Fishing Report June 2014
May-Day May-Day!!
The Waters of Key West are on Fire!
June in Key West brings some of our best fishing of the entire year. No matter if you are a shallow water angler pursuing the elusive sport fish of the flats and back country or a deep water aficionado targeting the big game fish offshore…now is the time!
From Bonefish to Tarpon, Grouper to Mahi Mahi…we have them all and the action is fast paced on quality fish. Let’s explore the options for the light tackle angler when stepping aboard with us at Key West Pro Guides.
Flats: Bonefish are plentiful and of good size ranging from 4 pounds to monster double digit fish. The fly fishers are enjoy large schools of aggressively feeding fish of late to the east while our pro flats guides are on the Permit and Tarpon to the west daily. Captain Dave Irwin has boated several large Permit of late along with this seasons largest Tarpon at an estimated 193 pounds pictured on our current Face Book page. Captain Jared has been the fly anglers best friend with several notable catches and Captain Eric has been solid on the Bonefish for some time now. Captain Andrew has been fishing the Atlantic side of the island with good results on the days the recent winds would allow. All in all friends this is as good as it gets on the flats. June into July is your best opportunity to experience our world class flats fishing so book now!
Back Country: Where to begin…the Tarpon action continues as Key West right now is the most prolific Tarpon fishery on the planet! These behemoth “bucket list” sport fish have flooded into our pristine back country waters by the thousands. To date the Key West “Back Country and Flats” guide team have totaled nearly 600 Tarpon jumped since March! In addition to the Tarpon action we are enjoying at least twenty additional species of great fish while working the bays and mangroves of the back country. Captain John Jackson says the Permit action has been stellar and Captain Ryan has been on some outstanding Redfish action. Captain Kelso states predators are abundant from giant Barracuda to several species of sharks including our local resident apex shark the super aggressive Bull. Hammerheads are witnessed on occasion as well. Captain Mitch reports schooling fish such as big Jacks can provide the fastest paced action many anglers will ever experience while tasty Mangrove Snapper are filling their dinner plates nightly. The marine life alone found in the back country this time of year makes this charter worthwhile. Friends…this place looks like Walt Disney went in there and built it for us…just beautiful with crystal clear clam and protected waters you never need worry about waves in the shallows…no such thing.
For the serious Tarpon anglers to novice angler or a family fun trip, I HIGHLY recommend booking a back country charter. Guests for years have said their time spent in the back country with us was the highlight of their entire time in Key West. Come see for yourself what draws people from around the world…let’s go fishing!
Reef: To explain the reef action in June and July we must think in terms of the water column. We have numerous species of fish co-mingling on the natural reef of the Atlantic and several remote and isolated “patch reef’s”. The bottom dwellers such as Snapper and Grouper are steady and running quite large. Captain Chuck and has filled the cleaning tables recently with monster Mutton Snapper and Grouper. Captain Ryan V has been on crazy large Mangrove Snapper for the past few weeks while brother Captain Tyson has been slamming the Flag Yellow Tails every trip off the docks on the surface. The occasional Black Fin or solitary pelagic often cruise the middle of the water column along with Spaniosh and Cero Mackerel forcing species such as Permit and Cobia to the upper column or surface at times. Sight casting to a school of Permit in our crystal clear waters is awesome and seeing a “wolf pack” of marauding Cobia coming at you will burn the impression into your memory banks for life!
Wrecks: Captain Brad has been all over the spawning Permit holding on the far offshore Gulf wrecks. Permit to 40 pounds are routine and the numbers of these elusive sport fish are impressive. Keeping in mind as one of very few Charter fishing operation in Key West processing “Federal Waters” Charter Fishing Permits which are mandatory to legally fish these distant wrecks holding the major populations of Permit we can take you out there without concern. On the Atlantic wreck sites there are few guides that can match Captain Logan of late and his excellent Cobia catches. Cobia upwards of 60 pounds are hitting the docks on a regular basis. Cobia just may be the most over looked wreck fish by many anglers…that is until they catch their first one!
Offshore: Captain Chip Veach continues to produce the most impressive daily catches of any guide on the island. From Dolphin our bread and butter blue water fish in June and July to the Black Fin Tuna, Mackerel and more, our offshore weed lines are jammed with sport fish and pelagic species. Captain Darin boated a solo Wahoo recently of gigantic proportions. Captain Grant took a nice late season Sailfish recently while filling the fish box with table fare for his guests. Captain Ryan M has been the utility guide of late as no matter what targeted species his anglers are looking for he just goes out and finds them. This is exactly what the KWPG team is all about. We cover all the bases.
Now is the time for that well earned R & R trip to Key West. We would appreciate the opportunity to share our world class fishing with you. BUT…friends you do need to book well in advance. Calling 866 259 4205 will put you in touch with our Reservation Specialists and from there…all you will have left to do is roll outta bed and step aboard for the fishing adventure of a life time!
Capt. Roc & Capt. Paul
Key West Pro Guides
866-259-4205