Key Largo Bones Are Moving In

I spoke with Lin at Key Largo Bait & Tackle, the Yellow Bait House, on Key Largo today. She was telling me that bone fish and big redfish are moving onto ocean side flats. These fish will be in water as shallow as 6", so a quiet approach is a must. Live shrimp and half dollar sized crabs are the best baits. A light, 20lb, fluorocarbon leader is also needed in the shallow clear waters. Speckled trout fishing is good on deeper grass flats and on drop offs. A live shrimp or Berkley Saltwater Shrimp are the best baits. Offshore, the snapper bite has slowed some, but the yellowtail snapper are still biting well. Look for snapper on near shore wrecks like the Duane & Bibb. Fish at night and use lots of chum to put the fish in a feeding frenzy, then drop a pinfish into the chum slick to catch mangrove and mutton snapper, or shrimp to catch yellowtail snapper. A few large blackfin tuna, to 35lb's, are being caught in 350' of water by trolling ballyhoo. Good numbers of yellowfin tuna are being caught farther offshore. Start trolling ballyhoo at 600' and work your way out. Huge wahoo are also in the deeper water. Troll ballyhoo in a pattern that has at least one on the surface, well behind the boat, and others on a down rigger 35' - 40' deep. For more information contact.
Key Largo Bait & Tackle (Yellow Bait House)
305-451-0921
101741 Overseas Hwy
Key Largo, FL 33037

Night Time Snapper Are Insane Off Of Marathon

I spoke with Jason at the Tackle Box on Marathon this morning. He was telling me that a few bonefish and a few big permit have been caught on local flats. This is unusual this time of year because of high water temperatures. Most permit are on wrecks in 150 ft of water and will eat crabs. Some big dolphin are being caught around weed lines and floating debris 13 miles - 18 miles out. Troll Triple-D Lures and ballyhoo around the weeds to catch dolphin. Swordfish are being caught in1100ft - 1500ft of water during the day. A foot long squid is the bait of choice for swordfish. A blue marlin and a world record spearfish were caught outside the reef this last week. The spearfish should break the old world record by 20lb's. Fishing for blackfin tuna on the 'Hump' is still good. Watch for birds attacking bait fish that are pushed to the surface by the tuna to locate them, then drop a pink butterfly jig down to the tuna. The best fishing in the Keys this time of year is at night on the reefs. Snapper are spawning now through the full moon later this month, and when the moon comes up at night, the action on the reefs is insane! Mangrove snapper and mutton snapper are on the 90ft reefs and will eat pinfish and cut bait. Yellowtail snapper are on wrecks in 150ft and prefer shrimp. For more information contact;

Tackle Box
350-289-0540
1901 Overseas Hwy
Marathon, FL 33050
http://www.thetacklebox.com/

Key Largo Has great Snapper and Trout Action

I spoke with Lin at Key Largo Bait & Tackle, The Yellow Bait House, on Key Largo this morning. She was telling me that the snapper are spawning on near shore wrecks and reefs. Mangrove snapper are holding close to shore and will eat pinfish and shrimp. The Duane & Bibb wreck is loaded with mutton snapper and has quite a few yellowtail snapper. Lin was telling me that the secret to catching a lot of snapper is to chum,chum,chum, then drop a live pinfish into the chum slick to catch the mutton snapper, or a live shrimp to catch yellowtail snapper. Some small dolphin can be caught around weed lines in 250ft of water off of Key Largo. These are all 'peanut' and 'juvenile' dolphin. The larger fish are in 60ft of water from around Islamorada south with the largest dolphin being the farthest south. In the bay and back country, redfish,snook, tarpon and trout are all biting very well. The redfish are on oyster bars and under mangroves. shrimp and cut mullet or ladyfish are the best baits. Snook are around the small islands and will hit a small pinfish or shrimp. Some tarpon are still hanging out in the bay and will eat a pinfish. Trout have really turned on and are tearing up live shrimp fished under a Cajun Thunder Float. For more information contact;
Key Largo Bait & Tackle (Yellow Bait House)
305-451-0921
101741 Overseas Hwy
Key Largo, FL 33037

