Key West Fishing Report - July, 2014
The consistently warm and partly-cloudy weather this time of year keeps the area at a comfortable average, and the waters around Key West stay at an ideal temperature for a variety of light-tackle fishing opportunities during the month of July. Because of these ideal conditions, the Atlantic Reef is busting with Mangrove Snapper, Grouper, and Yellowtail who gather this time of year in the warm, clear water to take advantage of the seasonal heat. This month is also the beginning of schooling season for a number of fish, and as the sea stills in the heat of mid-summer, Swordfish, Marlin, and Wahoo begin making regular appearances between the reef and deep water. This month brings in characteristic light winds and calm waters with incredible visibility, making July a very productive month for saltwater flats fishing. This time of year brings a plentitude of Tarpon and Lemon Sharks to the area, as well as Bull and Blacktip Reef Sharks for some exhilarating Key West deep sea fishing.
The temperate waters make this month a superb time to try for the beautiful dolphinfish, better known as Mahi-Mahi, which are in good supply throughout the area. Mahi-Mahi, which means “very strong” in Hawaiian, typically weigh in at around twenty or twenty-five pounds, but have been known to exceed forty pounds due to their five-year lifespan. Though Mahi-Mahi of this size are considered rare, a number of these mammoth fish have been hauled in during Key West deep sea fishing, making Mahi-Mahi some of the best catches around. Agile, strong, and beautiful in color, Mahi-Mahi have long been a favorite among fishermen around the world. The fish is highly-prized by restaurateurs for its flavor and quality, and because they are a fast-growing fish that spawns year-round, Mahi-Mahi are also popular due to their healthy population size.
Mahi-Mahi are sometimes known by their Spanish name “Dorado,” meaning “golden,” and present a dazzling array of iridescent blues, greens, and golds as they speed through the water after prey. These beautiful fish are mostly found in surface waters due to their carnivorous diets, eating crabs, flying fish, squid, mackerel, and shrimp. Since Mahi-Mahi do not dive, they are sometimes fished with harpoons, or caught incidentally during longline commercial fishing, but their feeding habits and size make them an ideal fish for sport fishing. Often, Mahi-Mahi can be found feeding around debris or floating palm trees and fronds, or cruising Sargasso seaweed for zooplankton and crustaceans.
Whether you’re interested in tackling the beautiful Mahi-Mahi or want to go after an even bigger catch, Key West deep sea fishing offers you an amazing variety of choices in July, making this month a particularly good time of year to try your luck with some of the world’s most popular sports fish.