? Key West Fishing Charter Report – Sand Key Lighthouse Reef Yesterday was an excellent day reef fishing in Key West, Florida, with steady action and ideal winter conditions just offshore near Sand Key Lighthouse. We ran double half-day fishing charters, and the reef definitely delivered. ? Key West Reef Fishing Action Fishing the reef, we landed: 2 cero mackerel A big mutton snapper A solid red grouper, caught just in time before the season closes We started the trip catching live ballyhoo, then slow-trolled the reef, which is one of the most effective techniques for Key West reef fishing charters this time of year. The live bait made all the difference, and once the bite started, it stayed consistent throughout both half-day trips. ? Weather, Wind & Current Conditions Conditions were nearly perfect for a Key West fishing charter: Winds from the ENE to NE at about 6–10 mph Light to moderate seas with a comfortable reef chop Clean water and a steady southwest-moving current along the reef line near Sand Key That moving current helped stack fish on the structure and kept them actively feeding, which is exactly what you want when targeting mutton snapper, grouper, and cero mackerel in Key West. ? Why This Time of Year Is Great for Fishing in Key West Winter is one of the best seasons for reef fishing charters in Key West, especially around Sand Key and the outer reef. Cooler water temps, live bait availability, and consistent currents create prime conditions for quality reef species — and yesterday was a perfect example. If you’re looking to book a Key West fishing charter, now is a great time to get on the reef and take advantage of these conditions. ?