Key West Pro Guides

The Seaw**d and the Fishing...

When most anglers hear the word seaw**d, they immediately think about offshore dolphin (mahi-mahi) fishing. Around here, we're talking about sargassum, and under the right conditions, it's one of the best things you can find offshore.

A little bit is amazing.

A lot of it can create problems for just about everyone.

During a typical summer, we look for scattered w**d lines moving west to east through the Gulf Stream at around two miles per hour. Those floating patches provide shade, attract baitfish, and become magnets for dolphin and other pelagic species. When the w**d is spread out, it can mean fast-paced action and some incredible offshore fishing.

Unfortunately, that's not always the case.

For the past several years, we've seen massive amounts of sargassum, and when it piles up, it changes everything.

When Too Much Becomes Too Much
By the middle of summer, we usually enjoy light southeast winds, calm seas, warm water, and long beautiful days. It's also when the seaw**d begins stacking offshore, along the beaches, and eventually washing ashore throughout the Keys.

We've always had seaw**d, but in recent years the amount has become overwhelming.

As it collects on the beaches and begins to decompose, it releases hydrogen sulfide and ammonia, creating the familiar rotten egg smell that locals know all too well.

Offshore captains deal with another challenge. Instead of narrow w**d lines that concentrate fish, they sometimes encounter mats nearly a quarter-mile wide. Those giant patches can make trolling difficult and can be nearly impossible to work around.

Why the Backcountry Stays So Fishable
Fortunately, the Florida Keys have a natural advantage.

The islands break apart much of the incoming seaw**d and funnel it through the many channels that run between the islands. That helps keep large amounts of it from reaching much of the protected backcountry and the shallow Gulf waters.

Every morning, one of the first things we look at is the wind direction and the tide. Those two factors tell us where the cleanest water will be and help us avoid the largest concentrations of seaw**d. Most days, with a little planning, we're able to fish areas with very little of it.

That's important because thick mats of seaw**d can block sunlight from reaching the bottom and reduce oxygen levels in the water, both of which can impact these fragile ecosystems.

One of Key West's Best Summer Fisheries
Take a look at a map of Key West and you'll notice the expansive waters north of the islands. That's our backcountry, and it's one of the reasons summer fishing remains so productive even when offshore seaw**d becomes a challenge.

The protected waters offer outstanding opportunities for a variety of species, including snapper, grouper, jacks, permit, barracuda, sharks, and tarpon. With short runs to the fishing grounds and easy access to fresh bait, we're able to spend more time fishing and less time running.

For many families and vacationers, a 4- or 5-hour backcountry trip is all it takes to enjoy a great day on the water. You'll experience beautiful scenery, steady fishing action, and if conditions allow, we'll even send you home with a few fresh fish for dinner.

Whether the offshore w**d lines are perfect or piled high, one thing doesn't change—there's always a great place to fish in Key West. Knowing where to go each day is part of what makes fishing here so special.

If you're planning a trip this summer, our backcountry charters are a great way to enjoy productive fishing while staying in some of the most protected and scenic waters the Florida Keys have to offer.

Capt. Paul

Jack Crevalles are some of the toughest Backcountry fish of all! We have huge schools of them and in the wintertime, we can get fish north of 20lbs.! These guys are super hardy eaters and take absolutely anything thrown their way! Give these brutes a chance to stretch your arms a little and enjoy a day in the Backcountry. Let's Go Fishing! Capt. Paul - 3057474650

Huge Cuda!! This is what a serious Backcountry Barracuda looks like folks. We use brightly colored tube lures to catch these monsters with amazing luck! They are super fast and very strong fish. A blast to target in the backcountry... Let's Go Fishing!! Capt. Paul 3057474650

This is the definition of a stud! We are crushing the Mangrove snappers right now. This is the back end of the spawn and the big ones are crushing baits just 6 miles from our dock. Dont miss out, if you have time for a half day trip in the next few weeks, Let's Go Fishing!! 3057474650... Capt. Paul

Mutton Snapper! This was one of the best Mutton Snapper season in many years. The bite was fantastic, the weather was warm, but not hot. The wind was light with awesome water conditions. The reefs and wrecks are doing very well right now and the backcountry trips are solid. Lets spend a nice day on the water for some fun fishing and some great eating... Let's Go Fishing!!

Did you just say Fight? Well this is what a Heavyweight fight looks like... Permit!! They are spawning on our wrecks in huge numbers and are super eager to feed. We get them up to the mid 30lb. range and its like nothing you've ever felt. Give it a try and see just how amazing these brutes are! Let's Go Fishing!! 3057474650 - Paul

Bonefish!! One of the fastest runners in the shallows. We have a few awesome ways to target them in the shallows and they are fantastic line runners! This is the time of the year when the water is crystal clear, the wind is super light and the schools of Bones are fat. Let's Go Fishing!

SAILFISH! Yes, it's that time of the year and they are strong! Spring is the best time to target Sailfish, we have the whole reef to target them and they are here! Let's Go Fishing!

Awesome Memories!! Folks, these were the days.. Kingfish every line out, great conversations and great time on the water.. Let us create some awesome memories for you!! Let's Go Fishing!! Capt. Paul - 3057474650

Permit, again. Anyone you ever talk to about Permit will say the same thing... Awesome! Pure and Simple. Don't miss your chance to have this special opportunity, it truly is. Let's Talk! Let's Go Fishing! Capt. Paul - 305-747-4650