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In regards to my deepsea fishing trip?

Thanks for your answers on my previous question, I did look up the tropic star fishing resort and hope to go someday! But for now i think we are going to the Florida Keys, has anyone been there in late january? If so how was the fishing and what species were most active. I am hoping to catch sailfish, sharks, grouper and tarpon.

Public Comments

1. Which Key are you going to? I may be able to direct you to some hot spots depending on what key you are going to.

*Edit* You said you are looking for Sailfish..So I am going to assume you have a boat. This is for the middle keys...where I usually fish.

Sailfish- Offshore fishing in the keys in January is when its at its best. Sail fish will not be hard to find and offshore will be good on days when the wind turns SE or South. The fish have been pretty shallow lately anywhere from 100-300 ft. Just troll fresh Ballyhoo or drift live baits.

Grouper-Regulations may have you looking for another fish to catch. Rec Anglers may be barred from fishing Grouper at all. But just in case you get lucky and can do some grouper fishing patch reefs from 25-45 feet are producing fish just not huge ones. Use a dropper rig with a pinfish, crab, or Grunt Head on the bottom.

Shark- Well sharks are all over the place. If you want Nurse sharks head out to a shallow reef and chum for a few hours...Drop and grunt head to the bottom and they will be there. ( I say nurse shark because they are fun to catch if you are a beginner, and they aren't too dangerous) Places like the Seven mile bridge are also good for sharks. Large live Pinfish or mullet make great bait.

Tarpon- The Tarpon bite is not as hot in the winter but you can catch them. The 7 mile bridge where I fish most of the time is better in the mornings on the incoming tide. I usually use a variety of baits like live Mullet, Pinfish, Blue Crabs, and artificial lures. Best live bait is Live Mullet and the best Lure is the Bomber long A when fished in the dark.

2. for sailfish: mullet dredges, ballyhoo lland lures
for sharks: tuna chunks, and other fish chunks. try chumming bluefish
for tarpon: live crabs
hope this helps
good luck and good fishing

3. Adam will get you on the fish just ask!

4. no sorry
every1 plz answer my fishing question:)
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20081211212010AAn7s4W

5. I go to Islamorada twice a year but never in Jan., but do keep up on fishing reports from area. Last weekend, had a sailfish tourney in Islamorada, 25-30 boats entered for 3 days released around 400 sailfish. I'd say sailfish are in vogue! Grouper and snapper also a good bet in Jan. Local radio station streams on internet, log onto sun103.com. They have fishing report every day at 9:10 and 4:10. Hope that helps a bit. Tight lines.