Hawks Cay fishing report Duck Key

[Capt Tom Aiuto]

Capt. Tom Aiuto at HAWKS CAY RESORT & MARINA reports the waters are a perfect, 75 degrees, with winds from 5 to 10 knots with some day gusting to 25 knots. This week Tarpon is King, Tarpon fishing has become so hot lately. That the Silver King have become the #1 target around Duck Key. Most of the guides are fishing (2) trips a day seven days a week and scoring impressive catches of 6 to 8 Tarpon in the morning and 2 to 3 Tarpon on the night bite to 150 lbs. Tarpon are inhaling live Mullet and Crabs under the bridges and in the cuts and channels that lead in and out of the flats. The Shark bite is still pretty good, with Blacktip to 105 lbs, Lemons to 175 lbs, and Bull Sharks to 250 lbs. Supplying most of the action bending rods all week. Bones fish hunting has been tough, but when the winds lay down the action picked right up. Brown bonefish jigs dressed with shrimp are doing the trick with 5 to 8 fish a day to 7 lbs. The Sailsfishing is still hot and heavy. Catshes of 8 to 12 Sails a day are not uncommon. Blackfin Tuna are bending rods on the Marathon Hump, taking live (pilchards) to 30 lbs. There are lots of large schools of small Dolphin (mahi mahi) with fish to 15 lbs. with an occasional 30 pound cow mixed in. Cobia made a decent showing with fish to 45 lbs. The reef is producing good action with Mutton Snappers to 15 lbs. Mangrove Snappers to 20 lbs, 2 to 4 lb. Yellowtail, and Lane Snappers mixed with Grunts and Porgies with 1 or 2 keeper Groupers. Tight Lines To All, Capt Tom Aiuto. For Florida Keys updates e-mail Capt. Tom at e-mail hawkscayfishing@aol.com. Charter info, Hawks Cay Marina, 305 743 9000 - option #2