Key West Fishing
Photos
African Pompano (Alectis ciliaris) Large flat bodied
silvery colored fish. Common at 15-30 lbs. Can reach 50 lbs. Mostly found
around deeper wrecks and reefs. Great fighter that makes long runs and uses body
shape to its advantage. Fair food valus.
Amberjack (Seriola dumerili)- Size ranges from 5-20 lbs.
school fish to 100 lbs. Large ones are usually found over deep wrecks.
An extremely strong fighter that can make long runs and has stamina and
strength on it's side. Mostly caught deep on large live baits but dead baits and
jigs will work also.
Barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda)- Ranges from a foot long on
the shallow flats to 50 lbs. over reefs and wrecks. A great fighter that makes long runs and
spectacular jumps in shallow water. Hits plugs and jigs but prefers live baits.
A fast retrieve is necessary. Not for eating due to potential to carry
Ciguatera.
Blackfin Tuna (Thunnus atlanticus)- Common up to
about 20 lbs.
but can reach around 40 lbs. This one weighed in at 28 lbs. Can be caught
by trolling, drifting with live or dead bait and on the fly rod. An excellent
fighter making long runs and the typical Tuna stand off. Not as tasty as Yellowfin or Bluefin but close behind.
Black Grouper (Mycteroperca bonaci)- Large member of the
Grouper family. Run anywhere from a few lbs. to over 100. 50 lb fish are
not uncommon. Heavy tackle is necessary as Blacks are strong fighters and will
head straight for cover when hooked. Blue Runners, Jacks, Pinfish, Pilchards
make best baits. Best fishing is on reefs and drop offs in 30 feet or
deeper.
Blacktip Shark (Carcharhinus limbatus) - Found in
channels and bays. Run from 5 to 30 lbs but possibly up to 200 lbs.
Great fighters on light tackle and sometimes make spectacular jumps. Can be
caught on flyrod, dead bait or live bait.
Blue Marlin ()- Found off Key West in the spring and summer. Marlin move into
the area chasing the small Dolphin. Most fish are in the 200-350 pound range.
Not a target as they are not populous enough in the area. We usually catch 5-10
per year. All are releasaed. This one was about 250 pounds and caught on 20
pound gear. See a Marlin on video on the report page.
Cero Mackerel (Scomberomorus regalis)- Mostly a winter fish.
Average 1-5 lbs, but 10 lbs not uncommon. Outstanding fighter that
makes very fast runs. Hits topwater plugs and makes a good target for the fly
rod. Fast retrieve is necessary. Flies should be small and very flashy. This one
was caught on a 2 1/2" ALF in green and white with lots of flash.
Cobia (Rachycentron canadum)- Mostly a winter fish. Average from 20-50
pounds. Strong fighter that can make many long fast runs. Live bait, swimming
plugs and long streamer type flies are all equally effective. Flatwing flies
work well. Sometimes swim alongside turtles or Manta Rays so it is always
worthwhile to stop if you see either while underway. Cobia resemble sharks
when viewed from above.
Dolphin or Mahi Mahi (Coryphaena hippurus) - An open sea roaming fish
constantly in search of food. Dolphin, otherwise known as Dorado or
Mahi-Mahi, are the fastest growing fish in the ocean. Schools will congregate
around floating debris and weeds. When in the water they are bright blue and
yellow or bright green and yellow. The colors fade shortly after removal from
water. Dolphin range from 1-5 pound peanuts to mostly around 20 pounds, but can
reach 80 pounds or more. Dolphin are acrobatic and very strong
fighters. They will hit live bait, plugs, jigs and flies. Dolphin are probably
the best tasting fish in the ocean.
Gag Grouper (Mycteroperca microlepis) Can reach as
much as 50 pounds but averages from 2 to 12 pounds. Best to look for Gags around
nearshore rocky structures and ledges. Aggressive striker and fight hard from
the bottom all the way to the surface. Excellent food fish, with firm
white meat.
Goliath Grouper (Epinephelus itajara)- Largest of the
Groupers. Range from a few pounds to over 500. Juveniles inhabit mangrove creeks
and bays as well as flats. Larger ones found in holes as well as deep ledges and
wrecks. Can be caught on almost anything but the big ones will require very
heavy equipment. This baby fish was caught on a gulf rockpile on a live pinfish.
Grunt (Haemulon plumieri) Common reef fish. Average size
8-12 inches but fights pretty good on light tackle. Hits mostly cut baits such
as squid and shrimp.Pretty good eating though the fillets are rather small.
Hogfish (Lachnolaimus maximus) - Average 1-4 pounds. Inhabit deep
reefs and inshore patch reefs. Not a great fighting fish but the tastiest
there is.
King Mackerel (Scomberomorus cavalla) Commonly known as
Kingfish. Razor sharp teeth, forked tail and torpedo shaped body. Kingfish make
smoking fast runs and are strong fighters. Common from 10-20 pounds with many 20
to 50 pounds. This one weighed in at 45 pounds.
Little Tunny ( Euthynnus alletteratus)- Called False Albacore in some
places. little Tunny are common up to about 15 pounds. Caught in almost any
manner from Flyfishing to jigs to dead bait drifting. Fast runners and strong
fighters. Found under shrimp boats as well as all offshore grounds and reef
areas. Not good table fare due to the dark meat but still fun to catch.
Margate (Haemulon album)- A large member of the Grunt
family. Average 3-5 pounds but can reach over 12 pounds. Very good fighter.
