Post 'yer Key's fishing advice, tips & tackle here
 

I have limited experience trolling except for kings. What kind of setup would I use to target blackfins or Dolphin? I plan to fish the Islamorada hump and assume those gps #'s are redily available. Please be specific.

Please also help with suggestions for big snapper.

Re: Post 'yer Key's fishing advice, tips & tackle here
 

Here is my 2Cents worth for what has worked for me over the years. I have had great success trolling for Dolphin, using both artificial and real / dead Ballyhoo with both blue and white feathers/ teasers, and pink/blue teasers on the snout. I run two to 3 lines out 2 on outriggers 1 or two flat behind the boat and try to keep it way back beyond the wake,( you can use birds if you do not have outriggers) Or just troll with 2 or 3 rods, Speeds between 3-7mph and troll around or beside weedlines or debris. I have as much success with hookups when coming to a stop as I have had trolling. One bit of advice is if you hook one fish, have pitch baits or a bally hoo rigged on a spinning rod and leave the hooked fish in the water at the boat, it will draw many other dolhpins to it as they try to join in the feeding frenzy.
For tuna you do not need to worry about debris or weedlines, you want either early morning or evening or overcast day with not much sun shining, tuna have very light sensitive eyes. I troll 3 to 4 rigs again and leave them much further behind the boat, almost out of sight, I have great luck on black and red feathers w/ no ballyhoo, We also use rattle trap lures, 2-3" long we replace the cheap hooks w / better trebles and troll these very slow, they resemble butterfish that tuna LOVE and the rattling noise brings them in. For these we use Fluro leader 20-25lbs and light drag, If you are trolling dead hoo, and you see real dolphins aka Flipper, leave the area if they are hitting your baits and stealing hoo. Or run different rigs. You cannot fight a Flipper they will wreck your tackle :D There are several "Humps" Out there be careful with the weather and keep an eye on the water, the updrafts or rising current from the humps can do interesting things out there and a small boat can find itself in 4-6ft very steep, very close together waves very quickly.
Heres some of the "Humps" #'s I have and these are common knowledge. 24. 48.175 x 80.26.674 Also one word of advice to anyone , if you see the big charter boats heading back in all at once, Do the same, I have learned the hard way they know long before we do if something very nasty is brewing. If you catch anything using this advice, I want a fillet. ;) Big snapper , muttons, and YT's during the day is another subject entirely, and easier to show then explain, We fish near the reefs edge in one or two particualr spots with TONS of Chum, we go through 4-7 blocks of Chum a day and lots of baitballs of oats, mixed with Chum, with little hooks #2 or #3 in the middle rigged with a tiny piece of ballyhoo, on about 6ft of 10-15lb fluro and no sinker, it is an art form to be really good at it. I am sure everyone has their own style,. Thbe Chum slick brings them up ,and the reef fish pick away at the Oat/Chumball on its descent down, until hopefully a large Snapper grabs on.

Re: Post 'yer Key's fishing advice, tips & tackle here
 

Good advice above - I will just add a couple things - get a set of large snap swivels for each rod - makes switching baits much quicker as they are already rigged, just snap a new one on.
I have numbers for the humps - there is also the Key Largo Hump as well

Colors for Tuna are dark as mentioned but Dolphin I will always have yellow - yellow and green was always the most consistent producer. Everybody seems to like blue and white which I did as a fisherman but the fish didn't seem to agree and would go for the yellow and green :D
I will have a yellow skirt on one and a yellow and green trolling feather either with a hoo or strip.

As far a mutton snapper there are some threads on FS in the keys reports that are pretty good but do a search for one on SE it was really good on how too. I am going to try but never have caught any so not much real help.

