Key West Fishing Reports

5/17/13

fkwfl — Fri, 17 May 2013 15:20:55 +0000

This week in beautiful Key West has offered some spectacular Tarpon fishing. Morning, afternoon, and sunset trips have all been productive. Captain Kevin on the Outcast had an awesome 1/2 day sunset trip yesterday. His clients went 8 for 13 on the mighty silver king.

The offshore bite has still been productive with good size Mahi Mahi, as well as Sailfish.

5/10/13

fkwfl — Fri, 10 May 2013 15:36:08 +0000

Great weather and great fishing this week in Key West. Capt. Chris Garcia on the Coolwater II had an awesome day yesterday with his long time clients from the UK. They ran to one of Captain Chris many wreck spots in the Gulf Of Mexico and had non stop action all day. All in all they caught 12 Goliath Grouper (released) up to 300 lbs., limit of huge Mangrove Snapper up 9 lbs., two Gag Grouper, a 30 and 35 lb. Kingfish, several Bonita, and topped the day off with a 30 lb. Permit.

Offshore on the Atlantic side has produced big Mahi Mahi and we have mixed in a Sailfish or two on each trip.

Captain Damon Santelli

5/1/13

fkwfl — Wed, 01 May 2013 12:04:59 +0000

Today is May 1st which means it’s officially Grouper season. Both the Atlantic and the Gulf are open for these excellent fighting and great tasting fish. Grouper are typically caught on the reef and wrecks, and here in Key West we typically catch Black, Gag, Red, and Scamp Grouper.

The last few days in Key West, the fishing has been on fire. Offshore, the big Mahi Mahi have shown up in full force. Captain Kevin on the Outcast had a great day yesterday. He had a full day booked and headed offshore. He put his lines in 200 feet of water and within 5 minuets he hooked double header Wahoo’s. His customers grabbed the rods and started battling the fish as the line peeled off the spool. Unfortunately they lost one but landed the other which turned out to be a nice 55 pounder. A little while later Capt. Kevin saw a bird in the distance, ran over to it, put his lines in, and landed a 20 and 25 lbs. Mahi Mahi. Kevin then spotted some floating debris in the water, threw in some live baits, and ended up catching 8 nice Mahi 10 to 14 lbs.

Tarpon in the Key West harbor has been hot as well. We have been catching them on both tides, in the morning and during our sunset 4:00 to 8:00 trip.

Capt. Chris Garcia

4/22/13

fkwfl — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 13:43:25 +0000

This time of year reminds me why the spring is my favorite time of year to fish here in Key West. Both offshore and inshore fishing was great last week. Sailfish have been red hot offshore and the Tarpon fishing has been great inshore. Capt. Kevin on the Outcast had an awesome 3/4 day charter last week when his customers went 9 for 14 on Sailfish. His customers had such a good time they booked him again the following day. Along with the Tarpon the inshore shark fishing has been hot as well. Capt. Cory on the Coolwater had a great day last week catching 8 Lemon Sharks and 3 Black-tip Sharks. He was fishing in about 7 ft. of water and his customers had a blast catching 100 to 250 pound sharks on light tackle.

4/5/13

fkwfl — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 11:08:44 +0000

With the exception of today we have had great weather this week. Today we had a couple hard rain storms move through Key West making us have to cancel our charters. However the good news is it’s a one day thing and the weekend will be beautiful with the sun out and 10 to 15 knots of wind out of the east. This time of year east winds are great. It allows you many fishing options to choose from. From offshore to inshore Atlantic to the Gulf Of Mexico, the ocean is wide open. Tarpon, Permit, Sharks inshore, Sailfish, Tuna, Mahi Mahi offshore. This is the time of year to book multiple trips so you can do different types of fishing each day.