Marathon: Tuna On The Hump

I spoke with Jason at the Tackle Box, across from the Coast Guard Station, on Marathon today. He was telling me that dolphin are hit or miss with good numbers of 'peanut' dolphin being caught , but few large fish. Snapper fishing is excellent in 150ft of water. Drifting wrecks and reefs is producing impressive numbers of big yellowtail snapper and lots of mutton snapper in the 20lb range. The most popular place to fish right now is the 'Hump'. This underwater sea mound, located just over 20 miles SE of Marathon, is producing some great catches of blackfin tuna. Look for the birds to show you where the fish are, then use a large pink butterfly jig to catch these fun, tasty fish. For more information contact;
Tackle Box
350-289-0540
1901 Overseas Hwy
Marathon, FL 33050
http://www.thetacklebox.com/

Key Largo Has Dolphin Offshore Trout Inshore

I spoke with Adam at Yellow Bait House on Key Largo this afternoon. Dolphin are holding about 32 miles offshore. Troll ballyhoo around weed lines and floating debris to catch some nice dolphin. Yellow tail snapper are on reefs in 80ft of water. Silver sides are the best bait. Mangrove snapper are holding on structure near shore. Silver sides are also good for the mango's. Inshore, speckled trout fishing is hot! Lots of bait has pushed right up to the mangroves and is sending the trout into a feeding frenzy. Cast net your bait near where you will be fishing for the best results, or buy shrimp. For more information contact;
Yellow Bait House
305-451-0921
101741 Overseas Hwy
Key Largo, FL 33037

Marathon Snapper Bite Is On

I spoke with Debbie at the Tackle Box in Marathon this morning. She was telling me that snapper are biting very well on the reefs. Yesterday, Debbie caught a 33" mutton snapper in 200' of water while drift fishing with live pinfish. Many more mutton's are also being caught drifting the reefs. Yellowtail and mangrove snapper are on wrecks and reefs in 60 feet of water and will also eat a pinfish or cut bait. Black grouper are on structure in 40' to 60' of water. Pinfish are also the best bait for grouper. Dolphin are scattered and hard to find. The Gulf Stream has moved well offshore taking the majority of the dolphin with it. The tarpon run is winding down although one of the local guides put his charter on a tarpon that took, 3 different anglers, 4 hours and 20 minutes to get to the boat! For more information contact;
Tackle Box
350-289-0540
1901 Overseas Hwy
Marathon, FL 33050
www.thetacklebox.com

Key Largo Dolphin Have Turned On

I spoke with Adam at Yellow Bait House on Key Largo this afternoon. He was telling me that fishing is good since the wind layed down yesterday. Snook season is closed in all of Florida now, but Adams customers are reporting good catch and release snook action in the back country. A few redfish are also being caught in the back country. Whitebait, greenbacks, and pinfish are all good baits for snook and redfish. Offshore, the dolphin have turned on. Green and orange Rattle Jet Lures are catching dolphin when trolled around floating debris and weed lines. For more information contact;
Yellow Bait House
305-451-0921
101741 Overseas Hwy
Key Largo, FL 33037

Marathon Has Dirty Water But Lots of Dolphin

I spoke with the Tackle Box on Marathon a short time ago. They tell me that the strong winds of the last three weeks has near shore waters churned up, but offshore there are plenty of dolphin around. A few yellowtail snapper are being caught from the Seven Mile Bridge. Pinfish are the best bait. The dolphin can be caught in 600ft of water by trolling along weed lines and other floating debris. Triple-d Lures and ballyhoo are the best baits when trolling for dolphin. For more information contact;
Tackle Box
305-289-0540
1901 Overseas Hwy
Marathon, FL 33050
www.thetacklebox.com/

