Lobster madness is on.
Here we are, smack in the middle of the craziest time of the year in the Keys, with thousands of people with bugs on the brain. The search for the elusive lobster is on in such a way that you can actually see fear in their little beady eyes. It's entertaining to watch and a blast to do. There's nothing like catching your own dinner, either by rod and reel or with net and tickle stick.
If you're going diving for lobster, it is a good idea to take along some bait such as a box of squid because you are more than likely to run across some nice fish, particularly grouper in the holes, when you're hunting crawfish. Having a whole squid to present in front of a hungry grouper has always worked for me. Capturing him on a hook is also much more beneficial for his long-term health if the need to release presents itself.
Now is a good time to go fishing offshore because you are not apt to run into too many lobster divers (except the extremely dumb ones or those without a working depth finder.)
Dolphin are throughout the Keys from 8 to 15 miles out, and so are wahoo and tunas. The odds of having too much company are low. The only problem is getting to the reef line without feeling you are driving through a pinball machine.
One of the problems with navigating with all of the other boaters out there is that some of them have developed bug brains -- they are looking for lobster and pretty much worried about nothing else. The best thing to do is give wide berth to dive boats, especially those trolling divers in search of lobster.
This usually works but some boat operators don't have a problem with leaving a diver that has dropped off the towline well aft of the boat. This can cause a problem since it' difficult to see a diver in the water, especially with any wave action. You may think you are well clear of them and then find there is a diver right in front of you.
This is more so a possibility in the shallower waters of the bay and around the bridge channels than on the oceanside.
Speaking of the bridge channels, this is one of the most congested areas you will find, particularly around the period of slack tide. There are times you can't see a boat in the area and still find a diver in the channel. The best way to handle this without ruining either yours or the diver's day is to slow down, take a little more time and make sure you can get through without an incident. This will help keep everyone's day a good one.
It's going to be crowded; accept it and deal with it properly.
Night fishing is also a great bet, as the moon is in a favorable phase for the fish to be biting. The reef is your best bet for yellowtail, muttons and numerous grouper. Mangrove snapper have also been plentiful, so much so that keeping track of your limit has been the only challenge. Live baits, such as pinfish and shrimp, are best. But squid, ballyhoo, glass minnows and silversides are also great. Take plenty of good chum for best results.
This is your last week of open waters for night fishing, as the lobster traps hit the aqua Aug. 6 for eight months.
The rock humps along Hawk Channel are also a good bet for night fishing. Drifting both the channel and the reef patches has been exceptional as of late. Live baits or rigged squid have been good. It has produced big grouper, very nice yellowtail and some huge mangrove snapper. If you hit a spot with several bites in a small area, you may want to anchor and give it some time to see if you have found a good school.
The flats are another good bet for anglers during this frenzy of divers. They can produce some very good fishing as well as some exciting entertainment with all of the novice boaters around (they couldn't understand why you were pushing your boat with a pole until they hit bottom). It will also give you some protection.
There have been plenty of bonefish early and permit throughout the day. And with all the traffic around the bridge channels, tarpon should be moving to the flats for peace and quiet, and to feed. For fun fishing, the flats are teaming with all sizes of barracuda and quite a few sharks right now, so there should be plenty to cast to.
If you're diving, have fun. Good luck and be safe. If you're fishing, have fun. Good luck and be safe. If you have to go to the grocery store in the afternoon and find yourself near the butter section, good luck.