Fresh Big Pine Key Fishing Reports

Good action all day with rikkard and johan from sweeden. Sailfish, mackerel, snapper, grouper, cudas, and cobia on an 8 hr

The reef bite has been absolutely on fire the past two weeks! Anglers are reeling in a variety of fish, keeping the action nonstop from start to finish. The yellowtail snapper bite has been steady and strong, with rods bending all day long. Closer to shore, inshore fishing is heating back up! We’re seeing solid mangrove snapper showing up in great numbers — and some impressive sizes too. Whether you’re working the reefs or sneaking along the mangroves, there’s plenty of fun (and fillets) to be had right now! And offshore? It’s wahoo time! These speedsters have shown up in great numbers, lighting up the blue water with drag-screaming runs and big smiles all around.

Day 2 of this party’s offshore weekend we boated 32 mahi, a new boat record in short order!

Boated 18 mahi this Saturday, it was great weather and the fish were hungry!

Summer is in full swing here in the Florida Keys, and as expected—things are heating up! The fishing has been solid, and success right now comes down to finding moving water, using fresh bait, and dialing in your tactics. The Mangrove Snapper spawn is in full swing here in mid-July. With the waning crescent moon keeping the nights darker, the morning bite has been best. Fresh bait is key, and staying stealthy makes a difference. If you’re not getting bites within the first hour, don’t waste time—move. Look for structure and flowing current to find active fish. Offshore, the mahi are around in good numbers. Many are on the smaller side, but if you’re willing to put in the miles and cover some ground, you’ll find quality keepers mixed in. In the backcountry, the channels have been productive for snapper, though barracudas and sharks are on the move as well—adding some excitement to the action, especially when the wind picks up. With rising water temperatures, the bite can slow a bit, but the fish are still there—just deeper, where the water is cooler. Don’t forget to check your tides, barometric pressure, wind speed and direction, and the major solunar feeding periods each day to stay on the pulse and increase your odds of getting hooked up. Until next week— Tight lines and following seas! — Capt. Tony

Snapper moving from the back country to the Atlantic on this mid July late afternoon. We were fishing the last two hours of the incoming tide. Long 40’ floro leader to a 7/O corcle hook and ballyhoo was the prise bait of choice. We were sending back chunk baits on the top as well and landed some short Muttons which we send back for another day. The bite is on but moving water is key and stay stelthy. Dinner is served!