Marathon and the Florida Keys Monthly Fishing Forecast – November 2010

[Fishing Report]

November offers a bounty of fishing – Marathon and the Florida Keys Monthly Fishing Forecast – November 2010
Posted on November 1, 2010 by Christy Johnson
November is a time of feasting. While turkey may be the tradition for many, anglers in Marathon and the Middle Florida Keys gobble up a bounty of pelagic species.


Marathon and the Florida Keys Monthly Fishing Forecast – Capt. Chris Johnson, SeaSquared Charters – November 2010

Offshore

With water temperatures dipping below the 80-degree mark, mass migrations of all variety of baitfish pour down both the Atlantic and Gulf sides of the Islands of Marathon. Hot on their heels are the pelagic species that feed on them.

The most commonly targeted of the pelagics are sailfish, cobia and king mackerel. Not to be forgotten, there are plentiful numbers of dolphin and wahoo in the Atlantic waters and Spanish mackerel are abundant in the Gulf and Bay.



When fishing Oceanside, look for bait sprays or frigate birds low on the water. Navigate to the area, and typically you’ll quickly see which predator is attacking the hapless baitfish. Most often, it’s a sailfish or dolphin creating the panic.

Use your 20-pound spinning gear with 40- to 60-pound fluorocarbon leaders and circle hooks for greatest results. The most productive tactic is to match the hatch the best you can with the live bait you’re throwing at the pelagics. A good all-around choice is live ballyhoo, but pilchards work equally well.

If luck is with you, you will encounter cobia swimming along the surface. Often mistaken for small sharks, these sleek and powerful pelagic fish are very strong and a thrill to catch. Moreover, they rate among the highest for food quality.



Use the same tackle you have on board for the sailfish and dolphin. The cobia will respond to a variety of live baits as well as artificials, such as Tsunami swim shads or bucktails.

Live baiting and trolling both work equally well for catching the king mackerel. If trolling is your chosen method, I recommend a #3 ½ Drone spoon rigged on a planer. If you have downriggers, use them to keep your baits in the 30- to 40-foot depths.

The reef and wrecks

When trolling for kingfish off the edge of the reef in 100 to 200 feet of water, you may come across blackfin tuna or wahoo, which are also attracted to the myriad of baitfish.

On the wrecks in the same depths, there are good numbers of mutton snapper, amberjack and jack crevalle taking advantage of the plethora of food. Again, live ballyhoo and pilchards are top notch, but the trusty pinfish will also serve you well.

On the reef, the yellowtail snapper bite remains consistent and is rich with flag size fish. There is also a respectable grouper bite on the bottom. While you’re anchored up on the reef, it pays to keep a couple of live baits on the surface with a short trace of wire to attract any passing pelagic species. Good baits are pilchards, ballyhoo, small blue runners and speedos.

Patch reefs

The patch reefs come alive during November with a diversity of fish working their way down the beaches of the Middle Florida Keys. Shrimp, pilchards and ballyhoo all are good baits to use for the vast assortment of good-eating fish you’ll find on the patches.

Gulf and bay

In the Gulf and Bay, cobia and king mackerel are passing through on their way south for the winter. Additionally, Spanish mackerel traditionally make a strong showing in the Florida Bay waters near Marathon.

The Spanish mackerel will eat a wide variety of small bucktails, such as the Tsunami glass minnow in the 3/8 ounce size, retrieved quickly through your chum slick. Be sure to include a small trace of wire to prevent bite-offs. If there’s too much grass floating in the area you’re fishing, free lining baits such as shrimp or chunks of ballyhoo will work well.



Cobia, mangrove snapper and gag grouper should all be cooperating nicely on the Gulf wrecks. The king mackerel will also begin making a showing in the same areas. Live pinfish, pilchards and shrimp are your baits of choice, and cut baits will work for the snappers.



While you’re visiting or fishing in Marathon and the Middle Florida Keys, we invite you to check out Capt. Spider’s Casting for Charity Contest. Held on alternate Tuesdays at Salty’s Waterfront Grill in the 7 Mile Marina, the event tests your casting skills while raising money for local non-profit organizations.

Until next time … tight lines!