Key Largo Hot List...Dolphin & Permit

I just got off of the phone with Ron at Yellow Bait House on Key Largo. He was telling me that dolphin are picking up. Look for weed lines and floating debris, 20 - 30 miles offshore, and either troll, or chum and cast live bait fish or chunks of cut ballyhoo. The dolphin will move closer to shore if the wind switches to the east or south east. Permit are all over area shipwrecks. The Duane & Bibb wreck is very hot for permit right now with multiple hook ups being reported using crabs. Yellow tail snapper are also hot right now. They can be caught in 60ft - 90ft of water on live shrimp. In the back country, speckled trout are biting well on shrimp and jigs. Snook are biting well, but must be released due to the closed season. For more information contact;
Yellow Bait House
305-451-0921
101741 Overseas Hwy
Key Largo, FL 33037

Marathon Fishing is Good

I spoke with Jason at Tackle Box on Marathon this morning. He tells me that a west wind has pushed the dolphin farther offshore then normal, but those who can afford the fuel are catching lots of fish. Tournament anglers this last weekend caught many nice bull dolphin working weed lines and floating debris about 20 miles out. Jason caught over 40 schoolie dolphin off of one pallet earlier this week while fishing with some friends. They were trolling two Triple-D Lures behind the boat along with ballyhoo on long lines. Most hits came on the Triple-D's. Wahoo are also biting very well if you can get your bait below the dolphin. Fish for wahoo in the same areas, and with the same baits that you would use for dolphin. Black grouper are numerous on area reefs and wrecks. One local captain guided his customers to 5 grouper over 20lb this week. Pinfish are the preferred bait for grouper. Yellow tail snapper can be caught in the same areas as the grouper. They can also be caught in about 20ft of water from the Seven Mile Bridge. Pinfish are excellent bait for yellow tail snapper followed by chunks of ballyhoo. Tarpon are another great catch around the Seven Mile Bridge and the numerous cuts and passes that dot the Florida Keys. Pinfish and sardines are great baits for tarpon. For more information contact;
Tackle Box
305-289-0540
1901 Overseas Hwy
Marathon, FL 33050
www.thetacklebox.com/

Key Largo

I spoke with Ron at Yellow Bait House on Key Largo this afternoon. He was telling me that the skies are clear, the seas are calm and the fish are biting. Amberjack are all over right now. They like to stay near structure so look for them around the many ship wrecks around the Upper Keys. Use a sabiki rig to catch what ever bait is swimming in the area. Ballyhoo or chunk mackerel also work well on amberjacks. Grouper are also biting well. Reefs, wrecks. and drop offs will hold lots of grouper. A lively bait fished near the bottom will catch grouper. Look for yellow tail snapper in the same areas you find the AJ's and grouper. Cut bait on lighter tackle works well on yellow tails. For more information contact;
Yellow Bait House
305-451-0921
101741 Overseas Hwy
Key Largo, FL 33037

Big Pine Key

I was talking with John at Jigs Bait & Tackle on Big Pine Key this evening. He tells me it is still windy but the fishing is good. There are lots of tarpon around. Local guides are jumping 20 fish a day in Hobin Chanel and other tarpon hot spots. The only problem with tarpon fishing is the many bull sharks and hammerhead sharks eating the fish when they are brought to the boat or upon release. Reef fishing is very good when you can get out. Anglers are catching lots of pompano and snapper on the reef. Farther offshore some very large dolphin are being caught. One of Johns customers landed a 59", 55lb bull dolphin last week. For more information contact;
Jigs Bait & Tackle
305-872-1040
30321 Overseas Hwy
Big Pine Key, FL 33043

