March 8, 2009 Fishing Report
Hello from Key West, This is Capt. Paul Tryon with Key West Pro Guides and TailChaser Charters, here with your March fishing report:
Old man winter just keeps sticking around! We have had unseasonably cool temperatures lately. While this has slowed up some of our shallow water action like the Tarpon, it has kept a few winter favorites like the Pompano in full swing. This week is suppose to bring a nice warm change and should help to kick off our world renowned spring fishery.
Here's how things are shaping up.....
Offshore:
The shoreward edge of the Gulf Stream is relatively close to the reef, about 7 nm south. The Black fin Tuna bite has been decent, we have been getting them at the dock just about every day in the 12-16lb. range. We are starting to see some nice Dolphin move in; most have been in the teenage range with a few in the twenties. The Sailfish are starting to show, we have been catching a few each trip in the 50-70lb. range. Most have been just off the reef out to about 280ft. of water and are steadily hitting live ballyhoo, small blue runners and threadfin. The Kingfish are still hitting pretty good, the cooler water temps have kept them in our waters longer than usual. All in all, the offshore bite is good and will only continue to improve the next few months.
Deep off the Reef:
The deeper wrecks off of the reef have been very good lately with nice catches of big Mutton snappers, big fat Amberjacks, Barracuda, lots and lots of Bonito and lots and lots and lots of black tip sharks. We have even had a decent Mako hooked up just off the reef this past week. The offshore current has been on the strong side, close to 3 knots in some places. While this is sometimes challenging, the guides who are experienced in fishing strong current have been doing great. Dropping whole ballyhoos, small runners and other small baits to the bottom has produced nice Black and Gag Groupers along with my favorite the Mutton Snappers. Dropping a fresh live Ballyhoo to the bottom is sure to get nailed!
Wrecks and Reefs:
The Gulf wreck action has been awesome. We have still been catching really nice Kingfish on the bigger wrecks, most averaging in the 20's, a few in the mid 30’s. Live bait is the trick with them, we have been catching our limits every, single trip out! The Cobia action has been getting better, most are averaging in the 17-40lb. range, with a few really nice ones hooked in the 45-50lb. range. The Cobias have been showing up lately in good numbers on the wrecks in federal waters and are very easy to hook up with. Remember we are some of the only guides in Key West with federal permits that allow you to fish wrecks with little of no pressure on them. on these same wrecks, the snapper and grouper bite has been awesome. Most of the gray snappers being caught are close to 5lbs. The sharks are very active; most of them are Bulls, Black tips and Lemon sharks. As soon as you get a good chum slick started they are as far back in it as you can see. On the slack tides they are providing constant action with most in the 4-5 foot range. These powerhouse fish are very strong fighters and a challenge on light tackle. We have been battling nice size schools of Bonita at some of the other farther out gulf wrecks and by tying off to any of the dozens of shrimp boats anchored in the gulf. Shrimp boat fishing is some of the best action trips you could possibly go on.
Flats/BackCountry:
The flats and backcountry trips are heating up really good now. The days right before a cold front when the winds are from the south, warming the waters, the fish are up on the flats feeding like crazy. The waters are nice and clear and we are finding plenty of fish. The Permit are on the edges of the flats and seem to be enjoying the cooler waters we are getting. The average size permit the past few weeks has been around 20-25lbs. and very eager to feed. The Bonefish have been tough, the water temps are still quite low, this week should bring some welcome south winds that should help to warm up the flats and kick off a much anticipated bite. On the flip side, because of the cooler water temps, the Pompano have been ON FIRE! Most are in the 3-4lb. range and they are as aggressive and Gray snappers.
This is Captain Paul Tryon, Give me a call to book your day with some of Key West's best guides here at Key West PRO Guides and have some fun fishing! Until next month, keep those reels screaming! For booking information with Key West PRO Guides or TailChaser Charters, you can call me at 1-877-290-4413 or visit my website:
www.keywestproguides.com or www.tailchasercharters.net
Tight lines,
Capt. Paul Tryon |
