| Island Time Charters of Key West 305-407-6036 |
| Key West Spearfishing and Lobstering Reports |
 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |  |
Summer has arrived, bringing with it the warm clear waters the Keys and Key West are famous for. This also means that ole’ mother nature
offers up a full 16 hours of well-lit spearfishing opportunity, as if she herself understands the pull of the hunt and the joy of success.
This glorious time of year also marks a seasonal change in the pelagic opportunities offshore. The exotic Dolphin, elusive Wahoo, and ruffian
Tuna are moving closer in every day, in search of bait, safety, and shade. It seems that with the precision of Big Ben, the Dolphin, Tuna, and
Wahoo move in 100 feet every week, giving both S.C.U.B.A. diver and freediver the shot at grandeur. This is the perfect time to use nature’s
donation for the cause. Seek out feeding Frigate birds, weed lines, and the sharp color changes. Make sure to approach with caution and
wisdom, always keeping the sun to your bow and prop at idle. Once, you’re in, the truest test of a successful spearo begins…patience.
Fighting every ounce of natural instinct you have, don’t shoot the peanuts. Throw your flashers and bring the big boys to you while giving the
little guys a chance to mature for a greater glory. Captain Amy and I were graced with four ripe Wahoo last week using patience and calm as
our primary tools.
With the pelagics moving in to shallower waters, the mid-reef and patch reef spearfishing becomes superb. Muttons, yellow-tail, Hogfish,
Mackerel, and Grouper are abounding. While flashers are less effective for shallow water species and chumming is sometimes frowned upon,
their living conditions become our best tools. Patch reefs running between the reef line and Hawks Channel are holding strong numbers of
Mutton Snapper, between 10 to 80 feet. Black and Gag Grouper seem abundant after our first year of closures, while Strawberry’s are almost
as thick as Yellow-Tail. Look for any ledge, no matter how slight. Just like any guy trying to grapple themselves into their old high school prom
tux, you’ll be amazed to see what larger Grouper can squeeze themselves into. Again, the recipe for success here includes an ample amount
of patience with a sprinkle of luck. With gin-clear waters, fish see you long before you see them so be still, and let them come to you.
Now for the mini-mayhem 2011 report. Yes, it’s that time of year again. Thousands of weekend warriors from all over the country will make the
annual migration south to the Florida Keys for the 2011 mini-lobster season. As far as we can tell, it should be a banner year again as we have
already seen signs of the lobster beginning their walk. So get your sticks, snares, and flags ready for July 27th and 28th, as mini-mayhem
season should open with a bang.
Given the warmer water temperatures this year, look for your bugs in areas with higher water movement, away from the grass flats of last
year. The higher temperatures will bring the little guys into slightly deeper waters than last year and, sadly, into the already struggling patch
reefs of 10 - 30 feet of water. Mostly, however, remember to stay safe and legal. Use flags appropriately, and follow the regulations located at
www.myfwc.org . Be safe out there, and remember, only take what you are sure you will eat!
Captains Jamie and Amy Merkel
Island Time Charters, Key West
Located at the Schooner Wharf, in the Historic Key West Seaport
(855) Day-of-Fun
offers up a full 16 hours of well-lit spearfishing opportunity, as if she herself understands the pull of the hunt and the joy of success.
This glorious time of year also marks a seasonal change in the pelagic opportunities offshore. The exotic Dolphin, elusive Wahoo, and ruffian
Tuna are moving closer in every day, in search of bait, safety, and shade. It seems that with the precision of Big Ben, the Dolphin, Tuna, and
Wahoo move in 100 feet every week, giving both S.C.U.B.A. diver and freediver the shot at grandeur. This is the perfect time to use nature’s
donation for the cause. Seek out feeding Frigate birds, weed lines, and the sharp color changes. Make sure to approach with caution and
wisdom, always keeping the sun to your bow and prop at idle. Once, you’re in, the truest test of a successful spearo begins…patience.
Fighting every ounce of natural instinct you have, don’t shoot the peanuts. Throw your flashers and bring the big boys to you while giving the
little guys a chance to mature for a greater glory. Captain Amy and I were graced with four ripe Wahoo last week using patience and calm as
our primary tools.
With the pelagics moving in to shallower waters, the mid-reef and patch reef spearfishing becomes superb. Muttons, yellow-tail, Hogfish,
Mackerel, and Grouper are abounding. While flashers are less effective for shallow water species and chumming is sometimes frowned upon,
their living conditions become our best tools. Patch reefs running between the reef line and Hawks Channel are holding strong numbers of
Mutton Snapper, between 10 to 80 feet. Black and Gag Grouper seem abundant after our first year of closures, while Strawberry’s are almost
as thick as Yellow-Tail. Look for any ledge, no matter how slight. Just like any guy trying to grapple themselves into their old high school prom
tux, you’ll be amazed to see what larger Grouper can squeeze themselves into. Again, the recipe for success here includes an ample amount
of patience with a sprinkle of luck. With gin-clear waters, fish see you long before you see them so be still, and let them come to you.
Now for the mini-mayhem 2011 report. Yes, it’s that time of year again. Thousands of weekend warriors from all over the country will make the
annual migration south to the Florida Keys for the 2011 mini-lobster season. As far as we can tell, it should be a banner year again as we have
already seen signs of the lobster beginning their walk. So get your sticks, snares, and flags ready for July 27th and 28th, as mini-mayhem
season should open with a bang.
Given the warmer water temperatures this year, look for your bugs in areas with higher water movement, away from the grass flats of last
year. The higher temperatures will bring the little guys into slightly deeper waters than last year and, sadly, into the already struggling patch
reefs of 10 - 30 feet of water. Mostly, however, remember to stay safe and legal. Use flags appropriately, and follow the regulations located at
www.myfwc.org . Be safe out there, and remember, only take what you are sure you will eat!
Captains Jamie and Amy Merkel
Island Time Charters, Key West
Located at the Schooner Wharf, in the Historic Key West Seaport
(855) Day-of-Fun
| From August edition of Coastal Angler Magazine |
| From August edition of Fishmonster Magazine |