Islamorada Florida Keys Archives

Islamorada Fishing Reports – 4-29-2022

May 18, 2022 by Mark

Hello everyone, and welcome back to this week’s report! The winds have finally subsided and it looks like we are going to have a stretch of nice weather for once with NO COLD FRONTS! Pretty amazing that we are finally getting to see some consistency as it has been a LONG winter. Whatever it is we will take it! The fishing this week has been pretty good with a mixed bag of just about everything.

Offshore Fishing is Producing

The offshore has produced some swordfish, mahi, tuna, Amberjacks, and sharks.

Reef & Wreck Fishing... with Bait Comes Fish

The wrecks and deep ledges have been producing some mutton snappers, amberjacks, throwback groupers, permit, bonita, and jack crevalles. On top of that the reef fishing has been really solid with the yellowtail snappers in full spawn. There have still been a few sailfish running around, and even a few wahoo around the reef edge and the wrecks.

Fishing has been pretty good, and a lot of it has to do with the amount of bait around. As soon as the wind died out the pilchards showed their faces and there’s bait all over the shallow patches making the chumming optimal.

On That Note

A lot of opportunity right now, and it should only get better as we swing into summer. Looking forward to this nice break from the wind, and some great fishing! Hope you all get a chance to get out this weekend, and if you do be safe out there!

Islamorada Fishing Report – 10-7-2021

October 7, 2021 by Mark

Hey guys, it’s Captain James Chappell back again this week with a new report! A great week of fishing so far this week with the mahi bite in full swing! Lots of nice mahi’s out there, and plenty of them.

Offshore Fishing is Hot & Fast!!!

The offshore scene this week has been great. They are pretty much in all depths outside 400’, and I don’t’ think any of our boats have spent a minute past 11am to get their limit all week. The tuna bite on the humps remains good with some nicer sized fish this week.

The pilchards have been a little challenging due to the wind, so we have bee deep drifting mostly with cigar minnows, but the yield size has been fantastic! The sharks are still a pain in the butt, but this is just part of the deal. You win some, you lose some, but at the end things seem to work themselves out.

Wreck Fishing with Sharks

Wreck fishing this week has had mostly the same issue where the sharks are concerned. We catch a few, the sharks get fired up and start eating everything, then we make a move and start the process all over again. After 3 to 4 spots you generally have what you need and move on to the next target.

Reef Fishing

Reef fishing has had its ups and downs this week mostly due to the current. It was up the rope a day or two, but using the tide has been beneficial if you time it right. The fish are there, just some challenging conditions.

On That Note

Great fishing all-in-all for this time of year! If you are targeting sails this is picking up and becoming more consistent. A couple few shots each day have been the norm so far, and the wind has helped this out for sure. We are hoping this is the start of a good body of fish moving in early.

Well, that’s it for this week. Be safe out there!

Islamorada Fishing Report for 11-21-2019

November 21, 2019 by Mark

Islamorada, Florida Keys - Fishing Report

11/21/2019

Hello everyone, and welcome back to this week’s report! What a week here in Islamorada! We have had some incredible fishing, and some great weather to go with it!

Sailfishing

The sailfish are here and happy, and everything is falling right into place. The sailfish have been active both showering ballyhoo and on the kites this week. Most boats seem to be averaging around 3-5 shots per day, so it has been pretty consistent.

Reef & Wreck Fishing

The reef and wreck fishing here in Islamorada has been pretty solid, as well, with the bottom fish cooperating, and the pelagics putting on a show too. The wahoo bite this week has been solid, and plenty of kings, tunas, and other supporting cast members showing their faces. All this has made for a great week!

The reef bite on the yellowtail snappers has been pretty solid also. So, there is a lot going on down here right now.

Swordfishing

The swordfish ledge this week slowed a bit, but I am sure this will be picking back up before you know it. Hopefully the winds will be nice this winter and allow for some extra days of fishing.

Time will tell, but one thing is for sure, the fishing is great! Check back next week and we will fill you in on what is going on down here. Please give us a call if you need a charter!

Tight Lines,

Capt. James

Islamorada Fishing Report July 4th, 2019

July 5, 2019 by Mark

Islamorada, Florida Keys - Fishing Report

7/4/2019

Hello everyone and welcome back to this week’s report! Another great week with some great fishing!

The Offshore Bite

The offshore bite has had its ups and downs, but most boats have seem to pull through. Some decent fish out there if you can find them, and still plenty of shakers around so keep on them and it will pay off.

Swordfishing

The sword ledge produced again this week with the best of it being to the west. This should only get better as we move toward the fall.

Tuna, Reef & Wreck Fishing

Deep dropping, Tunas on the humps, everything is pretty solid offshore. The reefs and wrecks are going off right now with lots of kings, Jacks, and a few groupers and muttons around the wrecks, but the big news is the mangrove spawn. These guys are going off all over the reef, and some really nice ones, so get in on the action! Plenty of YT’s around as well so go get them! Well, that’s all for this week and be safe! Happy Independence Day!

Tight Lines,

Capt. James Chappell

Islamorada Fishing Report May 23, 2019

May 28, 2019 by Mark

Hello everyone, and welcome back to this week’s report! It’s been a great week here in the upper Florida Keys, and the wind didn’t show up until late Wednesday afternoon. Really rough at the end of the week, but the fishing has been pretty good. The offshore scene remains light on the Mahi’s, but the tuna fishing in the humps has been incredible! The live bait fishing in the humps has been insane with some really nice tunas up to 39 pounds. A little variety mixed in with them as well with a few sailfish and Mahi’s getting in in the action. Still not a lot of Mahi’s around, but do seem to be getting better. Deep dropping has been decent this week as well with some nice groupers and kite fish. Also been a nice bite of barrelfish and Rosie’s. The wrecks and deeper ledges were a bit in the slower side this week early, but has picked up a little as the current got moving. This next week should be pretty good for the Muttons and groupers with a little luck. The shallower reefs were really clean early in the week with very little current, but also picked up as the current picked up. The weekend is calling for 15 knots so we will see what it brings. Hopefully, the current will stick around for a while. Happy Memorial Day everyone! Be safe out there!

Tight Lines,

Capt. James Chappell