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| FISHING REPORT | | May 14, 2010 |
| WOW! A week of 20 to 25 knot winds and now, 25 to 30. For those brave enough to fight the winds and seas offshore, large dolphin have been their reward. Many DOLPHIN from 25 to 60 pounds have been taken this past week. Run and gun on the frigate birds have been the consistent producers of the larger fish. SAILFISH, BONITO and BLACKFIN TUNA continue to be in good supply, however, KINGFISH action has slowed to a near stand still. Along the reef, YELLOWTAIL SNAPPER seem to be in fair supply, however, bottom fishing has slowed as the waters begins to warm. MUTTON SNAPPER are beginning to gather for their spawn, coming up on this full moon in May. Crabtree of the NMFC has warned us that the MUTTON SNAPPER is “next on the list” of species to be seriously controlled in spite of many years of poor management, with a 10 fish per day bag limit and allowing the sale of this species during the spawn. Keep your eyes open for some extreme measures of control on this fish in the near future. GROUPER fishing on the deeper reefs is off, in spite of a 4 month closure. So much for “SCIENCE”. Fish have tails and sometimes they swim here and sometimes they swim there. But I digress. Hopefully the bottom fishing will be better next season.
The Gulf of Mexico has been very good for the BLACKFIN TUNAS this year and remains so, however they are a good 60 to 70 miles out at this time. BONITO are numerous behind the shrimp boats but have been yielding to the tuna quickly. Large MANGROVE SNAPPER, some to 7 or 8 pounds have been numerous around structure and large LANE SNAPPERS along with GAG GROUPER have been in the bags as well. GOLIATH GROUPER continue to be a nuisance around the wrecks and will take their share of your catch.
The main migration of TARPON has started and the action has been good. Live baiters have been having good luck and 8/0 circle hooks have been doing the job. The harbor has been good as well as the channels and flats. The beige toad fly, has been producing tarpon during the high sun conditions and the orange and yellow Stu Apte has been working well early and late light conditions. PERMIT and BONEFISH have been good as well.
That’s it for now. Tight lines and good fishing
Captain Ralph Delp
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| | FISHING REPORT | | April 26, 2010 |
| The Gulfstream has pushed in tight against the reef at Vestal Shoals and continues along the face of the reef to at least American light. The current is at least 3 knots and will suck a full size anchor ball below the surface. This will again introduce SAILFISH, WAHOO, BLACKFIN TUNA, LITTLE TUNNY and DOLPHIN into our fishery for some time to come. The MUTTON SNAPPER action has been relatively good over the past week, however, this current will slow that action for a while. Meanwhile, KINGFISH in the 6 to 12 pound range continue to come from the deeper water, mostly while bottom fishing. YELLOWTAIL SNAPPER action is on the increase and should only get better as this full moon heads into its last quarter.
Inshore, the water temperatures have reached the 75 degree mark and exciting things are happening. PERMIT are on the coral heads and all of the wrecks. Although the cooler water has slowed the spring action, spring has sprung. TARPON are in the harbor and Northwest Channel in good numbers and eating well. The main migration is still to come and should not start here in the Key West area until the second week in May.
Action in the Gulf of Mexico could not be better. BLACKFIN TUNA and LITTLE TUNNY are behind the shrimp boats and the action is only slowed by the large number of BLACKTIP SHARKS. Large MANGROVE SNAPPERS, some up to 7 #, and GAG GROUPER are abundant around some of the gulf wrecks after the shrimp boat action slows around 11:00 am.
The basins are still doing well with LADYFISH, JACK CREVALLE, POMPANO and SHARKS in the muds. Yellow nylon jigs have produced the best action. On the flats, PERMIT, SHARKS and a few TARPON have been the main stay. BONEFISH have been less numerous since the cold water kill of this past winter.
That’s it for now. Tight lines and good fishing.
