Islamorada Fishing Reports by Captain Greg Eklund

June 1st, 2010

Swordfishing is in full swing here in Islamorada right now.  Several fish to 250 lbs have been biting during the last ten days for the fleet.  Our swordfish fishery is unique in the fact that these highly prized billfish can be targeted and caught during the daytime off of Islamorada.  We have had great success catching these hard fighting fish with a variety of baits and techniques.  The most productive waters for us have been off the edge of the shelf in 1500 to 1850 feet of water.  If you have always wanted to tackle a huge billfish June, July, and August are the prime months of the year here to get the job done.    In addition to the great swordfish action we are catching big numbers of Blackfin Tuna and Dolphin too.  Live baiting the Tunas is the best way to guarantee yourself some quality action.  The Big Blackfins have been running 25 to 40 pounds and will continue to be available to our visiting anglers for the next two months.  Chumming over the area humps with live pilchards has been working best for us.  This method encourages the Tunas to the surface where the bust on the freeebie baits and eat our hook baits readily.  It is not uncommon for us to catch 6 to 10 of these great eating fish per day.  The dolphin fishing is in full swing right now.  This year has produced some great fish up to sixty five pounds for us so far and the season is really just beginning.  I expect the quality dolphin fishing to do nothing but better over the next 6o to 90 days.    There is also some great snapper and tarpon fishing available in the evenings right now.  As you can see this is the time of the year to fish the blue water off of Islamorada.  For more information on booking your fishing trip of a lifetime aboard the CLOUD NINE out of Islamorada in the Florida Keys please call (305) 360-7476 or email me at info@islamoradafishingtrips.com.  I look forward to providing you with some epic fishing!  Capt. Greg

Finally we have emerged from the grip of Old Man winter and the unusually long cold snap here in Islamorada.  All of the cold weather has created some unique fishing conditions around town.  First and foremost in the minds of all of us who fish offshore this time of year is the Sailfish bite.  Last week the Islamorada Invitational Sailfiy tournament experienced just how great the Sailfish bite can be off Islamorada.  Of the Twenty teams that pursued the Sailfish armed with only flies and fly rods thirteen teams caught at least one Sailfish on fly.  When the dust settled two local brothers, Tim and Robert Klein, came out on top with four releases to take the top honors aboard the Gotcha.  This was a record year for releases in the tournament and it was great to see so many teams have success.  Next over the weekend the Key Largo Sailfish tournament anglers enjoyed a continuation of great Sailfishing.  On Saturday Capt. Brian Cone and his crew aboard the Contagious released 17 Sailfish to take a commanding lead on their way to the win by the end of fishing on day two.  Congratulations to all of the winners during the past week on a job well done.  As we start to wax a new moon this week and the weather stabilizes we should continue to see this great Sailfishing offshore of Islamorada.

Several other species have been chewing the paint off the boats offshore this past week in addition to the Sailfish.  Not wanting to be left out the Cobia continued to be cooperate for many of the local boats.  Some nice Cobias in the fifty pound range showed up on the docks almost everyday last week.  This is due in part to the cold weather we have experienced the first half of January and the large drop in water temperatures on the Gulf side of the Keys.  The Cobias migrated in mass to the ocean side of the Keys in search of food and warmer water temperatures.  Look for this great opportunity to continue this week as there are still good numbers of these fish around right now.  The King Mackerel bite has been off the chain.  While these fish are not exceptionally large right now they are huge in number and the action has been full tilt everyday now for a week.  The Mutton Snapper and Yellowtail bite has been excellent along the patch reefs areas and edge of the reef.  The cold water temperatures inshore have helped to aggregate these fish and they are really biting well.  Include some great cero mackerel action and the arrival of several  catch and release groupers and you have an offshore fishing menu that is impossible to resist.  If I can help you put together a trip to get out on the water and into the idle of all of this great fishing action please give me a call at (305) 360-7476 or email at info@islamoradafishingtrips.com.  Have a great week and get out and fish during your visit to the fabulous Florida Keys.  Capt. Greg

