With our winter season finally hitting i didnt have to run the airconditioner, i figured it was time to hit the patch reefs and see if the main reef species had moved in closer. This is great for families with small children who want to just bend the rod and not have to travel very far. I usually start frequenting these areas just after the time change and will fish them hard until the tarpon return to the harbor in the spring. Mangrove snapper, mutton, yellowtail, grouper, mackerel, shark and barracuda. I went back to new york for one more summer and then moved to the florida keys permanently in 1995. Customers will enjoy our how to fish the florida keys fishing spots tutorials upon request. Today we are in key largo, florida out on the patch reefs. No matter where you go on your islamorada fishing vacation, youll encounter barracuda. The upper keys gps numbers monroe county florida go fishing. Fishing the many different patch reefs that average 20 feet or so in depth is fantastic. Fishing the patch reefs and inshore rock piles in the lower florida keys can be a lot of fun in the winter and can yield some tasty fish. Florida keys patch reef fishing is a local term for fishing shallow water reefs, rock piles, coral heads and small ship wrecks inside the florida keys reef in 1040ft of water.
Captain easy private fishing charters, islamorada picture. The patch reefs deliver for first time anglers in the florida keys. This is a part of the florida keys nature preserve. Florida keys winter time patch reef fishing red grouper. Florida keys islamorada mutton snapper reef fishing catch clean cook. Landward out to 3 miles along this arch lies some of the most productive reef fishing in the united states. Patch reef fishing 2 miles offshore from marathon key, fl.
Florida keys patch reef fishing guide for tourists. I fish bayside in winter by key largo but other keys as well, and wanting to try patch reef fishing in january with 19 boat on the rare calm days. A great trip for the beginner to the expert angler. Many types of reef or wreck fishing around islamorada can produce trophy mutton snapper and we catch them patch reef fishing in the shallow waters, bottom fishing on the reef while yellow tail snapper fishing or dropping on wrecks in deeper water with live or dead baits. Its common for our anglers to catch 812 different species of fish while fishing on a reef in the florida keys. Snorkel fishing charters bamboo charters docks their boats in islamorada, this location puts you in prime territory for both great fishing and snorkeling. How to fish the patch reefs in the winter bullbuster. We have some sample islamorada fishing packages set up for you.
A big ole jack crevalle we hooked up on as we trolled by a wreck off alligator reef just southeast of islamorada. Some of the best fishing to be had in the florida keys lies miles from shore, its what we call reef fishing. Its here that youll test your skill and mettle against the mighty warriors of the deep. Florida keys reef wreck fishing mutton snapper caught while reef fishing key west with dream catcher charters. You will most likely hook into some mutton snapper or even a grouper. Reef fishing on your florida keys vacation is a great way for any angler to be exposed to multiple species and lots of action. Key west fishing link 801 eaton st, key west, fl 33040 305 8536036. Well if you have made the leap to renting a boat for your vacation in the florida keys, or even if you are just renting it for a day and you want to catch a bunch of fish, the first stop should be the patch reefs. Reef and bottom fishing florida keys fishing charters.
Best islamorada fishing spots and saltwater fishing tips islamorada fishing is the reason people from all over the world flock to this region of the florida keys. When islamorada fishing, reef and wreck fishing and deep sea fishing in the atlantic rate high with serious sport fishermen. Fish outside the reef with offshore fishing spots for trolling and offshore bottom fishing spots. Our files contain artificial and natural reefs, buoys, ledges, rocks, shipwrecks, and many other types of structures that hold fish, in a 100 miles radius of islamorada. Patch reef at northern edge fknms ok to fish 3 buoys. Youll have numerous options for fishing available, depending on how far out you want to go. Reef fishing bamboo charters florida keys fishing tours. Some of us believe mahi are available all year and increase in numbers as we get closer to early summer. I love fishing the patch reefs here in the florida keys, they always seem to hold some great action and can produce some great fish.
How to fish patch reefs in the florida keys red rum. Coffins patch key colony beach 2020 all you need to. Islamorada sea horse sport fishing report since the 1st day of march many anglers in the islamorada area seem to believe dolphinmahi is not in season. Here we can fish on the deeper grass flats, mangrove islands, and channels. After coming down and fishing one winter season i was hooked. How to catch monster snapper on florida keys patch reefs. Adventures bamboo charters florida keys fishing tours and. There are not many spots on this planet that can offer the diverse fishing available in islamorada. Free gps coordinates for reefs and shipwrecks in upper monroe county, the florida keys islamorada, tavernier, key largo.
