Winter Fishing in the Florida Keys

Winter Fishing in the Florida Keys

 

As a second generation fisherman, I have been fishing in Marathon Florida since I was a kid. I have learned that from reef fishing to offshore fishing, winter is always a great time to get out on the water! There is a plethora of fish species to catch and just as many ways to catch them. My favorite species has always been the king fish because they are plentiful and fun to catch.

This week, we braved the high winds and cold to get out in the keys and we were rewarded with a great bite! Yellowtails filled our boxes, we also caught a few mutton snappers, and topped off our fishing trip with cero mackerel and king fish. The fish we’ve been catching haven’t been huge but they have been very plentiful, keeping my anglers so busy that they hadn’t even had the chance to eat their lunch on most days.

TunaHeading offshore, the dolphin and wahoo have been a hit-or-miss, but deep dropping for snappers, Tilefish, and snowy grouper have been very successful. Tuna fishing is red hot when we can get out to the hump but this time of the year you really have to pick your day.

Sail fishing this week has picked up with the constant bombardment of cold fronts. The north wind drives them nuts! For the best results, live baiting either with pilchards, gogs, or ballyhoo is the way to go.

This winter, get out of the cold, come down to Marathon Florida and let Sweet E’nuf Charters show you our little piece of paradise in the heart of the Florida Keys!

Great Time For Fishing in Marathon, Florida!

 

Charters are picking up as people are taking advantage of the off-season hotel cost reductions in Marathon, Florida. I took a new client, Eric, out bottom fishing and boy did he get what he wanted; a sore arm! Eric caught four slob muttons, cobia and dolphin.

There was a great mutton bite here in Marathon! Fishing wrecks and live bottom with live or fresh dead bait has been key, and either pinfish, ballyhoo, or cigar minnows have been the bait of choice. I have had a good west current but water clarity has been less than desirable on these trips.

Sailfish and dolphin are cruising just outside of the reef and live bait has been the best choice to pursue them and entice them to bite. I would recommend either looking for fish or blind trolling as the best methods for these great predators. This is a great time of the year to fish because most of the fishing is within 8 miles from shore; so come on down, get out of the cold and come fishing in the sunny Florida Keys!