Captain Ralph Delph
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| | Fishing Report April 2 | | April 2, 2010 |
| The northern edge of the Gulfstream is approximately 15 miles south of Key West at the time of this report. However, a residual eastbound current exists from the northern edge of the stream to the face of the reef. This sets up a favorable condition for current rips and color changes in the 120 to 200 feet deep water. Translation; good conditions for SAILFISH, BLACKFIN TUNA, LITTLE TUNNY and DOLPHIN. This has been the situation for the past week and should continue for the next week or so. Live bait has been the best producers with trolled baits doing well. Bottom fishing seems to have slowed a bit but this may be due to the lack of interest due to the current closures. YELLOWTAIL SNAPPER action has improved over the last week or so, however reports indicate that the fish are less cooperative than normal. KINGFISH are thinning out as spring time water temperatures begin to rise. Most of these gamesters are being taken where the water temperatures are lower than the surrounding areas.
Inshore, the water remains very murky. I am not sure of the cause of the silt, but it appears to have similar characteristics of the silt that followed hurricane Wilma. It is easily agitated with only moderate winds and remains suspended for days and even weeks. This has slowed the inshore action and complicated the bait situation for some time.
The Gulf of Mexico has been producing some great GAG GROUPER action around most any structure. Although grouper are legal to take in the gulf during April, you may not keep them if you leave from and return to Monroe County during that time frame. Got to say it, (freeking NMFS). Support the senators that support flexibility in the Magnason, Stevens act.
On the flats, the water temperatures have finally risen above the 70 degree mark and should remain there for the rest of the year. PERMIT have been the mainstay activity with some tarpon beginning to show in the mullet muds. POMPANO and TROUT are still active in the basins along with large LADYFISH and JACKCREVALLE. SHARKS continue to provide good action as well. Some BONEFISH can be found, however, the recent cold water fish kill has taken a toll.
That’s it for now. Tight lines and good fishing.
Captain Ralph Delph
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| | FISHING REPORT | | March 7, 2010 |
| OFFSHORE: The Gulfstream is flowing from the southwest and pushing near the reef line just to the southwest of Cosgrove light, south of the Marquises keys. From there it continues flowing to the east, approximately 3 miles to the south of Sandkey light. Things are set up for some great pelagic action, pending the movement of the stream to the face of the reef. Between the reef and the edge of the Gulfstream, water temperatures continue to be in the mid to high 60 degree range. That, coupled with extremely dirty water over the reef and especially in Hawks Channel has kept the bite for most fishermen to a near standstill. Bottom fishing and YELLOWTAIL SNAPPER fishing along the reef as well as fishing the pelagics has been a near catastrophe over the past week. Only smoker KINGFISH have been holding their own. MUTTON SNAPPER action has slowed, however, some fish in the 20 pound plus range have been taken by those with the know how and where.
INSHORE: The water inshore has been in the low to mid 60 degree range and extremely dirty. I have not heard of a fish of any kind being taken here in the past week. It is likely to take a week or more to clear up.
GULF OF MEXICO: The same as the inshore, except colder. Stay away!
Flats: This dirty water clears as it is filtered by the sea grass while passing over the flats. Expect some great PERMIT fishing as the water warms into the 70 degree range. This is just around the corner and large numbers of fish have been seen during infrequent warm spells this year.
BASINS: The basins are shaping up to be some great fishing in the near future. Even with cold and dirty water, mullet muds are forming and LADYFISH, JACKCREVALLE and some POMPANO can be had on yellow nylon jigs. TROUT are not far behind. The best action is on the incoming tide.
That’s it for now. Tight lines and good fishing.
Captain Ralph Delph
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| | Key West Fishing and Special Note | | January 29, 2010 |
| OFFSHORE: The Gulfstream is pushing to within 7 miles of Sand Key light and to within 2 miles of Looe Key, bringing 77 degree water to the edge of the outer reefs. The water is a deep blue and very clear. To the west, the water has a blue-green tint with water temperatures in the 75 degree range.
SAILFISH, WAHOO, BLACKFIN TUNA and LITTLE TUNNY have been abundant and very cooperative, especially on live pilchards, threadfin, and goggle eyes. Large, smoker KINGFISH have been plentiful along the reef. Again, live bait (bluerunners) has been producing the best catches. YELLOWTAIL SNAPPER remain skitterish due to the presents of the kings. Check out our “CATCHES LAST WEEK” on our web site at www.delphfishingcharters.com.
The deeper reefs have been alive with MUTTON SNAPPERS, however it is difficult to avoid the GROUPERS. The blacks have been releasing well, however, all of the reds and scamps have floated away, even after venting. What a waste!!!!!!!!
