Miami, Florida - Offshore

I had forgotten how much fun it was.... “patch” fishing that is. On a recent charter, I had a gentleman that was subject to getting very seasick, even on a moderate day of windy weather. I had two choices: cancel the trip, or come up with another alternative that didn’t include a bouncy day of fishing. I suggested that we try “patch” fishing. From Key Biscayne south throughout the Keys, there are small little reefs that lie east of Hawks Channel and are only in about twenty feet of water. These reefs are home to an abundance of sea life that takes up residence there during the winter months. If fished correctly, anglers can come away from a days fishing with a nice assortment of fish for the table, as well as an exciting day for the kids and seasoned angler as well. Finding these reefs are easy. You can check your local charts and locate them east of the Keys, or you can just run your boat and locate the darker colored “patches” that identify the reefs. It’s not necessary to look in deep water. The tops of the reefs may be under only a foot of water, but you’re not interested in fishing on the top of the reef. The area you want to fish is the deeper water surrounding the reef. The bottom along the edges of the patches is usually sandy and grassy allowing you to fish them without hanging up in the rocks, which you would do if you were to fish directly on top of them. Larger fish cruise the outside edges of these patches in search of food. Anchor your boat up current of the reef leaving approximately fifty feet behind the back of your boat and the reef. Toss over a frozen block of chum in a chum bag. I like to fish the patches with three different kinds of bait. Live Pilchards on a “hot” reef will quickly catch plenty of Grouper, most of which will be undersized, and Mangrove Snapper, most of them being legal size. I use a knocker rig which is made by allowing a 1/2 oz. sinker to slide down your line on top of your hook. I like to use twenty pound line with a 1/0 to 2/0 L194 Eagle Claw hook. You will chum to your boat many other fish that will be looking for a handout. Mutton Snapper flock to the patches during the winter months. Some of them will be tipping the scales over fifteen pounds, however most of them will be smaller. Cero Mackerel will follow the schools of Ballyho swimming in your chum line. They also will hit Pilchards, but will not hesitate eating a live Ballyho tossed behind the boat. Ballyho are easy to catch using light line, a hair hook, and a small piece of shrimp. Use a bobber to help cast the line out and to keep your bait away from the small Yellowtail that will be in your chum line. A live Ballyho on the bottom is also a great bait for large Muttons and bigger Grouper. Try fishing the reef for a good thirty to forty minutes before giving up on it. You may find that certain reefs hold only Grunts and small Yellowtail, while other reefs will hold the Muttons, Grouper, and other “likeable” fish. Be sure to write down the GPS numbers for your new found reef. It doesn’t take long to establish a list of productive reefs. When the winds begin to blow, the waters surrounding the reefs can become very murky and the reefs can be difficult to find. You will find them easier to relocate with your GPS. You will also find them more productive when the water is dirty. The Snapper cannot see your hook and line as well. Before leaving the reef there is one more bait you need to try. I always bring along a supply of fresh shrimp. I place them on ice which keeps them fresh as well as alive. Porgies and Hogfish will be in your chum line as well, but do not hit Ballyho and live Pilchards the way they hit fresh shrimp. A shrimp on the bottom usually does the trick. During that day of fishing my client and I caught, Muttons, Grouper (Blacks,Reds, and Gags) Hogfish, Cero Mackerel, Spanish Mackerel, Yellow Jacks, Mangrove Snapper, Yellowtail, Porgies, and Grunts. We had more than enough food for the table, and most of all...... my client never got sick.