Islamorada Sea Horse Sport Fishing Report
Islamorada area has a large variety of fish to choose from now. There are larger Mahi moving south in to the current and will continue to do so through November. Most of these fish are in small packs usually less than a dozen. However, there average weight is around 12 pounds and it is common to catch larger fish in excess of 20 pounds. These Mahi are found around the weed lines and floating debris no more than previous months. Birds are a still a great indicator for finding these fish, it seems lately they have been the best indicator of where the fish are. Trolling around debris and weed lines has been great. Fresh rigged Ballyhoo, and Lures have worked equally well. Junk bait at first works well than follow up with live bait to catch the more fastidious Mahi.
Black fin Tuna are still moving through the area and have continued to congregate around the Hump. There are some 10 pound and larger fish moving through hitting lures and live bait. The early morning hours and evening are still the peak time to catch them.
Kingfish are on the edge off the reef and hanging around some of the wrecks in 220 feet of water. Spoons and other lures are getting the job done. A sure bet is live cigar minnows. Cigar minnows have really put the hurt to the Kingfish lately especially when used with light spinning tackle.
Yellow tail snapper are being caught on the edge of the reef also in about 70 feet of water. Chumming with frozen blocks of chum is essential to catching these fish. Additionally chumming with a mixture of sand, corn, and rolled oats will ensure the fish will be drawn closer to your boat. The closer these fish are to you the better chance you will have to catch them. Light spinning tackle is required to land the yellow tail. Spinning tackle with 12 pound line seems to work the best. Heavier line will work, but you will probably get fewer bites. Lighter line will get you a bunch more bites, however you will experience great difficulty landing the fish as they run towards the reef.
