Key West Fishing Report For August

August 9th 2021 – The weather has been immaculate the last few weeks since Elsa back in early July. Calm seas with hot balmy days and the occasional rain shower just to ensure the steamy humidity stays in check. Coming up this next weekend August 12-15 it looks like we may have a Tropical system on our hands moving through the area. Something to keep an eye on if your planing to visit during that time… This fishing report comes with all that and more this month here in Key West.

Pair of Yellowtail snappers XXL Fishing the reef with me on my 36 ft Yellowfin Center Console.

Key West Fishing Report

Deep Sea Fishing

Deep sea fishing for Mahi been fun and the fish were still good sized. Pretty typical that the end of July we have to run to 1000ft of water daily to put together a decent box of mahi. Not so this year. Yes there have been some small fish around but if you stayed in it and worked for good empty water, watched for birds, weed lines and floatie things you could hit pay dirt. The stream came in real close at the end of July and since then we have been getting a nice box of mahi regularly with fish up to 15lbs. BONUS…. Wahoo. Yep this new moon produced a great Wahoo bite for us this month inside 300 ft on the regular this past week. We hope it keeps going. Fingers Crossed.

new moon wahoo Key West august fishing report
Starter kit wahoo for this young mans first Hoo caught deep sea fishing on board the “inXS” out of Key West last week.

As things start to slow up a bit with the end of summer the schedules of the deep sea fishing boats start to slow as well. However, the fishing has not slowed down just yet a great time to roll the dice on weather and chose your favorite deep sea fishing charter and get out there to catch some nice Mahi or wahoo. Good rule of thumb is the New moon for wahoo and the full moon for marlin.

Reef Fishing

Hot. Yep.. Its been hot. Temps in the 90s and humid. We wish the fishing was hot too. Last two weeks the mangrove snapper spawn produced some great fish on the reef. Better at night. The yellowtail fishing has been ok but with the crystal clear waters on the reef it makes all of it tough. This year the grouper fishing has been a little off with almost legal reds being caught on the regular.

We are hoping that next week with the tropics starting to flare up again that we get back to some awesome reef fishing with the waters getting a little murkier. Reef fishing charters get booked up in August so call with your dates.

Backcountry Fishing

4 or 6 hour backcountry fishing trips have been the most popular trips for folks to get out with us and enjoy the day catching. There are some tarpon still around and now that the lobster mobsters are starting to thin out we will be getting back into a good tarpon fishing bite. Plug casting for barracudas on the flats has been great, so have the jacks and snappers in the channels. We have been catching the occasional nice sized mangrove or mutton snapper to invite to lunch from time to time.

Permit fish
Flats fishing for permit has been productive for the anglers who want to put in the time.

Backcountry fishing charters are a great way to affordably get on the water 4 or 6 hours and avoid the heat. Give us a call and we will go over all the options.

Flats Fishing

Should have started off with this. This is the time of the year that I really love to go flats fishing in Key West and look around for bonefish and permit with some baby tarpon in the mix. August, September and October are without a doubt the best months for flats fishing. Spending time in the pristine shallow waters on the hunt for these sport fish is amazing. Fly fishing or spin fishing / anglers choice.

Fishing Charters

Fishing in Key West resumes but August is the time when kids go back to school, football and sports start and everyone starts to put an eye on winter with hunting, family get togethers and ultimately Christmas. We keep fishing and really enjoy the lack of boats on the water. I tell people all the time, Come Here In The Fall its the best time to visit Key West.

Call my office to talk about fishing and the options we have. We are happy to help you with all the information you need to form a good decision and have a great day or days on the water..

Call Our Office 1-305-292-7212
Text Us 1-786-847-3808

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