May 19 2021 – This week has been unusually windy for us here in Key West for May. Typically, our winds have died down and the weather stabilizes by now, but we are having our windy ides of March in May instead! For our offshore fisherman, that presents a problem with six plus foot seas. This week captains have been cancelling trips, and those brave enough to make a go of it have been turning back shortly after heading out because of the high seas.

What Does That Mean For Fishing?

That means that our inshore captains are even busier than usual. Even with high winds, we can still show people a good, and more importantly, safe time in the shallows where it never gets more than about a one foot chop. While the waters are much calmer in the backcountry, and we can tuck in behind the islands to get out of the wind somewhat, it can still be a challenge. First, it limits the areas that we can fish when winds are high. And with the waters stirred up from the winds, sight casting for species like permit and bonefish on the flats can be super challenging. Still, the backcountry fishing guides have been bending rods with species such as snappers, ladyfish, barracudas, sharks and tarpon. 

Wind Can Be A Good Thing

The great thing about lots of windy days in a row for the fishing is that it prevents things from getting stagnant. The waters get stirred up moving things around and when the winds start to calm down the fish will be in a frenzy to feed. So both the inshore and offshore bites should be picking up next week when the winds get back to normal.

The Fishing Forecast 

In the coming days, we expect the tarpon fishing to pick up and get back to normal in the backcountry and on the flats. Sight fishing for bonefish and permit will be available as well as the waters clear up and winds allow for better sight casting making flats fishing more fun.

Getting offshore will be much nicer without breaking anything, except maybe the wallet with these soaring gas prices! Grouper season just opened on May 1, so bottom fishing for these tasty fish will be fun along with snapper species like yellowtails and muttons. Opportunities trolling for dolphin and the occasional marlin will open up as well making May the great month it can be for deep sea fishing, especially with fair Southeast winds. Wahoo fishing can be good, especially around the full moon.  

Fishing Charters

Key West Fishing charters are tough to come by this month as Key West is experiencing a huge influx of tourism. Room rates are sky high if booked last minute. May is about my favorite month for fishing here in Key West and so is June. Call us – speak to us directly and let’s see what we can find available with the Real fishing guides of Key West.

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