With temperatures, the lowest in 130 years, the fisheries in Key West have been modified by Mother Nature for some time to come. The water temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico and the flats surrounding Key West have proven to be deadly for some of the species native to this area. SNOOK, BARRACUDA, JEWFISH (GOLIATH GROUPER) and a variety of other species have taken a beating. Dead fish line the shoreline and many more will form floating lines in the Gulf over the next several days as decomposition begins to take place. Although this sounds doom and gloom for the waters north of the keys for a while, this old fisherman has been here before.
As the fish head for warmer waters further south, many species such as COBIA, KINGFISH, SPANISH AND CIRO MACKEREL, POMPANO, REDFISH and many other species will find a winter home in Key West. The warm waters of the Gulfstream are pushing against the reefs south of the keys and forming a more temperate clime for these
wandering species. The warm water pushes into Hawks Channel and the islands of the keys form a natural temperature barrier that keeps the waters to the south of the islands at a moderate clime. This means GREAT fishing around Key West for the duration of this winter while the fisheries north of here will be taking a set back until their waters begin to warm.Captain Ralph Delph
