Lucky for us, the recharged fish are biting aggressively
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Capt. Craig Eubank's anglers landed this nice gag grouper. They had been angling for amberjacks, but this will certainly do.
As predicted in last week's report, our first cold front has shuffled the deck and given our fishing a brand-new hand.
In some areas, the water temperatures have dropped as much as 10 degrees. This is most dramatic in the gulf and bay, where fish that had been lethargic are recharged and feeding aggressively. There is also a surge of fish fleeing the areas in search of the warmer Atlantic waters.
The deep-drop bite off Key West continues to be excellent. Fishmonster Capt. Marlin Scott skippered the Marc Cross group on The Reel Deal out of the Key West Harbour Yacht Club over the weekend. They had success with rosefish and golden tiles, with a bonus tuna explosion on the way back to the dock.
On the reef off Marathon, the sailfish have been seen spraying ballyhoo. Capt. Ariel Medero, of Top Notch Charters out of the Hammocks in Marathon, caught quite a few sails last week by fishing the bait sprays.
Captains who choose to fish live bait are catching the sailfish by drifting in the 100- to 200-foot depths. We are now experiencing just the beginning of sailfish season, as this fishing intensifies with each passing cold front. If the sails are not cooperating, try dropping on the deeper wrecks and artificial reefs. These areas are producing good-size mutton snapper in the five- to 10-pound range. The most productive baits are pilchards, pinfish and ballyhoo.
Capt. Tom Beck of Marathon caught four muttons between five and 10 pounds by using ballyhoo plugs while fishing with a friend on Saturday. Capt. Jack Carlson, of Two Conchs Charters out of Marathon, reports a red-hot reef bite, with mangrove and yellowtail snapper added to the muttons for good measure. Carlson uses live pilchards and pinfish.
Unexpectedly and without notice, the National Marine Fisheries Service has closed the greater amberjack fishery in Gulf of Mexico federal waters from Oct. 24 through Dec. 31. They claim an established annual recreational harvest quota has been met.
However, amberjack fishing is open and thriving in the Atlantic waters of the Florida Keys. So if you're visiting from the Gulf Coast, call one of our local charter captains to get in on the action. Amberjack provide excellent sport and are prime for the smoker. If you'd like a copy of our famous smoked fish dip recipe, please drop us an e-mail.
You just never know what you may catch while fishing for amberjack on the wrecks of the Keys. Fishing on the Mr. Z out of the A and B Marina in Key West, Capt. Craig Eubank's anglers landed some real prizes in the form of a 20-pound gag grouper and a seven-pound porgy.
Yellowtailing on the reef has been consistent with a good mix of sizes making their way to the boat. Most captains start their search for the 'tails in 35 to 40 feet of water and work deeper until the schools pop up on their fish finders. Abundant chum and a variety of baits are key.
While on the reef, don't neglect to put a bait near the bottom. Now that the water temperatures are cooling, the grouper are responding better to live bait offerings.
Hit the patch reefs
The patch reefs are absolutely alive with all manner of fish. All three major mackerel species are present and taking live ballyhoo with abandon. They are also snatching live pilchards that are swimming on the surface of the chum slick.
Large mangrove snapper are showing, as well as a fair share of good-size muttons in the five- to 10-pound class. I received many reports of red grouper on the patches along with some nice gags and blacks.
The cooler bay waters have pushed the hogfish onto the patch reefs. They respond well to shrimp, either dead or alive. You may also encounter a few porgy, which are extremely tasty with delicate white meat similar to the hogs.
The bay and gulf have been the go-to spots for many captains with the recent winds. The mangrove bite in the bay is almost too easy, with limit catches the norm. My suggestion is to self-impose a size limit larger than what the regulations specify. This gives you more fishing time, which is really why you're out there in the first place.
The bay is alive
You may also pick up Spanish and cero mackerel in the bay. I fished a mother-daughter duo visiting from Cincinnati last week. Melissa Cinquina and her teenage daughter, Maddy, had a nonstop rod-bending action on mangrove, mutton and yellowtail snapper, cero mackerel and porgy.
The gulf wrecks and ledges are offering a very good mangrove bite but the real player has been the gag grouper. A fair number of keepers have been reported along with some keeper red grouper.
The cobia are showing with more regularity, although most are still undersize. This fishery will improve as the larger cobes escape the cooler northern waters.
And let's not forget the great catch-and-release fishing for Goliath grouper and shark that we always have in the waters to the north of our islands. If you have a report that you would like to contribute, please drop us an e-mail.
Capt. Chris Johnson specializes in offshore, gulf/bay, bottom, wreck and reef fishing with SeaSquared Charters out of the 7 Mile Marina in Marathon. You can reach him at 743-5305, SeaSquared@bellsouth.net or www.SeaSquaredCharters.com.
