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Reef
Fishing in Key West still provides some of the best bottom action to be
found in the United States. The third largest living reef in the world
is home to a variety of bottom dwellers as well as the many pelagic species
that visit the face of the sharp drops. Black, gag, red, yellowfin, scamp,
and yellowmouth grouper as well as mutton, cubera, and red snapper are
prime targets of the dedicated bottom fisherman.
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Dr.
Steve Lawyer recently landed a 91# black grouper on 20# test line in 150'
of water. On another trip, Martin Arostegui boated a 42 1/2# gag grouper
on 10# test line using a bucktail jig for bait. Grouper from 20# to 50#
are not uncommon, and using twenty pound test tackle or less gives you real
bragging rites. You are sure to lose your fair share, but that's why they
call it "Sport Fishing".
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Elizabeth Chamberlain landed this 52# Black
Grouper on 20# test spinning tackle.
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Mutton
snapper
from 10# to 15# are common and are fine table fare. Muttons over 20# are
not uncommon. I know of at least two over 28#. Red snapper, though not as
common as the mutton snapper, grow to over 50#, however in Key West, a 30#
red snapper will draw admiration from even the most experienced pro. We
have been pioneering some light tackle techniques that we think will revolutionize
bottom fishing as it is known today. It has proven deadly over the past
several years, and we feel that it will become a standard for bottom or reef
fishing from Nova Scotia to Mexico.
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Ron Glinski shows off a 20# Mutton Snapper
caught on 15# test plug tackle and bucktail jig.
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Only
a few boats in this area will consistently produce quality reef fishing
for grouper and snapper, and of those, even fewer will use light tackle.
I say this only to encourage the conservation of a limited resource. After
all, there is little sport involved in hunting rabbits with an elephant
gun. If you would like a real challenge and want to try something old and
something new, as well as some of the best eating fish you will ever have,
then try "Reef Fishing" in Key West. |