December 23rd, 2009

Merry Christmas from Islamorada in the Florida Keys!  The Sailfish bite this week has been excellent.  We released 4 out of 5 we hooked on Monday and we have released multiple Sails on all of our trips during the past five days.  This is great news for all of the anglers that are due to visit next week after Christmas.  We have had the bulk of our bites using fishing kites to present baits such as Sardines, Cigar minnows, and goggle eyes.  We have also caught a few fish on Ballyhoo as they have spent some of their time prowling the shallows and showering the large schools of ballyhoo along the edge of the reef.  This is prime season around here for the Sailfish and I expect all of this great billfish action to continue for the next month or so. In addition to the Sails there has also been lots of Blackfin Tuna and King Mackerel.  The big reason for the diversity in our fishery right now is the amazing amount of baitfish that have settled into the edge of the reef line off ISlamorada.  This is getting and keeping the attention of the migratory fish as the pass by our fishing village and providing them with a perfect, easy food source.  There has also been a few Wahoos, some Cobias, and even some Mahi Mahi on mixed into our recent catches. 

Further inshore the Snapper and Grouper fishing has been good.  Many spots along the top edge of the reef are hlding good winter time schools of Yellowtail Snapper and a few Black Groupers.  The patch reef areas inside the edge of the reef have also been producing some more of these great eating fish.  Whether you are here in search of the great Sailfish bite, looking to enjoy a great day on the water with you family, or just a die hard fisherman looking for a holiday treat, a day aboard the Cloud Nine on the waters off of Islamorada is exactly want you need.  I would love to help you make arrangements to get out on the water during you visit or answer any questions you might have about fishing here in the Florida Keys.  Please feel free to contact me by email at info@islamoradafishingtrips.com, or by phone at (305) 360-7476.  There is also alot more information about fishing with us in our website www.islamoradafishingtrips.com.   I hope that everyone has a very Merry Christmas and a great start to the New Year.  Great fishing!! Capt. Greg Eklund

November 29th, 2009

Finally it’s the first week of December and the official start to the 2009-2010 Islamorada Sailfish Tournament season.    This year’s opening event is the Islamorada Sailfish Tournament which kicks off at Whale Harbor on Thursday night at 6:00.  The event should draw more than thirty teams for the three day, all release, Sailfish tournament.  This event also begins the Sailfish Gold Cup series which includes the Cheeca Lodge and Islamorada Fishing Club Tourneys in January.   This year’s Sailfish season is off to a great start along the edge of the reef.  The cold fronts have been slowing progressing the migration of Ballyhoo baitfish from the backcountry and Gulf of Mexico to the Oceanside of the Keys.  These Ballyhoo are a big part of the Sailfish fishery here in the Keys and they are in place and accumulating along the reef from North Key Largo southward toward Islamorada.  The migrating Sailfish have been using this as their primary source of food lately.  This has created some great sight fishing opportunities as they chase these baits around between 25 and 100 feet of water.  The cold fronts have also been cycling new packs of Sailfish into our area to replace the stocks that we have been chasing around for the last few weeks.  A few boats have posted ten fish days in the last few weeks but the top crews have been catching three to six fish a day.  With our next major front due in here on Thursday a resetting of the game board is in order for the beginning of fishing on Friday.  I am excited about this year’s Sailfish season based on what I’ve seen the past few weeks on the water and this weekend should be a great event for all!

In addition to the Sailfish we have been catching a variety of other fish along the edge of the reef.  The King Mackerel fishing has been on when we have had current along the edge of the reef out to 200 feet.  A few nice Wahoos have also been mixed in with these Kings on the deeper ledges.  With the full Moon coming up soon we should see an influx in the number of Wahoo around.  Historically the deeper ledges off of Molasses and Conch are better this time of year and can produce fish over 50 pounds on occasion.  The Yellowtail and Mutton Snapper fishing has been great when the wind clocks around.  The patches have been holding a variety of grouper species and some late moving schools of Mangrove Snapper.  The good news for you Cobia fans out there it that our good friend Bo has arrived in Town to fish the winter season.  Historically he arrives this time of year and works the winter season offshore aboard the KALEX.  As if he is the gate keeper it never fails that the Cobia show up like clockwork the week after he gets here.  So welcome back Bo and be on the lookout for these great fighting fish in the shallows during the next few weeks.  This is a great time of year to fish Offshore here in Islamorada and those of us who Charter fish here in Islamorada look forward to showing you an enjoyable time fishing offshore during your visit.  Please give me a call at (305)360-7476 or send an email to info@islamoradafishingtrips.com if I can help you make fishing arrangements during your stay here in the Sport Fishing Capitol of the World.  Have a great week!  Capt. Greg Eklund For more info visit www.islamoradafishingtrips.com.

