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Hooking Up Anglers Since 2011.
Well 2016 came and went awfully quick, but we ended it with some great catches at Bud n' Mary's Marina in Islamorada, Florida Keys!!! The sailfish bite was fair the last 10 days of month, with most boats getting 1 - 3 shots per trip. Making the bites count is the biggest factor inbetween having a great day or a slow day fishing. Remember all of our sailfish are catch and release and the best way to remember them is to get a picture of them in the water, it against federal fishery rules to pull them out for a picture.
We had a couple calm days before the cold front came through last week and we saw some beautiful cobia caught. Some boats had 4 - 5 keepers and the Kalex had a big 66 lber one trip. We should see cobia the next few months, but they are a species of fish that take a lot of patience to look for and we won't get them every day, but when you find them be ready for action! Around the wrecks there's been king mackerel, a couple blackfin tuna, some amberjack, and a few mutton snapper. The yellowtail snapper bite on the reef has been good overall, including some nice "flags" in the 2 - 3 lb range. Since today is January 1st our shallow water grouper season is closed for the next 4 months, but we were happy to see a few boats catch some keeper black and red grouper the last couple days of December. There's also been some big bull sharks and sandbar sharks if you want a tug of war.
Way offshore I personally did a couple deep drop trips and managed a few queen snapper most trips as well as a couple barrelfish. I also took advantage of the two nice weather days to go swordfishing and the first day we had an epic trip going 6 for 7 on broadbill swordfish including a 292 lber! The next day we went 2 for 3 and got a 280 lber! It was an exciting last couple swordfish trips to end the year. Winter time is my least favorite time for swordfish, but as you can see you never know when you're going to have an epic trip!!! The Cloud Nine also made it out one day and reported a couple bites but unfortunately didn't land them. If swordfishing is on the bucket list, Islamorada is one of the best places in the World to fish for them when the weather is right.
Tight Lines and Happy New Year!!! Bring on 2017!! Give the marina office a call at 305 664 2461 to book your next fishing charter in the Florida Keys!!!
Capt. Nick Stanczyk
This Fishing Report was submitted on 1/2/2017 6:01:25 AM by Seamus and last updated on 1/2/2017 6:01:25 AM.
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