INSHORE: Hawks Channel is holding large schools of small SPANISH MACKEREL and large KINGFISH. The birds are the give away to their locations. COBIA are abundant on the shallow wrecks as well as the near by wrecks in the gulf. Large numbers of PERMIT, some into the 40 pound class, are holding around the structures and islands of the lower keys. POMPANO and LADYFISH are plentiful in the channels and shallow basins around the islands.
GULF OF MEXICO: The water has warmed considerably and good numbers of smoker KINGFISH have been active on the grouper bar, north of the Marquises. They are responding to live bait as well as trolled baits. The best action has been while chumming with ground chum and live pilchards. COBIAS are plentiful and some large ones have been taken well to the north.
FLATS: The water has warmed here as well and some of the large PERMIT, as well as some very large LEMON SHARKS and TIGER SHARKS have been observed cruising the edges of the shallow water.
SPECIAL NOTE: We are in the process of loosing our fishery. If you are not familiar with what is happening, check out www.joinrfa.com. The Feds are closing one fishery after another. It is already happening. Some of us are attending the march on Washington on February 24, at noon. Make your voices known, or start learning golf. If you have inquiries, contact me through our web site.
That’s it for now. Tight lines and good fishing.
Captain Ralph Delph
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| | FISHING REPORT JANUARY 20 | | January 20, 2010 |
| If you have been keeping up with our recent fishing reports and blogs, referring to the recent cold water and fishing conditions, you might ask yourself, “How do he know?” But if you live long enough, history has a way of repeating its self. This is the fifth time that I have seen major fish kills in the lower keys, due to cold water conditions. This time however, the cold weather lasted longer than anytime in the past 130 years. Fish fatalities have included, but are not limited to, BONEFISH (one of the greatest kill off’s in history), SNOOK (again, devastating), BARRACUDA (including large cudas), MUTTON SNAPPERS (large numbers in shallow water), GOLIATH GROUPERS (up to 100# fish reported), GROUPERS (shallow waters up to 30 feet deep) as well as GRUNTS, PARROT FISH, NEEDLEFISH etc. The areas most affected by the kill include, but are not limited to, Florida Bay, lower Southwest coast of Florida, Southeastern Gulf of Mexico (waters north of Key West) and the shallow waters along the south shore line of the islands of the Keys. However, as previously predicted, the south side of the Keys and Key West are exploding with action. COBIA, KINGFISH, SPANISH MACKEREL, CIRO MACKEREL have moved south into Hawks Channel and along the reef line. The COBIA have been slow to eat but this will be changing as the water warms up just a little. The latter will keep you on your toes, re-rigging and using wire due to cut off’s. MUTTON SNAPPERS have moved over the outer reef in great numbers. You can catch them most anywhere offshore using live bait as well as chumming and fishing with cut bait. GROUPER are also gathering in the areas of the muttons, but must be released. YELLOWTAIL SNAPPER have been less cooperative due to the presence of the large number of smoker KINGFISH along the reef. Offshore in the middle keys, anglers have been enjoying great SAILFISH action while here in Key West, the action has been very good with SAILFISH, BLACKFIN TUNA, LITTLE TUNNY and WAHOO.
Water temperatures on and around the flats remain in the mid to low 60’s, depending on the tide. The flats are dead, so stay away until your guide informs you that the water has warmed to over 70 degrees. I expect this action to be very limited for some time to come. With gulf waters muddy, the sun will not be able to warm them above the lower to mid 60’s for some time. When the water does clears, expect the action to be slow. On the other hand, as the basins begin to warm up, expect some good action with POMPANO, JACK CRAVALLE, LADYFISH etc. in the muds.
That’s it for now. Tight lines and good fishing.