November 22nd, 2009

Sailfishing off of Islamoraad has been excellent for us lately.  We have been seeing 10 to 30 fish a day and catching our fair share.  They have been feeding heavily on live ballyhoo along the edge of the reef.  This makes for some exciting fishing as the Sailfish “shower” or chase hundreds of Ballyhoo at a time and give you an opportunity to get them a bait of your own.  We have also been using the kites to present baits to traveling pods of fish during the last week.  This can be a very effective way of fishing live bait for the Sails and creates some great in your face bites.  In addition to the Sailfish we have been catching some monster Yeloowtail Snappers on live bait as well as a few MAngrove and Mutton Snappers.  There has been some decent King Mackerel action but the Cero mackerel action has been even better,  I still have a few opening for the Thanksgiving holiday week and the fisrt couple weeks of December.  You can CLick here to make a reserveration or call me at (305) 360-7476 to schedule some fishing time with us aboard the CLoud Nine.  I look forward to getting you and your group out on the water.  Happy Thanksgiving, Capt. Greg For more info visit www.islamoradafishingtrips.com

October 19th, 2009
September has come and gone.  We spent the month catching Swordfish, Tuna , and Dolphin and then hauled the Cloud Nine out of the water for some annual maintance and a new paint job!!!  October has brought with it the start to our fishing season here in Islamorada and some great Fall weather.  We experienced our first strong cold front last weekend and the Sailfish responded with a flurry of action.  We are fishing along the edge of the reef right now and the conditions couldn’t be better.  In addition to the Sailfish we are targeting Wahoo, King Mackerel, Grouper, Snapper and even a few Cobias this time of year. The patch reef and shallow reef line are holding great quantities of Ballyhoo, Cigar Minnows, and Pilchards. These baitfish are the nucleus of our fishing here in Islamorada this time of year. Every game fish we chase along the edge of the reef is using these baits as their primary food source. Because of the prolific amount of bait that is holding along the reef line right now we are currently stopping and supporting a large biomass of migrating fish here in Islamorada. The Sailfish are a primary target for us this time of year as they pillage the bait schools like a greyhound bus crowd attacks a McDonalds. We employ several methods to catch the Sailfish such as Kite fishing several flavors of live baits to casting baits at the Sails as the shower schools of Ballyhoo. The Sailfish migration here in the Keys is truly one of the best experiences fisherperson can experience as an angler. Now is the time of year to get in on some of this prime Sailfish action aboard the Cloud Nine off of Islamorada.
I mentioned above Wahoos and King Mackerel this month here in Islamorada. These fish tend to hold on the deeper ledges of the reef between 135 and 180 feet of water. Large live baits such as Speedos, Tinker Mackerel, Goggle Eyes, and Blue Runners are key to catching these speedy, sharp tooth predators. The Kings and Wahoos can reach more than 50 pounds and put up a great fight on light tackle. Along the bottom on these same ledges we are catching Mutton Snappers and Groupers. Pinfish and Cigar minnows are a favorite bait of mine for these prized bottom fish. Along the top edge of the reef the Yellowtail and Mangrove snappers are still biting. They have redistributed from their large summer spawning schools to a more highly distributed area between 35 and 80 feet. The Snappers are one of the most abundant and best eating fish we have here in the Keys. They provide some great action and are a common source of dinner for a lot of our guest anglers. Add to all of the above some early Cobias action and you have a fishery that is ripe for some great fishing. November and early December is a great time of year to be here in the Keys fishing with live bait along the reef line. If I can help you plan a day’s charter, answer your questions, or help you put together a visit to Islamorada please feel free to get in touch with me or Click Here to inquire about making a reservation to fish with us! OR For more info visit www.islamoradafishingtrips.com

August 9th, 2009

Fishing Islamoradathese days has been really exciting.  The Dolphin bite has continued to please visiting anglers with some really great days of bigger fish.  We have been catching five to ten Slammer size (20lb plus)Dolphin a day lately.  There has also been some great schools of gaffer size Dolphin in the 8 to 15 pound range.  We just waxed a full moon a few days ago and I expect this excellent dolphin bite to continue through the end of August.  The fish have been working the surface in 600 to 1200 feet of water.  They have been feeding around large areas of sargasso weed and along several of the interior edges of the gulf stream current.  We have been using a variety of baits to catch the these fish.  Casting Flying fish to tailing fish has been really effective but we have also taken our fair share on live jacks and cigar minnows.  Dolphin fishing this way is really exciting for our anglers as they get to cast baits to the fish on spinning gear to the Dolphin as they move by the boat. 

