Key West Fishing Report
Key West yellowtail fishing has really heated up this week after the storms and all the windy weather has sorted itself out. The water quality at the reef has improved greatly offering our anglers looking for tasty seafood treats some quality fishing. We have been seeing some perfect water conditions for a fantastic yellowtail bite along with some other fun fish to catch while Key West reef fishing.
We have been busy with our reef fishing here the last several days. Most of our trips are folks who want to get out and put a nice bag limit together of some tasty yellowtail snapper on some 4 and 6 hour reef fishing charters on board my 36 ft Yellowfin center console.
The reef fishing bite has been pretty consistent. I enjoy fishing during the full moon for snappers and it paid off in a great way this moon phase with some consistently good sized fish. We did not have to run far from Key West to get into the fishing. Along the way we have been finding mobs of Spanish mackerel molesting some small bait fish which added to the cooler color.
Spanish mackerels were playing. The change turned into a perfect water clarity for my liking. I will say that the further I went down the reef like the clearer the water got and slower the fishing.
Yellowtail Snapper Fishing
My clients the other day wanted to stick with my artificial program on a 6 hour trip. In the past 20 years I have been collecting data on how to catch yellowtail snapper a different way. Thats where we use no bait, no chum and no anchoring. All of our fish were caught using lipped lures and jigs. The bite was pretty good working the out going tide as the water was flowing out to the deeper reef. This is a great time to use this tactic as the yellowtails get their predator on and become super aggressive.
The really awesome part of fishing this way is the threat of sharks and barracudas is almost completely diminished. Every fish makes it to the boat whole. There is no focused point of fish gathering or smell in the water for the predators to lock on to, knowing there will be a wounded fish soon to take advantage of.
When I am fishing with artificial I also find that the yellowtails are larger than when I stop drop and chum for them. This is nice at the filet table putting sammich sized filets in the bag.
Water quality is important. I like the clarity to be just a little dingy or banged up for how I fish for yellowtail snappers. Maybe just off enough to where I can still see light and dark from the bottom features but certainly not crystal clear as it can be some days. This past week the color change from Dingy dirty milky water was in the middle to the outer edge of hawks channel which is the body of water that I between the islands of the Florida Keys and the reef edge.
I find that this way of fishing with my clients does many things for a better fishing charter experience.
- First the casting appeals to many of our inshore and freshwater anglers. They love to cast. Then the random hit and fight consistency is huge. Honestly if we dont catch a fish in 7 casts.. Im moving. This really appeals to the OCD folks that need to keep busy.
- Second Rod handling skills if not already there improves greatly in a very short time.
- Not being anchored means less chance of sea sick. – Not to mention reef damage from my anchoring.
- Less mess. No chum No bait.
- Harder fight. I use pretty light tackle with braided Samurai line by DAIWA with 15 – 20lb fluorocarbon. These fish really fight, especially when they thing they were being predators, not eating junk food like chum.
- By catch is usually a cero mackerel or jack and they pull like freight trains.
- No sharks, no barracudas eating our lunch.
- On average a larger fish average and fast limits. Shorter trips are pretty productive.
Our Yellowtail Fishing Charters
I have three ways to take folks to the reef to fish for yellowtails.
- 36 Ft Center Console. $$$$
- 28 ft Center Console. $$$
- 24 ft bay boat – weather permitting. $$
We can fish traditionally with chum and bait which is great for our less advanced anglers who just want a nice easy day of fishing or go artificial.
Call my office to ask about the differences of these trips. You cannot book my trips on any of the Internet booking sites. Only by calling my office. We prefer to still use the personal approach to our clients. Speak To Island Genn
My Office Number 305-292-7212
Text Us 786-847-3808
Email Me steven@fishingkeywest.com
