5/18/16 Mid May Offshore and Reef Fishing report

We've had some up and down fishing here in Islamorada, Florida Keys the past week.  A week ago it seemed like the mahi were going to be thick for the upcoming days, but sure enough they were hit and miss. A few boats did ok with anywhere from 10 - 20 fish, but some boats fished full days without ever finding one, and a few boats had 1 - 2 fish all day long. Not what we were expecting for the second week of May! It is fishing though, so it's you have to take the good days with the bad days. Last Saturday we hosted the 4th annual "Gotta Luv Them Charity Dolphin Tournament". The crew aboard the ''Broad Minded" finished in 2nd place with 43 lbs lbs for a 3 fish weight, and Helen took top lady angler. The big fish of the tournament went to the "Gimme Jimmy" with a 20 lber. The Florida Keys Dolphin Championship also took place over the weekend and Helen took top female angler in the Islamorada district as well, and "Gimme Jimmy" took second place in the Islamorada District with a 25 lber. We are coming up to the May full moon so hopefully we get some east to southeast wind and the dolphin (mahi) fishing gets more consistent for all the boats fishing. 

 

There's also been a couple wahoo offshore, some amberjack on the wrecks and humps, and a few blackfin tuna. A couple boats have been doing a little deep drop bottom fishing as well and the Warbird landed a big 34 lb yellowedge grouper on Mother's Day, and Capt. Nick spent all day doing it one day and found a monster 34.2 lb Golden Tilefish! There's also been a couple snowy grouper, blueline tilefish, and Capt. Wes got a queen snapper on a recent trip. 

 

The reef was on fire for a few days, but then conditions changed and it was a little tough yesterday. The few days prior we had strong east current and the sailfish showed up out of no where. The Relentless had 5 releases one day, the Cloud Nine and Reel McCoy had 4 releases a few days ago, and quite a few boats had 1 - 2 releases. It's definitely late in the season for sailfish, but you never know what the conditions will be when fishing off Islamorada! There's been some permit around, as well as a few black grouper, mutton snapper, and yellowtail snapper. 

Way offshore a couple of us made it out daytime swordfishing. Yesterday the Bn'M went 2 for 3 with fish up to 120 lbs. I fished on Monday and we caught a 170 lber. Give the marina office a call at 305 664 2461 when you're ready to book your next fishing adventure and we'll set you up with the best available boat! 

Tight Lines

Capt. Nick Stanczyk 

This fishing report brought to you by YETI!