One of the other great fisheries we have this time of year off Islamorada is Swordfishing.  The Swordfish fishery here in the Keys has been producing some great quality fish lately during the daytime.  Fish between 150 and 430 pounds have been caught on the last moon cycle during the daytime.  Islamorada is one of only a handful of locales in the world where we are able to target the Swordies during the daytime with predictable success.  During the last few years August through November has been the peak months for Swordfish in our area and I expect this year to be excellent as we have already seen a great start to this year’s prime season.  If you have ever dreamed of catching a big Swordfish now is the time for you to be here catching these awesome apex billfish.

Further inshore along the edge of the reef the snapper fishing has been excellent.  The Yellowtail and Mangrove Snapeer fishing has been excellent.  These fish are aggreagetd in large spawning schools along the edge of the reef.  Because of their close proximity to the dock this can make for a great half day adventure for both kids and adults.  The Snappers have ranged in size between 2 and 7 pounds are biting so well right now it is easy to guarantee a great catch.  There has also been a good bite of King mackerel between 10 and 20 pounds as well as a few mutton snappers and Amberjacks.  Mix in a few large blackfin Tunas and a couple Permit and you are in for a great treat fishing along the edge of the reef these days. 

Late summer fishing in Islamorada has historically always been pleasing to our visiting anglers.  If you are going to been in our area please take the time to get out fishing with us aboard the Cloud Nine and get in on some of this great fishing.  Please feel free to get in touch with me at (305) 360-7476 or click here to visit our website reservation form.  See you on the water aboard the Cloud Nine in Islamorada, Capt. Greg OR For more info visit www.islamoradafishingtrips.com

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June 15th, 2009

The Fish are really biting offshore of Islamorada right now.  We have caught several Big Dolphin and Blackfin Tuna the last few weeks.  Above are a few of our recent catches aboard the Cloud Nine.  The weather has been very calm and we have found several schools of the larger dolphin milling around areas of sargasumweed between 750 and 1000 feet of water.  These areas have been concentrated with bait and are serving as migratory paths and feeding areas for the Dolphin and Tuna.  This is as normal as it gets for this time of year and I expect this quality fishing to continue for the next few weeks.  There have also been several sets of smaller Dolphin around.  These fish have ranged from 5 to 15 pounds and make for great action on lighter spinning gear. 

The Blackfin Tuna bite has been out of control lately.  We have been catching alot of really nice fish in the 20 to 35 pound range around the area humps.  These fish are best taken on live bait such as pilchards, cigar minnows, and ballyhoo.  The live bait has been plentiful inside the edge of the reef in the morning and we have been catching plenty to use as both chum and hook baits.  The real key to this fishery is knowing where to catch the bait and then how to use it to move the Tunas to the surface where you can cast a hook bait to them as they bust behind the boat on the freebie or chummed baits. For more info visit www.islamoradafishingtrips.com

There has been an increase in the number of billfish around lately.  I have seen several Sailfish and a handful of Blue Marlin behind the boat in the last ten days as we have been trolling offshore of Islamorada.  There has also been a steady bite of Swordfish in 1300 to 1700 feet of water.  This is an excellent time of year here to target these great sport fish.  This action should remain steady now through the end of the summer as these fish feed and spawn in the rich waters of the Gulf Stream current here off Islamorada.  Further inshore along the edge of the reef the Snapper bite has been awesome.  The Yellowtail Snappers are in full spawn and the Mangrove snappers are starting to show up to their spawning areas.  There has also been a good number of Mutton Snapper and Hogfish along the deeper ledges of the reef in 120 to 150 feet of water.  The Permit action around some of the area wrecks has remained consistent and there are several larger King Mackerel in these areas too.  This is a great time of year to come to the Florida Keys and fish.  For more information please contact Capt. Greg Eklund by clicking HERE or Click Here to make a reservation.  I look forward to seeing you soon and catching some of these great fish with you!  Capt. Greg

