The Florida Keys are known worldwide for backcountry and flats fishing. Tarpon, permit, bones, reds and snook get a lot of attention around these islands. But it should come as no surprise to anyone that this meeting place of major ocean currents offers world-class offshore fishing.
Historically, more than anything else, the Keys have been a big-game sportfishing destination. With fall here and winter on the way, the options for offshore anglers are incredible, especially in the waters around Islamorada, where the fall fishing truly sets in this month.
This string of six small islands about halfway down the Florida Keys is an excellent jumping-off point for both reef fishing and access to the area’s famous offshore humps.
About 15 miles off Islamorada, in 290 feet of water at its top, Islamorada Hump is one of the most famous offshore fishing areas in the world. As such, it gets hammered by anglers. When it’s on, the waters above this relatively small topographical feature can resemble a parking lot. With boats maneuvering for position as clouds of birds swirl in the air, everyone is looking for the same thing, the bait that brings the big fish up.
There’s a good reason everyone is trolling or drifting the same area. The seamount rises from the depths and the current is forced to funnel around it. This topography holds baitfish which is pushed to the surface, and when the current is really moving the resulting rips can be visible from a distance. Chumming up a school of blackfin tuna is one of the most exciting sights in fishing. When the water is boiling with fish busting on the surface, it’s as simple as throwing a hooked pilchard into the melee and holding on for the fight. Sailfish, marlin, wahoo, depending on the time of year and what species are present, there’s no telling what will grab your line, but this time of year it’s a good bet it’ll be a blackfin. Catch a small football blackfin, hook it and throw it back in for a chance at something larger.
When the Islamorada Hump gets too crowded, there are other options as well. West Hump rises to about 500 feet and the 409 Hump rises to 409 feet. All three humps have a similar effect on the currents, and they all attract fish. Trolling, chumming and live baiting, kite fishing, vertical jigging, the techniques will vary depending on the sought-after species. Starting in November and lasting through the winter, those species are likely to be sailfish or wahoo, and the blackfin action can be good at any time of year in spurts.
Looking for something a little shallower? The patch reefs and wrecks around Islamorada are lousy with various snapper and grouper species. This provides consistent action year-round for fine tasting fish. And while you’re anchored up over 100 to 300 feet of water with a bait on the bottom and chum in the water, there’s a good chance something else will make an appearance. The cobia start showing up this time of year, and most captains will also keep other lines in the water with amberjack, kingfish and even sailfish in mind.