Fishing Report - Almost There! Charters

Almost There Charters, Inc.
Key West, FL 33040
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(800) 795-9448

Almost There! Charters Key West Fishing Report

For the latest fishing report, check out Captain Joe:

KEY WEST FISHING REPORT - SUMMER/FALL 2011

It’s been a great season and "thank you" to all of our regular visitors for returning, and to all of our first-time visitors; it's great to meet you all and we hope to see you again in Key West soon!

Aspedor family fishing for Dolphin Love that Dolphin fishing Dolphin fishing with Key West Almost There Charters

Kids love to fish with Almost There Another nice catch - dolphin fishing with Almost There Charters John Aspedor with a nice dolphin fish. Lots of Dolphin for the Aspedor Family - John, Melissa, Kim, Kat and Bryant!! Can these kids’ fish or what? But it looks like Dad still gets the Big Fish award!

Offshore we should see some Dolphin, Sails, Wahoo and Tuna as we progress through the end of Summer into Fall and our eventual Winter (yes, we do call it Winter). The species we find offshore will depend on our water temps and then the cold fronts when we reach that point. Unlike many places, cold fronts in Key West can mean some great offshore fishing.

There will continue to be plenty of big Sharks available on both sides of the island (Gulf and Atlantic) throughout the Fall and Winter. The beauty of shark fishing in Key West is the ability to do it anywhere. You can fish for them offshore or out on top of the structure (Reefs/Wrecks).

Shark fishing is great with Almost There Charters Mike, our new Canadian friend, whips a Black tip on his visit with Adam, Neil and James.

Another nice dolphin catch!
Adam and his dad joined us at our Boca Chica Naval air station location. We maintain a location and slip on base and provide our services for all military folks through the I.T.T / M.W.R. department.

But you can also elect to fish for them in the shallow waters of the Back Country. It’s very exciting regardless of your level of fishing experience to watch these predators come in and nail the baits in only a couple feet of water. It is something great to try, and here in Key West is one of the few places that you can sight fish for such large predators in such shallow waters.

Huge barracuda caught with 8 lb line.caught with Big Barracuda caught with Almost There Sportfishing Charters Pictured above is Oscar and Christie’s fish. Down from Miami, caught this one on 8LB mono, without any wire!!! This fish is a current category leader in the Key West Fishing Tournament.

This type of fishing also presents itself well with the Big Barracuda we will find in the back country this Fall and Winter. Big fish, shallow water explosion and the battle is on!

Talking about the back country, we should have some excellent back country fishing this Fall/Winter. As our water temps continue to cool, the shallow waters of the back country will become more active with all of the local residents. Good catches of Snapper, Jacks, Permit, Barracuda and Sharks as well as others. With the arrival of the cold fronts we will even see the occasional Redfish and Sea Trout. The Mullet schools will be a tell-tale sign for these fish to arrive. Although they are a common catch in the Florida Bay area, they are not a regular in the Key West area. It never fails, anytime we tell someone not to expect to hook up a big Red...Bang!

Gary & Robert's Trip 2
(Yes, this one is an oldie but a goodie)

Tarpon fishing has been great this year. As we wind down the outstanding Tarpon season this year, we have to mention that although the large migratory schools are gone till Spring, Key West is blessed with a local population of fish that will remain here year-round. So once again, you never know as you can see by these recently caught off-season Tarpon.

Tarpon catch in Key West Tarpon jump Tarpon are fun to catch and release with Almost There Sportfishing Charters - Key West, Florida
August Tarpon Explosion

On the Flats we will be looking at Bonefish, Permit, Shark, Barracuda and others. Sticking with the theme of you never know what you will catch here. How about those of you who caught Mutton Snapper on your flats trips this year? Yes that’s right, Big Muttons on a Key West Flat while you were stalking your Permit. Believe it or not that is not as common as you might think.

The theme here is always the same. Although the seasons change, you never know what just might show up on the other end of that line in Key West!

“Fish On...I’ll see you soon in Key West"
- Capt. Joe

KEY WEST FISHING REPORT - SPRING 2011

Key West Red Fishing If the last couple of weeks have been any indication of quality of fishing we have in store for us this year...hold on to your hats! In the back country we have had some out of the ordinary days of red fish and trout action. Congrats to Mike T. and Capt Steve, who were lucky enough to get in on this; extraordinary action last week.

Key West Fishing Mackerel Catch The redfish and seatrout should continue through early spring in and around the basins and channel on the Gulf side. We have also had some excellent tarpon days already and hugh schools of permit are in the channel and shallows along the flats. Sharks, barracuda, and cero, Spanish and king mackerel along with nice cobia are in good numbers among the channels and basins of the back country as well as near shore reef and wreck spots. Here is a nice cobia caught by Bill while fishing with Capt Adam in the back country and a nice mackerel caught by Ken while fishing with Capt. J.P.

