Let the Buggin' Begin!

There has been a lot going on lately. The trip to Las Vegas to attend the ICAST trade show, working on new products to go with the new fish cleaning station and fishing. The final version of the table should be out soon. Once it is in production things could get hopping down here.

Mini lobster season start next Wednesday. This is always a zoo as thousands of boats descend on the Keys to catch Florida Lobster. It seems like every year someone dies chasing bugs. So if you are a bit out of shape and planning on participating in the mini season don't over do it. If you are boating remember that there are thousands of people in and on the water and a small percentage are totally clueless. Drive defensively and watch out for divers no where near their dive flags.

Fishing has been inconsistent. One day they bite and the next they have lock jaw. The outgoing tide has been best on the reef with the incoming very slow. Offshore the fish seem to be biting early (before 10) or late (after 2). Mid day is a good time to switch to deep dropping or looking for tuna.

A fair number of marlin encounters are being reported with few anglers ready for the visit. Having a heavier rod ready to live bait with schoolie dolphin is a good idea if you want to tangle with a big blue.

Inshore is about the same with the last half of the outgoing be much more productive than the incoming tide. We have been catching nice mangrove snapper all over the bay and bridges but you have to wade through a number of smaller fish before the bigger ones get nosy.

We are seeing fewer tarpon but they are still plenty around. Like everything else the outgoing tide early or late is when I see the most activity. Deeper channels near flats are good places to start looking for the silver kings.

Bonefish and permit are hard to find close in to Marathon, at least for me. Further west from Big Pine to Key West both have been fairly easy to find.

Marathon in the Florida Keys should be your next fishing vacation destination. Join us for charter fishing, fishing guide trips or our fishing 101 so you can fish on your own with better success.

Tight lines,

Capt. Dallas