3/22/13

fkwfl — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 11:36:35 +0000

This week here in beautiful Key West we have been busy. With all 4 boats running charters everyday this week there have been a lot of fish hitting our dock. Mutton Snapper, Yellowtail Snapper, Tuna, Cobia, & Cero Mackerel are a few of the great eating fish our customers have enjoyed this week. Along with these tasty species we have had our share of game fish like Tarpon, Sharks, Sailfish, & Amberjacks. Remember spring is an awesome time of year for fishing here in Key West, so join us for a day you will not forget.

Capt. Chris Garcia

3/15/13

fkwfl — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 13:38:20 +0000

At the beginning of this week Capt Tony Miller on the Coolwater was the 1st Captain to do our long range Gulf of Mexico shrimp boat trip for 2013. This specialty charter is only done in the spring and early summer time. The Gulf shrimp boat trip is very weather depended, due to the long run (40 -50 miles one way). However when everything aligns in place it is an awesome charter. What happens is commercial shrimp boats drag their nets along the ocean floor in the Gulf night after night, then they drop anchor at 1st light , dump there catch on the deck of their boat and pick out all the shrimp. They then dump overboard all of their by catch of small fish, and crabs. By doing this day after day 100′s of Bonita, Tuna, Sharks, and Cobia follow them waiting for there morning snack. It makes for awesome fishing, we drift behind the anchored shrimp boats and it’s literary non stop action.

Captain Tony was able to do this trip twice this week and caught countless Bonita, 21 Blackfin Tunas, many sharks, and a Cobia. These fish can be caught on any tackle including fly. The Gulf Of Mexico long rang trip is a trip you will not forget.

Capt. Chris Garcia

3/8/13

fkwfl — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 15:31:22 +0000

We had a little cold spring cold snap this week. With temperatures in the low 60′s it was a little unusual for this time of year. However we did have some great reef fishing. Capt. Bill Wallace on the Coolcast caught over 20 Mutton Snapper this week with his clients. Mutton Snapper is a great fighting and tasting fish. Along with Mutton’s he caught a mess of nice size Yellowtail Snapper as well.

The temperature is warmer today and will get a little warmer over the weekend. As it warms up the Tarpon will make their way back inshore and be ready to eat. Sunday March 10th is daylight savings time, and here at Fish Key West we start our popular 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm sunset Tarpon & Shark trips. This is a great time of day to be on the water fishing for Tarpon / Shark. Because of the fewer boats and less pressure that time of day this can be a very successful trip.

Capt. Chris Garcia

3/1/13

fkwfl — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 11:37:28 +0000

Today is March 1st and we are officially in our spring fishing season here in Key West. Spring is our favorite time of year due to the fact that it gives us lots of fishing options. Inshore, Reef, Offshore, and the Gulf Of Mexico can all be loaded with awesome fishing this time of year. Starting March 10 we will be running our popular 4:00 to 8:00 pm sunset Tarpon and Shark trips. With the time change taking place and not getting dark till 8:00 pm it allows us about 13 hours of daylight to target any fish you desire. Tarpon, Permit, Sailfish, Tuna, Snapper, Cobia, & Sharks are a few of the common species we catch regularly this time of year.

So if your looking to catch fish for dinner, a 1st time Sailfish, or a 100 lb trophy sized Tarpon spring is the best time of the year to accomplish your goal. Join us for an awesome day on the water in beautiful Key West.

2/22/13

fkwfl — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 15:06:12 +0000

With temperatures back in the hight 70′s the last few days the Tarpon have made their way back into Key West harbour. Capt. Cory on the Coolwater II had a great sunset trip yesterday. Cory’s clients wanted some eating fish. Cory took them to one of his many Snapper holes and they caught lots of Mangrove Snapper as well as 2 nice size Mutton Snappers. After having plenty fish for dinner Cory asked if they would like to catch a Tarpon. His clients were eager to try and on the very 1st drift back they hooked about a 70 pound Tarpon. After 5 nice jumps and a 20 min fight they released the Tarpon and had some great pictures to remember their memorable day in Key West.