Yearly Archives: 2016

November 29, 2016

After an extended yard trip the SOUTHPAW went back in the water on Nov 3rd. The boat has been completely repainted and looks great. Average daily temperatures have dropped much faster this fall than last year. The result is a return to the type of fishing we expect this time of year. Huge schools of Ballyhoo up and down the reef edge are attracting plenty of attention from Sailfish, Cero, Mutton Snapper, Blackfin Tuna, Bonita and Yellowjacks. On most days recently we have been able to load our live wells with Ballyhoo in short order. From there it’s only a matter of putting a lively bait in front of a hungry fish to get a bite.

fall Tuna

Goliath on patch

nov 3 2016

two flags

By |2016-11-29T21:08:33+00:00November 29th, 2016|Fishing Reports|

November 2016

Water temperatures are falling as cool weather arrives in our area and the first cold fronts of the year pass through the Fl Keys. Ballyhoo are everywhere along the reef edge which attracts both pelagic species from offshore, and reef species to this abundance of bait. This is the time of year when sight casting for Sailfish is productive. After loading our live wells with Ballyhoo we patrol the edge of the reef in search of Frigate birds and the frantically showering schools of bait which signal the presence of Sails as well as other predators such as Cero, Yellowjack, Dolphin and Blackfin Tuna. An accurate cast with a frisky live Ballyhoo almost always results in a hookup. With our Tuna tower and oversized live wells the SOUTHPAW is ideally designed for this exciting fishery.

By |2016-11-27T14:16:28+00:00November 27th, 2016|Fishing Blog|

June 2016

After a terrible month of May during which the annual Dolphin migration never really materialized, fishing during June has been very uneven. On longer days we have elected to go offshore but results have been inconsistent. Some days we’ve found a few Dolphin and return to the dock with 10-12 fish, although there has been little in the way of weed lines and very few birds. We have been getting a few billfish bites in addition to the Dolphin, mostly Sailfish but also the occasional Blue Marlin and White Marlin. other days it seems like an empty ocean and we have had to run far and wide to avoid being skunked. On shorter days we have fished the reef and produced some decent catches of flag Yellowtail and big Muttons. Other days with poor current conditions we have struggled to catch a few Yellowtail. Very inconsistent. All in all, the disappointing season continues.

By |2016-08-30T14:23:53+00:00August 30th, 2016|Fishing Blog|

April 2016

In a normal year we think of April in Key West as being one of the finest fishing months. This is a month when seemingly everything is biting. Sailfish are typically abundant as they begin their spring migration along with Cobia and some of the largest Blackfin Tuna of the year. Dolphin also typically put in an appearance as the early fish arrive in our area. Along the reef edge King Mackerel are still common and Snapper and Grouper fishing continues strongly.

This year the month of April has frankly been a disappointment. The Sailfish migration has been slow to non existant and Tuna and Cobia have been scarce. We have relied on reef fishing to provide action for our clients. On many days we have done a little bit of everything from trolling to live baiting to bottom fishing in order to maximize our chances.

By |2016-08-30T13:57:29+00:00August 30th, 2016|Fishing Blog|

July 30, 2016

Fishing in Key West over the last month has remained a challenge. There has been very little which is dependable. Conditions seem to change almost by the hour. Offshore, one day there are a few weed lines and some Dolphin around, the next day gone. The same has been true on the reef. One day dirty water and west current, the next day clean water and east current. This has put a premium on being flexible about what we fish for. Most days we have been prepared to do a little of everything, trolling, bottom fishing, live baiting, in order to put a catch together. Here is some photographic evidence of what we’ve caught during the month of July.

July 4th, 2016_southpaw

July 22, 2016_southpaw fishing key westJuly 29 2016_southpaw fishingJuly 31,2016 Mutton

By |2016-08-04T20:22:32+00:00August 4th, 2016|Fishing Reports|

June 20th 2016

Dolphin fishing remains challenging. We are catching some on virtually every trip but it hasn’t been easy as there has been very little weed to work. Recently we’ve caught several over 30lbs. There have also been a fair number of Billfish offshore, most in the vicinity of the “wall” some 20 miles offshore. We’ve caught Sailfish, White Marlin and a Blue Marlin in the last several weeks. Inshore on the reef edge Snapper fishing has been productive.

Julie's Dolphin June Fishing in Key West Matt's Dolphin

By |2016-06-21T14:49:17+00:00June 21st, 2016|Fishing Reports|

May 30th, 2016

In a normal year May is our very best month for Dolphin. This year we’ve not seen the number of migrating Mahi,Mahi we would expect. None the less, by by looking far and wide we have managed to put together some reasonable catches. We have also been fishing the reef edge and have been catching Flag Yellowtail and Mutton Snapper.

Dolphin Caught on the Southpaw Fishing in May aboard with Southpaw Fishing Key West Mid may Fishing Aboard the Southpaw

By |2016-06-21T14:43:45+00:00June 21st, 2016|Fishing Reports|

April 6, 2016

Clear blue water and light current has been the predominate condition over the last several weeks with the result that reef fishing has been difficult. We have concentrated our efforts on Blue Water fish. Black fin Tuna have been consistent, particularly biting well in the late afternoons. Sailfish are increasing in numbers and there are also a few Wahoo around. Tight to the reef edge Kingfish and Little Tunny are also biting pretty well.March 30 GrouperMarch 30 FlagMarch 30 MuttonsMarch 30 WahooMarch 30 TunaMarch 30 Sail

By |2016-04-06T21:16:44+00:00April 6th, 2016|Fishing Reports|

March 2016

Fishing during the month of March has been steady if unspectacular. King Mackerel have been a main stay for those seeking action. We have been catching them regularly up to about 25lbs using live bait and 15lb test spinning outfits. These fish are hard fighters on this type of gear. Yellowtail Snapper have also been abundant during the month. This has fit the bill for those interested in good eating fish. Yellowtail require a bit of finesse to hook and then are scrappy fighters. Mixed in with the Yellowtail have been, Mutton Snapper up to 12lbs and a few out of season Grouper as well as Amberjack, Little Tunny and Cero. For our clients who are looking to tangle with big fish, there has been a steady bite of Bull Sharks. We have caught and released numerous Bulls during the month weighing between 300-400 pounds. Dead bait trolling has produced Blackfin Tuna particularly during the later afternoon. Sailfish remain relatively scarce although there have been signs of improvement as the month has gone on. Sailfish should become much more abundent as we move into April.

By |2016-03-22T16:53:23+00:00March 22nd, 2016|Fishing Blog|

March 9, 2016

Yellowtail Snapper fishinglight tackle KingfishKey West Shark fishingStandup harness for big fishKey West KingfishAmberjack caught in Key WestThe wind continues to blow with just the occasional calm day inbetween. Fishing has been fair over the last several weeks. The King Mackerel action is steady in several locations and we’ve been targeting them with live bait fished on 15lb test line, good fun on that light tackle. We have also been producing some outstanding catches of jumbo sized Yellowtail Snapper, fish between 22″-25″ or 3-4 pounds. Great eating fish. We have also been catching a few Mutton Snapper, Cero, Little Tunny, Amberjack. and various Shark species. Sailfish, Tuna, Mahi, and Wahoo remain scarce.

By |2016-03-09T14:31:22+00:00March 9th, 2016|Fishing Reports|
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