Key West Fishing Report For May
One thing has been consistent these last few weeks and that has been the winds. Easterlies have prevailed as high as 25 mph and some days as low as 10 -15. That has not stopped the fishing though. We have been making some great days on the water both inshore and offshore.
May Is Opening of South Atlantic Grouper Season
Everyone loves some grouper. My wife makes amazing fried grouper bites. Click on that link for her recipe. I always look forward to getting out and smashing some red grouper and black groupers for my anglers fishing on the reef on board my 36ft Yellowfin center console. Fishing In May always starts off with grouper here in Key West with mutton snapper and yellowtail snapper as a side bar. Our reef fishing trips have harvested some nice grouper I expect I will be able to compound on that this week coming up with my clients that just love to catch them. The winds look favorable starting Wednesday to go long for some tasty treats.
Look at my Key West reef fishing charters or even the Dry Tortugas trips that I offer out of Key West to see about joining me for one of these adventures. Fro 25 – 250 ft of water this is a great bottom fishing trip that puts some good meat in the box.
Backcountry And Flats Fishing Have Tarpon
May is our tarpon fishing season here in Key West. But that is not all. we also have some great flats fishing for permit and bonefish as well. I was on the flats yesterday afternoon fishing my 24 ft Yellowfin carbon elite bay boat and had some great shots at some good sized bonefish on my half day. We are doing tarpon fishing trips on the daily here at Dream Catcher Charters and our anglers are catching some nice quality tarpon. There are a good number of fish in the harbor as well as our hide-e-holes that hold tarpon seasonally for us.
Generally this time of the year I will fish for tarpon first thing in the morning to get the bite and my angler a good one. Then I will move out to the flats fishing for some opportunities at permit or bonefish in the shallows. May is a fantastic time of the year for all of them. Add that to my signature “All In Wonder” fishing charter where we set off for a full day of fishing the Marquesas Keys inshore and shallow patch reefs, we will even visit a shallow wreck. A really cool trip to check out if you’re looking to do more in a day. It’s all really good in May, June, July and August.
Deep Sea Fishing Has Been Strong
Even with the winds being up we are getting off the dock for some good deep sea fishing as April came to a close and May fishing opened up. Yes the winds suck from time to time but the deep sea fishing has been really good. On the menu has bee mahi dolphin, sailfish, tuna and wahoo. The Gulf Stream current has been close and bringing us a nice flow of sport fish to catch. Last week on board my 47 ft Viking “INXS” we got some nice mahi close to 20 lbs, tunas, a monster sailfish and a couple wahoo. There was also a nice blue marlin released this week by one of the boats at my dock here at Oceans Edge Resort and Marina. Good times.
Check out my Key West deep sea fishing boat the INXS to learn more about those trips. Read my Key West deep sea fishing report.
May Fishing Forecast
We certainly hope the winds will start to lay down. But then it will Get hot, humid and muggy. Good news to the fishing though.. The tropical fish will love it.
The backcountry fishing will continue with tarpon being a focus with snappers on the inshore and near shore patch reefs. Flats fishing for bonefish and permit along with tarpon will be perfect. The breeze on these trips really help not only keep us cool but also get closer to our fish. Flat calm days on the flats can be tough..
Offshore expect the dolphin fishing to resume with good numbers. A mix of tunas and wahoo are always expected and of course we would LOVE to see some more blue marlin released. The sailfish are and still will be around. As the winds drop and summer gets closer the longer trips will be needed to be productive deep sea fishing.
May is about the most popular month for reef fishing. There is a LOT going on at the reef with the snappers spawning and grouper season open. A great time to get out there and put some meat in the freezer back home.
Fishing Charters
As I mentioned fishing in May is very popular. Booking in advance is advised. Call my office and speak to Gennifer about what you would like to do, how you would like to fish and your budget. She will set you up on a trip with me if I am available or one of my colleagues. Book with us direct and over the phone, so you get EXACTLY what you expect from your day on the water.
Call My Office 1-305-292-7212
Text Us 1-786-847-3808
Email Me steven@fishingkeywest.com