Islamorada fishing charters florida keys backcountry. Patch reef fishing angling adventures florida keys. Offshore, backcountry, sunset cruises and reef fishing can all be part of your florida keys fishing package. We will be targeting yellowtail snapper, hogfish, porgies, and groupers. For lots of action and the largest variety of fish, we can fish the outer reef, patch reefs and shipwrecks on the atlantic ocean side. Fishing in the florida keys varies from a simple day of snapper fishing in a quiet florida bay channel with your wife and kids to a oneonone brawl with a 150 lb. The tackle i prefer to use while fishing in the shallow waters of the patch reef is light spinning tackle in the 10 to 20 pound class. This is a great way for the whole family to enjoy a great day on the atlantic waters just off of marathon key, florida. Capt blair wiggins travels to key largo florida to go fishing the patch reefs for snapper with capt tadd vandemark. The florida keys reef system provides abundant fishing year round. Patch reef fishing angling adventures florida keys fishing. So strap yourself in, and prepare for one heck of a thrilling ride sport fishing florida keys. Reef fishing in the keys presents all sorts of opportunities. Florida and the 120 mile stretch of the florida keys has the only living barrier coral reef in the continental united states.
Tavernier reef and wreck fishing key largo fishingcharters. This area also includes the phenomenal fishing of alligator reef off islamorada. Florida keys artificial reefs islamorada sport fishing. Coffins patch key colony beach 2020 all you need to know. I cater to all levels of fishing experience and work very hard at making sure your florida keys fishing charter is action packed and i especially enjoy working with beginning anglers and families from all over the world. Adventures bamboo charters florida keys fishing tours. The patch reefs offer awesome light tackle fishing in the winter months. Patch reef fishing florida keys for snapper off of key largo florida. If you want to pursue snook, redfish, or big sharks, weve got miles and miles of scenic florida bay to access on a backcountry fishing trip. We like to call this offshore light with super fun fishing all on light tackle.
These are one of the best fighting saltwater fish youll encounter, and they go absolutely insane when hooked. Offshore, patch reef, gulf and bay, back county, everglades, the flamingo, and bridges are all active destinations for the largest fishing fleet. Islamorada fishing charters florida keys backcountry guides. Dec 19, 2018 in this podcast i talk about how to fish the patch reefs in the florida keys. Florida keys patch reef fishing guide for tourists well if you have made the leap to renting a boat for your vacation in the florida keys, or even if you are just renting it for a day and you want to catch a bunch of fish, the first stop should be the patch reefs. Taking a subscriber patch reef fishing key largo catch n cook. Fishing islamorada islamorada florida keys reef fishing bay. That slim stretch of land halfway down the keys is a stroke of.
Patch reef fishing easy adventures boat tours islamorada. You can explore this vast offshore fishery two ways with florida keys fun fishing. Here you can fish the different artificial and natural reefs such as conch reef and pickles reef for hogfish, mangrove snapper, barracuda, grouper, blackfin and yellowtail tuna. Charter rates easy adventures boat tours islamorada florida. Islamorada fishing report catch dolphin, wahoo, tunas. Florida keys winter time patch reef fishing red grouper galore. I included detailed patch reef fishing tackle and fishing tips. This vibrant coral reef system is considered the backbone of all life in the florida keys. Patch reefs are isolated coral heads inside the reef, which are very abundant in numbers and hold fish very well.
Coffins patch is a great reef close to the marinas and no. Offshore, patch reef, gulf and bay, back county, everglades, the flamingo, and bridges are all active destinations for the largest fishing fleet in the world. The reef off of the florida keys and key west is the only living coral reef in the northern hemisphere. In minutes youll be on top of mutton snapper, yellowtail. Tavernier reef and wreck fishing key largo fishing. In this podcast i talk about how to fish the patch reefs in the florida keys. Coffins patch is a great reef close to the marinas and no more then 30 feet deep, you can see small nurse sharks, barracuda, rays even eels. Sharks are also a nocturnal feeding reef fish here in islamorada, so you are almost certain to encounter sharks on your night reef fishing trip here in the florida keys. This fee includes the boat, fuel, ice and bottled water, use of snorkel gear, and lobster catching gear, fishing gear, bait and tackle. We fish the reef year round in the florida keys, but the offshore charter boats primarily.
It is a short ride to the amazing coral reefs of the florida keys. Its west coast fishing florida again bringing another video. Theyre in the backcountry, the flats, close in on the patch reefs, and far out at sea. Patch reef fishing trips are a playground for big and little kids. We are limited to 4 people and do not carry a fishing mate. Reef fishing in islamorada is a great way to spend a day on the water. These trips are filled with lots of action and usually takes place in 1030 feet of crystal clear water. Mutton snapper off patch reef picture of captain easy.
