I’m heading to Islamorada on May 19, and will be there for a week. We are taking a 25’ Sportsman with us, just seeing what the offshore fishing is like during this part of the month. Is it non-stop action in this area year round, or does it tend to slow down during May?
This will be my first time fishing in the Keys, so any advice will be appreciated.
02’ Seapro 17’CC w/ 90 yamaha 2stroke
There are far more knowledgeable folks here but we’ve been going down for year so here’s what I know.
Go SLOW in shallower waters until you learn the area you are in. Hitting stuff here usually means mud, sand or an oyster rake. Hitting stuff down there usually means coral (bad) or sea grass which is destructive and can get you a ticket.
If you are reef fishing for yellowtail, CHUM, CHUM, and then CHUM some more. Key Largo Fisheries had the best deal I could find on chum (5 - 5lb blocks for around $21) They sell other bait as well and have good local seafood and a great lunch restaurant. Small hooks or tiny jigheads free-lined off the stern into the chum slick tipped with squid/shrimp will catch you YT as well as the occasional trigger, etc. We’ve hooked a mackerel as well as a small dolphin. If you have the rigs, be prepared to throw out a spoon, bucktail jig, etc. as you will see dolphin in water as shallow as 80-100’ at times. Can’t help you with trolling or fishing the humps as I’ve never done either. Let me know if you need any additional local info.
“Apathy is the Glove into Which Evil Slips It’s Hand”, but really, who cares?
Chum is the key to bringing the fish in. The water is clear so use as light as can go on tackle sunce they can see the line and hide hook in the cut bait except for the hook point. Open reel bail and let it drift withe chum.
quote:
Originally posted by DFreedomGo SLOW in shallower waters until you learn the area you are in. Hitting stuff here usually means mud, sand or an oyster rake. Hitting stuff down there usually means coral (bad) or sea grass which is destructive and can get you a ticket.
Yeah, I think that they can fine you PER FOOT of grass you mess up – not per foot of boat, per foot of scar you leave in the grass! [:0]
I’ve only been down to the Keys a few times, and never to Islamorada, but I have heard that the bridges are good for tarpon. I think the sailfish bite might still be pretty good – we went to Key Largo at the end of May last year and saw 2 sails free swimming, but didn’t hook up on them. We did catch a decent amount of dolphin and some cool bottom fish. Any local tackle shop should be able to set you up for yellowtailing, which is a blast (and delicious to boot).
Are you bringing your family? Is this strictly a fishing trip? Yellowtailing should be a lot of fun for the whole family, since the action is usually pretty non-stop.
1994 Hewes Redfisher 18, 2004 Yamaha 150 VMAX
Malibu X-Factor Kayak
Thanks everyone for all the info.
Bryson, I’m going with my GF and her family. They go every year and know the water ways pretty well, but this is the first time he will actually have someone on the boat that knows how to fish besides him. He loves to troll, but he said he never has any luck down there. So I was curious what the dolphin bite was like at the end of May. I think we will do a good mix of trolling and fishing for Yellowtail, which sounds really fun since I don’t do much chum fishing around here in Charleston. Looks like I’m just going to take all my rigs and maybe a dredge to try and get a sailfish bite also.
02’ Seapro 17’CC w/ 90 yamaha 2stroke
Florida Sportsmans website/forum…
http://www.floridasportsman.com/
In the future, where every stranger poses a potential threat, knowing the predator mindset is the only safe haven.
Xpress H20B Bay Series
Yamaha 115 SHO
Lots of small dolphin around with an occasional big one…Also, lots of reefs and whatnot to snorkel as well.
Barracuda are pretty much everywhere and will hit anything that is shiny/bright and moving. Definitely put up a good fight
“When men yield up the privilege of thinking, the last shadow of liberty quits the horizon.” - Thomas Paine
I’m heading down to Key West (stock Island) on the 20th. I will be taking my boat for the first time. This will be the 8th year we have been there. I always do a charter out of A&B marina and they always put us on the fish. I will be heading 20 miles out to troll looking for the birds, weeds, and the occasional abandoned Cuban raft. This will be my first time trolling.
2014 Sea Hunt 225 F250xca
I just stumbled across this list of mooring buoys in the Keys. They will make your life a lot easier than trying to anchor without damaging the reefs. You can download the list in .GPX format and load it on your GPS. Enjoy!
Fishing in the Keys will show you just how good fishing in Charleston is!!!
I once asked Capt. Bouncer Smith of Miami which was the best time to fish in South Florida and he said any time except late July and August,but May is the best all around time.All the offshore species are biting and the tarpon run is in full swing.
There’s only one reason to go to the keys in May and that’s the tarpon fishing
Channel 2 and 5 bridges for tarpon. Also stay away from Marada Bay restaurant. Gone way down hill since it got on TV.
So we got back from the Islemorada Saturday evening, and the dolphin bite was tough down that way. The two times we went deep, we caught a handfull of tuna and only one dolphin. Def different fishing down there than it is here in Charleston. Pretty much chasing birds all day.
Fish the reefs alot, and really enjoyed fishing for Yellowtail and def have a better understanding what to do for next year.
A buddy of mine here sold his charter boat to a capt. down in Isle, so I looked him up and he was docked at Whale harbour and got some good advice from him as well. Can’t wait to get back.
Redstripe, I really enjoyed Marada Bay the food was fantastic and the view was amazing.
02’ Seapro 17’CC w/ 90 yamaha 2stroke
Does anyone know the name of the guide in the Keys that is originally from the Charleston area and where he guides?
@HINDRI, There is a Charter Captain by the name of Ross Early from the Lowcountry and he runs a boat out of Whale harbor. Name of his boat is Early Bird.
02’ Seapro 17’CC w/ 90 yamaha 2stroke
quote:
Originally posted by HINDRIDoes anyone know the name of the guide in the Keys that is originally from the Charleston area and where he guides?
Check out www.captchris.com
Thank you