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May 19th, 2009

Dolphin Fishing in Islamorada is in full swing.  We have been catching plenty of Dolphin in the 5 to 25lb range during the last week.  As we approach the dark phase of the moon next week we should see a good increase in the activity of the larger, Slammer size, Dolphin during the daylight hours.  These fish tend to spend more time below the surface feeding during the full moon phase of late.  The good news is that the bulk of the big fish we have been catching are spending their time roaming from the edge of the reef out to 650 feet of water.  This means that there is less running time to the fishing grounds a more time spent catching fish during a days charter.  I expect this to continue for the next several days as the current of the gulfstream is forecast to remain close to the edge of the reef.  It is not very often that we talk about big numbers of Sailfish in the Keys this time of year.  While it is normal for the Sailfish to pair off and spawn in the Florida Straits during the summer months, it is unusual for us to see so many fish in our area right now.  Fact is the sailfishing the last week has been just as good as the winter months can be around here.  I am not to sure how much longer this will last but it sure has been a great treat. 

Along the edge of the reef fishing for Yellowtail and Mutton Snappers has been excellent.  These fish are in the height of their spawning phase right now.  They have assembled in huge schools at a few areas off of Islamorada and are biting really well.  There have also been some good size king mackerel, Blackfin Tuna, and several Slammer size dolphin along the rocks of the reef.  Several of the area deep water wrecks are holding spawning schools of large Permit.  The permit are regarded as one of the most prized sportfish we have here in the Keys and we have been catching some real monsters to 45 pounds.  This reef based fishery will continue to be excellent for the next month.

Facts area facts, fishing in Islamorada is excellent right now.  We are very fortunant to have such a diverse summertime fishery here in the Keys.  I invite you to come and spend some time with us aboard the Cloud Nine and enjoy some of this quality fishing action.  Come on down and let’s get out on the water.  You can inquire about a reservation with us by clicking here.  Have a great week….Capt. Greg OR For more info visit www.islamoradafishingtrips.com

February 18th, 2009
Fishing in Islamorada is in transition from the cold of winter to the blooming of Spring right now.  The Sailfish bite has continued to be good when the conditions, wind direction and current, prevail.  The bait along the edge of the reef has now recovered from the harsh cold fronts of ten days ago.  Large schools of ballyhoo are shimmering along the rocks of the reef in 40 to 60 feet of water and providing a stable food source for the Sails as they migrate3 southward toward the masses of sardines staged off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico.  This creates a unique opportunity this time of year to sight fish for the Sails as the chase the Ballyhoo in packs along the shallow edge of the reef. 

The King Mackerel showed up in force this past week.  Thousands of fish are laid up in several places along the reef.  They have been feeding readily on Cigar minnows and Pilchards which we have been netting inside the edge of the reef in the morning.  The Kings have ranged in size from 5 to 35 pounds and should remain in place for the next several weeks as we approach the warmer conditions of Spring. 

The water temperatures have recovered from the mid sixties to the mid seventies this week.  This has urged the Yellowtail and Mangrove snappers to gather along the edge of the reef.  We are feeding a few spots along the reef edge in 60 to 90 feet of water that these fish historically like to gather near this time of year.  This has produced some excellent fishing for several of our charter groups during the last ten days.  Yellowtail Snappers to five pounds, Mangrove and mutton snappers to fifteen pounds, and even a few Black Groupers up to thirty pounds have been making up our bottom fish catches this week.  We even caught a large Goliath grouper this week that weighed well over 80 pounds. 

Further into the depths the vermilion and yellow snappers have been biting well and the Amberjack and Blackfin Tunas are biting well at several of the underwater pinnacles in 400 to 600 feet of water.  This is an excellent time of year to fish here in Islamorada as there are so many fish species for us to choose from.  If you would like to join us for a days fishing in the upcoming weeks please complete the reservation request for here on our website and I will work with you to get you on our schedule.  Have a great week.  Capt. Greg ORFor more info visit www.islamoradafishingtrips.com