Once again we had windy conditions here in Key West. The water temp outside the reef is about 77 and a little warmer inside the reef. The current was moving pretty good to the east and there was a slight color change stacking up bait and fish. 

Offshore the Dolphin bite was OK. It was not as good as the previous week but we managed to find some fish along the color change that was meandering between 170 and 250 feet deep.  There was not much bird activity and most of the fish we found were singles. Sailfishing was excellent this week due to the rough conditions. Fish were filtering in anywhere from 100 feet to 150 feet. I had a number of fish in that depth and a couple in deeper water that was holding more Dolphin. One Wahoo hit peeled off some line and then dropped the bait. We should see the next wave of Wahoo around the next full moon.

Reef fishing was OK this week. Yellowtail was the most reliable target and a few nice Grouper and Muttons hit the tables at Murray Marine. Most of the fish are in 90-120 feet. Live Pinfish, Pilchards as well as dead Squid and Bonito strips are the best baits. Look for the reef fishing to start to peak in the next few weeks with Muttons, Mangrove and Yellowtail becoming thick as spawning season is here.

Gulf fishing was pretty good during the south wind. I found Cobia, Kingfish, Cero, Spanish, gag and Red Grouper along with Mangrove, Yellowtail and Lane Snapper. The Cobias were on the small side as they are now migrating north.

We should see the Vandenberg this week and everyone is anticipating the arrival of the first new artificial wreck in the Key West area in a long time. It seems like every county in Florida gets many new reefs every year except for Monroe County.  With the fishing pressure we receive in the Keys we should be adding many more new reefs to our waters.

Courtesy of Captain Chris Lembo from The Weekly Fisherman