What's Biting in the Keys - Examiner

The first cold front to hit the Florida Keys has shuffled the deck and given the fishing a brand new hand.

In some areas, the water temperatures have dropped as much as ten degrees. This is most dramatic in the gulf and bay, where fish that had been lethargic are recharged and feeding aggressively. There is also a surge of fish fleeing the areas in search of the warmer Atlantic waters.

Sailfish are beginning to make an appearance

On the reef off Marathon, the sailfish have been seen spraying ballyhoo. Captains who choose to fish live bait are catching the sailfish by drifting in the 100- to 200-foot depths. This is just the beginning of sailfish season as this fishing intensifies with each passing cold front,

If the sails are not cooperating, try dropping on the deeper wrecks and artificial reefs. These areas are producing good size mutton snapper in the five- to ten-pound range. The most productive baits are pilchards, pinfish and ballyhoo.

Greater amberjack fishing is still open in Atlantic waters

Unexpectedly and without notice, the National Marine Fisheries Service has closed the greater amberjack fishery in Gulf of Mexico federal waters from October 24 through December 31. They claim an established annual recreational harvest quota has been met.

However, amberjack fishing is open and thriving in the Atlantic waters of the Florida Keys. So, if you’re visiting from the Gulf Coast and have a hankering for amberjack, call one of the local Florida Keys charter captains to get in on the action.

Amberjack provide excellent sport and are prime for the smoker. Click here for a delicious recipe for smoked fish dip.

You just never know what you may catch while fishing for amberjack on the wrecks of the Florida Keys. Anglers are often granted real prizes in the form of gag grouper, porgy, mutton snapper and more delicious table fare.

Yellowtails and more on the reef

Yellowtailing on the reef has been consistent with a good mix of sizes making their way to the boat. Most captains start their search for the ‘tails in 35 to 40 feet of water and work deeper until the schools pop up on their fish finders. Abundant chum and a variety of baits are key.

While on the reef, don’t neglect to put a bait near the bottom. Now that the water temperatures are cooling, the grouper are responding better to live bait offerings.

The patch reefs are absolutely alive with all manner of fish. All three major mackerel species are present and taking live ballyhoo with abandon. They are also snatching live pilchards that are swimming on the surface of the chum slick.

Large mangrove snapper are showing as well as a fair share of good size muttons in the five- to ten-pound class. There are also reports of red grouper on the patches along with some nice gags and blacks.

Snapper and hogfish in Florida Bay

The cooler Florida Bay waters have pushed the hogfish onto the patch reefs. They respond well to shrimp, either dead or alive. You may also encounter a few porgy, which are extremely tasty with delicate white meat similar to the hogs.

The bay and gulf have been the go-to spots for many Captains with the recent winds. The mangrove bite in Florida Bay is almost too easy with limit catches the norm. A suggestion is to self-impose a size limit larger than what the regulations specify. This gives you more fishing time, which is really why you’re out there in the first place! You may also pick up Spanish and cero mackerel in the bay waters.

Grouper now – cobia soon – on the gulf wrecks

The Gulf of Mexico wrecks and ledges are offering a very good mangrove bite but the real player has been the gag grouper. A fair number of keepers have been reported along with some keeper red grouper.

The cobia are showing with more regularity, although most are still undersize. This fishery will improve as the larger cobes escape the cooler northern waters. Don’t forget the great catch-and-release fishing for goliath grouper and shark that is there for the taking year ‘round.

