Sailfishing with kites
This time of the year you can expect to see Sailfish roaming the edge of the reef and when the conditions are right we catch and release a couple fish a day.
All of our Islamorada sail fishing is done with live bait and kites. Kite Fishing allows us to spread our baits apart, meaning we are covering more area. It also keeps all of the fishing line and leader out of the water, which in theory allow for a cleaner bite and a greater hook up success rate.
We use several different baits in the kites but primarily we use goggle eyes and pilchards.
If the wind is not blowing enough to fly the kites then we are going to be using our light spinning tackle to cast live baits at fish we find swimming or chasing baits around on the surface. When we are sight fishing our bait of choice is ballyhoo.
Quite often while we are attempting to catch a sailfish we will catch other species, the most common being Kingfish. Kingfish are a lot of fun to catch. They pull a lot of line out and it’s generally non-stop action. Fishermen get worn out and have to take a beer or water break.
Islamorada Snapper fishing report
Anchoring and dropping a chum bag has been very successful this month. We have been catching limits of yellowtail snappers. They are great fighters on light tackle and very good eating.
Anchoring on structure is fun when families with young children are fishing. Snappers bite well and often keeping kids occupied and happy. Happy kids make happy parents.
Islamorada fishing report February preview
Sailfish will still be around in good numbers.
Wahoos should appear around the full moon. They are the fastest fish in the ocean and are tremendous fighters.
If the water is clear enough, hunting for cobias will start. It is a really cool sight when you find a giant sting ray swimming along the bottom and there is a large school of cobia’s swimming on top of them.
You have to be fast cause I guarantee you are not the only boat looking for them and they can move really quick at times. An average cobia is going to weigh 10-15lbs but it is not uncommon to find them in the 30-60lb range.
It can take some time to find them so be patient cause you can’t find em if you do not go look for em.