5/31/17 End of May Islamorada Offshore Fishing report
We had some incredible weather the past week offshore fishing in Islamorada. Mahi have been the main target for the boats on full day trips. The mahi bite was decent most days, but a couple days were tough when it was slick calm and there was no wind. Some boats had as many as 25 fish, while others just had a couple all day. The boats that found floating debris did well and a couple boats found nice schools of migrating fish. The bite was pretty steady today with the little bit of wind we had, so hopefully it stays that way the upcoming week. Most fish have been in the 3 - 10 lb range, with a few gaffers in the mix and a couple big bulls over 30 lbs. There's been a steady bite of "football" blackfin tuna and plenty of hard fighting amberjacks as well. We caught a few small wahoo on one piece of debris and a couple boats had a few tripletail.
The deep dropping offshore has been pretty good with blueline tilefish, a couple queen snapper, yellowedge grouper, and snowy grouper. Back on the reef the yellowtail snapper bite has been decent most days and we are still seeing a couple black and red grouper. Some of the boats have released permit on the wrecks, with a couple fish approaching 30 lbs! Other fish caught have included crevalle jacks, sharks, barracuda, and the odd sailfish.
Way offshore we have been out on a few daytime swordfishing trips the past week. It's been a little hit and miss this Spring, but we did get a fish 2 of our last 3 trips aboard the Broad Minded. The Catch 22 didn't have any bites the other day, but that's big game fishing. We don't get them every trip, so it makes you appreciate the good days when you are successful!
Give the marina office a call at 305 664 2461 and we'll find the right trip for you!
Tight Lines
Capt. Nick Stanczyk