Key Largo Fishing is Picking Up

I was talking with Ron at Yellow Bait House on Key Largo today. He was telling me that the strong winds of March are finally starting to calm down and the fishing is picking up. Some boats made it out of port yesterday and reported catching some nice dolphin in 200ft of water. No sailfish were reported and they may have moved out of the area. Other fish being taken include swordfish, grouper, mutton snapper, and yellowtail snapper. The best baits include ballyhoo, googleye, spedos, and silversides for the snapper. On the bay side of the keys, bonefish are starting to show better on shallow sand flats. Fly fishing is the preferred way to catch bonefish but a live shrimp will also work. Redfish, blackdrum, snook and speckled trout are all being caught in good numbers. Live shrimp and finger mullet are the best baits. Forecasters predict the winds to calm even more as the week progresses. This will produce outstanding fishing for all of the Florida Keys and South Florida. For more information contact;
Yellow Bait House
305-451-0921
101741 Overseas Hwy
Key Largo, FL 33037

Marathon

I spoke with Ray at Fish 'N Fun Waterfront Bait & Tackle in Marathon this morning. He was telling me that high winds are keeping most fishermen at the dock. The few that are getting out have caught quite a few spanish and cero mackerel. Fishing on the lee side of islands and bridges is also producing some large lane snapper, black tip, and bonnet head sharks. For more information contact;
Fish 'N Fun Waterfront Bait & Tackle
1-800-471-3440
7196 Overseas Hwy
at Coconut Cay Resort
Marathon, FL 33050
www.fishnfunrentals.com/

Key Largo

I was just talking with Rick at Yellow Bait House in Key Largo. His customers are telling him that the fishing is good. In the back country they are catching snook and speckled trout. In the bay, spanish mackerel are thick and they are catching a lot of mangrove snapper. Offshore, there are some dolphin being taken. Rick tells me that the large schools of dolphin will start showing up in about two weeks. Ron from the Yellow Bait House holds a fishing seminar there on Thursday nights at 7:00. This weeks topic is swordfish. For more information contact;
Yellow Bait House
305-451-0921
101741 Overseas Hwy
Key Largo, FL 33037

Key Largo

I was just talking with Ron at Yellow Bait House in Key Largo. He tells me that fishing in the Upper Keys is fairly strong. His customers are telling him that sea trout are everywhere, and the redfish bite is good. They are catching a lot of under sized snook, with a few in the slot limit( 27"-34" ).One snook was reported at 42". Offshore, the dolphin are few and far between, but sailfish, wahoo and grouper fishing is strong. One note, waters west of the keys is considered the Gulf of Mexico and grouper fishing is closed in the gulf through March 15th. For more information contact;
Yellow Bait House
305-451-0921
101741 Overseas Hwy
Key Largo, FL 33037

Marathon

I spoke with Capt. Dave at the Tackle Box in Marathon today. He was telling me that even though the wind was howling yesterday and the temperatures are down, the fishing is good. In Florida Bay, his customers are catching bluefish and spanish mackerel. The king mackerel are also biting with a 40lb king being taken on Saturday. A pin fish on a float or balloon works well for kings. Kings are also being caught in the Atlantic. Grouper are being taken by trolling pinfish in 30ft. of water and wahoo are hitting ballyhoo. Snapper fishing is very good now with lots of yellowtail and mutton being taken on glass minnows. For more information contact;
Tackle Box
305-289-0540
1901 Overseas Hwy
Marathon, FL 33050
www.thetacklebox.com

Key Largo

I spoke with Ron at Yellow Bait House on Key Largo this afternoon. He tells me that the sailfish bite is a little slow right now due to some cooler waters offshore. Other then that, the offshore fishing has been good. Dolphin, grouper, kingfish, mutton snapper, and wahoo are all biting well. The inshore fishing is also good. Redfish, snook, and speckled trout are all bitting well. The best live baits for inshore are shrimp and pinfish. Berkleys Gulp bait is the top artificial. I forgot to ask , but Ron usually holds a fishing seminar on Thursday nights at 7pm. For more information on this weeks subject, call him at;
Yellow Bait House
305-451-0921
101741 Overseas Hwy
Key Largo, FL 33037