3-31-13 Offshore Fishing at the end of March

Today was the last day to go offshore fishing in Islamorada in March, since March is over now we will be fishing offshore in April and the upcoming months. The fishing has been fair the past few days, a handful of boats have been having great days while a few of the other boats are catching a handful of fish. This time of year is spring break, so we are getting a lot of families out and everyone is having a great time, especially the kids! Most of the boats have been staying on the reef for the more guaranteed action, since it's still a little early to venture way offshore for mahi and tuna, which can be hit or miss this time of year. In another few weeks the fishing further offshore should get more consistent. Today was Easter Sunday so a lot of boats took the day off, but the Bn'M waited for the easter eggs till tonight and got out for a full day fishing trip. The king mackerel bite was good early, and we limited out with fish up to 24 lbs. We also released a few grouper, released an estimated 225 lb bull shark, kept a few porgy for dinner, and then on the way home caught a pair of cobia including a nice 40 lber! Yesterday the Relentless had a great catch of king mackerel up to 30 lbs, the Fearless had a few king mackerel and a lone mahi, the Gon Fishin V had a handful of mahi, a couple small tuna, a nice 30 lb cobia, some rose porgy and a big blueline tilefish that weighed over 10 lbs, the Reel McCoy also had a couple mahi and some king mackerel, the Kalex got out for an afternoon 1/2 day fishing charter and had a handful of yellowtail snapper for dinner and a young boy catch a big 20 lb barracuda, the Catch 22 went further offshore to one of the humps and caught a few amberjack. There was also a couple sailfish caught yesterday, one by the pretty work and another by the That's Right. There was a few sailfish released the days prior to that too, the Kalex released 3 one afternoon and a few of the other boats had one release. There has also been a decent bite of snapper, including yellowtail and lane snapper, as well as a couple muttons. Here's also a picture of a big gag grouper that Juan caught and released aboard the Miss Islamorada Party boat last week. I would say the reef fishing is still going to be the safest bet for action the next week, with the occasion sailfish, king mackerel, snapper, barracuda, and cobia. I wouldn't be suprised to see a few more mahi show up though with the southeast wind. Book your Florida Keys Deep Sea Fishing Trip soon! 1 800 742 7945.

Capt. Nick Stanczyk