5/21/15 May offshore fishing in Islamorada

We finally got a break in the weather here the last couple days with the winds letting up. May can be a windy month, but I know everyone appreciated the slick calm conditions yesterday, and today and tomorrow look very calm too! We've had some exciting fish stories the past week here fishing at Bud n' Mary's. Last Saturday was the 3rd Annual Gotta Luv Them Charity Dolphin Tournament. It's a combined weight of your biggest 3 fish. We were fortunate to take 2nd place on the Bn'M with a pair of nice bulls at 23 and 24 lbs, as well as an 11 lber for our third fish. The Gimme Jimmy took 3rd place just a few pounds behind. It was a fun event even with the windy conditions last week, and even better that it was for a good cause to help kids go to college.

A pair of nice Bull Dolpin (mahi) that put the Bn'M in 2nd place

A great catch of Mahi on the Gimme Jimmy, with their biggest 3 giving them 3rd place

The dolphin (mahi) fishing was pretty good for most the boats last weekend but early in the week a lot of boats had slower fishing. Some boats had just a handful of fish on the all day charters, while others had from 10 - 20 fish. The wind direction definitely plays a role in how they bite and how active they are, but yesterday when it slicked off the fish got a lot happier and pretty much all the boats did well with schoolies and gaffers. There was a couple slammers up to 35 lbs on the dock too. The humps have still have holding the "football" size blackfin tuna, which always make for a good fight and a tasty meal. Down deep the amberjacks and sharks have still been around. Now the Keys aren't know for great marlin fishing, but the Catch 22 and Buzz On both released white marlin the past week, which goes to show you that it can happen any day!

Great catch of mahi as well as a white marlin release on the Catch 22

Croft on the Buzz On throws his hands in the air with excitement when they caught this white marlin

It was slow in the morning but Capt. Travis didn't give up and put this couple on a dozen mahi which was plenty for a few dinners

Back on the Reef the boats have been doing very well on yellowtail snapper. There's been both the average size fish 13 - 15", and a few boats have got on the "flag" yellowtails with fish in the 20 - 22" range. The mangrove snapper are also moving out to the reef to spawn and that should be good action the next couple months. The grouper bite has been good a few days and a little slow a few days. A lot of boats have got bites, but the difference is the people who are ready for the bite and make them count are catching a few fish, and the ones that don't have any luck on their side are coming up empty handed or stuck in the bottom. The Reel McCoy had a couple good days on grouper when they limited out, as well as plenty of snapper. The permit have been on a couple wrecks on the reef still and there's been some average fish in the 10 - 20 lb range, but a couple boats have caught some real whoppers over 35 lbs, including a giant estimated over 40 lbs while shooting an episode of Extreme Fishing Adventures.

Reel McCoy with a great reef catch, including a surprise cobia

Giant permit caught and released on the Gimme Jimmy with Guest and Tv host Capt. Jimmy Nelson

I've been swordfishing a few times the past week on the Bn'M and the Catch 22 fished a couple days as well. The Catch 22 fished Everett from Texas as it was his dream to see a swordfish. The first day was rough and yielded no bites. The second day started slow for them, missing one fish early in the day. They didn't give up though, and at 4:30 in the afternoon Everett got himself a 262 lb broadbill Swordfish! I fished that day as well, and we hooked 2 swords but unfortunately pulled the hooks on them. The next day though we put in a long day and right at the end at 4 p.m. we hooked and landed a 90 lber. I also fished yesterday, which was ideal weather conditions, and we went 2 for 3 on swordfish, including Leon's biggest to date, with a 230 lber! The next few months should give you a fair shot if you want to try "big game fishing", but if you want action I would stick to the standard fishing charters.

Everett's bucket list fish, a 262 lb swordy on Catch 22

Leon and Capt. Nick Stanczyk show off a 230 lb swordfish

A 90 lb sword at the end of the day on the Bn'M

Don't forget we are hosting the first annual Pelagic Islamorada Memorial Day Classic next Monday, May 25th. If you have a charter booked you can enter for $450 for a team of 4 anglers, or if you have your own boat you can fish on that too. There's 2 divisions, both an offshore and a reef division. It's a family fun event, so get everyone involved and have a good time! We still have a couple boats availalbe, so give the office a call at 305 664 2461 to book a charter and enter the fun!

Tight Lines,

Capt. Nick Stanczyk