Capt. Chris Johnson, SeaSquared Charters, Marathon Florida Keys, 305.743.5305, FishingReportsFloridaKeys.com


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« Fishing makes for good friendships in the Florida Keys! We’re starting to welcome back many of our fish friends – Marathon & Florida Keys Weekly Fishing Report – November 3, 2010 »


"Sea Squared Charters
305-743-5305
http://fishingreportsfloridakeys.com/
Marathon, Fl"

[Fishing Report]

Marathon and the Florida Keys Weekly Fishing Report – Captain Chris Johnson, SeaSquared Charters – November 3, 2010

Sailfish

On the reef edge, the frigate birds and terns are anxiously awaiting the arrival of hundreds of sailfish to begin feeding on the abundance of ballyhoo that are clogging the waters throughout the Keys.

There have been sporadic reports of decent numbers of sailfish, but no real consistency yet to the catches. Nothing spurs the sailfish action like a dip in temperature, and the prediction for this weekend includes a major cooling to the low to mid 70’s.

Cobia

Cobia are beginning to show with some regularity. They are prone to tailing down the face of waves in the same fashion as the sailfish. Dolphin are also being seen and caught, so it pays to keep your eyes peeled for these delicious gamesters.

Cero mackerel

Also chasing the ballyhoo are cero mackerel. I have had multiple reports of fish exceeding 36 inches, which is extraordinarily large for ceros. Live ballyhoo or pilchards are the baits of choice.

Mutton snapper

Respectable quantities of mutton snapper are being caught on the wrecks and reef, with the fish averaging 8 to 10 pounds. Again, live ballyhoo or pilchards are the prime baits, but live pinfish will also work.

Yellowtail snapper

The yellowtail bite on the reef remains excellent, with the largest flags hanging on the deeper edge of the reef from 70 to 90 feet. There are also plenty of keeper size fish in the more shallow sections as well as on the patch reefs.

Mixed with the yellowtails are some nice grouper – primarily blacks with the occasional red showing up.

Patch reefs alive with action

With the Gulf waters cooling, the Atlantic patch reefs become host to all sorts of fish, such as mangrove snapper, nice mutton snapper, gag, black and red grouper as well as hogfish. There’s also some pretty good porgy action to be had on the patches. The snappers and hogfish are attracted to live shrimp, whereas the grouper prefer live pinfish or pilchards.

Be alert to cobia showing up on the patch reefs. Always have a bigger rod ready to pitch a live bait to one of these tasty critters, which can quite often exceed 40 pounds.

Varied action in the Gulf

In the Gulf and Bay venues, the mangrove snapper bite continues to be first-rate. Quality 16- to 18- inch mangroves are taking a wide variety of live baits as well as cut baits.

Good numbers of trout are being caught in and around the grass banks, with most fish taken on live shrimp fished under a cork.

It seems more and more Spanish mackerel are showing with each passing day, and this weekend’s cooler temperatures should really bring them to town.

Typically right on the heels of the Spanish mackerel are jumbo king mackerel. These big smokers enjoy snacking on the Spanish macks, and you will find them on the Gulf wrecks.

In the same areas, fishing for cobia and gag grouper has been productive, with live pinfish the bait of choice.

Tuesday night is fishing night in Marathon

Tuesday night is fishing night at Salty’s Waterfront Grill and the 7 Mile Marina in Marathon. Next week’s free fishing seminar focuses on sailfishing. Stop by if you’re in the area.

The SeaSquared split the week fishing the patch reefs and the bay.

Angling buddies Mike Cashman and Gary Charette, from Dracut MA, opted for dinner and a show on the SeaSquared. I fist took them to one of my favorite Gulf wrecks and they caught their limit of fat mangrove snapper up to 18 inches. We then headed to my shark grounds and the guys went 5 for 5 on lemons with one 7.5-foot monster giving Mike a half-hour fight.


I hit the reef with returning Jersey Shore anglers Mark Mohwinkle and George Kicak. Despite sporty conditions, the pair put together a great catch of flag yellowtail snapper up to 24 inches and a bonus 10-pound mutton snapper before heading to Key West for Fantasy Fest.

Until next time … tight lines!

Capt. Chris Johnson, SeaSquared Charters, Marathon Florida Keys, 305.743.5305, FishingReportsFloridaKeys.com

"Sea Squared Charters
305-743-5305
http://fishingreportsfloridakeys.com/
Marathon, Fl"