KEY WEST FISHING REPORT - March 2nd 2010

Recently, our captains have seen great success guiding shark fishing excursions by the Atlantic reef. The waters near the reef have been muddy of late, drawing in a score of these toothy predators. Because sharks, rather than hunting by sight, use electrical currents to sense the movement of prey, they swarm to shallow murky waters to hunt reef fish like Yellowtails. Our captains used cut hunks of Amberjack, Yellowtails, and Bonita to hook plenty of Blacktip Reef Sharks. Captain Bill of the Outcast saw his anglers haul in 16/18 Blacktips. I guided a group aboard the Coolcast to catch 7 Blacktips and their limit of Yellowtails (40). Aboard the Coolwater, Captain Tony Miller led a charter for a big day as well, landing 20/23 Blacktip Reef Sharks as well as a trophy Hammerhead. Tony mounted this massive predator, which was 8 feet long and weighed 375 lbs. Tony's client caught this prize on a butterflied Bonita.

We've had some unpleasant weather lately, but once this windy front passes the Florida Keys, we should see some excellent offshore fishing south of the reef. The Gulf Stream is flowing unusually near the reef, drawing pelagic fish such as Blackfins and Sailfish.

Tight lines and trophy trips,

Captain Damon Santelli