Warming Trend Is Coming.. What Will It Do?

Warming trend coming this week for fishing in Key West

January 20 2018 – There is a lot going on this week in Key West fishing. After a very nice cold front this past week things are going to get back into the 70s and water temps will follow. Easterly winds will prevail for the next week increasing some opportunities across the board inshore and offshore. Things are starting to pick up here with our fishing charters at Dream Catcher Charters.

Flats Fishing

yellowtail snapper

Reef fishing for the tasty yellowtail snappers.

I just love winter for flats fishing. the water is pretty and the permit are around in the cooler temps ready to eat a crab or a fly on any given day. Add the Easterly winds coming up and you will have an ingredient that will make flats fishing a whole lot of fun. As the temps get warmer look for the barracudas to come on fire ready to eat anything in the shallows as they wait for a deranged baitfish to come tumbling through.

With the cooler temps last week and the warming trend our water temps dropped to the high 50s in some areas. That will come up quickly and I totally recommend that the hot shot of the week will be a cobia or jack on the flats following a big ray or shark added to shots at permit and barracudas. Won’t know till you try..

Backcountry fishing

A huge advantage of the Key West backcountry fishing this time of the year will simply be the variety trip. Get your casting on on the Dream Catcher drift and see what you turn up. We have been crushing the trout, Spanish mackerel, blue fish, pompano, jacks and blue runners. What a great way to get a 4 or 6 hour experience of just catching fish. Check out the Key West fishing seasons to get a complete feel for what might be available.

The next week of backcountry fishing will continue to be really good. the trout bite will remain good and there will be shots at our Key West tarpon fishing in addition to everything else. Check out the Key West tarpon fishing report.

Reef Fishing

For the anglers that want to catch and eat this is the trip for you. The last week was windy and cold yet many of our trips went to the reef and managed great results. Large yellowtail snappers, mutton snappers and plenty of mackerel are on the list of stuff to catch out there.

The warming trend will have little effect on the reef bite. its more about the amount of bait and the current out there that really measures the reef fishing bite to be better our slower. I really like this time of the year for reef fishing due to the fish moving in closer. This time of the year we can catch nice sized mutton snappers pretty steady in the shallows real close to the islands. Either case anglers will have fun, catch dinner and keep the rods bent. See our Florida Keys fish species to learn more about what might be available.

Deep Sea Fishing

The runs are short to get out to the blue waters of Key West deep sea fishing in the hunt for sailfish, tuna, wahoo and the occasional winter time dolphin (mahi). A very popular way to fish this time of the year. Through the last week the fishing was a little bit slower. North winds and chilly conditions did not warrant a whole bunch of charters getting out to see what was out there. That said, some sailfish were reported and a mix of balckfin tunas have been caught. Closer to the reef the trolling boats are not having issue at all putting a nice big smoker king mackerel in the boat.

Next week as the weather changes we can expect the occasional large dolphin and an increase of sailfish activity. Best news for many will be the 75 degree air temps to make it perfect weather for deep sea fishing. Check out our deep sea fishing fleet to see what boats are best to take out of Key West. Also check out our very own and versatile 36 yellowfin Center console “too Intense”.

Drop us a line or give us a call…

Call Us.. 1-305-292-7212
Text Us..
1-786-847-3808

Email Us.. 
 info@dreamcatchercharters.com 

About Capt. Steven Lamp
Dr Catcher Is - Capt. Steven Lamp - Owner of Dream Catcher Charters is a veteran Key West fishing guide for flats fishing, deep sea fishing, wrecks and reef fishing, and fly fishing. An expert waterman and licensed captain since 1986. A Veteran of the United States Coast Guard Heavy Weather Search and Rescue, I.G.F.A. Certified Captain and Standing regional board member of The Florida Fishing Guides Association