Key West In Winter: An Angling Update

Article Date: January 1997

Question: Jeffrey, what kind of fly and light tackle angling can you do this time of year in Key West?

Answer: In Key West it's important to make a distinction between flats fishing and light tackle fishing. Fishing on the flats is done with traditional skiffs, whereas light tackle boats are typically 25-foot center console craft that chum fish over the reefs and wrecks. Captains on both boats provide the tackle requested by anglers - either fly, spin or casting rods.

Winter fishing on the flats in Key West is completely dependent upon water temperature. When water temperature drops below 70, flats fish withdraw from their normal feeding ranges and group together in pockets of water that may only be a degree or two warmer. Furthermore, most of these flats fish become very reluctant to eat if the water temperature drops below 65 degrees. I remember a winter day when my water temperature gauge read 62 and the flats were covered with dead barracuda, snapper and jack crevalle.

Question: Yes, what about those cold fronts.... On average, how often do they interfere with fishing and what kind of fishing can you usually still enjoy even when there is a cold front?

Answer: We typically lose one day of fishing a week here in Key West due to cold fronts. That's from about mid-December to mid-February. There are, of course, many other days when you need a guide who understands water temperature and knows where fish go when it's cold. Normal winter water temperature is in the high 60's to low 70's. If it gets above the magic 70-degree threshold, bonefish and permit on the flats become active. Below that temperature, there are usually barracuda and sharks (blacktips, bulls and lemons) on the flats. What's important to remember is, water temperature........(continued)

CONTACT DETAILS FOR COMPANIES/INDIVIDUALS MENTIONED IN ARTICLE (if any)

I Love Key West. Tel. 800-733-5397

Pepe Café. 806 Caroline Street. Tel. 305-294-7192

Schooner Wharf Bar. 202 William Street. Tel. 305-292-9520

Karumba Café. 1215 Duval Street. Tel. 305-296-2644

Louies Backyard. 700 Waddel Street. Tel. 305-294-1061

Mel Fisher Treasure Museum. Corner of Green and Whitehead Street. Tel. 305-294-2633

Jeffrey Cardenas, Saltwater Angler Inc., The. Key West Hilton Resort & Marina, 243 Front Street. Key West, FL, 33040. Tel. 305-294-3248. Fax 305-296-7272. E-mail: saltangler@aol.com, Web: www.saltwaterangler.com

Seaplanes of Key West. Tel. 305-294-0709