Florida Keys Fishing Report
Find out where the fish are running with our weekly fishing reports from the Florida Keys.

By Islamorada Sport Fishing
Posted Thursday, July 3, 2014

 


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Florida Keys Fishing Reports

Offshore:

Dolphin catches remain very good in the Blue water and there have been some fish caught in the thirties in weight. Dolphin are being found from eight miles way out to thirty miles. If you do not intend to run long distance it is imperative that you leave the dock at first light to get ten miles and start working the grass or birds. By ten o'clock that inshore area is usually hit hard by charters as well as skiffs. The sea has been nearly slick calm
and it is predicted to stay that way for the foreseeable future making for a very comfortable yet hot ride.

Reefs:

Anchoring on the reef is also a very hot endeavor, but the Yellowtail Snapper are biting very well. Fish early or late in the day for creature comfort as well for better action. As has become the norm for chumming up the yellowtail, mix up a batch of oats and soft chum to ladle out with drifted baits and use as little or no weight as it takes to make the drift. The magic depth varies with the area fished, but from 60 to 70 feet of water is where the Snapper live as a rule. Just a little deeper where the rock gives way to nice live bottom and is where the Mutton Snapper and Grouper will be found. Fish a live Pinfish or Ballyhoo plug on the bottom for a shot at either one.

Flats, Backcountry and Flamingo:

The water temperature in the Flamingo area has been in the upper eighties. Guides have used this fact to find the fish they want to target. The Redfish for example have been up on the flats feeding early and late in the day depending on the tide. In some cases these marauding fish will hit an artificial especially if there are enough fish to make things competitive. All in all the best bait to toss will be a live Shrimp or Crab. With the
Shrimp being on the small side these days many anglers opt for the crab and cut the crab into four pieces either sight casting towards fish or casting the piece into a pothole and waiting. Snook action has been fair to god in the Cape Sable area. Tarpon action is still very good in the channels in and around Islamorada.

Gulf and Bay

In the outer reaches of Florida Bay the bite is still very good on the Mangrove Snapper and Sea Trout. Drifting the grass in 4 to 8 feet of water adjacent to the deeper Gulf has been the ticket. Higher water seems to be
better and of course if you can see the bottom the fish will be less apt to turn on. Also in the picture will be Jack Crevalle, Ladyfish, Pompano and more. Save some Ladyfish and try for Tarpon or Sharks in the deeper channels along the Yacht Channel. A 30# conventional outfit is what is needed to tangle with those big guys. Float a live ladyfish under a float or fish a chunk on the bottom for the Tarpon and Sharks.

Fishing Report Provided by: IslamoradaSportFishing.com