Key West Fishing Cobia catch

Key West Fishing Mutton Snapper catch Speaking of the reef and wreck fishing, this is the time of year when we can combine bottom fishing with some very good sailfishing in the same trip. We have had great success with sailfish, large amberjack, African Pompano, Mutton Snapper, black fin tuna and wahoo. This nice Mutton Snapper caught while fishing with Capt. Garreth. The big king mackerel and a great African pompano photos courtesy of Capt Adam. Key West Fishing - African Pompano catch

Remember our tarpon and permit season is just gearing up and all early indications are that it is going to be a great season. If your traveling on business and have a busy schedule during the day or you just want to have some of the best tarpon fishing around, don't overlook our night tarpon trips. These trips provide a memorable tarpon fishing experience together with a beautiful Key West sunset all on the same trip.

Just give us a call at (800) 795-9448 to book your next Key West Fishing Trip with Almost There Charters. Make sure you ask for Capt Scott, Capt. Joe or Amelia.

FISHING REPORT SUMMER / FALL 2010

Offshore – Reef – Wreck
Fishing has been outstanding this summer with great catches of large bull and tiger shark, cobia, amberjack and permit on both the gulf and atlantic reefs and wrecks. Yellow tail snapper have been in full swing with bonus sailfish coming in on the reef to add some special fishing opportunities.

Offshore action has produced some unusually great sailfish action in around 600'. Wahoo have been plentiful with good catches of dorado up to 45 pounds.

Flats and backcountry fishing has been red hot...great opportunities for permit and smaller resident tarpon with bonefish found in deeper water along the edges of the flats.

Lemon, black-tip, bull, bonnet-head and the occasional hammerhead shark has provided the bulk of the big fish action in the backcountry, with snapper, grouper and jacks in abundance in the deeper water and channels.

Current fishing trends should continue into the fall with improving bonefish action on the flats, Snapper and mackerel in the backcountry.

Hope to see you soon!
Tight Lines
- Capt. Scott

Key West Winter/Spring Fishing Report February-March-April 2010

Offshore Fishing Our Great offshore fishing has been marred only by the high winds and cold weather associated with numerous cold fronts the past couple of weeks. When we have been able to get out there, sailfish, tuna, and some very nice mahi mahi catches have rewarded our efforts. The nice thing about cold fronts in Key West is that they don’t last long, and I’ve been told by many that live north of us that 50 degree weather for a couple of days is no reason to panic. Ha! We expect the “cold fronts” to diminish as we near the end of February and usher in some great opportunities for sailfish, wahoo, mahi and tuna. Don’t overlook the great fishing on the deepwater wrecks. Expect very good catches of large grouper, snapper, amberjack, African pompano and the occasional monster cobia.

Reef and Wreck Fishing This fishing is always a reliable way to bend a rod and this season has been no different. Very nice catches of cobia, snapper, grouper, jack, shark and barracuda have occurred on nearly every trip. Add in the winter bonus of some nice king mackerel and you got some great reel-screaming action.

Backcountry / Flats Fishing With cooler water temperatures of late, Flats fishing has been tough. Most fish are found in the deeper waters along the flats with a lot of barracuda coming to rest in shallow basins to warm up in the midday/afternoon sun. We are still doing very well with Permit along the edges of the channels. The hot action now is with the sea trout, pompano, ladyfish, shark, jack, and snapper in the basins right now. We are using both artificials and live baits and having a ball with this. We hope this fishery will continue into March. The latter part of February ushers in our early tarpon. If your timing to Key West is good, these early fish are eager to eat just about anything! Warmer water temperatures will also bring about some great permit and bonefish opportunities as well as some unique cobia fishing in the shallow waters. Backcountry fishing offers some of the best action of both large and smaller edible fish than any of our trips. The real bonus is the calm water we have to work with. No one has ever gotten seasick in the backcountry!

This promises to be one of our best fishing seasons yet, so make sure you give us a call at (800) 795-9448 to reserve your boat.
- Capt. Scott and Capt. Joe

Key West Fall Fishing Report October 2009

Key West’s higher than normal temperatures have yielded some excellent late tarpon action, as well as some great action on flats in general. Tarpon have routinely been released in the 40 to 60 pound range. What a nice October on the flats.

Wreck fishing has been superb with cold weather up north we’ve already had some great king mackerel bites and cobia in large numbers. This fishing will get even better as time goes on! Snapper and grouper have been good. Lots of sharks have been caught this October ranging from blacktips to hammerheads. Just about everyone that wanted shark was able to land one… it has been fantastic.