Florida Keys Calendar of Events

July 4 in Big Pine & the Lower Keys	Big Pine & Lower Keys Fourth of July Celebration Live music, food, cold beverages and games for adults and kids are planned at this free family-friendly event. Gates open at 5 p.m., fireworks at nightfall. Contact CeCe at (305) 766-8467.
July 7-9 in Islamorada	Florida Keys Outfitters/IGFA Inshore World Championship Tournament Tournament winners from around the world are to compete for one of the most prized angling trophies. The tournament features inshore fishing for permit, tarpon, bonefish, redfish and snook. Visit the event's Web site for details. Contact (305) 664-5423 or e-mail flkeyout@bellsouth.net.
July 11-12 in Islamorada	Free Historical Weekend Bicycle Tour Mark Terrill leads this free historical monument bike tour Saturdays and Sundays in July & August from 10 a.m. until noon. Bikes are available for rental, or bring your own. Contact (305) 879-0390.
July 11 in Big Pine & the Lower Keys	25th Annual Underwater Music Festival A submerged songfest for divers, snorkelers and the occasional mermaid emphasizing reef preservation, to be held at Looe Key Reef in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Call (305) 872-2411 or click here.
July 21-26 in Key West	29th Annual Hemingway Days A celebration of the legendary author's work and lifestyle features literary readings, a theatrical premiere, short story competition, fishing tournament, Sloppy Joe's Look-Alike Contest, party commemorating Ernest's July 21st birth and more. Click here for details.
August 3-7 in Marathon	Pigeon Key Marine Science Camp Kids ages 7-18 have a unique opportunity to join a marine science camp while in the Florida Keys and participate in snorkeling, scuba, fish ID, learning about marine habitats and more. E-mail pigeonkeyed@aol.com.
August 6-9 in Key Largo	Wreckfest 2009 Key Largo is the perfect venue for advanced divers through "wreckaholics." The event offers wreck diving plus a roster of topside activities. Contact Chris Brown at (800) 966-DIVE, e-mail info@silentworldkeylargo.com or click here.
August 7-9 in Key West	Key West Lobsterfest Festivities include Friday's Lobsterfest Duval Crawl, a street fair and free concert Saturday, and Sunday's lobster brunch. Contact (305) 294-2000 or click here.
August 11-13 in Key Largo	'Citizen Scientist' Coral Restoration Workshops The two-day event includes two evening lectures and two half days of diving in the Florida Keys. Lectures provide an overview of how the Coral Restoration Foundation is restoring coral reefs in the Florida Keys. Contact (800) 4-AMORAY, e-mail amoraydive@amoray.com or click here.
Sept. 23-27 in Marathon	Florida Keys Birding & Wildlife Festival At the peak of the fall birding season, this event includes presentations, field trips focusing on education and conservation as they relate to Keys birds and wildlife, and an environmental fair. Contact (305) 872-0774 or click here.
Click here for a complete schedule of events in the Florida Keys & Key West!

Keys Community Calendar

Keys July Community Calendar

7/4, Crimestoppers 5K Walk/Run, Smathers Beach

7/4, Conch Republic Ladies' Dolphin Tournament, Key West, 305-304-7674

7/8, Key West Green Drinks, 6-8pm, Finnegan's

7/10, 7/11, KeyFest Exploration of the Paranormal, Key West, 954-709-2981

7/11, 25th Annual Underwater Music Festival, 305-872-2411

7/11, 7/12, Free Historical Weekend Bicycle Tour, Islamorada, 305-879-0390

7/16-7/20, Mel Fisher Days, 305-296-6534

7/21-7/26, Hemingway Days, 305-296-2388; 305-294-0320

7/22-7/25, Key West Marlin Tournament, 305-292-2710

7/29-7/30, Lobster Mini-Season

7/31-8/8, Key Largo Food & Wine Festival, 305-394-3736

8/2, Battle of the Bars, Key West, 305-292-3302

Getting Ready for the Newest Reef off the Keys

KEY WEST, Florida Keys – Final work has begun to sink the ex-military missile tracking ship Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenber as an artificial reef off Key West.

The Vandenberg arrived in Key West April 22, after an 1,100-mile voyage from Norfolk, Va., and is docked behind the USS Mohawk, a historic Coast Guard ship open as a floating museum, at the East Quay Wall in Truman Annex Harbor.

“We’re all pretty excited here in Key West and particularly in view of the fact this is going to be the second largest artificial reef in the world,” said Key West City Commissioner Bill Verge, who is serving as a project liaison between the city and various state and federal agencies.

Project organizers said the scuttling should take place sometime between May 20 and June 1, about six miles south of Key West in 140 feet of water in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

That work primarily involves the cutting of hundreds of large holes on the ship’s decks and sides to help ensure the vessel sinks in an upright position.

Seventy percent of the $8.6 million project’s funding resources and some 75,000 man-hours were required to rid the vessel of contaminants with that work executed in two Norfolk, Va., shipyards.

Pollutants removed include 71 cubic yards of asbestos, 193 tons of materials that contained potentially carcinogenic substances, 46 tons of refuse, 300 pounds of mercury-containing materials and 185 55-gallon drums of paint chips, officials said.

The ship first saw duty as a U.S. Army troop transport named the General Harry Taylor. It became the Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg in 1963 and tracked the U.S. space program’s launches off Cape Canaveral. It also served in the Pacific monitoring U.S. defense missile test launches and eavesdropped on Russian missile launches during the Cold War. Port Canaveral, Fla., was the Vandenberg’s last active duty home port beginning in 1976.

The Vandenberg was formally retired in 1983 and was transferred to the James River Naval Reserve Fleet. But, according to Patrick J. Utecht, who managed the ship’s electronic systems, a team of six technicians would visit Vandenberg every six months to power up all shipboard electronics and make any necessary repairs. Despite the state of readiness, more

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