Marathon, Florida Keys

Sword Season The late summer warm and calm conditions has some anglers all hyped up for offshore night fishing for Swordfish! Good catches have been reported lately from 30-35 miles off of Marathon SW of the Marathon hump and near the "Wall" south of Big Pine Key. My good friend Capt Andy Wing reported catching 2 swordfish the other night on the "Silver Queen" out of Marthon while missing several other fish. One of their catches was about a 140lb Sword and another one twice that size followed thier fish up to the boat but they could not bait it up in time and missed the opportunity. Best baits have been rigged squid fished deep drifting and live large Blue Runners fished one up and one deep while drifting. Lots of anglers with larger boats have been taking advantage of the calm weather and coolness of fishing after dark to hook up with some great Swordfish action. Yellowtail at Night The reef bite has been very good for Yellowtail Snapper and Mangrove Snapper especially at night when the sun is off of your head and the fish swim right up to the boat. Get your spot staked out at around dusk and start the chum slick. Limits of nice fish have been common and a few large Black Grouper have been thrown into the mix as well. Good luck in all of your fishing adventures! Capt. Bob Brown, Jr.