3/9/15 Islamorada deep sea fishing report

It's been a windy few days here in Islamorada. It's typical spring time weather, but it's not stopping the boats from fishing. Even when it blows 20+ knots many of our boats fish the reef, which is only a 3 - 5 mile run from shore. The fishing has been different each day, some days being tougher than others, but everyone is having a good time our there. Some of the boats have been venturing further offshore in search of mahi and blackfin tuna. The mahi aren't swarming by any means, but a few boats have found packs of "schoolie" size fish ( 3 - 5 lbs), with a couple boats finding a few early season slammers too. We had a 27 lb bull on the Bn'M II the other day, and the Relentless had a massive 46 lb bull today! You never know when you're gonna find a slammer mahi, so you always have to be ready! A few boats have found floating debris lately, and there's been some wahoo around some of the debris. There's been some small football size blackfins on the humps, with a few bigger fish mixed in, as well as a couple bigger fish still around the wrecks closer to the reef.

46 lb bull on the Relentless

27 lb bull on the Bn'M II

Blackfin tuna on the Fearless

One piece of debris lead to a great catch of wahoo and a mahi for the Redfish charterboat

The Catch 22 found some mahi and a few wahoo offshore, and then found some cobia on the way home

There's also a few more amberjacks showing up around the humps too. The majority of the deep sea fishing boats have been anchoring down bottom fishing the past few days around the reef. The frisky fighting and tasty yellowtail snapper has been the target for many boats. They aren't big fish, but they make a great meal. There's also been a few mutton snapper around. I actually had Eugene White on the Bn'M II today, and he caught the biggest mutton snapper I've personally ever seen caught, a fat 20.9 lber!

There's was a few cobia earlier in the week, but I didn't see any with the windier weather the last few days. I think we will see some more the next week, but you will have to put your time in looking for them, and having a little luck on your side to find them never hurts! The king mackerel bite slowed down a little, but there's still a few around, and I did see one over 35 lbs hanging up behind the gon fishin v yesterday. We have been catching and releasing black, red, and gag grouper on the reef as well. Many boats have had fun catching and releasing barracuda the last week too. The shallow water grouper season will open up May 1st. The deep drop bottom fishing in 400 - 600' has been productive too. We caught some really nice yellowedge grouper (which are open to harvest) the other day, as well as blueline tilefish and rose porgy.

Great eating fish while "deep dropping". Yellowedge grouper to 24 lbs and a couple blueline tilefish

Big Barracuda caught and released on the Bn'M II

The spring is an interesting time to fish here in Islamorada. There's a little bit of everything many days, and the conditions can change over night, so you have to be ready for everything. Some boats will find certain species of fish, while other boats find completely different species. Both reef fish and offshore fish are options, but it is still definitely a little early to count on the offshore species every day. It should only get better though for the mahi and tuna as each week passes. We are hosting a PELAGIC triple crown of fishing tournament here at Bud n' Mary's Marina on May 25th, 2015. It's a "meat" tournament, with both reef divisions and bluewater divisions. It's going to be a fun event, and we have boats available for charter if you'd like to enter. Bring the family or friends for a good time. Read more about it at the link here. http://www.pelagicgear.com/memorial-day-classic-2015-tournament

We hope to see you there!

Tight lines, and until next time

Capt. Nick Stanczyk