Andy,
I am humbled by your opinion that you think I am an expert and I appreciate the compliment. However, it has been quite a while since I fished those waters. Too Long, in Fact. But, Truth Be Told, I had a roomate who owned an offshore boat, and we went fishing every weekend, and usually the winter weather cut our fishing in half. Steve and I made it to the Bahamas 3 times by boat and the last time I almost died twice during that trip, and the fishing sucked. After a couple of years in Miami, I left the troubled airline that I was working for, and the Keys beckoned, so I went in search of Jimmy Buffet. I knew that a job on a boat was an easy cinch, so it didn't take long for me to find one. I found out soon after, that job's on a boat are just as easy to lose. Most Owner / Captains are not easy to work for, and they know that there will soon be another drifter heading south in search of Boats, Bars and Beaches as we seem to be a dime a dozen down in the keys . . . I will admit, as beautiful as it is there, 6 days a week , 12 hours a day on a boat got old. Cutting Bait at 6am and washing the boat at 6pm. Plus, Guys out number the Women about 20 to 1. But, in the end, I would do it again, given the chance. I have 10, 000 memories I have of "Just another day in paradise."
But, in answer to your question, my memory of Late Summer Fishing is that you can count on getting your share of Dolfin, but don't plan on a boat load of schoolies. But, you should still be able to run into a shcool, or few. They are fast growers, and the late summer should hold some bigger fish. My Memory of Winter fishing for Dolfin was we could always count on a big pair. If you got one, then circle back to pick up the other as in Winter, they seemed to travel as a Bull and Cow . . . Black Fin are Plentiful just about year round and those little footballs are a joy to catch. They are fast divers . . . Wahoo is tapering off that time of year, but you might be able to pick up one by fast trolling over the reef . . . If you are lucky enough to catch a Marlin, late summer might do you well. Troll Fast with Big Baits . . . Sails will be almost non existant, as they are more a winter time catch. We once caught 11 one day on the reef ! . . . Kingfish are kinda scarce in the summer, but I have caught them on hot, flat calm days . . . Bonita seem to be plentiful thru out the year. Not a very good fish to eat, but they make a good cut bait. Very Bloody . . . And, I have to say, that the largest Cuda's I have ever seen, came from the keys. They are all over the reef. Snorkeling on the reef brings memories of seeing hundreds and hundres just drifting in the current. There used to be a monster that hung out under Bud and Mary's Dock. Nine Feet Long ! . . . Snapper on the Reef is good all year. Yellow Tail Snapper is my favorite fish to eat. Man, they are tasty. Mutton are a good catch as well . . . Hint, fish the tides on the reef . . . Back water fishing for Bonefish is good all year, from what I remember. I hung out with several back water guides. But, I never got into going after a grey ghost . . . Tarpon are an excellent catch just about anytime of the year. I used to catch them for fun off my dock in Tavernier. I just butterflied a rotton bait fish and threaded the hook thru a couple of times. Cast out into the canal and leave your bail open . . . Sit Back and Watch the Greenback start to Tail Walk ! ! !
Sorry for Being So Long Winded Here. I Hope My Memory Serves You Well . . . I would love to hear about your trip, and hope you take lots of pictures !