Captain Ralph Delph
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| | January 7 fishing report | | January 7, 2010 |
| OFFSHORE: The Gulfstream has moved to within 2 to 4 miles south of Sand Key light. This has kept the temperatures along the reef line in the mid 70 degree range, however with the incoming tides the temperatures have climbed to around the high 70’s. This clean, clear, warmer water has brought an influx of predators with it. SAILFISH, BLACKFIN TUNA, LITTLE TUNNY and some WAHOO have been the targeted species. See “CATCHES LAST WEEK” on our web site at www.delphfishingcharters.com . This has been a blessing with the GROUPER and RED SNAPPER closure that has gone into effect through the wisdom those that know little or nothing about the lower keys. Medium to smoker size KINGFISH are increasing in numbers as the water temperatures continue to fall. CIRO MACKEREL have been active along the outer reef as well over the patches to the west. YELLOWTAIL SNAPPER continue to cooperate with those using ground chum and bonito as bait. MUTTON SNAPPER are in good supply with many of these fish running above the 15 pound mark, some over 18 pounds. Chumming in the shallower water using live ballyhoo has been productive but the larger fish are coming in the deeper water using live bait.
INSHORE: The water temperatures in the mid 60’s, schools of SPANNISH MACKEREL have been chasing bait in Hawks Channel and the Quick Sands. These fish may be found by looking for large flocks of terns. JACK CRERVALLE in the 8 to 12 pound range have been mixed in as well. The water is muddier the further north that you go and the action slows with the diminished visibility. I have had no reports of COBIA, however they should be in good supply as the water clears.
GULF OF MEXICO: With strong northerly winds for an extended time and temperatures holding in the 50’s, there has been little interest in the Gulf for the last couple of weeks. It should take a week or more for the water to clear up after the wind lays down. This is not a note of gloom as these temperatures should drive all species to the south side of the keys and the action should be excellent. I am looking for action like it used to be in the old days.
FLATS: Stay away.
That’s it for now. Tight lines and good fishing.
Captain Ralph Delph
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| | end of December fishing report | | December 27, 2009 |
| OFFSHORE: The Gulfstream remains well so the south, (35 miles south of Key West) leaving the water outside of the reef with a greenish tint and visibility along the reef to about 25 feet. The water temperature has been in the mid 70’s through out most of the week. The off-color water has left SAILFISH difficult to find, however, BLACKFIN TUNA and especially LITTLE TUNNY have been abundant. Chumming with live pilchards has been the most effective, although trolling has been producing as well. Small KINGFISH have been in good supply and even a problem while fishing the bottom with live bait. Cut-off’s have been a problem, so a short piece of Steelon can be used while fishing for the bottom dwellers. GROUPER are moving into the deeper reefs and wrecks; however they will be safe for the next four months while the very necessary closure of all grouper (in order to protect the GAG GROUPER) is in effect. A 52# BLACK GROUPER was landed by Forest Young this past week. Forest was using 20# test Ande line and a Daiwa BG-90. See our ‘CATCHES LAST WEEK” on our web site at www.delphfishingcharters.com . RED SNAPPER are more abundant in the Key West area than I have ever seen in 40 years. Full bag limits are the norm. This too will come to a close in January as an emergency, 180 day closure has been found necessary in order to preserve the species in North Carolina. MUTTON SNAPPER are in good supply with many of the fish now running into the 15 to 18 pound class. YELLOWTAIL SNAPPER have been abundant along the reef line and fish of 3 to 4 pounds have been common in 90 to 100 feet of water. Ground chum and cut pieces of bonito have been producing best.
INSHORE: SPANISH MACKEREL and JACK CREVALLE have been chasing bait along the color change in Hawks Channel. Birds are the key to finding the fish. Man O War birds are on the JACKS and the small birds will locate the MACKEREL. The shallow wrecks to the west are still slow but should be holding COBIA soon. Key West harbor remains slow at this time.
GULF OF MEXICO: Medium to large KINGFISH are scattered and responding to live bait to those persistent enough to stick with it. The wrecks have been holding COBIA, some running into the 40 pound class. MANGROVE SNAPPER have been spotty, however there has been a good number of flag YELLOWTAIL SNAPPERS around the wrecks and towers. You will have to yank and crank to get them away from the GOLIATH GROUPERS.
FLATS: Well, it’s that time of year again. The action on the flats will be up and down along with the water temperatures. Above 70 degrees, try it. Below 70, go deeper. The basins are showing signs of muds so the JACKS, LADYFISH, POMPANO etc, can’t be far away.
That’s it for now. Tight lines and good fishing.