Usually found on deeper reefs and hard bottom. Cut baits are best baits.
Mutton Snapper ( Lutjanus analis)- Smaller fish inhabit inshore grass
beds, coral patches and channels. Larger fish inhabit the deeper reefs. A strong
fighter in deep water. Best baits are live Pinfish, Pilchards and
Ballyhoo. Inshore fish average 1-2 pounds and 5 pounds on deeper reefs. 15
pounds is not uncommon and can reach around 35 pounds. Mutton Snapper is
an excellent fish for the table.
Redfish or Red Drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) Range
from a few pounds to around 20 with big bruisers reaching 50 pounds.
Strength, Stamina and long bullish runs are trademarks of the Redfish. Mostly
caught farther north than Key West but can move south during cold spells looking
for warmer water.
Red Grouper (Epinephelus morio) A tough
fighting member of the Grouper family. Averages anywhere from 1-10 pounds
but can reach 40. Best bait is live Pinfish but Reds also like jigs,
Shrimp and cut baits. Found anywhere from shallow reefs to deep reefs and wrecks
as long as some type of structure is present.
Red Hind (Epinephelus guttatus) A small member of the Grouper
family. Average 1-2 pounds but can reach up to around 5 pounds. Caught mostly on
inshore patch reefs on squid, shrimp or jigs. Excellent food fish.
Red Snapper ( Lutjanus campechanus) This is the true American Red
Snapper. Not a common species in the Keys. Most in the Keys run fairly small in
the 15-22 inch range. The legal size is 20" in the Atlantic. Excellent fighter
and usually caught in 200 feet and deeper on live baits. Excellent food fish.
Sailfish- ( Istiophorus platypterus)- Atlantic
Sails average 30-60 pounds and are acrobatic fighters. Most are caught just
outside the main reef along color changes or bottom changes such as deep reefs
or wrecks. Speedo's, Goggle Eye's, Pilchards, Ballyhoo or Blue Runners are
the best live baits. Most are caught on baits dangled off a kite or drifted
behind the boat. Slow trolling also works.
Sheepshead (Archosargus probatocephalus) Found in rocky bottom
from shallow to fairly deep. Like to hang around bridge pilings. Common up to
about 4 pounds but 7-8 pounders are not uncommon. Excellent food fish
because of the Sheepshead's diet of crabs and shellfish.
Tripletail (Lobotes surinamensis) Hangs around floating debris offshore.
Average 2-10 pounds but reaches 30 or more. Typical Keys fish are hanging around
floating debris offshore and are in the 5 pound range. Good fighter when you can
get them to bite. One of the top 5 for the table.
Wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri) One of the fastest of
all gamefish. Said to reach 60 mph during a run. Hits hard and makes long fast
runs. Usually about 10-40 pounds but can reach over 100. Mostly caught by
trolling large lures deep and fast. Also caught on live bait along color changes
and deep wrecks. Pretty good to eat.
Yellowjack-(Caranx bartholomaei)- Excellent fighting fish found
along dropoffs and reef structure. Grows to about 20 pounds.
Yellowtail Snapper (Ocyurus chrysurus) Usually
runs about a foot in the shallows and up to 4 or 5 pounds on deeper reefs. A
strong fighter that can make long runs. Yellowtail are among the wariest of
biters so light flourocarbon leaders are an advantage. Excellent food fish.
Deep Drop Fish
The fish shown below are caught in very deep water. Typically 500 feet and deeper. The extreme depth and cold water makes the meat extremely sweet and flavorful. Deep dropping makes for a fun day when you combine it with Dolphin fishing since you are in the same areas. Deep dropping usually makes your day when other fishing is slow. Since there is no light or temperature changes at the depths we fish the fishing is always good. It is just a matter of having light current and calm conditions. Electric reels are used so the sport factor is small. You never know what you will get and you may need to contact a marine biologist to identify some species. The main object of deep dropping is solely to fish for food.
Snowy Grouper ( Epinephelus niveatus) Large deep water
Grouper. Average 8-10 pounds but many over 50 pounds. Typically in 500-1000
feet. Excellent eating fish.
Yellowedge Grouper (Epinephelus flavolimbatus) Averages
5-10 pounds but may reach 30 pounds. Seems to like water a little
shallower than Snowy Grouper. Usually in 350-400 feet deep.
Gray Tilefish (Caulolatilus microps) Also known as
Blueline Tilefish. Overall gray in color with prominent blue line under eye.
Typically found from 250 to over 1,000 feet. Probably the most common deep drop
fish caught off the Keys. Excellent food fish with light flakes and mild flavor.
Golden Tilefish (Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps) A
deep water relative to the Gray Tilefish. The Golden is usually a little larger.
It is brightly colored with yellow dots and blue upper and yellow undersides. As
with all the deep water species it is excellent to eat.
Blackbelly Rosefish (Helicolenus dactylopterus) Spiny,
bright red deep water fish common in depths of 500 and deeper. Probably the best
deep drop fish to eat and close to the best overall fish to eat in Keys waters.
Silk Snapper (Lutjanus vivanus) - Also called Yelloweye
Snapper due to the bright yellow eye. Keys fish usually caught in 300-400 foot
deep rock piles. Average 3-5 pounds. Another great eating fish.
MORE PHOTOS COMING
Capt. Chris Lembo
(305) 292-0067
(305) 304-0093