Offshore fishing brought us an unusually active late season of Mahi up until our first cold front. Following the front, sailfish, tuna, and mackerel have shown up in great numbers. The fishing is only going to get stronger in the coming month, so get ready for some great fishing!

Special congratulations goes out to Charles D. and the gang who got some great pictures and had this to say about their trip with us.

“The captain made our entire trip unforgettable and personally I am so thankful that my first vacation in more than 12 years was spent on your boats and with your amazing staff!!”...“My friends who were NOT into fishing have asked me to start planning our next trip and it’s not a vacation it’s now a fishing trip!”

Thank you for the kind words, Charles. We look forward to seeing you soon and congrats again on some nice pictures and wonderful memories.

Key West Winter/Spring Fishing Report February-March-April 2009

Offshore Fishing

Our Great offshore fishing has been marred only by the high winds and cold weather associated with numerous cold fronts the past couple of weeks. When we have been able to get out there, sailfish, tuna, and some very nice mahi mahi catches have rewarded our efforts. The nice thing about cold fronts in Key West is that they don’t last long, and I’ve been told by many that live north of us that 50 degree weather for a couple of days is no reason to panic. Ha! We expect the “cold fronts” to diminish as we near the end of February and usher in some great opportunities for sailfish, wahoo, mahi and tuna. Don’t overlook the great fishing on the deepwater wrecks. Expect very good catches of large grouper, snapper, amberjack, African pompano and the occasional monster cobia.

Reef and Wreck Fishing

This fishing is always a reliable way to bend a rod and this season has been no different. Very nice catches of cobia, snapper, grouper, jack, shark and barracuda have occurred on nearly every trip. Add in the winter bonus of some nice king mackerel and you got some great reel-screaming action.

Backcountry / Flats Fishing

With cooler water temperatures of late, Flats fishing has been tough. Most fish are found in the deeper waters along the flats with a lot of barracuda coming to rest in shallow basins to warm up in the midday/afternoon sun. We are still doing very well with Permit along the edges of the channels. The hot action now is with the sea trout, pompano, ladyfish, shark, jack, and snapper in the basins right now. We are using both artificials and live baits and having a ball with this. We hope this fishery will continue into March. The latter part of February ushers in our early tarpon. If your timing to Key West is good, these early fish are eager to eat just about anything! Warmer water temperatures will also bring about some great permit and bonefish opportunities as well as some unique cobia fishing in the shallow waters. Backcountry fishing offers some of the best action of both large and smaller edible fish than any of our trips. The real bonus is the calm water we have to work with. No one has ever gotten seasick in the backcountry!

This promises to be one of our best fishing seasons yet so make sure you give us a call to reserve your boat.

- Capt. Scott and Capt. Joe

Key West Summer Fishing Report June-July-August 2008

Offshore Fishing
Our Great offshore fishing continues for through the summer. June is the month for large and numerous dolphin, wahoo, and a good showing of billfish. Nice dolphin have been caught between 40 and 50 pounds with a lot of “schoolies” making for a fun day of fishing. These are great trips for our flyfishing guests to bring along a rod and have fun with the colorful, acrobatic fish. Here’s a nice fish taken on light spinning gear in mid May. Congratulation’s to Pete and Capt. Jeremy on a great day of fishing!

Jeremy's Dolphin

Flats Fishing
Tarpon fishing has been especially good so far this year. We expect to continue hooking the monsters through the end of June on a very regular basis. Don’t overlook our night tarpon action as the fishing is exceptional and mother nature will throw in a spectacular sunset as a bonus! Jason’s tarpon hook-up at night last year shows why he’s coming back to fish again in June. Look forward to seeing you!

Jason's Night Hook

Permit and bonefish remain very good with most fish found in the cooler, deeper waters along the flats and channels.

Backcountry
Action is always good in the backcountry with great catches of big shark and barracuda along the edges of the flats as well as an amazing tarpon season so far. Capt. Jamie led Greg to this barracuda with an attitude! Thanks for the pictures Greg. If your looking for a few fish for dinner the snapper fishing has remained good with some occasional catches of cobia thrown in for good measure.

Jamie & Greg's Barricuda

Reef and Wreck Fishing
Fishing remains hot on the many structures we fish here in Key West. Large shark, cobia ranging from 15 to 40 pounds, amberjack to 60 pounds and large 15-35+ pound permit are the big guys on these trips. Always expect great snapper and grouper action on these trips. We are still running into the occasional king mackerel, some in the 35 to 45 pound range.

We failed to include some photos of Gary and Roberts trip with Capt. Rob in our last report. These pictures say it all. Congrats and can’t wait to try it again!

Gary & Robert's Trip 1