Marathon Florida Keys Weekly Fishing Report – tarpon, dolphin, grouper, snapper – May 11, 2011

We’re settling nicely into our summer pattern of single-digit wind speeds and calm seas, which portends well for offshore fishing.

Dolphin

There are plenty of schoolie dolphin for the taking plus some fish pushing the 40-pound mark. There’s also a decent blackfin tuna bite at the humps.

On the wrecks

The amberjack bite on the wrecks remains consistent with lots of 40- to 60-pound fish for the smokers. Good size mutton snapper and grouper are also coming up from the wrecks.

Permit

The artificial reefs in 100 to 120 feet of water are holding permit. One of the most challenging fish to fool, permit are strong, stubborn fighters. These fish are spawning, so please take care to release them unharmed.

On the reef

On the reef, the snapper bite is excellent, with some very large muttons showing in the slicks. There are loads of yellowtails of all sizes on the patches an out to 100 feet of water. As we always tell you: he with the most chum wins.

There is also first-rate grouper action on the reef. It pays to drop a large live bait to the bottom while you’re yellowtailing to snatch up a tasty grouper or two.

Tarpon

The tarpon run at the bridges is outstanding with lots of 60- to 100-pound fish plus the occasional monster over 150 pounds.

Mangrove snapper in the bay

The wrecks and banks in the bay continue to produce a very good mangrove snapper bite. Great for families and novice anglers.

The SeaSquared spent the week fishing for tarpon, dolphin, snapper and grouper.

Don and Mona McKinnon landed four tarpon from 70 to 130 pounds, while David and Rita Wilcher landed two of similar size.

Honeymooners Nick and Tiffany Mills brought dolphin and amberjack back to the dock.

On separate outings, the Curcio group, the Porven family and the Jarvis crew brought in loads of yellowtail, mangrove and mutton snapper, black grouper and cero mackerel.