10/28/17 Late October Islamorada Fishing Report

The marina is looking better everyday since Hurricane IRMA. We've got most of our rooms and the ocean front house available to stay in, and should have our houseboats ready to stay on in December. We've had a handful of boats fishing most days both on the reef and offshore. The "offshore" fishing for mahi has been suprisingly good most days with "schoolies" and some "gaffers". There was a couple days where the boats didn't find them, but that is expected as we get into the late fall since it's the tail end of the season for them. There's also been some blackfin tuna on the humps, and the sharks seemed to thin out a little bit since the boats are actually getting some tuna to the boat. I think the next month we will see some catches of dolphin and probably more blackfin tuna. Dolphin aren't a given this late in the season though.

More and more boats will focus on reef fishing as we get later in the year. Some of the boats have already had action packed days the last couple of weeks. We've seen a couple sailfish caught the past couple days, as well as quite a few kingfish, bonito, barracuda, snapper, cero mackerel and a couple grouper. We just had our first cold front of the season and we have another coming tomorrow, which should only make the reef fishing better.

Way offshore I have been swordfishing but it's been the toughest fall I have seen in 11 years. We haven't had a bite our last 4 trips in a row, but I'm hoping when they show back up they are thick! We have done some deep dropping on the way in and out catching barrelfish and blackbelly rosefish. 

Give the Marina Office a call at 305 664 2461 when you're ready to book your fishing trip or accommodations at Bud N' Mary's and we'll set you up! 

Tight Lines 

Capt. Nick Stanczyk