Offshore:
Dolphin fishing is about as good as it gets. The Mahi Mahi are on the small side inshore and beyond about 15 miles the fish are better size with plenty of nice gaffer fish to be had. Capt. Ron Allen on the Fish Tales Charterboat from Whale Harbor Marina Had a special day on Friday with a Blue marlin estimated at 150 pounds and a load of school size Dolphin topped off by a Bull of 44 pounds and a Cow of 36 pounds.

 

Reefs:
Yes, it is still the Yellowtail Snapper that is the highlight on the reef. The YT is a great fish to catch and eat as well. Leave the dock early to do your Yellowtailing while the sun is low and the results will be better with larger fish. Look for Permit on the wrecks and inshore on the coral heads. Carry some small Blue Crabs to toss at the Permit any time you fish the reef. June is definitely Mangrove Snapper time. The “Mangs” are on the same schedule as Yellowtail Snapper which is defined as “pre spawn”. Try the Mangrove Snapper inshore of the reef edge in 25’ or less water in darkness.

 

Gulf and Bay:
Sensational Snapper and Trout action is going on in Florida Bay out to the west. Jigging with soft tail grubs in the root beer color is the ticket, meaning no bait is needed. Just put the boat on a drift and bounce the jigs in the grassy five to seven foot depths. Otherwise the wrecks are producing as many Goliath Grouper one would want to catch and there are lots of Permit to be had also. Tarpon are still roaming the banks in good numbers in the same area.

 

Flats, Backcountry and Flamingo:
Tarpon is all the rage in the Islamorada area. Still most guides have tunnel vision on the Tarpon. Even with the full moon this week the Tarpon action was great. Capt. John Gargan had a fish on estimated at around 140 pounds one evening and it took his client over an hour to get the fish boat side to release it. Capt. John baited the big silver king with a Dolphin belly. The Flamingo area is producing some Snook and Redfish along with Trout and Snapper.