Captain Ralph Delph
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| | Christmas is coming fishing report | | December 16, 2009 |
| OFFSHORE: The Gulfstream has moved well offshore leaving the water near shore with a blue-green tent and a temperature of 78 degrees. This has pushed most of the Blackfin Tuna further east with most of the action due south of Key West. Little Tunny are plentiful all along the reef from the Tortugas through American Shoal Light. Only an occasional Sailfish and Wahoo are being taken while Dolphin are not to be found anywhere.
Bottom fishing remains very good with full bag limits of large Red Snapper falling to live bait and jigs. See our "CATCHES LAST WEEK" at www.delphfishingcharters.com . Mutton Snapper are building and will only get better as the season progresses. Scamp and Black Grouper are here and on the increase. It looks like they will be here just in time for the closed season. Amberjacks are in greater numbers along the reef than I have ever seen for this time of year, in more that 40 years. They are a virtual plague. The AJ's have been running from 4 to 60 pounds on the average. Large Jack Crevalles, in the mid 20# class, have been numerous on structures while fishing for the bottom dwellers. Small Sharpnose Sharks have been a plague as well, along the bottom. Large Reef Sharks have been chasing and eating hooked gamefish in the areas around the larger Key West wrecks.
Reef action has been good for medium to large Yellowtail Snapper for those chum fishing, and Ciro Mackerel are responding to jigs and live pilchards. Some of the latter topping the ten pound mark. Ciro mackerel unlike the Spanish Mackerel, are excellent eating. Kingfish ranging from 5 to 25 pounds have been numerous along the reef as well as in the deeper water. We have had to go to Steelon while bottom fishing, due to Kingfish cutoffs.
Hawks Channel has been plentiful with schools of small Spanish Mackerel and medium size Jack Crevalles. Very large Kingfish, some in the mid 40 pound range have been taken on live bait by those willing to spend the time chumming with block chum to draw them into the area.
The Gulf of Mexico has been fishing well for medium size Kingfish and small Spanish Mackerel, however, Cobia have been the target of most fishermen around the wrecks. Goliath grouper are still a plague for those fishing for Mangrove Snapper and Gag Groupers.
The flats have been fairly slow, however some of the knowledgeable guides have been producing some Bonefish along with Barracuda and Sharks. This action is determined by water temperature and will fluctuate as the temperature rises above or sinks below the 70 degree mark.
That's it for now. Tight lines and good fishing.
Captain Ralph Delph
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| | December 1st fishing report | | December 1, 2009 |
| Well, here we are for another winter season of fishing in the southern most point of the good old USA, Key West Florida. The first series of fronts have pushed through the area leaving the water a little cooler and a bit more turbid. This is exactly what we are looking for. Offshore, the water temperature is around 77 degrees, however the Gulfstream is 40 or so miles south of Sandkey light and most of the water has a greenish blue hue with only a few scattered sailfish and a dolphin here and there. The reef is starting to show signs of life as the bait has arrived and Ciro Mackerel have shown up for the banquet. They are usually one of the first indicators that the winter season is on. Ciro Mackerel, not to be confused with Spanish Mackerel, are extremely good eating with a delicate tasting white meat that can be fried, baked or broiled. Yellowtail action along the drop-off is good with most of the fish in the 3 to 4 pound range. Deep water Red Snapper, Mutton Snapper and Grouper action is good with some good catches showing up at docks. Remember that all grouper fishing in the Atlantic will close for January, February, March, and April, so if you need to get some grouper in the freezer to hold you over through the closed season, December is the last month to do it. See “CATCHES OF THE PAST WEEK” on our web sites at www.delphfishingcharters.com and www.delphfishing.com for the outstanding fishing that is going on down in Key West.
Light tackle action has been good around the shallow wrecks and edges of the flats for Jack Crevalle, Ladyfish, Bluerunners, Yellowtail Snappers etc. The action on the flats has slowed as the water temperature dipped below the 70 degree mark but will improve as the temperature rises above 70 degrees again. However, the deeper basins will remain good for Trout until hard winter arrives.
The Gulf of Mexico has been active with a few Kingfish and some small Spanish Mackerel showing behind boats using ground chum as attractors. But the best news is that the Cobia are expecting a cold winter as they have been showing in fairly good numbers around the wrecks in Florida Bay.
