Key Largo to Key West
Includes Islamorada and Marathon

Sept. 5-7

KE

Keys Wide Summary

Interesting wind direction mostly from tropical systems has anglers wondering just where to go. I can tell you that northerly winds in September are unusual for us but it does have its advantages. We have had light northerly winds with dry air coming in which feels real good to most. The breezes have been light and have not had any effect on the fishing though. There has been a big influx of baitfish on the reef line though which has attracted quite a few predator fish around such as big mutton and grouper.

Our forecast for this weekend is for light winds of less than 10 knots through Friday night and northeast around 10 knots for the weekend. At most, only a 30% chance of rain throughout the period. Great weather to fish, without a doubt.

Most of these ballyhoo that have been seen are quite small, less than 8 inches in length. I do not know if this is common or it may have something due to the recent shut down of commercial ballyhoo harvest this August. Either way, they are here and have attracted quite a few fish throughout the Keys. It is nice to be able to drop a chum bag and within 30 minutes having all the live bait you need for the day to fish. All up and down the line I have had reports of not only a few sails but also nice wahoo and even some large dolphin being along the edge from 80 to 150 feet of water.

From what I am hearing and seeing, the mangrove snapper do not follow the written rules very well. They seem not to know where they are supposed to be right now. Big ones are still being found on most of the area reefs as well as being numerous in Hawk Channel, around area bridges and throughout most of the bay waters. It seems like they are scattered around everywhere more so than normal. It is a good thing for anglers as catching dinner is possible no matter where you go.

Upper Keys Report

Flats fishing has been one of the best things going. The humidity as well as the velocity of the winds have been down which has made for good fishing. Sight fishing has been quite easy for several days now and should continue. It is still hot but fish are abundant throughout most of the day now. Bonefish are one of the best with trout highlighting the backcountry areas.

Reef action has been good with mixed reports of offshore activity. Some good days mixed in with some bad ones have been reported lately. It sounds just like fishing, doesn’t it

Middle Keys Report

Interesting action throughout the offshore venue to the reef with the upsurge of ballyhoo. Several good runs of dolphin this past week along with big fish along the deep edge of the reef line. Hawk Channel has come alive again with action from a variety of snapper and grouper. Bridge channels have been decent with snapper and lots of tarpon still around in the evenings. Bay waters have had some snapper and grouper along with trout. Shark fishing is about at its peak with lemon and bull sharks around most of the areas shallows. Trying to avoid them seems to be more of a challenge than attempting to find them. Evenings are still the best time to fish for most all of the bottom species.

Lower Keys Report

Good tuna action offshore as well as scattered dolphin in this region. Here as well as throughout the Middle Keys has had its share of swordfish action in the evenings. Reef fishing has been all right in many of the popular venues as well as the inside patches. Tarpon remains strong along the inside waters with the area flats getting better and better with bonefish action. Permit also remain strong throughout.

Gulfside wrecks have been very good for the past couple of weeks with a wide variety of species including the emergence of several large kingfish in the past week. This could be a very good sign of things to come.

Captain Dave Navarro is a lifelong resident of Marathon, Owner of the World Class Angler at our new location at 3740 Overseas Highway in Marathon and captain of the charter boat, “Dave’s Dream.”

By Dave Navarro - wca@terranova.net

Captain Dave Navarro is a lifelong resident of Marathon, Owner of the World Class Angler in Marathon and captain of the charter boat, “Dave’s Dream.”

* 4cast updated each Thursday by 6:00 PM.