3/31/15 End of March Offshore Fishing

It seemed like winter was over last week, but sure enough we got another cold front last Friday afternoon and it shook things up. We had calm and stable weather before it, but then the wind changed from light south east to due north. The temperature dropped a some for a couple days, but it's warming back up now and the wind is getting back around and should be light from the east the next couple days. The last few days has been a little tough on the deep sea fishing charters. A few boats have had decent catches, but it's been hard work and lots of different target species. I'm certain the fishing will pick up the next few days as conditions become more stable and everything adjusts. Last week before the front there was a few good catches of mahi, with some school size fish in the 3 - 5 lb range, as well as a few slammers over 20 lbs, including one big 40 lbs bull! There was only a few mahi caught by a couple of the boats the past few days, but I expect some good catches again soon!

Gimme Jimmy with a great spring time catch of mahi

40 lb "Bullhead" mahi on the Man O War

There's been a couple "football" blackfin tuna around on the humps, as well as quite a few big amberjack down deep. If you want to catch something that pulls hard, a big AJ should be on the bucket list. There's been quite a few fish from 30 - 60 lbs. Following the big AJ's are Sharks too. The Buzz On released an estimated 450 lb tiger shark last week, and a couple boats have released bull sharks pushing 250 lbs! Some of the floating debris has had nice tripletail hiding below it too. The Man O War also was trolling for mahi a few days back and saw a blue marlin chasing some schoolie mahi. They ran over and hooked an 180 lb blue marlin on a live blue runner on a spinning rod! After an hour fight they had the fish boatside for some pics! No we don't catch a lot of marlin here, but the saying goes "if it swims in the atlantic you always have a chance in Islamorada".

Many boats have been staying on the reef for a somewhat safer bet at action throughout the day, but it's still been work for sure. There's been some yellowtail snapper, mangrove snapper, and a couple mutton snapper. If you can catch live bait in the morning there's been a few king mackerel around the wrecks, and a couple sailfish spread out. There hasn't been a lot of sailfish the past week, but the Reel McCoy did release 2 late this afternoon, and the Kalex had 1 release. A couple boats have found schools of cobia the last couple days, but it's been a patience game searching for them. Last week a few boats found schools as well, some rays with small fish and a couple rays with big fish. 

47 lb cobia on Bn'M II with Capt. Nick Stanczyk

15 lb mutton snapper while reef fishing

3 cobias at the end of the day on the Reel McCoy including a 47 lber

There's been a few broadbill swordfish around lately too. The Bn'M caught 1 fish today and lost another on the leader, and the Bn'M II had 2 fish last Friday before the front. The late spring is a decent time for swordfish, and the summer should only be better and more consistent.

Give the marina office a call at 305 664 2461 to book your next fishing charter and we'll find a great boat for you! Tight Lines,

Capt. Nick Stanczyk