Offshore The word continues to be dolphin, dolphin dolphin as known in Florida. Mahi or Dorado in the Pacific and Atlantic. Nevertheless the catches are very good to excellent. We have caught several nice bulls and cows in the 30-40 pound class as well as many gaffer sized fish from 10-20 pounds. Multiple schoolies have been caught and released. The trick we tend to use is a mahi/tuna sized lure with a chugger head available from Bost in front of a smaller ballyhoo rigged with a 7/0 hook.
Immediately on a seperate rod several feet behind we place a horse ballyhoo naked with a chin weight. This seems to really fire up the bigger fish. In addition ee are trolling large chugger type lures like a Bost Makira off flat lines to act as teasers and set at the corners for that ever present blue marlin following the schools of mahi.
Sailfish have made a fair comeback early this week as favorable North East winds and the gulfstream have made for some tailing conditions. We have spotted several and offered live bait for good success. While trolling in the 120-220 foot water column we managed to hook a sail on a lure set for mahi/wahoo and is a clear head version of the lure pictured.
Blackfin tuna have been plentiful in the large schools of porpoise chasing tuna and bonito closer to reef than their normal offshore mounts. Using red and black feathers have produced smaller tuna and small red and black chuggers have been producing nice tuna to 10-15 pounds.
Reef
While getting live bait early on the patch reefs we have also had our clients catching good yellowtail and mangrove snapper while we concentrate on live bait for the day.
Nearshore
One day of nearshore tarpon fishing on the Atlantic side produced several hookups only to be lost during acrobatic stunts of the wily tarpon. Tarpon fishing in the Atlantic is improving daily but as always are affected by weather variations and the North to North East Winds this past week.
This is Captain Jorge Piñero wishing you great fishing. If you want to book a charter with Upper Keys Sportfishing contact us at 305-509-7745 orwww.upperkeyssportfishing.com
Sailfish have made a fair comeback early this week as favorable North East winds and the gulfstream have made for some tailing conditions. We have spotted several and offered live bait for good success. While trolling in the 120-220 foot water column we managed to hook a sail on a lure set for mahi/wahoo and is a clear head version of the lure pictured.
Blackfin tuna have been plentiful in the large schools of porpoise chasing tuna and bonito closer to reef than their normal offshore mounts. Using red and black feathers have produced smaller tuna and small red and black chuggers have been producing nice tuna to 10-15 pounds.
Reef
While getting live bait early on the patch reefs we have also had our clients catching good yellowtail and mangrove snapper while we concentrate on live bait for the day.
Nearshore
One day of nearshore tarpon fishing on the Atlantic side produced several hookups only to be lost during acrobatic stunts of the wily tarpon. Tarpon fishing in the Atlantic is improving daily but as always are affected by weather variations and the North to North East Winds this past week.
This is Captain Jorge Piñero wishing you great fishing. If you want to book a charter with Upper Keys Sportfishing contact us at 305-509-7745 orwww.upperkeyssportfishing.com
