Key West Fishing Report
For December 2007
Living here in the lower Florida Keys sometimes you have to be reminded to seasonal changes by going in to your local stores. The shelves have put away the Halloween stuff and now it is a mix of Thanksgiving baskets and Christmas trees. Hmm, must be close to December. Checking my calendar shows that the temps should be starting to plummet and the fishing will take a change that happens every year in the months of November and December.
With the business of the fall behind us the streets are quieter here in Key West. Fantasy Fest and Parrot Heads was a great time to be had by all. Fishing wise the tarpon stuck around for late fall appearances right in the harbor all last week during the power boat world championship, some of the spectators in the harbor were greeted by a few rolling fish as they watch the 100 + mph boats run the track. Pretty neat if you ask me, I call that multi tasking. Watch the race - catch a tarpon.
The fishing out of Key West late October into November was as good as I can remember. It was all here in the inshore waters with the big three for the traditional Key West flats Grand Slam and the transition that happens every year brought us the start of our trout fishing in the back country around the mullet mud’s. Along with the trout the lady fish are showing up in great numbers letting all of us know that winter is indeed on its way. These inshore species are always a great hit with my clients to finish off a day.
December is an awesome time to visit the lower Florida Keys and Key West with your own boat or to hire a professional fishing guide. The crowds are a non issue on the water and the boat ramps are easy access with plenty of parking. Granted we do get cold fronts that blow to 25 kts but in between and even during you can find fish that will entertain you. This is also the time that we look forward to the start of our winter fishery both inshore and offshore.
Spanish Mackerel start to flood the harbor and the outlying channels close to shore, along with them you will find Bar Jacks and Jack Crevales. On the flats the larger Barracudas will begin to show up on the white spots in 14 – 24 inches of water, all of them making for great winter backcountry fishing. During the warming trends Tarpon will come into the harbor and channels to feed along with Permit. So as you can see, inshore the month of December in Key West is not the end of summer fishing but the beginning of the winter routine of constant rod bending action.
Offshore the boats will be focusing on the birds and the defined color changes. The need to run way offshore will be squelched by the abundant fishery that will show up right on the reef in December. Sailfish will continue to grow in number and size cruising along the color changes. Don’t discount the shallow outer patch reefs for Sails, Tuna and other pelagics as they wander in there where the bait is. Catching live Ballyhoo is a great way to almost guarantee your success offshore, they can be found most anywhere. When you get tired of working the free swimmers don’t hesitate to drop a line for some reef fish rewards too. Grouper and Snapper fishing starts to heat up when the water cools down.
Winter fishing out of Key West is AWSOME ! Although this is traditionally our slower season the fishing guides get booked up. If a guided fishing charter is part of your Christmas week out of Key West, Call soon. We are always happy to get you on one of our boats if we are available for Flats, Backcountry, Wreck and Reef fishing here at Dream Catcher Charters, if we cannot help you ourselves we can certainly direct you to someone who can. Feel free to drop us a line and ask questions we are delighted to help you chose the fishing charter or Key West activity that will show you the best time for what you are looking for during your visit.
While your hear in the Florida Keys be sure to listen to AM WFFG 1300 for My fishing show called “Live the Dream” fishing in the Florida Keys every Tuesday at 5 pm. Till next month enjoy your fishing and remember.“Tomorrow is Gods way of saying its ok we fished today”….
For December 2007
Living here in the lower Florida Keys sometimes you have to be reminded to seasonal changes by going in to your local stores. The shelves have put away the Halloween stuff and now it is a mix of Thanksgiving baskets and Christmas trees. Hmm, must be close to December. Checking my calendar shows that the temps should be starting to plummet and the fishing will take a change that happens every year in the months of November and December.
With the business of the fall behind us the streets are quieter here in Key West. Fantasy Fest and Parrot Heads was a great time to be had by all. Fishing wise the tarpon stuck around for late fall appearances right in the harbor all last week during the power boat world championship, some of the spectators in the harbor were greeted by a few rolling fish as they watch the 100 + mph boats run the track. Pretty neat if you ask me, I call that multi tasking. Watch the race - catch a tarpon.
The fishing out of Key West late October into November was as good as I can remember. It was all here in the inshore waters with the big three for the traditional Key West flats Grand Slam and the transition that happens every year brought us the start of our trout fishing in the back country around the mullet mud’s. Along with the trout the lady fish are showing up in great numbers letting all of us know that winter is indeed on its way. These inshore species are always a great hit with my clients to finish off a day.
December is an awesome time to visit the lower Florida Keys and Key West with your own boat or to hire a professional fishing guide. The crowds are a non issue on the water and the boat ramps are easy access with plenty of parking. Granted we do get cold fronts that blow to 25 kts but in between and even during you can find fish that will entertain you. This is also the time that we look forward to the start of our winter fishery both inshore and offshore.
Spanish Mackerel start to flood the harbor and the outlying channels close to shore, along with them you will find Bar Jacks and Jack Crevales. On the flats the larger Barracudas will begin to show up on the white spots in 14 – 24 inches of water, all of them making for great winter backcountry fishing. During the warming trends Tarpon will come into the harbor and channels to feed along with Permit. So as you can see, inshore the month of December in Key West is not the end of summer fishing but the beginning of the winter routine of constant rod bending action.
Offshore the boats will be focusing on the birds and the defined color changes. The need to run way offshore will be squelched by the abundant fishery that will show up right on the reef in December. Sailfish will continue to grow in number and size cruising along the color changes. Don’t discount the shallow outer patch reefs for Sails, Tuna and other pelagics as they wander in there where the bait is. Catching live Ballyhoo is a great way to almost guarantee your success offshore, they can be found most anywhere. When you get tired of working the free swimmers don’t hesitate to drop a line for some reef fish rewards too. Grouper and Snapper fishing starts to heat up when the water cools down.
Winter fishing out of Key West is AWSOME ! Although this is traditionally our slower season the fishing guides get booked up. If a guided fishing charter is part of your Christmas week out of Key West, Call soon. We are always happy to get you on one of our boats if we are available for Flats, Backcountry, Wreck and Reef fishing here at Dream Catcher Charters, if we cannot help you ourselves we can certainly direct you to someone who can. Feel free to drop us a line and ask questions we are delighted to help you chose the fishing charter or Key West activity that will show you the best time for what you are looking for during your visit.
While your hear in the Florida Keys be sure to listen to AM WFFG 1300 for My fishing show called “Live the Dream” fishing in the Florida Keys every Tuesday at 5 pm. Till next month enjoy your fishing and remember.“Tomorrow is Gods way of saying its ok we fished today”….
Capt. Steven P. Lamp
Office 1-888-362-3474
Cellular 1-305-304-0497
President Dream Catcher Charters
Fishing Guide for Flats, Back Country, Wreck and Reef Fishing.
http://www.blogger.com/
http://www.blogger.com/
Office 1-888-362-3474
Cellular 1-305-304-0497
President Dream Catcher Charters
Fishing Guide for Flats, Back Country, Wreck and Reef Fishing.
http://www.blogger.com/
http://www.blogger.com/
