Hey anglers! Captain Ryan Carter here with your comprehensive weekly inshore fishing report from the crystal-clear waters of Key West, Florida. If you’re planning a fishing trip to the southernmost point, you’ll want to read this detailed breakdown of what’s biting and where to find them.

The backcountry basins around Key West continue to deliver exceptional action this week with diverse species providing non-stop excitement. We’re consistently landing ladyfish, jacks, bluefish, spotted seatrout, and blacktip sharks on our guided excursions. These protected waters offer the perfect environment for both beginners and experienced anglers looking for steady action. Artificial lures are producing tremendous results right now. Our clients have had particular success with gulp shrimp in new penny color and white buck tail jigs (1/4 oz) bounced slowly along the bottom. For a more natural presentation, live shrimp under a popping cork has been irresistible to trout in 3-5 feet of water.

Shark fishing on the flats and channels surrounding Key West is reaching its spring peak with multiple species providing heart-pounding fights. We’re regularly encountering blacktip sharks in the 3-5 foot range, along with bull sharks, lemon sharks, and the occasional bonnethead shark. The shallow-water visibility makes this an incredible sight-fishing experience as you can watch these powerful predators track and attack your bait. For successful shark trips, we’ve been setting up on the edges of channels with strong tidal movement. Fresh-cut mullet and ladyfish have been our go-to baits, deployed with circle hooks and wire leaders. The action has been particularly hot during the last two hours of outgoing tides.

The silver kings are showing up in impressive numbers this week, with more fish arriving daily in the channels surrounding Key West. This early wave of the annual tarpon migration is providing anglers with opportunities for trophy catches in the 60-120 pound range. Look for rolling fish in deeper channels, especially during the early morning hours. Live pinfish, mullet, and blue crabs have all been effective for targeting these magnificent gamefish. We’ve been sight-casting to rolling fish with live baits suspended under a float, and also having success with deeper presentations in known tarpon highways. Patience and precise presentations are key to hooking these legendary fighters.

While the incredible jack crevalle action we experienced throughout January and February has tapered off slightly, we’re still finding good numbers of these hard-fighting fish. Concentrate your efforts around structure and channel edges where jacks are ambushing baitfish schools. Topwater plugs at first light have created explosive strikes that will test your equipment and stamina.

For clients looking to bring home a delicious meal, mangrove and lane snapper fishing remains consistently productive. These tasty fish are holding around deeper structures and providing reliable action when targeted with light tackle and natural baits. We’ve been finding keeper-sized snappers around deeper docks, bridge pilings, and channel edges. Small chunks of shrimp or squid on a simple jig head or knocker rig have been producing limits of these delicious fish. Focus your efforts during the middle of the day when the sun is high enough to spot these crafty predators in the water column.

Spring is prime time for Key West inshore fishing, and our calendar is filling quickly! Whether you’re a seasoned angler looking for trophy tarpon or a family wanting a fun-filled day of non-stop action, Live Action Sportfishing provides custom trips tailored to your preferences.

Call Captain Ryan today at (540) 455-0443 or visit www.liveactionsportfishing.com to secure your preferred dates. Half-day, full-day, and specialized fishing adventures are available with all tackle, licenses, and fish cleaning included. Early booking ensures you get the optimal tides and dates for your target species!

Live Action Sportfishing – Where Epic Key West Fishing Memories Are Made Daily

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