October 13th 2024 – What to expect for the rest of October fishing Key West is a pretty easy guess as we look at the extended forecast and realize that our summer patterns are giving way to the winter here in Key West. Where we have been gazing to the tropics daily wondering if we are going to get smashed by the next storm is being switched to Looking up North for the next low pressure cold front and Northerly winds. This will usher in cooler temps both air and sea as well as some pretty stiff breezes.

Fishing Report

Since the last storm Melton we have gotten offshore to a pretty decent bite of Kingfish on the reef and the occasional mahi out past the color change and bonito between. The water on the reef has been pretty banged up but the fish are very hungry on the reef. Chumming profusely was very helpful for the yellowtail bite. In the backcountry the waters cleaned up pretty quick and things are fish-able and only getting better. As with tradition the baby tarpon are where they hang out but the flats are still a bit off due to the past conditions, still a little cloudy and water temps have dropped significantly.

Fishing Forecast

Looking at the L.R.F. I see that the patterns are changing a bit. Great weather through to this Thursday when the winds jump to 25-30 out of the North East as the first “cold front” of the season pushes through keeping things sporty all into the following week. Temps will not drop much but anything in the high 70s with a dryer air is a sweet blessing to us here fishing Key West. I personally love this change of seasons to be a line in the sand for a change in the fishing ushering in the winter species to the backcountry and the reef.

I am looking forward to a strong wahoo bite this week coming up for the full moon deep sea fishing. On the reef the bait such as ballyhoo and thread fins will be stacking up and the fish will be chewing. On the reef the cero mackerels and other predator snappers, groupers, kingfish and jacks will smash their way through breakfast every day the sun comes up the feed bag will be on for everyone. With all this there is no telling what will happen with Blackfin Tunas, wahoo and sailfish but Im willing to bet it will be good… November fishing offshore is pretty amazing here in Key West. Once the winds come down it will be Game On for lots of the fun fishing we do, reef fishing and deep sea fishing.

Deep Sea Fishing Aboard the INXS Out Of Key West

In the shallows expect things to start to change, however without a temp drop our summer cast of characters will still be around. Bonefish and permit will be working the flats the tarpon will be around. So I expect the flats fishing will be good albeit windy. Add that to the trout bite heating up as the mullet muds start. I call it cast and catch fishing here in Key West in the basins my team uses artificial lures to catch a myriad of species to keep folks bending rods.

The winds will dictate what type of fishing you may want to do especially if you are not super sea worthy. Here in Key West offshore fishing a north wind still allows us to work the patch reefs for grouper snapper and some tasty filets. It will definitely excite the bite near the outer reef as well with a little larger sea conditions. Our Dry Tortugas trips will have to take a break while it blows. A majority of our trips will be backcountry fishing in the shallows to take cover from the wind that the islands provide.

I think that it is worth a mention that Neither Hurricane Helene or Milton left any impacts on Key West and things are ticking along per usual for October fishing Key West. Room rates are very good right now for the exception of the last week of October for our Fantasy Fest. I really enjoy October fishing. Crowds are light and it’s not so hot.

Coming to Key West? Give us a call and we will get you on the water either inshore or offshore.
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