That’s it for now. Tight lines and good fishing.
Captain Ralph Delph
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| | December 1st fishing Report | | December 1, 2009 |
| Wow! Talk about changes. Since my last report, the Gulfstream has moved in just 10 miles south of Sand Key Light. Offshore fishing has lit up with a vengeance. Blackfin Tuna have moved into the edge of the reef and are responding to live chum (pilchards). All boats have been reporting great catches and unbelievable action. Wahoo also moved in and the trolling boats have reported up to 7 fish per day. Further to the west, around Western Dry Rocks, large Kingfish, some into the 40's have been taken on drifted live bait. Live Bluerunners have been the most effective on the larger fish.
The water on the flats has warmed back up to the high 70's and reports of Bonefish seem to be back in the shallow water and eating both shrimp and artificials. The last report is still accurate with the exception of the above.
Check out "CATCHES OF THE PAST WEEK" www.delplhfishingcharters.com and check out some of the videos on the site as well.
That's it for now. Tight lines and good fishing.
Captain Ralph Delph
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| | Cape Cod is over and Key west has begun | | November 22, 2009 |
| When thin sheets of ice began to appear on the boats in the morning, we knew it was time for the Key West birds to fly South for the winter. We had a great season in Cape Cod this past year with all of the pleasures New England has to offer. The begining of the season started off casting jigs and live bait at schools of small Bluefin tuna weighing between 75lbs and 300lbs. Each and every customer had their work cut out for them. Some battles lasting up to two hours. We used a combination of tackle between Daiwa's Saltiga spinning reels for casting freestyle jigs and slugos on 80lb. braid and Daiwa's Sealine conventional reels for live pogies on the kites. It is an incredible sight to see these little Giants come up to the surface and inhale a live bait right in front of your eyes. In between the Bluefin tuna chaos we kept busy on a daily basis with an incredible Striped Bass fishery with Stripers averaging weights of over 30lbs. Codfish, a little later in the season, was as easy as catching pin fish on the grassy flats of the Florida Keys. When we were in the right areas sometimes before the jig hit the bottom we were hooking Codfish on every drop whether you meant to or not. A couple times we were reeling up Codfish off the bottom and were getting eaten by Giant Bluefin tuna and spooled within seconds. The whales this season were quite the sight when they would breach, sometimes 20 yards from the boat, we have some great video of that. On one particular day, we were fishing in 20 ft. seas and watched these whales jumping out of the tops of the waves. As the wave would sweep past, these adult humpback whales would clear the water by over 20 ft. before they crashed back into the trough. It was a sight we will never forget as long as we live. The end of the season finished with an incredible Giant Bluefin bite East of Cape Cod. We had opportunities and hooked one or more Giants almost every day, and landed Giants tipping the scales at not quite 900lbs. Although we didn't see any Great Whites this year personally, the beaches of Chatham were closed all season because of so many Great White sightings around the large seal population on Monomoy Island. We did have on one occasion about a 600lb. Mako shark that came up to the boat looking for a smaller tuna that we had hanging overboard. My mate was ready with the harpoon in case we had to defend our catch but the shark may have got spooked as we were fighting another Bluefin tuna at the time, revving the engines to maneuver the boat. After all this excitement it was time to pony up and get back on I-95 Southbound.
Back in Key West, we barely had time to clean the bugs off the windshield and get the tuna tackle out of the boat before our first charters. Alot of the charter captains here in Key West have been complaining about how slow it has been so we decided to head West to the Dry Tortugas. What a great day of fishing it was with Mutton Snapper averaging over 18lbs. and double header Black Groupers over 35lbs. By the end of the day we had a fantastic catch of over 350lbs. of the best seafood Key West has to offer. Each and every day since has been no different except for a bad stretch of 35 to 40mph winds out of the East and Southeast which didn't matter to me because I was in the hospital for an appendectomy. Some would disagree, but I think I tend to have perfect timing for these things. I try to look on the bright side of things. Anyways, it is great to be back here in paradise where the food is great and the fishing is better. Capt. Billy Delph
For more info go to www.delphfishingcharters.com or email at delphfishing@aol.com or call us 305-294-4456
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