I will show you how to rig a strip bait and rig hoo's if you want

Re: Post 'yer Key's fishing advice, tips & tackle here
 

Since I suck at snapper fishing I thought I learned some good stuff from here Brian - do you want the #'s to the humps early?

http://outdoorsbest.zeroforum.com/thread?id=836685

Re: Post 'yer Key's fishing advice, tips & tackle here
 

Brian just ran across this site - these charts look like what you'd need, lists fishing spots as well, chart #38. They are at 3 places in KL so shouldn't be hard to find

http://www.homeportcharts.com/dealers.html#florida

Re: Post 'yer Key's fishing advice, tips & tackle here
 

The home port charts are the best for fishing locations. I just bought another one #35 this week I had their older #35 map and decided to up grade to the newer one cost me $23.00. Has given me a few dozen new GPS # I haven’t fished yet. This map will give you at least 5 to 10 years worth of fishing experience finding locations overnight.



FellowShip

………………………

Just for the Grins :D

Official Antique Classic SeaCraft Owner

Re: Post 'yer Key's fishing advice, tips & tackle here
 

I just opened an account with a lady who is a fishing nut and lives on Summerland Key. She was out yesterday with her fiance' and boated a 46lb Cobia. :) She is going to help me with advice when I speak with her next week.

I bought some new trolling rigs as West Marine some purple/black some green/yellow. I am going to net some mullet, silver mullet and pins and freeze them for strip bait or just dead bait.

Thanks for the links I checked them all out. Getting excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Post 'yer Key's fishing advice, tips & tackle here
 

I called like 6 tackle shops in Key Largo and Islamorada. No one carried the charts. I went to www.bluemarlinchronicles.com and ordered chart #38 for about 28 bucks shipped to the door. Looks like it will be the ticket. I'll enter all the gps #'s ahead of time.

My client mentioned the "wilkes-barre" for fishing. Could be lucky, I graduated from Wilkes University!

One more thing, If the gulfstream moves in you will need 20 oz of weight to stay on the bottom! Lead is VERY
EXPENSIVE in the Keys. Buy it at home.

Re: Post 'yer Key's fishing advice, tips & tackle here
 

How do you like these charts versus the "Top Spots"? I've used the Top Spots charts in the upper keys with varying degrees of success.

Re: Post 'yer Key's fishing advice, tips & tackle here
 

These look much better, at least what I could see on line - can't wait to see it - scuttle butt is go a little further north above Elbow towards Carysfort - less traffic

The Yellow Bait House is supposed to be the tackle shop to use MM102, just an FYI

as far as lead - I priced them an 8 oz are like 2.50 a piece at WM - I'll go troll before I use much more than that

Re: Post 'yer Key's fishing advice, tips & tackle here
 

Here is something else that was just posted on FS Brian

http://outdoorsbest.zeroforum.com/zerothread?id=847101

Re: Post 'yer Key's fishing advice, tips & tackle here
 

well i guess this is the thread for the keys gathering fishing talk. if its not im sorry.
so we have snapper fishing planned already. i guess friday night?? what else are we thinking of doing? i want to know if i should bring my outriggers or not??
im going to look thru all of my fishing stuff tonight as well. mostly we will be bringing spinners and probably 2 conventionals. what about everyone else??

Re: Post 'yer Key's fishing advice, tips & tackle here
 

Seems to me it's all about the wind....no matter how great things are in June the April winds are going to be an issue. I'm hoping we can get a break and see some reductions due to a cold front coming in like ESD said. You know how it is, wind blows like crazy from the south just before the front, blows like crazy from the north for three or four days after the front passes and then normally a couple of days of calm waether!!! Let's all hope those calm couple of days are on the weekend of April 3rd.!!!! If not, they sell beer no matter how hard it blows!

