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)

Offshore:
The only report of any offshore fishing is from Captain Don Chittick on the Kay K IV. Don reported needing to run off to the Islamorada Hump and look for some Tuna. There was no current, hence no upwelling of water carrying the bait to make for any Tuna activity. So, deciding to “punt” Captain Don had his clients deep drop in the 300 foot depth, and they were rewarded with a nice catch of Vermillion and Silk Snapper.
Reefs:
The reef is just “golden:” these days. Sailfish action is good. There is a good supply of King Mackerel. Charter Boats slow trolling live or dead baits and getting into Mutton Snapper and “throwback” Grouper deep. There have been some Cobia caught and Yellowtail Snapper action is good when the current is running. And for just a bit more variety, there seems to be a good supply of Wahoo in the mix too. The Wahoo are being caught deep on wire rigs and live bait. Some Captains are high speed trolling big flashy heavy lures and cashing in on the Wahoo party. Fishing their way back from the Hump, Captain Don on the Kay K IV reported that in 140 feet of water while dragging rigged Ballyhoo, a rod bowed over and the result was a 25 pound Blackfin Tuna. On the Reef Runner they got two Sailfish and one Wahoo on Thursday. Captain Rob on the Southern Comfort had a great day and boated a load of Yellowtail Snapper in the three to five pound size along with some Kingfish.
Gulf and Bay:
Up in Florida Bay there are some Seatrout and Snapper being caught up near the mainland shoreline. In the Gulf the Spanish Mackerel bite is good and there are some Snapper and Trout adding to the bounty. Captain John Gargan got into the Mackerel real good one trip and also caught Trout and Snapper and two Cobia. Some guides are beginning to fish Tarpon and Sharks in the Sandy Key drains and channels.
Flats, Backcountry and Flamingo:
Snook season opened March 1st. But, of course that does not mean that you must harvest said fish even with the season open! The Cape Sable area is the Snook heavy area to fish these days. The Snook live under the Mangroves along the creeks and canals. The Snook take up feeding stations at the mouths of canals and creeks on the last of the falling tide and baits of choice are Shrimp and Pinfish or Pilchards. Back close to home lots of guides are cast netting Mullet for Tarpon bait and fishing the channels and bridge areas with success. Captain Vinnie Biondoletti out of Bud and Mary’s Marina has been catching Tarpon on morning and evening trips this past week. Water temperatures have been in the mid seventies and that is good, as research tells us the optimum [Tarpon] water temperature is between 75 and 90 degrees

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