Key Largo to Key West
Includes Islamorada and Marathon

Sept 3-5

Capt. Rob Harris is busy preparing to provide escort and assist services to swimmer Diana Nyad, on her attempt to swim from Key West to Cuba as soon as the weather breaks in their favor. They have all of their permits in-hand from both the US and Cuban governments and are now on a short holding pattern waiting for perfect swimming conditions. If you would like to find out more about the adventure, check out Diana’s website, www.diananyad.com for the latest info about this amazing woman and her attempt. Meantime, from the docks in Key West, Rob sends in this update on the fishing.

Obviously the weather is the game changer right now. Once the blow from Earl subsides, which is forecast to die down by Friday, we’ll see if we get much of a break before Fiona. As it stands, we may see good weather for the weekend stretch, with winds from the southeast between 10 and 15.

If that’s the case, the dolphin are out there and there’s been more debris holding fish than there has lately. Earlier in the week, good fish to 15 pounds were hitting the decks, and some wahoo were being located under debris. It’s always a great idea to be among the first out there, whether in the Atlantic bluewater or to Gulf wrecks, after a strong blow as we’ve just been having. At last check this week, current is light out to 750 feet, and inside of 500 feet there is a westbound current, also known as a “mutton” current. With the lighter currents, deep dropping will again be more manageable, assuming winds drop.

Go for dolphin and wahoo and fall back to the reef for mutton and yellowtail. Always a good plan.

There have been numerous good reports of blackfin in the Middle Keys as well, out at the Humps at Islamorada and Marathon. Skippies, too.

Not too many reports coming from the backcountry lately. Waters have been unsettled. Before the blow, bonefishing on the edges of the channels in the Big Pine area and Middle Keys was good on the incoming. Overall, waters lately have been unsettled. Incoming tides have been better on the flats, but once the blow settles patterns may be changed. You can always seek cover and go for mangroves, lanes and keeper muttons with live baits if you’re determined to get out in the backcountry before the wind dies down. Remember that the snook season has not yet opened. It was delayed by emergency order and an FWC meeting is being held this weekend to figure out what will be done with the season.

conchyjoe2000@msn.com | www.conchyjoeskw.com

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