It is a beautiful section of reef to which dive trips and snorkeling trips go. Good karma offers private fishing charter trips no open boat or split charters. Patch reef fishing can be good year round in islamorada. Fish patch reefs in cold weather florida keys weekly. Marathon florida keys fishing report captain chris johnson, seasquared charters december 28, 2010 our good client, jerry moore, escapes western pennyslvania every christmas to spend some. Florida keys fishing islamorada florida bay and reef.
The florida keys fishing spots target patch reef fishing spots for inshore reef fishing. Reef fishing in islamorada, florida keys wreck fishingbud n. The florida keys is comprised of a 120 mile long arch of islands. If you have the need to accommodate a larger group please call, as we may be able to refer you to some of our associates in the area. Patch reef fishing brings in all kinds of tasty and fun to catch fish including. Sep 24, 2015 islamoradas fishing is a tale of two towns.
Unfortunately theres no catch and cook from this fishing trip but we got some major rod bending in and had a great time on the water as always. Apr 11, 2020 a big ole jack crevalle we hooked up on as we trolled by a wreck off alligator reef just southeast of islamorada. Florida keys reef and bottom fishing opportunities. Reef and wreck fishing florida keys fishing islamorada. You can go saltwater fishing on different coral reefs, wrecks, even different types of water. It spans over 330 miles and is home to over 6,000 species of marine life, among which a plethora of fish species live. Nov 28, 2014 patch reefs are isolated coral heads inside the reef, which are very abundant in numbers and hold fish very well.
We are targeting triggerfish and yellowtail snapper but we only seem to. Fishing for mutton snapper in the florida keys can be great year round. The same patch reefs and huge coral reef tracts that make great fishing are also the same reef systems that people come from around the world to see. Most of the patch reefs are 5 to 15 feet deep and 100 feet or less in size, and most are accessable with a small boat. Florida keys patch reef fishing key largo florida youtube.
Here we have many shallow patch reefs, deeper bank reefs, and tons of natural and man made wrecks scattered in between. Although i like the lighter tackle, the variety of species and sizes fishing the patch reefs makes me lean to the heavier side. Key largo reef fishing florida keys sport fishing charters. Patch reefs are small coral reef formations inside of the main barrier reef. Weather permitting, we can take you out to the oceanside patch reef on of our 24. This round, upcropping is full of nooks, crannies, and holes and is a perfect home for grouper and other bottom species.
Today we get into some patch reef fishing off key largo. Grunts, silver porgies, hogfish, groupers, mangrove and mutton snappers are just a few of the many species of fish to be found on patch reefs. You can often fish within a few miles from the marina and have great action. Patch reef fishing offers an alternative on rough and windy days. In shallower waters, the patch reefs offer a lot of action. Mutton snapper off patch reef check out tripadvisor members 21,404 candid photos and videos of captain easy private fishing charters. Florida keys reef and wreck fishing will present you with the ultimate of sportfishing challenges. Its home to over 500 different species of fish and 1,400 species of marine life. Florida keys fishing spots with over 500 fishing spots with gps coordinates for inshore patch reef fishing and offshore fishing spots in the florida keys from key largo, islamorada, marathon, big pine key, key west and all keys locations for reef fishing, bottom fishing and trolling. On an islamorada fishing charter, you might be able to catch three or four species of snapper yellow tail, mangrove, or mutton, two or three species of grouper gag, black, or red, spanish mackerel, cero mackerel. A good option for days when we cannot travel outside the reef due to unfavorable sea conditions is to fish inside the florida keys great barrier reef on the patches aka the patch reefs.
The depth field is the depth of water in feet to the bottom in reef area, while relief is the height that the wreck rises above the bottom. Family fishing islamorada charter boat fishing in florida keys with family reef. A patch reef in 40 feet of water may be thirty feet in diameter and the water depth on top of the patch may be only 10 to 15 feet deep. Fishing patch reefs are a good way to start out fishing in the keys,and learn the techniques of florida keys fishing. Your premier islamorada reef and wreck fishing charter. Any reef or wreck fishing around islamorada can produce trophy mutton snapper and we catch them patch reef fishing in the shallow waters, bottom fishing on the reef while yellow tail snapper fishing or dropping on wrecks in deeper water with live or dead baits. I started out working on party boats and charter boats in both key largo and islamorada and eventually found my way onto a charter boat in islamorada called the captain easy. Islamorada offshore fishing trips florida keys fun fishing.
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