Captain Ryan Carter here with your comprehensive weekly fishing report from the beautiful waters surrounding Key West and the Lower Keys.
We’ve been blessed with absolutely stunning weather conditions this week. Light winds, calm seas, and crystal-clear water have made it a dream scenario for sight fishing enthusiasts. Water temperatures are holding steady in the mid-80s, and visibility has been exceptional – perfect for spotting those elusive shadows on the flats. These conditions have made every Key West fishing charter an absolute pleasure to guide.
The bonefish bite continues to be absolutely phenomenal throughout the flats system surrounding the Lower Keys. These silver bullets are showing up in good numbers on both the oceanside and backcountry flats. Concentrate your efforts on the expansive flats between Key West and Big Pine Key, particularly around Boca Chica, Geiger Key, and the Snipe Keys area. The skinny water flats near Content Keys have been producing some impressive schools that have made several Key West fishing charters truly memorable this week.
Sight fishing remains my go-to method for targeting these speedsters. Wade carefully and keep your eyes peeled for those telltale nervous water signs and subtle mud puffs. Small crab patterns and shrimp flies in sizes 6-8 are working exceptionally well. For spin fishermen, live shrimp on a 1/0 circle hook with minimal weight is deadly effective. Early morning and late afternoon have been prime time, with fish moving onto the flats as the sun gets higher and water temperatures stabilize.
The permit action has been heating up significantly as we transition into their post-spawn period. These challenging fish are making their way back to the flats after their offshore spawning ritual. Check the wrecks first – particularly the Cayman Salvage Master and Alexander’s Wreck where schools have been congregating. As they move inshore, focus on the deeper edges of the flats around Marquesas Keys and the western edges of the backcountry. Every Key West fishing charter targeting permit this week has had legitimate shots at these magnificent fish.
Live crabs are still the gold standard for permit, but don’t overlook small jigs tipped with shrimp or crab-pattern flies. These fish are notoriously finicky, so patience and precise presentations are key. The post-spawn permit are typically more aggressive than their spawning counterparts, making this an excellent time to target them.
The Silver King is putting on quite a show for early risers and sunset anglers! Local schools of resident tarpon are providing consistent action for those willing to time their trips right. The channels around Key West Harbor, Christmas Tree Island, and the deeper cuts in the backcountry have been holding good numbers. The Marquesas Keys have also been producing some impressive fish in the 80-150 pound range that have provided unforgettable experiences on our Key West fishing charters.
Live pilchards and pinfish are working well for tarpon, but don’t overlook the effectiveness of large swimbaits and DOA Terror Eyz. Fish the moving water during tide changes, and be prepared for some spectacular jumps. Dawn and dusk are absolutely crucial timing windows. Plan your trips around these low-light periods when the tarpon are most active and feeding aggressively.
The reef snappers are in full spawning mode, making this prime time for filling the cooler! Yellowtail, mutton, and mangrove snapper are all showing up in excellent numbers. The reef system from Sand Key to Eastern Dry Rocks has been absolutely loaded. The deeper structure around 40-60 feet has been most productive, but don’t overlook the nearshore patch reefs in 20-30 feet. These productive reef areas have been the highlight of many Key West fishing charters this week.
Live pilchards and ballyhoo are working exceptionally well for snapper. For those preferring artificials, vertical jigs and bucktail jigs tipped with shrimp or cut bait are producing solid results. Use lighter tackle for more sport – these fish are feeding aggressively during the spawn. With this abundance of fresh snapper, fish tacos are definitely on the menu! Nothing beats fresh yellowtail snapper grilled with some lime and cilantro.
The backcountry has been holding some nice-sized redfish, particularly around the mangrove shorelines of Boca Chica and Geiger Keys. Topwater plugs early in the morning have been producing some explosive strikes. Good numbers of spotted seatrout are showing up in the grass flats throughout the backcountry. Soft plastics and live shrimp under popping corks are working well for these speckled beauties.
Keep an eye out for cobia cruising the flats and following rays. A well-presented crab or eel pattern can result in an unforgettable fight. These brown sharks have been showing up more frequently on our Key West fishing charters, providing exciting bonus catches for alert anglers.
The extended forecast looks promising with continued light winds and calm seas. This stable weather pattern should keep the fish active and make for comfortable days on the water. Tide-wise, we’re approaching a new moon phase, which typically means stronger tidal movement and more active feeding periods. These conditions are ideal for productive Key West fishing charters.
These calm conditions mean fish can see and hear you coming from farther away, so move slowly and quietly. With minimal wind, the sun can be brutal, so bring plenty of sunscreen, water, and protective clothing. Keep your fly boxes stocked with small crab patterns, shrimp flies, and tarpon streamers. Inspect your leaders and hooks frequently – these fish will test your equipment.
These conditions won’t last forever, so now is the perfect time to get out on the water! Whether you’re a seasoned angler looking for that permit of a lifetime or a family wanting to put some fresh fish on the table, the fishing opportunities are as good as they get right now. Book your Key West fishing charter today and experience some of the best inshore fishing that South Florida has to offer.
For charter bookings and more information, feel free to reach out. Let’s make some memories on the water with one of the most productive Key West fishing charters you’ll ever experience!
Tight lines and calm seas,
Captain Ryan Carter
Key West, Florida
Leave a reply