8/16/17 August Islamorada offshore fishing report

We've had some incredible catches of mahi the first couple weeks of August! The crowds are thinning out so the next month or two may be the time you want to come down and fish at Bud n' Mary's Marina. Most of the boats have been averaging 20 - 40 mahi on full day trips. We've seen a lot of "schoolies" in the 3 - 6 lb range, a fair amount of gaffers in the 8 - 15 lb range and some nice bulls in the 30 lb class as well. The bite wont last forever so come down and get in on the action! 

 

The blackfin tuna bite has been fair, mostly ''footballs" in the 3 - 6 lb range but we did get a 25 lber on a popper one day which was exciting. There's been a few tripletail caught on floating debris as well. Down deep on the humps there's still a few ambjerjack and almaco jack. The Reel McCoy had a really nice wahoo one day weighing in at 47 lbs and there was a sailfish released amongst the fleet too.

 

A handful of boats have been getting in on the deep drop bottom action while the season is still open for most species till the end August, and we've seen a few big snowy grouper, a lot of blueline tilefish, a couple yellowedge grouper, rosefish, and a few barrelfish. Back on the reef there's been a decent bite of yellowtail snapper, mangrove snapper, and a couple mutton snapper. 

 

Way offshore we have been swordfishing a fair amount. Last week was slow but the bite picked up this week. We managed two fish yesterday including a big 273 lber, an 80 lber the trip before that, and we tagged and released a 40 lber a few days ago. The next few months are prime time to try for swordfish, so if it's a bucket list fish or something you might want to try let us know! 

 

Give the marina office a call at 305 664 2461 when you're ready to book your next Islamorada Offshore Fishing Charter and we'll set you up with a great boat. 

Tight Lines, 

Capt. Nick Stanczyk