Re: Post 'yer Key's fishing advice, tips & tackle here
 

I would wait until closer on the riggers, hell ya if we can out and wish I had some poles instead just bases - wait maybe I can figure out something :D

I'm bringing snapper stuff 3 10# spinnbers - a 6500 and another a pinch bigger - a bigger 20# spinner I use to troll - a big conventional 3/0 and 4/0 for dropping a bigger bait on the reef - do you think thats enough ???? or should I buy more

Re: Post 'yer Key's fishing advice, tips & tackle here
 

are you looking for an excuse to buy more fishing stuff???? i give you permission to get more!
tonight i just picked up a 8ft 15-30lb star rod and a btr 6500 loaded with 65lb braid for $100!! i couldnt pass it up. im gonna have to hide it too. next week ive got another custom rod being finished.. already have the new reel full of line to go on it..

Re: Post 'yer Key's fishing advice, tips & tackle here
 

the stuff you are bringing you should be fine with.. when i snapper fish i usually have 4 rods... an 8lb spinner, 2 12lb spinners and one of my 20lb spinners for the bottom.... ya never know whats down there..

Re: Post 'yer Key's fishing advice, tips & tackle here
 

I've tried - I just can't think of anything but new line, you do have me thinking about how to do something with my outrigger bases, certainly won't be pretty but on the high seas who would see - I am very resourceful, since Danny has called shotgun I can promise to not make fun of his net throwing. I am working on a sunglasses kit for the dog - it seems to work so good I may take it online for a career if it keeps working :D

Re: Post 'yer Key's fishing advice, tips & tackle here
 

ive been thinking about something with my outrigger bases also. i was thinking since i have 2 of the elbows that go into the bases i could get a pipe inside those and then have a rod holder welded onto that... sorta like a semi outrigger but also an extra rod holder..

Re: Post 'yer Key's fishing advice, tips & tackle
 

FYI,

Cut & paste from FS boards.


I would just like to inform everyone that for the past two days the tuna have been chewing on the west hump wich is also called the marathon hump and if you cant catch one of these your hooks are not in the water. They have been eating everything from feathers, greanmachines, live bait and jigs. The larger of all the fish we got were on live bait and then we got some big ones using the jigs, but the feathers and big lures still only produced the small ones. The biggest ones have been from 20-25 pounds with a bunch in the teens and all you want from 6 on down. Get out there while this action stays hot through March and April. I was a little rough on the 21st but the action was better with larger fish. Sorry fo the lack of photos but a long day and then hours of cleaning the fish for my clients I have just been slammed with charters everyday.
Capt Dave Schugar
Sweet E'Nuf Charters

Re: Post 'yer Key's fishing advice, tips & tackle
 

We are already bringing the fix'ins for Tuna Sushami, just covering our bases - knowing somebody will catch one LOL

Re: Post 'yer Key's fishing advice, tips & tackle
 

this is for everyone thats heading down to the keys on friday what time are you planning on getting there and whats your fishing plan?? i know my dad and i want to get alot of fishing time in since this is our first gathering and also first time in the keys with my boat. i know i wanted to do some night snapper fishing but am open to anything really.

Re: Post 'yer Key's fishing advice, tips & tackle
 

I'll be down Thursday by noon. I plan to drop the boat in at Breezy Palms, rig up tackle and hang out.

I will be looking to fish Thursday and will be looking for ideas/crew. I found a lot of trolling lures for tuna and dolphin. Most of them are not rigged so if anyone has advice on how to rig jet heads, mold crafts etc I would really appreciate. Since the Tuna bite is hot, gotta hit that first thing either Fri am or Sat depending on the wind situation.

Re: Post 'yer Key's fishing advice, tips & tackle
 

Capt. Brian I have never been on a 23 and would be happy to work the cockpit for you. I think we`re bringing too many boats as I am a single as well.I really don`t want to delegate the gaffing duties to Sam Colt. Bushwacker and I may tandem down Thurs and plan to return Mon. I too want to fish hard and have 80 bally rigs made up so far.I also have a nice artificial kit courtesy of Todd`s Lures , which I haven`t even used yet....Sorry Todd, but I am more of a live/ natural bait kinda guy, and still learning the new styles. I even got a butterfly jig recently.. Call me if you want to talk. 561 848 0808. @ Bargain Bob`s. Press 3 to speak w/ a human.
Sandy

Re: Post 'yer Key's fishing advice, tips & tackle
 

Plan is to hook-up with Capt Chuck & Admiral Lil
Thursday AM from Stuart. Heading down the Pike.....
Sandy & Denny lets try to all run together.
I think this will be a convoy. :cool:
386-451-2273
See ya, Ken

Re: Post 'yer Key's fishing advice, tips & tackle
 

Did you ever notice how somewere about 10 miles south of Miami the stress gets sucked from your body and blood pressure drops 30 pts?

