Actually the weather is beyond warm as twenty something record highs this month for Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, Marathon and Key West. Very little rain. Probably just right for out of town visitors, a bit warm for those of us who call the area home.
And the fishing is only lukewarm with wildly fluctuating catches from special to spectacular fish to next to nothing. Some larger sized Sailfish such as the nice one in the lead photo continue to be seen in deeper water off the edge of the reefs, but then we caught one in 65 feet. Wherever you hunt them be prepared for some down time.
Some Wahoo around and they have been out in 300 to 500 feet in the clearer water, but again they come and they go too, with a little too much go. A chance for a few Blackfin or Skipjack Tunas out there when trying those Wahoo, but again, that is a maybe also. An occasional Mahi out there too. “Occasional” is important to remember, but find one and it will be a gaffer.
If you like Sharks there are some Hammerheads and they can be large. Our favorite bait, a fresh Kingfish, can be hard to come by so a Bonito or maybe a nice fresh Blackfin will bring a nice fish such as the Mako pictured in for a bite. That Mako caught on our 53 with Captain Matt and 1st mate Cameron assisting our angler James down with family for a visit with his grandmom out of Buffalo N.Y. took a Blackfin fished on the surface on yesterday afternoon’s charter. A fish like that certainly lessens the pain of “lukewarm fishing”.
A truebright spot(!) has been the Golden Tilefish as they have been biting well the last four times we have tried them. No whoppers but of average size, excellent eating ,and we would thank them if we could for being there for us. Tight lines and good fishing to all, and be prepared to pound the pavement.
