June is normally when we find ourselves on the backside of the Spring run and we’re moving steadily ahead into the Summer bite. Dolphin will be the target for most anglers making the annual pilgrimage to the Keys as a “fishing destination”. If you’re tired of long days spent running to the bite, have no fear. Our Dolphin bite is close enough that on most days you are in plain sight of land. While fishing in 250’ of water, you can catch a slammer dolphin, take a picture with your phone and have it sent to all your friends before the fish even thinks about calming down in the box!
If you’ve never fished the Keys Dolphin run, you are in for more action than you can imagine. We catch them even when we aren’t trying to, if that gives you any idea of just how many are around. Anglers anchored up on the reef catching Snapper will keep a pitch rod at-the-ready for when dolphin swim into the chum-line. I can’t even begin to tell you how many 30-50 lb. Dolphin we’ve landed on gear intended for a Yellowtail Snapper.
Speaking of Yellowtail Snapper; June is a great month for targeting them anywhere in the Keys. We typically have lighter current conditions this month and when coupled with light winds it creates perfect conditions for Yellowtail fishing. Some of the biggest “Flags” of the year will be brought to the docks in June. Light tackle, Fluorocarbon leader, small hooks or jigs, chum and bait is all that is required for some fresh dinner snapper. I like to use 12 to 20 lb. spinning gear, 15 lb. leader and 1/4oz lead-head jigs. Be prepared to drop as low as 10 lb. leader when the fish get line-shy. I’ve actually watched the school open up to allow my baits to pass before they resumed milling about in the chum slick. Snapper have excellent eyesight so you might have to work a little harder to get them to eat, but it’s well worth the effort.
Since we’re on the subject of fishing the reef, don’t forget that there’s more than one type of Snapper living out there. June is one of the most popular months for targeting Mutton Snapper. If you are targeting the Mutton run, plan your trip between 23rd and 29th since they congregate around the May and June full moons. Live pinfish (which are plentiful in the Keys) will be the bait of choice for most anglers targeting Muttons. Terminal gear will be 5/0 hooks tied below 6-10’ of 50 lb. leader. Use just enough lead to get your bait down and hold on the bottom, but make sure you don’t allow the lead to bounce off the bottom. Favorite depths for Muttons will fall between 75’ and 130’ just off the edge of the reef.
Key West Harbor has long been held as the best place to chase Tarpon, and for good reason. There is plenty of deep water just off the shore-line and good current to push bait to waiting fish in the harbor. “Chunking” shrimp trash or frozen Threadfin Herring as chum is the most productive method for targeting harbor Tarpon, but don’t hesitate to drop back a pinfish or other live bait. Many of these tarpon will top 100 lb. so be prepared when the Silver King comes calling.
I would be remiss if I didn’t talk about Big Game Fishing off of Key West. After all, this is the place that Ernest Hemingway called home so that he could fish the deep blue water in search of Marlin. June is a great time for targeting Marlin off Woods Wall. A short 20 mile run to the 1,000 foot drop-off will put you in the zone. We’ve already had a good showing of Blues and Whites which are following the dolphin. The best part about fishing Marlin right now is that you’ll have plenty of other fish to catch while you wait for the “Man-in-the Blue Suit” to show his bill behind your baits. If you’ve never experienced the rush off seeing a 400 lb. billfish crashing the spread, you’re in for a sight you won’t ever forget. Most of our blues are caught on gear meant for Dolphin, so 30-50lb outfits will work, just make sure they have full spools of fresh line.
Since you already plan on being in the deep water, don’t forget about our “other” pointy nosed fish, the Broadbill Swordfish. Swordfish are one of my personal favorites as a target species. You can troll your way out to the fishing grounds, stop and do some deep dropping and then set-up for swords. We fish them off Woods Wall and target depths from 800’ to 1800’. The beauty of it is that you never know if it’s 90lbs or 490lbs tugging back at you. In June, the Gulfstream currents make for great drifting and will carry your baits right to the zone. Watch your bottom machine for the schools of Tinker Mackerel and Squid because a strike will be soon to follow.
With all of this action so close to Key West, it’s no wonder why June is so popular for fishing in the Lower Keys!
Catch’em Up!
Capt Rob Harris
Got TA Go Charters, Key West