Sandy, I'll give you a call and we'll fish.

Re: Post 'yer Key's fishing advice, tips & tackle
 

This may not be very smart......sorta telling my age. However will your handle on the CB radio be "Rubber Duck"??

Re: Post 'yer Key's fishing advice, tips & tackle
 

Weather seems to be setting nice- sail bite off miami is real hot
Saturday And Sunday
Southeast to south winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas beyond the reef 2 to 4 feet. Seas inside the reef around 2 feet. Nearshore waters a light to moderate chop. Isolated showers.

Re: Post 'yer Key's fishing advice, tips & tackle
 

Anyone planning on diving? Were bringing tanks and a speargun just in case its niceenough to dive.

Re: Post 'yer Key's fishing advice, tips & tackle
 

I was planning on doing some snorkeling at least one day. Fishing here at home is pretty good, so I can fish anytime. However the reefs in the Keys are a couple orders of magnitude better than anything around here, so definitely want to check them out!

Re: Post 'yer Key's fishing advice, tips & tackle
 

Denny-That sounds good regarding the snorkeling. I would like to snorkel with the Jenan and the kids one of the days. Definately better areas down there than off Bradenton. .

Re: Post 'yer Key's fishing advice, tips & tackle
 

betta dem da yankee boyz up north

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/m...snorkeling.jpg

Re: Post 'yer Key's fishing advice, tips & tackle
 

Sounds like a plan Danny! I've got 1 small and a couple of medium life jackets that should fit your kids. Also have a snorkel vest if they need it. Denny

Re: Post 'yer Key's fishing advice, tips & tackle
 

Only Pipedreams can confirm who that backside belongs to, but that's gotta be Finster in Spidercrab's picture :o :o :eek: :eek:.........Denny-Very cool. We may borrow the snorkel vest. We should be covered on life jackets. Thanks! That reef is amazing down there!

Re: Post 'yer Key's fishing advice, tips & tackle
 

Maybe it's one of Rob's Brazilian bikini models..........I sure hope not.

Re: Post 'yer Key's fishing advice, tips & tackle
 

Just got off the phone w/ BriGuy and have decided not to bring my boat down. I really don`t want to gaff fish w/ Sam Colt and he has no one in the cockpit as well. We can share expenses and spend more money on kick a.. food. Plus my record on trailering to the events in abysmal at best. Janet will be relieved as well.
Skip and Carla, your generosity is going to produce an event of milenium proportion!

Re: Post 'yer Key's fishing advice, tips & tackle
 

actually with the trailering record = smart move, I will need an angler some too - will be down early Friday ( meaning probably drive down Thurs night) --

don't forget to bleed the tuna and slush ice them, probably didn't need to mention that for Sandy Mr Sushi Guy

Here is the link to Key Largo Fisheries - I just talked with them and they do have water access so we can pick up stuff in the morning as well - they do have the bait and chum prices posted

http://www.keylargofisheries.com/

Re: Post 'yer Key's fishing advice, tips & tackle
 

Ken - tomorrow is my wife's birthday; she's visiting our daughter down in Margate, just west of 441. I'm gonna go down 441, stop by there for lunch and drop off b-day present, hopefully to minimize depth in doghouse! :o My dog Shadow will be co-pilot! Planning to head west and go down US-27 from there . . . much less traffic/more enjoyable drive that way! Hope to leave about 0930-1000 and get to Carla's mid afternoon. Denny