Key West Fishing-Incognito-Light Tackle

Key West Fishing Report

12/13/09

Key West Offshore Report

We have had some great weather here in the Keys compared to the rest of the country. Even a few miles to the north has been cold and rainy when we are having hot, humid weather. A little wind has made the boating rough but the fishing has been excellent. Look for the weather trend to continue for a while.

Offshore has seen some great Wahoo action this past full moon. Look for another great wave of Wahoo during the Jan full moon. Dolphin, Sailfish, Wahoo and Kingfish have all been biting strong right along the edge of the reef out to 200 feet. Blackfin Tuna have been hitting live bait around the deeper wrecks and drop-offs. The Sailfish bite should be in full swing and will continue on until summer. Spotty waves of Dolphin will be working bait along any color change or rip and Bonito will fill in the bite.

On the reef the Mutton Snapper, Yellowtail Snapper and Grouper bite has been good. Small live Pinfish, Ballyhoo plugs and chunks of Bonito will bring on the bite. Keep the leader long for the best Mutton results and keep the chum flowing strong for the best Yellowtail bite. Only 2 weeks left until the Grouper closure goes into effect.

Deeper wrecks are holding good numbers of big Amberjacks, African Pompano and some nice Grouper and Mutton Snapper. Sometimes they become shark infested so move on as soon as tey show up to take a bite out of your catch. Live speedos and big Pinfish are great baits for deep wrecks as they are hearty and will last a few drops into deeper water.

Gulf wrecks and rockpiles are holding Kingfish, Grouper, Mangrove, Yellowtail and Mutton Snapper and Cobia are moving in thick. A live Pinfish around the edge of a wreck or rockpile will draw the Cobia. Keep another rod handy for when a companion fish follows your hooked fish to the surface. That is also a good time to throw a fly in front of the second fish.

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2008 Key West Ladies Dolphin Tournament

2nd Place Aggregate 43.9 pounds

16.8 and 27.1

4th Place fish 27.1

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2008 Southernmost Swordfish Tournament

2nd Place

Angler: Mike Burleson with release of 80 pound (estimated) Swordfish at 4:30 PM

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2007 Key West Gator Club Dolphin Derby

3rd place Women's division

30.4 pound Dolphin

15.9 pound Dolphin

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2007 Key West Fishing Tournament

Largest Kingfish Men's Division-66 1/2 pounds in 50#line class

Largest Cobia Women's Division 14 1/2 pounds in 12# line class

Largest Dolphin Women's Division 22 pounds in unlimited line class

Largest Skipjack Tuna Women's Division 12 1/2 pounds in 50# line class

Largest Yellowjack Women's Division 16 1/2 pounds in Unlimited line class.

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2007 IGFA Junior World Championships

Tiffany Smith, happy to have finally caught her first dolphin, as well as taking home Junior Female Stringer award, Top Junior Female Day 1, and Top Junior Female Day 2

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Video Links:

Blue Marlin 4/21/07: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKjURGqPYjc

Mutton Snapper: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDPN830xzUk

Goliath Grouper: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HN-x-1Hf794

Red Snapper: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zE26UvDE6dk

Blackfin Tuna: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NK3cV2E4Okg

Catch Gallery

click to enlarge