KEY WEST FISHING REPORT - April 20th 2010

Tuesday, I headed out in to the Gulf of Mexico for my first shrimp boat excursion of the season aboard the Coolcast. While we trailed the shrimp boats, my clients caught 12 Blackfin Tuna on cut bycatch. The biggest Blackfin tipped the scales at 32 pounds. It was an excellent day in the gulf for fishing with placid waters and light variable breezes. Following the first shrimp trawler 38 miles north-west of Key West, we nabbed 5 Tuna, a 28-pound Cobia, as well as a few Bonita. A huge Hammerhead could be seen stalking for the shrimpers to dump the trash from their nets. Following a 2nd boat, my party pulled 7 more Blackfins from the water as well as a 250-pound Bull Shark utilizing cut bait and 30-pound test.

After the shrimpers headed home, we visited one of the large communication towers in the Gulf of Mexico; S Tower sits 43 miles from Key West. I chummed the water with cut shrimper trash, attracting some Yellowtail Snapper, plenty of Amberjack, and a 35-pound Cobia. Since we had such a fantastic day in the Gulf today, I'm returning tomorrow.

Good anglin',

Capt. Damon Santelli