Sailfishing Archives

Islamorada Fishing Reports – 05/28/2021

May 28, 2021 by Mark

Hello everyone, and welcome back to this week’s report! It has been a windy week here in the Upper Florida Keys up to the end of the week, but as of Thursday it is pretty awesome out! Looks like it is going to be a beautiful Memorial Day weekend!

Mahi, Tuna, Sailfish, Amberjacks, & Sharks Offshore!!!

The fishing this week has been pretty good, as the mahi bite is picking up as the moon progresses. Not a lot of big ones, but decent numbers of schoolies. The story on the hump is the same with the smaller tunas, sharks, and jacks…plenty of them…..go for it. There’s been a nice edge in 300’ of water, and it has had some sails and bigger tunas, but I don’t think it is going to be around for too long with the weather changing.

Reef Fishing & Wreck Fishing

The reef and wrecks have been decent thus far, but the water is pretty clean so we will see.

On That Note

It is going to be busy out there, I am sure of that with the nice weather, so pick your poison and pick it early. I think anything you want to do will work, at least enough to feel successful or put dinner on the table.

Bait has been the worst of it, but as of this AM there were a few schools showing up down south. Well, that’s it for this week! Have a safe weekend everyone!

Islamorada Fishing Report – 07-16-2020

August 4, 2020 by Mark

Hello everyone, and welcome back to this week’s report! Another beautiful week here in Islamorada, as the weather has been pretty nice all week. Of course we had the normal summer showers and such to work around, but that is just part of living in paradise in the summertime!

Fishing on the Reef

The fishing this week has been pretty good, especially on the reef. The mangrove snapper bite has been in full force as these tasty critters continue to spawn. The yellowtail bite has been pretty good too, as they are mixed in with the mangroves in a lot of areas, but nonetheless have been pretty solid on the deep reef too.

Offshore - Deep-Sea Fishing

A few nice surprises this week with a few sails showing up out in the deep, and a few blue marlin as well. The offshore report this week has remained a little stagnant, but did show some promise late in the week. It appeared that some mahi’s were trying to move back into the area.

The last couple day we were able to catch out limit of schoolies, and a few nicer fish. The best of the offshore bite has been on the west hump live baiting for the tunas. There’s a pile of nicer tunas out there, and they are on the west and 409 humps as of Thursday afternoon.

The swordfish bite this week has had a couple whoppers in it with 2 fish caught in the high 300 pound range, and a few smaller fish seems to be the word on the street. Make no mistake this is going to get better as the late summer and fall gets closer.

Fishing the Wrecks

The wreck fishing this week has been decent as well, but not red hot by any means. A lot of king mackerel around, jacks, sharks, and bonita, but the bottom bite is one day to the next. The bottom fishing has been really inconsistent this year, and I wish I could tell you why, but I can’t. It just hasn’t been a great year for bottom fishing. Very inconsistent current, if any, so that is what I am going to chalk it up to.

Charter Fishing

Well, I am sure we will find a way to get it done no matter what is going on, and I am sure you will too! If you need a boat, or any advice email me at jchappe7@bellsouth.net and I will do my best to get you squared away. Have a great weekend everyone, and 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 May 09, 2019

May 9, 2019 by Mark

Hello everyone, and welcome back to this week’s report! It’s been a great week of fishing here in Islamorada and the upper Florida Keys as the bottom fishing has been on fire! Lots of nice Mutton Snappers and big black Groupers this week. The deeper reefs and wrecks have been the best areas for these guys, but they are happy! Some of the best eating fish we have to offer as well. There have been a few sails showing up this week as well, and there was a deep tailing condition in Marathon on Tuesday in 700’ of water. If we had the right wind/current there’s no doubt these guys would be right out front tailing. Will have to wait and see if we get lucky, but it’s gonna take some luck for sure. The Yellowtail fishing this week has been tough, as these fish have just not been biting very well. Not exactly sure what’s going on with this yet, but it will turn around. Plenty of king macks around this week in the reef/wrecks as well. The “bad” news is that the Mahi fishing is off to a VERY slow start. The April moon usually really gets them going, but hopefully the May moon will do the trick. The football tunas are good on the humps offshore, and the Swordfishing has been great, so off the deep blue is your game there’s plenty to do. Let’s not forget about deep dropping either! Snowy Groupers and Blueline Tikefish are open now too! Well, that’s it for this week! Be safe everyone!

Tight Lines,

Capt. James Chappell

Islamorada Fishing Report May 04, 2019

May 4, 2019 by Mark

Hello everyone, and welcome back to this week’s report! Another crazy week of windy weather, but we are all pressing on. Fishing this week has been pretty good with the Groupers opening up and the Muttons really starting to bite. The deeper reefs and wrecks have been pretty good all week, and should continue for the next couple months. The reefs edge is still solid with an incredible bite of Yellowtails and some really nice mangrove snappers have been mixed in. The offshore bite remains on the slow side as the Mahi’s just aren’t that thick yet, but they are coming for sure. This hard East/ southeast wind should get this going in full force this next week we hope. The tuna fishing on the humps remains good, but the biggest tunas have been spread out over the deeper wrecks the last couple months. Not much from the Sailfish as of late, but I’m still saying there’s gonna be one more good push before it’s all over. Tough week we had this week with the weather, but next week is looking much better. Let’s hope we get some current in close to really get things fired up. Be safe everyone, and we will see you next week!

Tight Lines,

Capt. James Chappell