Wind: 11mph SSE
Humidity: 77%
Pressure: 30.13"Hg
UV index: 5
81°F
79°F
79°F
77°F
72/66°F
75/70°F
77/70°F
77/70°F
March Fishing
Spring is on its way and soon northern cold fronts will give way to warm southern winds. Permit fishing is still excellent and targeted in the March Merkin tournament. Offshore, big Mahi-Mahi arrive and Tarpon are heating up in the backcountry.
March kicks off Tarpon season in Key West when migrating fish start to show up in numbers, early morning and sunset are key fishing times to target Tarpon especially in March.
May and June will produce the most amount of Tarpon fishing will remain good through late summer with sunset times producing best results, fall signals the end and fish will once again make the way up the coast.
Winter Offshore Excitement
On the days when the wind lays down a bit, you can expect some thrilling fishing out on the deep sea fishing charters. It may take a bit of hunting, but the big pelagic species are out there along the Gulf Stream. If you would like to focus on the deep waters, watch the weather and hope for a window around the full moon. The week before and after generally turn the bite up a notch, and there is a good mix of fish out there now.
The best bet for some offshore adventure is to run the 19 miles out south of Key West to the spot known as Wood’s Wall. This bottom feature is an east/west-oriented slope that essentially marks the underwater “bank” of the Florida Straits deep water channel. The drop takes the bottom depth from about 300 feet down to well over a thousand in about a half-mile at some points.
There are loads of fish out there – big Mahi-Mahi, Blackfin Tuna, Sailfish, Wahoo, and even the occasional Blue Marlin. When the Gulf Stream (technically the Florida Current at this point) moves inshore and spreads the weed patches along the 3 to 4-hundred foot line that marks the start of the drop-off, you can get some crazy Mahi fishing action. The real thrill comes when a 400-pound Marlin follows your hooked Dolphin up to the boat. Captains often keep a heavy rod ready to throw out a small Dolphin on short notice and before you know it you are on a Marlin fishing trip.
Windy Weather Blows in Great Fishing Action
The nice thing about Key West winter fishing is that the fish tend to bite more aggressively when the water is choppy. Hardy fishermen ready to brave a bit of February rough water find excellent light tackle action fishing with multiple species – Amberjack, Black Grouper, Blackfin Tuna, Cero Mackerel, Mutton Snapper, and Yellowtail – all biting hard. Many of the Shark species are also eating baits well this time of year. Depending on wind and water conditions, anglers can hunt the Backcountry, the patch reefs on the Atlantic side, or the Gulf wrecks no matter how rough it is offshore.
On the Backcountry Flats, the warm southeast wind days between fronts can push water temperatures to about 72 degrees, really good conditions for getting shots at Permit. The Flats also have plenty of Crevalle Jacks and big Barracuda hanging around looking for the ballyhoo that get pushed in by the wind and cold water. Between these voracious predators and Lemon Sharks, it is no problem keeping the rods bent and lines tight.
February is pre-season for Tarpon and they are normally hit and miss in the Backcountry. That said, fishermen who know the spots and time the weather correctly to get out during the humid warm spells are often able to make some hookups to warm up for the traditional Tarpon early season start in March.