Capt Bob

[CT Surfer]

Hey Capt,
Corresponded with you several times in the past. I've visited the Keys at least a dozen times now. The last 2 years I rented a house in Islamorada. (last week of May to the first week of June.) I always pick my weeks to start at the end of the full moon in May. The first year was great but last year we got blown out and the fishing was terrible. I was wondering if you had any opinion on which month would be better this year. I was going to book May 24th(full moon) until June 7th. Do you think it would be better for me to fish the new moon after the 7th or stick with the weeks I've been using before?
Thanks,
Chris

[Capt Bob]

I broke out my crystal ball ( actually it's one of those big 8 balls with the little window in the bottom) to predict fishing...

After a lot of try again later's and a couple of I don't knows and one answer where the ball actually went into a fit of laughter just before imploding....

Most people down here don't fish around the full moons, especially on the reefs,,,the light allows tthe fish to feed 24/7 and with full stomachs they tend to stay away from baits especially during the day...so if I had an option I'd choose some time when the moon is minimal


now weather...even the guys and gals who get paid to predict it haven't got a clue, one thing is for certain...it will be thunderstorm season and while we sometimes get 3-4 a day they blow thru quickly...so keeping options open on the types of fish and fishing is a BIG plus...there will be tons of species available..but will they be feeding????...I got to get a new crystal ball for that one

back water species will probably be a better bet if you come near the full moon other wise I'd like the new moon personally...the fish will be on their day schedule and more aggressive

[Captain Bill Welder]

Hey Capt,
Corresponded with you several times in the past. I've visited the Keys at least a dozen times now. The last 2 years I rented a house in Islamorada. (last week of May to the first week of June.) I always pick my weeks to start at the end of the full moon in May. The first year was great but last year we got blown out and the fishing was terrible. I was wondering if you had any opinion on which month would be better this year. I was going to book May 24th(full moon) until June 7th. Do you think it would be better for me to fish the new moon after the 7th or stick with the weeks I've been using before?
Thanks,
Chris

You never stated what you were targeting for the last 2 years.
Offshore for Dolphin, Bridges for Tarpon or Reef for Grouper???

2006 was a banner year for dolphin from 30 to 50lbs here in the lower keys. Best time was last week in April and tapering off by the end of May for BIG fish. Weather was decent in 2006. 2007 we did not get near as many big dolphin and it was very windy in April and May in the same time frame. The week you were here was VERY WINDY. The full moon for offshore would not be my first choice but if you leave later in the day and stay through early evening in May you will be rewarded.

Current rips through the bridges during the full moon so not so much of an issue fishing for tarpon. 2006 the tarpon bite turned on around the 3rd week in April like it usually does. 2007 it turned on the 2nd week in April and the bite was slower in mid May than usual. 2004 (I think) there was a cold front the last week in April that shut down the bite at the bridges for tarpon until May 10th. Go figure

If I could only fish the reef 3 days a month for grouper and snapper I will take the 2 days before the full moon and the day of the full moon. We only go to shoot fish during the day just before the full moon. We see more grouper and mutton snapper crusing at that time. Why? I have no frigging clue.

I think the later you plan your stay in May the better chance you will have for less windy days and better weather. That being said the earlier you plan your trip in May is usually better for BIG dolphin offshore . It all depends on the wind.
Do you feel lucky???